Shah Rukh Khan, who plays a midget in Aanand L Rai's Zero, walks into an arena, fans cheering from the gallery, as what sounds like Jaaved Jaaferi, in the manner of a commentator, gives a colourful introduction–the "dil, jigar and jaan" of the nation, the full moon of Eid. Wearing a jeans, a black leather jacket, a white T-shirt with Katrina Kaif emblazoned on it, and a gamchha wrapped around his neck, he is mighty pleased with the adulation. Only it's not SRK they are cheering for, but Salman Khan, whose shadow rising amid the special effects smoke makes an entry even before he does.
What is this WWE-meets-Bollywood-awards-meets-Takeshi's-Castle? And what is Salman Khan doing in Zero? It's two superstars, who've had a thorny history, helping each other out: a push for Salman's Race 3 a day before its release, as well as the biggest possible unveiling of SRK's movie, which is coming out on 21 December.
Are we to make anything of the plot of the movie from this "Eid Teaser"? Is it a peek into a meta-movie, in which SRK's character is a Salman fan? As the two Khans display brotherly love, dancing to a flavourful Sukhwinder Singh song, hugging, and kissing and conveying Eid greetings to the viewers, all we get to know is that SRK plays Bauua Singh, and he has the reputation of turning careers and changing lives of whoever he backs. That sounds a lot like Salman himself, no?
Produced by Gauri Khan, Zero also stars Anushka Sharma and Kaif. It is written by Himanshu Sharma and has music by Ajay-Atul.