Bollywood Trade News Network

Fox STAR Studios, 20th Century Fox International and Fox Searchlight Pictures announced today that MY NAME IS KHAN, the highly anticipated film from director Karan Johar and starring Bollywood megastars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, will open in theaters in India and over 40 countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East on Valentine's Day weekend (February 12th 2010). Other remaining territories will release in early spring/summer 2010.

MY NAME IS KHAN reunites Shah Rukh Khan - named by Time magazine as "the world's biggest movie star" - and Kajol for the first time in eight years. They have previously starred in five films together, including KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI and DILWALE DULHANIYA LE JAYENGE, all of which were blockbuster hits that established the pair as Bollywood's hottest on-screen couple.

The film also marks a re-teaming of Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan, who most recently collaborated three years ago on the hit KABHI ALVIDA NA KEHNA. Over the years, Karan and Shah Rukh have enjoyed an unbelievable run at the box office, working together on such hit films as KABHI ALVIDA NA KEHNA, KAL HO NA HO and KABHI KHUSHI KABHI GHAM - some of the most successful Indian films at the international box office.

In MY NAME IS KHAN, Shah Rukh Khan stars as Rizvan Khan, an unconventional hero who embarks on an incredible journey across America in order to win back the love of his life. Along the way his unique brand of goodness and humanity touches the lives of many and inspires a nation.

"MY NAME IS KHAN, at its core, is an epic love story between two people who have a unique way of seeing the world, but what sets it apart is the landscape on which the story unfolds. I keep setting out to do something different with my films, but the one constant that remains is my desire to continue to explore the many ways in which two people can fall in love and stay in love regardless of any or every challenge against them," says director Karan Johar. "With this film, we hope to meet the audiences' expectations and, along with Fox Star Studios, we hope to entertain audiences, both in India and around the world in a manner that has perhaps never been done before."

"There has been a hugely positive response from exhibitors across the world to MY NAME IS KHAN. The coming together of Shah Rukh, Karan and Kajol is a big event for Bollywood audiences across the world and their fan base is eagerly awaiting the release. But what makes MY NAME IS KHAN a very special film is that it brings together the finest Indian talent with a powerful story that has relevance for audiences everywhere," said Fox Star Studios CEO Vijay Singh.

"We are so excited to be releasing this incredibly touching film starring the fantastic team of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. This film speaks to everyone no matter where they are from," said Fox Searchlight Pictures President Nancy Utley

The partnership on MY NAME IS KHAN follows Fox STAR Studios' successful release of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE in India earlier this year. Fox STAR Studios will market and distribute the film in India, while Fox Searchlight Pictures - which marketed and distributed Slumdog Millionaire in the U.S. to tremendous box office results and eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture - will release the film in the United States. MY NAME IS KHAN will be distributed outside of India and the U.S. by Twentieth Century Fox International.

"Being able to work with this 'dream team' of talent on our first Indian film release is a real privilege for Fox International, and we look forward to introducing them and this beautiful film to a global audience," said Paul Hanneman and Tomas Jegeus, Co-Presidents of Twentieth Century Fox International.