By now film followers are aware that MY NAME IS ANTHONY GONSALVES has Shahrukh Khan's 'Red Chillies Entertainment' as the Line Producers of the film.
However, by looking at the promos, one senses a special reason for Shahrukh to be a part of this project. That's because if one looks closely, the character of the film's lead protagonist Anthony Gonsalves (played by Nikhil Dwivedi) appears to be modeled on Shahrukh Khan from his early days.
Not just this, even the look, mannerisms and profile of Dwivedi have an uncanny resemblance to that of Shahrukh Khan. In the film, Nikhil plays the role of a young man who has dreams of becoming a superstar but is ridiculed by everyone due to his average looks, medium height and built. His dancing skills are questioned too and there are doubts if he was good enough to even play a hero's friend, let alone a hero.
Now if one gets into a comparison mode, even Shahrukh had similar traits in early stages of his career and it was only after a considerable stint in theater, TV serials and small roles in a couple of offbeat films that he got noticed.
Presented by Sahara One Motion Pictures, the film stars Amrita Rao as the leading lady along with Mithun Chakraborty, Mukesh Tiwari, Anupam Kher, Pawan Malhotra and Saurabh Shukla. Directed by E Niwas, the film would be releasing on 11th January.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Shahrukh Khan more popular than Tom Cruise
A year ago, Shahrukh Khan was asked how he felt about a report that 3.2 billion people knew him, while only 2.7 billion across the world knew Tom Cruise. Replying with his trademark humility, Khan pointed out that Cruise still made more money thanks to Hollywood's marketing and pricing power. "So there, we do fall short," he had said.
But, recent indications show that King Khan will have less room to complain in the years to come. Bollywood cash flow has just begun to build up in tandem with its effort to build global scale and reach. And last month, there was an opportunity to guage the current market appeal of both Khan and Cruise. Lions for Lambs, directed by Robert Redford and starring Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep released about the same time as Om Shanti Om (OSO), directed by Farah Khan and starring Shahrukh Khan and debutante Deepika Padukone. Cruise's movie, which had consumed $35 million in production, garnered $10.3 million in 45 markets on its opening weekend. Khan's movie, also his home production, grossed $19 million worldwide in its opening weekend.
But the most thumping show of the rising might of Indian films came Tamil Superstar Rajinikant's Sivaji, which collected between Rs 100-150 crore worldwide — the highest for any Indian film so far. While OSO and Sivaji are just like oases in a desert, they show that Indian movies have it in them to be global offerings.
Bollywood is sure to make a determined bid to narrow its revenue gap with Hollywood, experts say. Advances in digital technology have brought down the cost of prints — a big cost element — by as much as 90%. That has made it easier for Indian film producers to put out many more prints for distribution. So a movie like OSO is today able to release with a simultaneous print run of 1,400, of which 500 are digital.
One reason is the improving economies of scale. Multiplex cinemas are spreading across the nation, even in smaller towns. In fact, multiplex halls average Rs. 150 per movie. "With increased prints come more collections, especially in the Bombay circuit, Central Province and Central India," says Rajesh Mishra, chief operating officer, UFO Moviez, which has installed digital outfits in 903 cinemas across 23 states. Digital distribution has raised revenue per film. If the last year's big ticket films were sold in the range of Rs 4-6 crore to distributors for Bombay, the territory with the highest earnings, the tag has gone up to Rs 11 crore this year. This can only increase considering industry estimates that the reach of multiplexes is going to increase from 400 to 2,000 by 2011.
The spread of Internet and mobile phone usage, coupled with the Indians' everlasting passion for music, will ensure new media revenues grow for Bollywood. Digital music revenue is expected to touch Rs 3,601 crore by 2009, compared with Rs 450 crore in 2005, according to a PwC study. More and more firms are tapping this potential. For instance, Eros Entertainment derived 11% of its April-September total revenue from new-media opportunities.
But, recent indications show that King Khan will have less room to complain in the years to come. Bollywood cash flow has just begun to build up in tandem with its effort to build global scale and reach. And last month, there was an opportunity to guage the current market appeal of both Khan and Cruise. Lions for Lambs, directed by Robert Redford and starring Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep released about the same time as Om Shanti Om (OSO), directed by Farah Khan and starring Shahrukh Khan and debutante Deepika Padukone. Cruise's movie, which had consumed $35 million in production, garnered $10.3 million in 45 markets on its opening weekend. Khan's movie, also his home production, grossed $19 million worldwide in its opening weekend.
But the most thumping show of the rising might of Indian films came Tamil Superstar Rajinikant's Sivaji, which collected between Rs 100-150 crore worldwide — the highest for any Indian film so far. While OSO and Sivaji are just like oases in a desert, they show that Indian movies have it in them to be global offerings.
Bollywood is sure to make a determined bid to narrow its revenue gap with Hollywood, experts say. Advances in digital technology have brought down the cost of prints — a big cost element — by as much as 90%. That has made it easier for Indian film producers to put out many more prints for distribution. So a movie like OSO is today able to release with a simultaneous print run of 1,400, of which 500 are digital.
One reason is the improving economies of scale. Multiplex cinemas are spreading across the nation, even in smaller towns. In fact, multiplex halls average Rs. 150 per movie. "With increased prints come more collections, especially in the Bombay circuit, Central Province and Central India," says Rajesh Mishra, chief operating officer, UFO Moviez, which has installed digital outfits in 903 cinemas across 23 states. Digital distribution has raised revenue per film. If the last year's big ticket films were sold in the range of Rs 4-6 crore to distributors for Bombay, the territory with the highest earnings, the tag has gone up to Rs 11 crore this year. This can only increase considering industry estimates that the reach of multiplexes is going to increase from 400 to 2,000 by 2011.
The spread of Internet and mobile phone usage, coupled with the Indians' everlasting passion for music, will ensure new media revenues grow for Bollywood. Digital music revenue is expected to touch Rs 3,601 crore by 2009, compared with Rs 450 crore in 2005, according to a PwC study. More and more firms are tapping this potential. For instance, Eros Entertainment derived 11% of its April-September total revenue from new-media opportunities.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
It's Hrithik vs. SRK in 'Krrish 2'
This could be one of the biggest coup of the year. It is believed that if all goes well, then Shah Rukh Khan will be seen next in Rakesh Roshan's 'Krrish 2', which will roll out next year.
Incidentally, 'Krrish 2' will be directed by Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra and not Roshan Sr, who will only be producing it. Apparently Hrithik wanted to work with Mehra and so Roshan Sr decided to rope him in as director for 'Krrish 2'.
Once the script was ready, the Roshans came up with the idea of signing SRK to play the negative lead. The villain in the film will have supernatural powers just like 'Krrish' and it will be a clash of these two superpowers.
It is believed that Mehra has already met SRK for the film. SRK seems to have loved the idea and has now asked for a detailed narration from the director. This is a casting coup of sorts as the last time Hrithik and SRK came together was for Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham'. The Roshans are expected to make an official announcement once everything is finalized.
Incidentally, 'Krrish 2' will be directed by Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra and not Roshan Sr, who will only be producing it. Apparently Hrithik wanted to work with Mehra and so Roshan Sr decided to rope him in as director for 'Krrish 2'.
Once the script was ready, the Roshans came up with the idea of signing SRK to play the negative lead. The villain in the film will have supernatural powers just like 'Krrish' and it will be a clash of these two superpowers.
It is believed that Mehra has already met SRK for the film. SRK seems to have loved the idea and has now asked for a detailed narration from the director. This is a casting coup of sorts as the last time Hrithik and SRK came together was for Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham'. The Roshans are expected to make an official announcement once everything is finalized.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
HC hears PIL against Shahrukh bungalow
The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) today told the Bombay High Court that there has been no deletion of the proposed road, bordering actor Shahrukh Khan's bungalow at Bandra waterfront here, from its plan.
Shahrukh had built a six-storey building behind his bungalow 'Mannat'. A PIL filed by city-based NGO, Bhrashtachar Nirmulan Sanghatana, has alleged that it encroaches on the proposed road in the development plan.
The road, as per the development plan, should be 9.15 metres wide, but the petitioners' lawyer Shakuntala Joshi said it has shrunk to six metres.
To facilitate this, changes were made in the plan without following proper procedure, she alleged.
The MCGM, in its affidavit, said there was a proposal to delete the 'roadline' and added that though it has been approved by the department concerned, the corporation has not given its sanction as yet.
The affidavit states the "roadline is still existing and is not deleted." Outside the court Joshi said the affidavit runs contrary to the situation on the ground. "Earlier, affidavit filed by Gauri Khan, Shahrukh's wife, too states that roadline has been changed. We will point out the contradiction at the next hearing," she said.
Gauri Shahrukh Khan – Vogue India’s Cover Girl
Gauri Khan, wife of King Khan, has been selected as the cover girl for January 2008 issue of the Vogue Magazine. The issue will hit stalls on December 20.
Mrs Khan said that it is not her job but this was fresh and strange that made her to pose for the shoots.
The pics were shot against the eight-floor extension of the Khans’ dream home, Mannat.
Gauri also shared some sincere moments with the magazine.
On her clothes she said, “I hate tight, revealing clothes and goes on to add that her son Aryan is her biggest fashion critic. What I wear really depends on my mood and I always keep in mind that I am the wife of a very successful man.”
About Shahrukh, she said, “He is the best husband and father I could ever ask for. I always say that I am so fortunate to be with Shahrukh Khan, the man. I don’t come from a space where I gush and praise - the world is doing enough of that. I like to keep my love for him private and inside the doors of Mannat.”
Priya Tanna, Editor Vogue India, said, “This collaboration between Gauri and Vogue India is a natural fit.”
“It is her first solo cover and a coup of sorts for Vogue. That she is stylish, enigmatic, and poised is known, but at the shoot we saw another side of her, that of a cover girl. Even in the frames she shares with Shah Rukh [Images], she holds her own impressively. She offers delightful peeks into her life, her wardrobe and her man. Gauri is a true Voguette,” Priya added.
Who is the gangster threatening SRK?
Just when one thought the underworld was finally making an exit from the Hindi film industry, comes the news about a new gangster in town called Bunty Pandey, short for Prakash Narayan Pandey.
Apparently, Pandey telephoned Shah Rukh Khan [Images] to demand Rs 2 crore from him. But it is learnt from police sources that the actor refused to take his call. Pandey then sent his henchmen to Shah Rukh's home, Mannat, in Bandra, north-west Mumbai, to threaten him with dire consequences if he did not cough up the money.
Shah Rukh immediately informed the police about the threat.
Pandey apparently decided to go after the superstar after his latest film, Om Shanti Om, raked in profits at the box office. Advertisements in newspapers recently proclaimed that OSO was the biggest grosser in the history of Hindi cinema, but the earnings were not mentioned.
Film trade sources believe the amount would be close to Rs 200 crore.
So who is this Bunty Pandey?
Pandey hails from Uttarakhand and was based in Mumbai for more than a decade. He started off in gangster Chota Rajan's gang, and operated in Mumbai on his behalf. He was involved in the kidnapping of two Delhi-based businessmen's sons in 2004. Pandey is also known to have caused havoc in the trading community of Gujarat.
However, when the Mumbai police tightened its noose on gangsters, Pandey fled the country. The police believe he is based in Bangkok but there is no confirmation on this.
He left Rajan's gang after he was injured in a shootout in Bangkok by Dawood Ibrahim's men.
On its web site, the Mumbai police has named Pandey as the 36th most wanted person but have not listed his Mumbai address, as is common practice. Unlike most gangsters, the Mumbai police have very little information about him.
The only information the police had shared with the media earlier was about his girlfriend, Priya Rajput (Chandralakha Dhansingh Rajput) who was also involved in extortions. She was arrested in 2002 when she threatened a bar owner in Ghatkopar, in south-central Mumbai.
The last time Pandey's name was in the news was when he shot Devidas Choughle, a Nationalist Congress Party corporator, last month.
So far he has kept out of underworld activities in Mumbai because of the presence of heavyweight gangsters like Dawood Ibrahim [Images], Rajan and his one-time close associate Ravi Pujari, whose men tried to kill filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt [Images].
The Mumbai police believe Pandey seeks to create terror by threatening Shah Rukh Khan so that he can re-establish himself, like Abu Salem [Images]. It may be recalled that Salem was the first underworld don to threaten SRK, which had deeply disturbed the actor.
Apparently, Pandey telephoned Shah Rukh Khan [Images] to demand Rs 2 crore from him. But it is learnt from police sources that the actor refused to take his call. Pandey then sent his henchmen to Shah Rukh's home, Mannat, in Bandra, north-west Mumbai, to threaten him with dire consequences if he did not cough up the money.
Shah Rukh immediately informed the police about the threat.
Pandey apparently decided to go after the superstar after his latest film, Om Shanti Om, raked in profits at the box office. Advertisements in newspapers recently proclaimed that OSO was the biggest grosser in the history of Hindi cinema, but the earnings were not mentioned.
Film trade sources believe the amount would be close to Rs 200 crore.
So who is this Bunty Pandey?
Pandey hails from Uttarakhand and was based in Mumbai for more than a decade. He started off in gangster Chota Rajan's gang, and operated in Mumbai on his behalf. He was involved in the kidnapping of two Delhi-based businessmen's sons in 2004. Pandey is also known to have caused havoc in the trading community of Gujarat.
However, when the Mumbai police tightened its noose on gangsters, Pandey fled the country. The police believe he is based in Bangkok but there is no confirmation on this.
He left Rajan's gang after he was injured in a shootout in Bangkok by Dawood Ibrahim's men.
On its web site, the Mumbai police has named Pandey as the 36th most wanted person but have not listed his Mumbai address, as is common practice. Unlike most gangsters, the Mumbai police have very little information about him.
The only information the police had shared with the media earlier was about his girlfriend, Priya Rajput (Chandralakha Dhansingh Rajput) who was also involved in extortions. She was arrested in 2002 when she threatened a bar owner in Ghatkopar, in south-central Mumbai.
The last time Pandey's name was in the news was when he shot Devidas Choughle, a Nationalist Congress Party corporator, last month.
So far he has kept out of underworld activities in Mumbai because of the presence of heavyweight gangsters like Dawood Ibrahim [Images], Rajan and his one-time close associate Ravi Pujari, whose men tried to kill filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt [Images].
The Mumbai police believe Pandey seeks to create terror by threatening Shah Rukh Khan so that he can re-establish himself, like Abu Salem [Images]. It may be recalled that Salem was the first underworld don to threaten SRK, which had deeply disturbed the actor.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan at World AIDS
Bollywood's Kool Khan Klan comprising Shah Rukh, Salman and Saif performed at an event organized by Smita Thackeray's Mukti Aids Foundation to mark World AIDS Day and the NGO's 10 years of existence.
Also seen cavorting on stage to dance numbers were Bollywood stars Lara Dutta and Udita Goswami. Singers Kailash Kher, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shaan and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy regaled the audience with their songs.
Those in the audience included Dharmendra and Ranbir Kapoor, both seated side by side. They were later joined by Priya Dutt.
Smita and Shah Rukh spoke about the cause being championed by Mukti Aids Foundation
Hollywood's Bollywood fails to score
Hollywood's first stab at Bollywood has failed to hit the mark in India, London's Financial Times reports.
Sony Pictures' co-production of Saawariya premiered worldwide last month against Shah Rukh Khan's Om Shanti Om.
Om ruled the box office with the biggest opening weekend in India's moviemaking history, taking in about $19 million worldwide. The masala musical also cracked the top 10 in Toronto theatres when it opened here Nov. 9, the same day as Saawariya
But Saawariya struggled to find an audience, earning about a third less in Indian movie houses than its onscreen rival.
"I hope it will function as a wake-up call to investors in Hollywood," Mahesh Bhatt, a Mumbai-based producer and director told the Times. "You may have your marketing network, you may have your inexhaustible financial resources, but you need to get a sense of the palate of the Bollywood consumer."
The Times points out the battle between Saawariya and Om Shanti Om comes as Hollywood – including Disney, Viacom, Warner and Twentieth Century Fox – are looking for a foothold in India's massive movie-making industry.
Bipasha inspired by Shah Rukh Khan
The dusky Bengali beauty, Bipasha Basu has never been afraid of experimenting with her roles and looks. Her sex symbol image, which started with Jism, Ajnabee and became stronger with her bold role in Dhoom:2, has set many a hearts on fire and has won her countless fans. Yet, in a stark contrast to her image, she was seen (and admired) in a deglamourised 'avataar', that of a physiotherapist, in the recently released Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal.
However, Bipasha now wants to break away from her image of a glam-doll and has refused many offers. She wishes to do intelligent, meaningful roles that have a positive impact on the audience. Though breaking away from her present image will be a tough task, the never-say-die actress takes inspiration from none other than Shahrukh Khan. Bips says that Shahrukh has this amazing ability to change himself according to the audiences and very successfully too.
ell Bips, we hope that you become the audience's favourite, just like King Khan, and that they love you in intelligent roles too, though of course, we will miss our 'oomph' girl!
Chak De To Promote 2010 World Cup
Buoyed by the role played by `Chak De! India` in popularizing hockey in the country, the international hockey federation is contemplating using the blockbuster to promote the 2010 men`s world cup to be held in India.
Bowled over by the ShahRukh Khan-starrer, FIH President Els Van Breda Vriesman said the mega event could be named after the film to woo hockey fans.
"`Chak De` is really a great film, inspiring and highly successful. Indian audiences have received it overwhelmingly and we are thinking of utilising the opportunity it provides for us for the 2010 men`s world cup. In fact, we will name our campaign suitably after the film," Vriesman was quoted as saying by a website.
Vriesman said Shah Rukh could be roped in for publicity of the event and FIH was ready to bear the expenses associated with hiring the star.
"Even he may opt to co-operate with us in the interest of the sport. He is assertive in the film, and very attractive too," she said.
Vriesman became a huge fan of the movie as well as Shah Rukh after watching it with Dutch sub-titles. Recollecting dialogues of the movie, she said the episode when coach Kabir Khan makes the players understand the essence of playing for the country is the best moment in the film.
"Really Bollywood makes good sense. This is really a very good film, picturised in a grand way. But I don`t think any real player is involved, as I know many of the current Indian women hockey team members," she said
Bowled over by the ShahRukh Khan-starrer, FIH President Els Van Breda Vriesman said the mega event could be named after the film to woo hockey fans.
"`Chak De` is really a great film, inspiring and highly successful. Indian audiences have received it overwhelmingly and we are thinking of utilising the opportunity it provides for us for the 2010 men`s world cup. In fact, we will name our campaign suitably after the film," Vriesman was quoted as saying by a website.
Vriesman said Shah Rukh could be roped in for publicity of the event and FIH was ready to bear the expenses associated with hiring the star.
"Even he may opt to co-operate with us in the interest of the sport. He is assertive in the film, and very attractive too," she said.
Vriesman became a huge fan of the movie as well as Shah Rukh after watching it with Dutch sub-titles. Recollecting dialogues of the movie, she said the episode when coach Kabir Khan makes the players understand the essence of playing for the country is the best moment in the film.
"Really Bollywood makes good sense. This is really a very good film, picturised in a grand way. But I don`t think any real player is involved, as I know many of the current Indian women hockey team members," she said
Shah Rukh Khan May Now Promote Squash Too
In an attempt to revive squash from the dungeons, Bollywood superstar ShahRukh Khan is willing to promote the game during the 21st World men's Team Championship starting in Chennai from today.
India will take on archrivals Pakistan today and SRK is expected to be present during the match.
'King Khan' has expressed his desire to watch the India-Pakistan match, N Ramachandran, Chairman, organising committee and President of the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) said Wednesday.
However, the Bollywood star is yet to confirm his appearance at the event.
"It (confirmation) is expected anytime," he said at a press conference in Chennai.
After playing the role of a hockey coach in Chak De India , SRK's presence at some of the Indo-Pak cricket matches had created a controversy following an allegation by BCCI saying that the star maybe using the occasion to promote his films.
India has Kenya and debutant Bermuda besides Pakistan in their group-G.
Six-time champions Pakistan and the hosts India, who had finished 11th in the last edition of the championship in Islamabad in 2005, are likely to sail through the main draw easily.
The top two teams in each group will make it through to the final 16.
Though Pakistan is seeded seventh as compared to India's 10th seeding, the former's standard has taken a dip on the international scene.
India will take on archrivals Pakistan today and SRK is expected to be present during the match.
'King Khan' has expressed his desire to watch the India-Pakistan match, N Ramachandran, Chairman, organising committee and President of the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) said Wednesday.
However, the Bollywood star is yet to confirm his appearance at the event.
"It (confirmation) is expected anytime," he said at a press conference in Chennai.
After playing the role of a hockey coach in Chak De India , SRK's presence at some of the Indo-Pak cricket matches had created a controversy following an allegation by BCCI saying that the star maybe using the occasion to promote his films.
India has Kenya and debutant Bermuda besides Pakistan in their group-G.
Six-time champions Pakistan and the hosts India, who had finished 11th in the last edition of the championship in Islamabad in 2005, are likely to sail through the main draw easily.
The top two teams in each group will make it through to the final 16.
Though Pakistan is seeded seventh as compared to India's 10th seeding, the former's standard has taken a dip on the international scene.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The SRK-Dhoni Connection
While we all know that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a great team leader, none really imagined that there was more to him that just cricket (and changing hairstyles of course).
The Ranchi boy was quite comfortable in front of the camera as he is front of wickets or behind it. We are talking about Dhoni’s cameo with none other than Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan.
Dhoni will be seen with SRK in a soon-to-be-released television ad for Videocon. According to the unit, the Team India captain has all the qualities required to become a “good, spontaneous actor”.
Even Shah Rukh Khan is full of praises for the ace cricketer, “It was really nice working with Dhoni. He is so humble and always smiling. He has a great sense of humour and was really sporting about the whole shoot. He was also very professional and really good at acting too. I had a great day with him and wish him all the best for cricket and acting.”
The acting legend and the cricketing genius have interchanged roles in the ad where SRK will play a cricketer, while Dhoni will do the ‘superstar’ act; and it seems no one could have done an SRK better than Dhoni.
Says Piyush Pandey of O&M, the agency that has created the ad, “We all know SRK is a fabulous actor, but Dhoni left us spellbound with his acting skills. The guy was a charm to watch. There are a lot of filmy clichés incorporated in the ad like taking off on Rajesh Khanna etc. But Dhoni does it so effortlessly! He can easily be a great actor.”
In fact it was King Khan who suggested that they do a campaign together during the T20 match.
Adds ad director Sumanto Chattopadhyay, “Dhoni has a great sense of humour and that really comes across in the ad. In fact despite his tight schedules, he was more than ready to give all his time if the shots weren’t alright.”
The ad was shot just a day before Shah Rukh’s birthday on November 2 and Dhoni was a part of the birthday celebrations on the sets which included Farah Khan and a few other friends of his.
Shah Rukh also autographed Dhoni’s jacket which he wore in the ad as a part of imitating Shah Rukh’s character in ‘Om Shanti Om’.
The Ranchi boy was quite comfortable in front of the camera as he is front of wickets or behind it. We are talking about Dhoni’s cameo with none other than Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan.
Dhoni will be seen with SRK in a soon-to-be-released television ad for Videocon. According to the unit, the Team India captain has all the qualities required to become a “good, spontaneous actor”.
Even Shah Rukh Khan is full of praises for the ace cricketer, “It was really nice working with Dhoni. He is so humble and always smiling. He has a great sense of humour and was really sporting about the whole shoot. He was also very professional and really good at acting too. I had a great day with him and wish him all the best for cricket and acting.”
The acting legend and the cricketing genius have interchanged roles in the ad where SRK will play a cricketer, while Dhoni will do the ‘superstar’ act; and it seems no one could have done an SRK better than Dhoni.
Says Piyush Pandey of O&M, the agency that has created the ad, “We all know SRK is a fabulous actor, but Dhoni left us spellbound with his acting skills. The guy was a charm to watch. There are a lot of filmy clichés incorporated in the ad like taking off on Rajesh Khanna etc. But Dhoni does it so effortlessly! He can easily be a great actor.”
In fact it was King Khan who suggested that they do a campaign together during the T20 match.
Adds ad director Sumanto Chattopadhyay, “Dhoni has a great sense of humour and that really comes across in the ad. In fact despite his tight schedules, he was more than ready to give all his time if the shots weren’t alright.”
The ad was shot just a day before Shah Rukh’s birthday on November 2 and Dhoni was a part of the birthday celebrations on the sets which included Farah Khan and a few other friends of his.
Shah Rukh also autographed Dhoni’s jacket which he wore in the ad as a part of imitating Shah Rukh’s character in ‘Om Shanti Om’.
Kareena Wants To Star Opposite Shahrukh
With the success of Omkara and Jab We Met, Kareena Kapoor’s career is definitely on the upswing. Now she says she wants to continue on doing great work with great scripts. “I've decided I can't do run of the mill films any more. I've done enough films without conviction. And it shows in my performances. Unlike my sister Karisma who could look convincing in any role, I've to be convinced about the role," she said.
Who would be her ideal co-star? None other than Shah Rukh Khan, “My ultimate wish is to do a full-on love story with him,” she said. Adding, “Very frankly I did the 'Yeh mera dil' song in Don because of Shah Rukh. When Farhan Akhtar offered me the song I wondered if making a guest appearance was right for me. However, the temptation of doing a song with Shah Rukh got the better of me.”
Her performance in that song was a definite hit for Kareena and it also was a hit at home, “It got me tremendous notice. My niece Samaira has become my biggest fan. She dances to the song. And the minute she sees me she starts singing 'Yeh mera dil pyar ka deewana'.”
In Omkara, Kareena’s performance as Dolly was critically acclaimed and applauded by all. She said, “It's one film I'm truly proud of. I'm looking forward to working with Vishal Bharadwaj again. He's one of those rare directors who know how to tap into my potential. I need directors like Vishal and Imtiaz Ali of Jab We Met to come forward and give me a chance. That's why I've taken a long break to get my act together. I don't want to look back on my career with any regrets."
Shah Rukh Is Not Co-operating?
After the success of the Om Shanti Om , ShahRukh Khan has two more releases. He will be seen in Ravi Chopra's Bhootnath and Vivek Vaswani's Dulha Mil Gaya . Even though SRK and Amitabh Bachchan may not be best of friends, the duo shot for Bhootnath , but Shah Rukh we hear, hasn't given dates to his producer friend Vivek Vaswani.
According to a source, after the huge success of OSO , SRK wants the 'bigger film' Bhootnath to release first. It can be recalled that SRK said in one of his interviews that he is unemployed for the next eight months and free to do the things he wants. We are informed that though he has only eight days shooting left, he is yet to give dates to the producer.
While producer Vivek Vaswani has no qualms about his film being delayed, he agrees that the delay is because of SRK. "Yes, Dulh Mil Gaya has been delayed much because ShahRukh Khan was busy with OSO promotions. I didn't want to disturb him because that film was really important to him."
Vaswani further adds, "We have around eight to ten days of shoot left with Shah Rukh. We are waiting for dates from him. I am happy that OSO has done well and I feel its success will help other Shah Rukh-starrers as well."
If talks are to be believed, SRK has a special appearances in Dulha Mil Gaya , and it's a known fact that Khan agreed to do it only because of his old friendship with Vivek. But yet, SRK is keen that Bhoothnath release before this one.
When asked about SRK's appearance in the film Vasvani says, "SRK has a substantial role in the film. You will come to know after watching it. Shah Rukh is an old friend and I have no problems waiting for him. I planned to release the film this year but unfortunately I'll be able to release it only next year. We have done post production work simultaneously while shooting the movie and will complete it soon after we get Shah Rukh's dates."
According to a source, after the huge success of OSO , SRK wants the 'bigger film' Bhootnath to release first. It can be recalled that SRK said in one of his interviews that he is unemployed for the next eight months and free to do the things he wants. We are informed that though he has only eight days shooting left, he is yet to give dates to the producer.
While producer Vivek Vaswani has no qualms about his film being delayed, he agrees that the delay is because of SRK. "Yes, Dulh Mil Gaya has been delayed much because ShahRukh Khan was busy with OSO promotions. I didn't want to disturb him because that film was really important to him."
Vaswani further adds, "We have around eight to ten days of shoot left with Shah Rukh. We are waiting for dates from him. I am happy that OSO has done well and I feel its success will help other Shah Rukh-starrers as well."
If talks are to be believed, SRK has a special appearances in Dulha Mil Gaya , and it's a known fact that Khan agreed to do it only because of his old friendship with Vivek. But yet, SRK is keen that Bhoothnath release before this one.
When asked about SRK's appearance in the film Vasvani says, "SRK has a substantial role in the film. You will come to know after watching it. Shah Rukh is an old friend and I have no problems waiting for him. I planned to release the film this year but unfortunately I'll be able to release it only next year. We have done post production work simultaneously while shooting the movie and will complete it soon after we get Shah Rukh's dates."
Tag Heur Launches Premium Watch
Swiss watch company Tag Heuer, part of the French luxury products group LVMH, launched a premium timepiece from its Link collection 'Calibre S' on Sunday, representing sports and glamour, in the domestic market.
Tag Heuer's brand ambassadors Shahrukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were present during the launch.
LVMH Watch and Jewellery General Manager Manishi Sanwal said that Tag Heuer is the fourth largest luxury brand in watches in the world and expected to become the biggest brand in the next two-three years.
The watch brand entered India five years back and is now present in 24 cities. The range of Tag Heuer watches start from Rs 33,900.
Tag Heuer President and CEO Jean Christophe Babin said the Indian subcontinent represents one of the most promising markets for Tag Heuer brand globally.
Tag Heuer's brand ambassadors Shahrukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were present during the launch.
LVMH Watch and Jewellery General Manager Manishi Sanwal said that Tag Heuer is the fourth largest luxury brand in watches in the world and expected to become the biggest brand in the next two-three years.
The watch brand entered India five years back and is now present in 24 cities. The range of Tag Heuer watches start from Rs 33,900.
Tag Heuer President and CEO Jean Christophe Babin said the Indian subcontinent represents one of the most promising markets for Tag Heuer brand globally.
Srk's Cool With Risque Jokes Too
His sexuality has been under the scanner for a while now, but ShahRukh Khan cracked a lot of double entendres to dispel any doubts about where his interests lie.
There was hockey being played at the Jaipur polo grounds this Sunday and it wasn’t so much the Chak de effect but the Chak de man who managed to pull this stunt. While he was at it, he cracked a score of suggestive jokes that might even have disappointed many gay designer fans present there.
The actor’s flirtation with the microphone started the moment he arrived. He had what he called a “rock-star mic” — so everyone could hear him loud and clear.
When cameramen asked him for a photo-opportunity with Priyanka Chopra, he said his in-laws, who were present, would get upset about it. When a girl shouted “I love you Shah Rukh” from the stands, he shouted back that he loved her too.
After the exhibition polo match, that no one seemed to be watching, it was SRK's moment with the microphone on the ground again. This time it was to make a bunch of pretty ladies — “all of different sizes and ages but the same sex”, as he called them, play hockey.
Activist Nafisa Ali, models Manpreet Brar Walia and Simar Duggal, and socialite Bina Ramani were among the women who tried their hand at dribbling.
When Chopra said she couldn’t play in the grass-grazing gown she wore, Khan flirted with her in an obvious sort of way, “I can help you take it off if you like.”
When Khan saw Duggal with two hockey balls in front of her, he threw another one from his witty repertoire, “Oh what a coincidence, even you have two balls.” Everyone in the crowd cracked up.
Before leaving, Khan took a jab at the photographers, “Being guys, why do you want to see my six packs? Why don’t you ask the girls to show you theirs?”
If the six-pack abs couldn’t convince the ladies of the actor’s hunk status, the double entendres that he rattled off certainly would. But children were disappointed. They were the most excited to begin with, screaming Khan’s name out and going hysterical over their favourite star. By the time they left, however, many children were crying because they did not get to meet the actor.
Khan’s wit alone couldn't impress the young fans. Or, maybe they didn't get his sense of humour
There was hockey being played at the Jaipur polo grounds this Sunday and it wasn’t so much the Chak de effect but the Chak de man who managed to pull this stunt. While he was at it, he cracked a score of suggestive jokes that might even have disappointed many gay designer fans present there.
The actor’s flirtation with the microphone started the moment he arrived. He had what he called a “rock-star mic” — so everyone could hear him loud and clear.
When cameramen asked him for a photo-opportunity with Priyanka Chopra, he said his in-laws, who were present, would get upset about it. When a girl shouted “I love you Shah Rukh” from the stands, he shouted back that he loved her too.
After the exhibition polo match, that no one seemed to be watching, it was SRK's moment with the microphone on the ground again. This time it was to make a bunch of pretty ladies — “all of different sizes and ages but the same sex”, as he called them, play hockey.
Activist Nafisa Ali, models Manpreet Brar Walia and Simar Duggal, and socialite Bina Ramani were among the women who tried their hand at dribbling.
When Chopra said she couldn’t play in the grass-grazing gown she wore, Khan flirted with her in an obvious sort of way, “I can help you take it off if you like.”
When Khan saw Duggal with two hockey balls in front of her, he threw another one from his witty repertoire, “Oh what a coincidence, even you have two balls.” Everyone in the crowd cracked up.
Before leaving, Khan took a jab at the photographers, “Being guys, why do you want to see my six packs? Why don’t you ask the girls to show you theirs?”
If the six-pack abs couldn’t convince the ladies of the actor’s hunk status, the double entendres that he rattled off certainly would. But children were disappointed. They were the most excited to begin with, screaming Khan’s name out and going hysterical over their favourite star. By the time they left, however, many children were crying because they did not get to meet the actor.
Khan’s wit alone couldn't impress the young fans. Or, maybe they didn't get his sense of humour
Monday, November 19, 2007
"We’ll remove the scene, I’ll stop the film," says SRK
Shah Rukh reacts to the extreme anger of a veteran actor Manoj Kumar over a spoof in 'Om Shanti Om'.
Shah Rukh Khan's Diwali blockbuster Om Shanti Om not only created fireworks at the box office but also managed to spark the anger of a veteran actor Manoj Kumar.
Manoj Kumar is one of the many stars from the 70s era who have been spoofed in the film. After the actor threatened legal action for the spoof he believes to be done in bad taste, both Shah Rukh Khan and director Farah Khan have come out with an instantaneous apology
Although the film maker maintains that the comic scene in the movie was meant as a tribute, Manoj Kumar is not happy. He is angry because of the way he has been spoofed in the film.
In Om Shanti Om, a Manoj Kumar lookalike doesn’t get to enter the premiere of a film and even gets beaten up by the police.
He says, “Manoj Kumar who is a citizen of India has been shot in the heart. Someone who was made an icon by the Indian masses has been insulted and mocked at. I think more than legal action, moral action has more importance”.
Interestingly, Manoj Kumar hasn’t seen the film yet. Director Farah Khan is sure that once he watches the film he will enjoy it. She also says that it was never the intention to disrespect the veteran actor.
Speaking to CNN-IBN, the director justified, “I really wasn’t expecting this kind of a reaction because I thought that it was very sweet and done with a lot of love rather than any kind of malice so I was a bit taken aback in the morning.
Shah Rukh added, “I quickly called him up. I apologised to him. I’ll go tomorrow with Farah and personally apologise to him, show him the film and in case he does not like it, we’ll remove the scene, I’ll stop the film.
I would never like the wonderfulness that we’ve got with Om Shanti Om this week to be at the cost of anybody being hurt”.
The film also has a comic take on many other actors and filmmakers from 70s, current generation of Bollywood and even a hilarious spoof on South Indian films.
Shah Rukh Khan : Bollywood's Biggest Boy
One year. Two movies. Three, if you count a special appearance. And the crores haven’t stopped adding up. He’s never had a godfather in the industry. He has successfully stepped into the shoes of India’s biggest superstar, while the gossip mills have gone into overdrive about their rivalry. He has led a team of Indian women hockey players to such a convincing onscreen victory ( Chak De! India ) that the government has had to sit up and take notice.
Three months later, he won over the hottest young thing on the screen today, and set the box-office ablaze with Om Shanti Om . Somewhere in between, he also balle balled to Dil Da Mamla for buddy Sajid’s debut film. Can Shah Rukh Khan be anything but the betaaj badshah of Bollywood. “Conviction, honesty and commitment — Shah Rukh has them all,” says movie critic Indu Mirani. “Whatever role he chooses to play, he gives it his all. That’s what makes SRK so special,” she adds.
“Overseas, he’s a lottery. In the multiplexes, he’s an entertainer... Though the majority of SRK’s big banner films don’t work in the interiors, he still manages to command mass appeal,” says Delhi distributor Sanjay Mehta.
Director’s cut - “His personality and charisma can light up a room and, more often than not, he has the audience eating out of his hand. Yet, Shah Rukh is humble as well as meticulous,” says Chak De ! India director Shimit Amin. “Having done theatre, TV and offbeat films, his range of roles is ever expanding. And every time he’s giving a shot, it’s evident that he’s done his homework.” No wonder he tops the class this year, every year.
Three months later, he won over the hottest young thing on the screen today, and set the box-office ablaze with Om Shanti Om . Somewhere in between, he also balle balled to Dil Da Mamla for buddy Sajid’s debut film. Can Shah Rukh Khan be anything but the betaaj badshah of Bollywood. “Conviction, honesty and commitment — Shah Rukh has them all,” says movie critic Indu Mirani. “Whatever role he chooses to play, he gives it his all. That’s what makes SRK so special,” she adds.
“Overseas, he’s a lottery. In the multiplexes, he’s an entertainer... Though the majority of SRK’s big banner films don’t work in the interiors, he still manages to command mass appeal,” says Delhi distributor Sanjay Mehta.
Director’s cut - “His personality and charisma can light up a room and, more often than not, he has the audience eating out of his hand. Yet, Shah Rukh is humble as well as meticulous,” says Chak De ! India director Shimit Amin. “Having done theatre, TV and offbeat films, his range of roles is ever expanding. And every time he’s giving a shot, it’s evident that he’s done his homework.” No wonder he tops the class this year, every year.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Shah Rukh Khan beats Tom Cruise
Shah Rukh Khan and writer-director Farah Khan exceeded the wildest forecasts as they not only beat the Tom Cruise, Robert Redford and Meryl Streep starring political drama Lions for Lambs over the weekend outside America but also propelled their Om Shanti Om into world movie history.
The film grossed a mighty $17 million gross in India and an estimated $4 million in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the UAE. Ken Naz, who runs distribution company Eros International in North America, called the phenomenon a high watermark for Indian movie industry.
OSO could exceed the $3 million mark set by each Kabhi Alvida Naa Kahna and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham in North America and the United Kingdom. Shah Rukh featured in those films, too well.
Shah Rukh Khan produced OSO was the highest grossing film outside North America, followed closely by the boldly successful Sanjay Leela Bhansali's intensely romantic Saawariya, the first film the Hollywood giant Sony made with an Indian producer. The film, which too performed far beyond the expectations, grossed $14.4 million in India, according to Sony. In North America, Australia, the United Kingdom and the UAE, it mesmerized an impressive $1.2 million.
The grand success of two Indian films caught the attention of leading publications ranging from The Washington Post to Variety, the influential trade publication.
Variety declared that 'Bollywood stole the spotlight from Tom Cruise's Lions for Labs at the international box office over the weekend, with a pair of socko launches for Om Shanti Om and Saawariya.'
While Lions for Lambs launched with a $10.3 million in 45 foreign markets that number was easily topped by the two Indian films each showing in less than a dozen markets.
It was also the first time in recent Indian movie history two very big films opened with huge numbers the same weekend. Such a phenomenon is not uncommon in Hollywood. For instance, 10 days ago American Gangster opened with $43 million, and the animated comedy Bee Movie sucked in $39 million.
While many critics had welcomed OSO as a lively crime comedy, they were harsh on Saawariya calling it meandering and boring. But the audiences thought the opposite. Even if the film were to come down mightily in the next few weeks, it could still prove to be profitable, trade insiders say.
Its opening weekend success was even more impressive than that of OSO since the film had newcomers Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor in the lead.
In North America, OSO, which was No. 12 on the box-office chart led by Bee Movie's $26 million in its second week, the crime comedy took in $1.5 million making it not the highest grossing Hindi film of all time, beating KANK's $1.3 million. But while the latter produced and directed by Karan Johar also starred Shah Rukh, it had a huge cast comprising Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee, OSO was a solo show for Shah Rukh who was cast opposite debutante Deepika Padukone.
The film also had a widest opening for an Indian film in North America with the distributor Eros International taking up 117 theaters. Usually star-driven Hindi films open in 70 theaters. In many cities including Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, several shows went full on Saturday.
Sony too gave Saawariya, which opened the Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival in New York on Thursday, a big release, unleashing it in 85 theaters in North America. It generated $600,000 in the U.S., $340,000 in the U.K. and $100,000 in Australia, according to the distributor.
'The stunning numbers for both pics comes two months after Sony pacted with Eros -- the leading Indian movie group -- for a multipicture production and distribution deal that encompasses six to eight movies in the first year of the agreement,' Variety wrote.
King Khan Performs for Cricket Teams
The King Khan performed for the Indian and Pakistani cricket teams yesterday (November 12) at a gala event organised by Subroto Roy Sahara of the Sahara Group, triggering speculation over whether Shahrukh Khan had taken the place of the Big B who till recently was the biggest endorser of the Sahara camp. And just where was one-time close friend and confidante Amar Singh?
Meanwhile Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh today (November 13) took jibes against the Sahara Group and also lashed out at Shahrukh Khan, reacting to the reports published in a national newspaper.
The report quoted a top executive of Sahara as saying, "Only family members and not outsiders" were allowed at the recent Sahara function in Lucknow.
An angry Amar Singh reacted today saying it was up to the media to "read between the lines" and that it was Shahrukh Khan who started the verbal duel when he made nasty comments against him at the Filmfare awards last year.
"I have read in Mumbai Mirror that the Director of Corporate Communication has said that only friends and family was invited not outsiders- if Sahara has made this statement it is for you read between the lines," said Singh.
He went on to "put on record", "I have don't have anything against Shahrukh Khan. He made a comment against me in a Filmfare function. He might be a superstar and a rockstar, but I have also got some North Indian foolish supporters who reacted angrily on that. I am sorry about that. Shahrukh gave a statement that his kids had felt very bad about that - even my kids are Shahrukh fan - when they heard his statement they asked me, why Shahrukh 'uncle' was talking against me that way.
"Thereafter he is keeping mum, I am also keeping mum, I do not have any issue with him because he is not joining SP, and I am not going to join Bombay Film Industry.," said Singh to TIMES NOW.
Shahrukh Khan danced the night away on Monday (November 12) at Sahara City in Lucknow - a Dawat -e-Dosti organised by the head honcho of the Sahara Group, Subroto Roy Sahara. While the evening was a gala one with celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment, it was not so much the guest list as the people excluded from it that set tongues wagging.
While Shahrukh was given superstar treatment with a private jet and a personal invite, one-time confidante of the Subroto Roy Sahara, SP leader Amar Singh and 'Big B' Amitabh Bachchan were conspicuous by their absence.
Though representatives of the Sahara Group have been quick to brush aside the Big B's absence claiming he was busy - but we can't help but wonder whether a new order is in a place - and is Shahrukh the new poster boy for the Sahara group?
TIMES NOW managed to catch up with BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla, who was also present at the gala, for his take.
"They (Sahara) are the Team India sponsors, Sahara had invited Mr Shahrukh Khan and he was gracious enough to be there," said Shukla.
But while everyone may be doing their best to pooh-pooh the reports - it wouldn't exacztly be a bolt out of the blue, considering rumours have been afloat for sometime now of an alleged falling-out between the Sahara family and Amar Singh and a consequent distancing from the Bachchans as well.
Well, evidently in the world of politics and entertainment, relationships rarely last forever!
Meanwhile Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh today (November 13) took jibes against the Sahara Group and also lashed out at Shahrukh Khan, reacting to the reports published in a national newspaper.
The report quoted a top executive of Sahara as saying, "Only family members and not outsiders" were allowed at the recent Sahara function in Lucknow.
An angry Amar Singh reacted today saying it was up to the media to "read between the lines" and that it was Shahrukh Khan who started the verbal duel when he made nasty comments against him at the Filmfare awards last year.
"I have read in Mumbai Mirror that the Director of Corporate Communication has said that only friends and family was invited not outsiders- if Sahara has made this statement it is for you read between the lines," said Singh.
He went on to "put on record", "I have don't have anything against Shahrukh Khan. He made a comment against me in a Filmfare function. He might be a superstar and a rockstar, but I have also got some North Indian foolish supporters who reacted angrily on that. I am sorry about that. Shahrukh gave a statement that his kids had felt very bad about that - even my kids are Shahrukh fan - when they heard his statement they asked me, why Shahrukh 'uncle' was talking against me that way.
"Thereafter he is keeping mum, I am also keeping mum, I do not have any issue with him because he is not joining SP, and I am not going to join Bombay Film Industry.," said Singh to TIMES NOW.
Shahrukh Khan danced the night away on Monday (November 12) at Sahara City in Lucknow - a Dawat -e-Dosti organised by the head honcho of the Sahara Group, Subroto Roy Sahara. While the evening was a gala one with celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment, it was not so much the guest list as the people excluded from it that set tongues wagging.
While Shahrukh was given superstar treatment with a private jet and a personal invite, one-time confidante of the Subroto Roy Sahara, SP leader Amar Singh and 'Big B' Amitabh Bachchan were conspicuous by their absence.
Though representatives of the Sahara Group have been quick to brush aside the Big B's absence claiming he was busy - but we can't help but wonder whether a new order is in a place - and is Shahrukh the new poster boy for the Sahara group?
TIMES NOW managed to catch up with BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla, who was also present at the gala, for his take.
"They (Sahara) are the Team India sponsors, Sahara had invited Mr Shahrukh Khan and he was gracious enough to be there," said Shukla.
But while everyone may be doing their best to pooh-pooh the reports - it wouldn't exacztly be a bolt out of the blue, considering rumours have been afloat for sometime now of an alleged falling-out between the Sahara family and Amar Singh and a consequent distancing from the Bachchans as well.
Well, evidently in the world of politics and entertainment, relationships rarely last forever!
Bhansali’s Vitriolic Attack on Shah Rukh Khan
Sanjay Leela Bhanshali seems to have stoked a dormant fire by lashing out against his critics after getting hit by box office blues.
It’s a feud that is spiralling out of control. If you thought that the Saawariya-OSO war would die down with the release of both the films, you got it wrong. In fact the fires have been stoked anew with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s vitriolic attack on Shah Rukh Khan in his media interviews post Saawariya.
After SRK announced a few days before Diwali that he would ‘destroy’ the competition, (read ‘Saawariya’), Bhansali has come back with a vengeance, saying SRK had no locus standi to make such comments, and that it was unfair to put down a work of art.
“This is the new era of marketing a film, where even after it has released, the war will continue. Bhansali is obviously hurt by the negative comments that have been made against him and his film and that is why he is coming out in its defence,” says one industry source.
The makers of OSO however do not seem very keen to take this further. When we sms-ed Farah Khan asking for her reaction, she gave us a very tongue-in-cheek reply saying, “I have no reactions whatsoever. Too busy taking congratulatory calls.”
Not everyone is very happy though. Film critic Taran Adarsh, who also found a mention in Bhansali’s tirade is in no mood to sit back and listen.
“I want to tell Bhansali that he should wake up and smell the coffee. If there is a theatre near his house, he should go and count the number of people who are even sitting in the film, let alone liking the film. People have a mind of their own. They don’t need Taran Adarsh to tell them that Saawariya is a bad film and has been rejected by everyone.”
Strong words those. Obviously, we haven’t heard the last of this yet. Its going to be a long drawn out war.
It’s a feud that is spiralling out of control. If you thought that the Saawariya-OSO war would die down with the release of both the films, you got it wrong. In fact the fires have been stoked anew with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s vitriolic attack on Shah Rukh Khan in his media interviews post Saawariya.
After SRK announced a few days before Diwali that he would ‘destroy’ the competition, (read ‘Saawariya’), Bhansali has come back with a vengeance, saying SRK had no locus standi to make such comments, and that it was unfair to put down a work of art.
“This is the new era of marketing a film, where even after it has released, the war will continue. Bhansali is obviously hurt by the negative comments that have been made against him and his film and that is why he is coming out in its defence,” says one industry source.
The makers of OSO however do not seem very keen to take this further. When we sms-ed Farah Khan asking for her reaction, she gave us a very tongue-in-cheek reply saying, “I have no reactions whatsoever. Too busy taking congratulatory calls.”
Not everyone is very happy though. Film critic Taran Adarsh, who also found a mention in Bhansali’s tirade is in no mood to sit back and listen.
“I want to tell Bhansali that he should wake up and smell the coffee. If there is a theatre near his house, he should go and count the number of people who are even sitting in the film, let alone liking the film. People have a mind of their own. They don’t need Taran Adarsh to tell them that Saawariya is a bad film and has been rejected by everyone.”
Strong words those. Obviously, we haven’t heard the last of this yet. Its going to be a long drawn out war.
Facts you never knew about SRK
Facts you never knew about SRK
We will tell you facts about Shahrukh that everyone might not know. Here is a sneak peak into Shahrukh's life.
There was a program that was broadcasted on Sunday in Star Gold, revealing all this in a special DVD of SRK’s life.
· 2nd November 1965. In
· When he was just four years of age, Shah Rukh happened to throw a rock at a neighborhood boy because of which the latter's teeth broke. Late at night that day, the child's father came to the house in an inebriated state while wielding a knife. Shah Rukh's father coolly opened the door and when this man threatened to kill his son for what he had done, he crosschecked with Shah Rukh as to whether or not he had committed the act of mischief. When the child confessed, the dad asked him to go out and explain himself to the man who was not only drunk but also armed. Shah Rukh had to go outside and apologize for his deed.
· Shah Rukh had won the Raman Subramanyam Award in Class X (1982-83) for character, all round performance in studies, sports and extra curricular activities and the Sword of Honour in Class XII (1984-85) for the Best all round performance, loyalty, obedience, integrity and sportsmanship.
· The college where he studied was
· After graduating from Hans Raj, he went on to join Jamia Milia Islamia's Mass Communications Research Centre to do his masters in filmmaking and journalism.
· Shah Rukh had a solid theatre background and had worked with an institution like Barry John in
· Shah Rukh was, in fact uncomfortably possessive about his lady love (Gauri), whom he lovingly calls Gaurima. So much so that he would pick up a quarrel with her even if she let her hair down…literally. Finally, Gauri lost her cool and without informing Shah Rukh, came down to
· One of the reasons why Shah Rukh bought Mannat, his palatial bungalow, was since he wanted to have an exclusive prayer room. Shah Rukh says that if he were broke, he will sell everything except Mannat
· Both the children, Aryan (13th November 1997) and Suhana (23rd May 2000) have been taught to revere the co-existence of Ganpati and Allah in the Khan household. How wonderfully they are being brought up manifests itself in the story that when Shah Rukh was having a critical neck surgery, Aryan went to the temple and said an Islamic prayer so that his father could get well soon.
· Shahrukh Khan is a Muslim but celebrates Diwali and Christmas along with Eid every year. He keeps a Lakshmi Pooja every year in his office and at home. He even has a Christmas tree at home. From all the festivals Shahrukh's kids love Christmas the most.
· Shahrukh Khan has the holy Quran Bismillah kept along with the idols of Indian Gods at his place. His kids pray to both the God's simultaneously.
· Shahrukh Khan can be managed best only by his wife as she understands him the most. She is the only person who can command Shahrukh to do things. Infact Shahrukhs's daughter Suhana imitates Gauri Khan very well by saying in a strict voice, "Shahrukh, eat your food."
· Shahrukh never asks anything for himself from God. It is always his family and his close people he asks for. But whenever he wants to ask for himself, he never goes to a temple but goes to his parent's grave. He believes that whatever he will ask there will be fulfilled and yes most of them have come true which makes Shahrukh's belief all the more strong.
· Shahrukh requires a lot of his own space for himself and his near and dear ones understand that. Whenever Shahrukh is angry, he needs to be left alone or you will only make him angrier.
· Shahrukh loves watching movies in the darkness of his car. He loves watching movies alone and peacefully.
· Shahrukh is a complete game freak. In fact he turns everyone around him into a gaming freak. The latest game that Shahrukh is playing is Smackdown versus Raw which is a wrestling game. Shahrukh can't wait to get his hands on the new Play Station 3 as he is not an XBOX fan.
· Shahrukh studied at St. Columbus School and he believes that it is the best school in the whole world not because he studied in it, but because he feels they are very disciplined.
· Shahrukh still remembers his first fan who is a lady. She was his fan even before he became a film star or a famous televison star. She remembers him since his theater days. She shouted Shahrukh's name on the middle of the road when she spotted him. Shahrukh still cannot forget that moment.
· For Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Shah Rukh had taken a signing amount of Rs 5,000 and did the entire film for Rs. 25,000.
· Shah Rukh had signed a movie called Jadoo co-starring Raveena Tandon, Anupam Kher & Navneet Nishan to be directed by Pavan Kaul. But Shah Rukh refused to kiss Navneet who was playing a vampish role. Shah Rukh had promised himself that he would never kiss any actress on-screen. And, he has stuck to this till today.
·
| SRK says... |
| · Few people do not know that SRK used to live in gautam nagar(south delhi).which he does'nt confess in his interview.whenever any reporter takes his interview about his good old days ,he says that he resided in south Delhi, but he never tell about gautam nagar. |
Monday, October 15, 2007
rekha and SRK
Farah Khan will heave a sigh of relief. The last and final day of shooting for Om Shanti Om will be over.
Says Farah, “I will shoot Akshay Kumar on set at Film City. He’s one of the nominees of an award function. Shabina Khan is doing his outfits. We have given him a very macho look as part of the film clip — white ganji and very hip look, while for the function he will wear a suit.”
Akshay is known to be choosy and normally doesn’t do special appearances. Farah says, “He was very sweet about it. I had already asked him earlier and then when he and Shah Rukh were shooting in Film City for Heyy Babyy!, Shah Rukh and I showed him what we wanted to do and he agreed. Akshay is the busiest star today — we didn’t have dates for him for two months.
Farah Khan with Shah Rukh and Zayed Khan
On Monday, he’s coming for the shoot at 7 am as he’s shooting for Tashan after that. And that will be the last day of my shoot.”
One star who impressed Farah a lot with her professionalism and enthusiasm was Rekha, while performing to the song Om Shanti Om. Says Farah, “Rekha was the only person who asked for and came for rehearsals in spite of being a great dancer.
She wanted costume trials too. Initially, she wanted to get her own costumes but I told her Manish (Malhotra) was dying to do her clothes, so she agreed to let him design for her.
She came bang on time and shot for one hour. There’s great chemistry between Shah Rukh and her. She didn’t behave like a diva at all and was very friendly and childlike — clapping and getting nervous before the shot.”
Let Americans watch Saawariya,Indians Will watch Om Shanti Om
My jaw drops on seeing a shirtless Shahrukh Khan.
The closest I can recall seeing his waxed chest is through that transparent shirt in the song Sooraj hua madhham... in Karan Johar's Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham.
Even if I am shaken and stirred, the journalist in me pretends not to show it.
But SRK is hell-bent on showing off his body, and dissecting it—down to why he got the left nipple pierced and not the right.
"How do you think I look," he asks everyone around, including the rather baffled CNN crew that has specially flown down from the US post the success of Chak De! India to capture the inexplicable appeal of King Khan.
It's a rhetorical question; it demands nothing but approval. But before I can react, director Farah Khan pitches in: "Your body is like John's (Abraham) and you are dancing like Hrithik." SRK's famous dimples get switched on bright: "I have the abs; I don't need to act now."
It is the very last shooting schedule of King Khan's forthcoming home production, Om Shanti Om (OSO). The cheesy number, Dil mein mere hai darde disco is being canned at the swanky Yashraj Studio. Being on the sets is an other-worldly, out-of-the body experience. It's hard not to get intimidated by such full-on Bollywood kitsch. Shirtless SRK in faux leather pants is shaking his booty alongside tall, lissom white girls, wearing golliwog wigs, leopard print leotards and hoop earrings.
A huge eagle provides a Chandamama-like backdrop, while welders perched precariously on the roof create sparkles that provide a shooting star effect. The theme is 'fire' and the song will move on to the 'water' and 'wind' themes, I am told. Meanwhile, a pregnant Farah Khan, expecting triplets, and complaining of morning sickness in between shots, is angry at the cameraperson for cutting SRK's crotch from the frame. "We are not shooting a Bengali art film here, get it (the crotch) back," she roars on the mike, and stretches herself on the director's couch.
SRK is in a jolly good mood. Unsparingly mocking, he sends up everything for a lark: the 'Yashraj Films'-inscribed cutlery with which he eats his McDonald's burger, Rahul Rawail's new film, Buddha Mar Gaya, and a news item in the Economic Times which quotes a 'prosumer' survey to declare that Ram Gopal Varma's Darling will be the biggest hit of 2007. The mention of fire is enough for him to tell us a hilarious anecdote about watching Deepa Mehta's film of the same name in the company of his mother-in-law and squirming all the way. SRK even sends up SRK. He complains to Farah about how he hates shooting with the leggy models: "They make me look and feel like a chaprasi (peon)."
It's not all fun and games. Seriousness surfaces as Khan reads the scripts of promos of OSO that will show on NDTV, red-stemmed glasses perched on his nose. The film is ready, the marketing and hype are about to unleash and you can see how keen he is to get all the details of the launch right. The performer's job is done, the producer-businessman has taken over.
SRK is at an interesting juncture in his life. He is not just a star. Many see him embodying, through the Rajs and Rahuls he plays, the spirit of post-liberalisation, feelgood India—just as Big B's Angry Young Man represented the angst-ridden India of the '70s and the '80s. And 2007 has, so far, been a glorious year for him. Chak De has been the year's biggest hit. What's more, it's the first film in his entire career to earn him commercial and critical approval in equal measure. "They loved you in Chak De," I tell him. "We will undo that with OSO. I can't make people love me for so long," he says, tongue firmly in cheek.
With OSO, SRK is back to giving us an absolutely in-your-face Bollywood movie, the mother of all entertainers, with a mother of all item numbers starring every single big star in the industry. In this film, Shahrukh is paying tribute to his own world, the Hindi film industry. "This is a film made by fans of Hindi films. Farah is the biggest one, I am a close second," says SRK. The film plays out a reincarnation theme against the backdrop of 1970s Bollywood, and later, the Bollywood of 2008. Its logline is, "for some dreams to be fulfilled one lifetime is not enough". The story is about the passion of a junior artiste, Om, for the regal heroine number one, Shantipriya (a throwback to Hema Malini), a love story cut short by death and renewed with rebirth. Shades of Kudrat, Karz, Karan Arjun and Reincarnation of Peter Proud. "It's a hugely dramatic film," says SRK. "The story has been told earlier, the beauty lies in telling it more interestingly." So apart from drama, there is also comedy.
Why the '70s? "I love the films of that period—Sholay, Deewar, Yaadon Ki Baraat, Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin, the films of Vijay Anand, Nasir Hussain, Manmohan Desai. The era had glamour and fashion," says Farah. "We are what we are because of that kind of cinema," says SRK. "When they talk Bollywood in London they think of bell bottoms, sidelocks and long hair and over-the-top music. Bollywood is a term which, people don't realise, is used for the '70s."
The challenge was to recreate the spirit of those times. "It's very interesting to create a period. People think period is only kings and queens. Every decade is a period," says SRK. The big stars of the times, and even the junior artistes, appear in songs and cameos. SFX have been deployed to make the film's heroine serenade with Sunil Dutt. Even though Vishal-Shekhar have scored the music Pyarelal (of LP fame) was asked to arrange two songs, to achieve the sweeping orchestral effect of the music of the times. Listen carefully, even Javed Akhtar's lyrics are a throwback to Anand Bakshi lingo.
The success of Chak De has set a high benchmark for the new film, which releases this Diwali. And SRK is aiming high too—for nothing less than a blockbuster hit. The distribution rights of the Rs 35-crore film have been sold to Eros Entertainment for a whopping Rs 75 crore and 2,000 prints of the film will be released worldwide. These are record figures. Normally, the rights for a big film are sold for Rs 35-40 crore, and only a 1,000-odd prints are released.
With this film, SRK is also hoping to bequeath to Bollywood its new star, a stunning looker and dancer called Deepika Padukone. "She has a brilliant, languid poise," says Farah. So a lot is, obviously, at stake, and the chances of success and failure are equally high. Even SRK knows that. "There will be lots of people who will have reservations; lots of them will love it shamelessly," he predicts.
Apart from the Rs 75-crore target to be achieved, there are other challenges. Films on films are traditionally not supposed to do well. Moreover, the film will be locking horns with another biggie: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus, Saawariya, which marks the debut of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor's son Ranbir and Anil Kapoor's daughter Sonam. Saawariya is also the first foray of a big time Hollywood studio, Sony Pictures, into Bollywood film production. So, in a way, it's nothing less than SRK vs Hollywood. As a producer, he has already made a neat Rs 45 crore on the film. But there is more than personal profit at stake: SRK's reputation is on the line.Will he get those returns in for the distributor? Will he expand the Bollywood money market? Or is he flying too high like Icarus? This Diwali, we will know.
NamrataJoshi-OutlookIndia.com
Recently,while addressing at the Leadership Summit,Mr.Khan, with his super-sharp wit and mercurial repartee, zapped the daylights out of a gathering of several dignitaries and certain media representatives who tried to un-nerve him with their incessantly inane querying.
The best was his reaction to a question about the aggressive marketing of his competitor's film.
"Let the Americans watch Saawariya,
Indians will watch Om Shanti Om."
Touche,SRK!
The closest I can recall seeing his waxed chest is through that transparent shirt in the song Sooraj hua madhham... in Karan Johar's Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham.
Even if I am shaken and stirred, the journalist in me pretends not to show it.
But SRK is hell-bent on showing off his body, and dissecting it—down to why he got the left nipple pierced and not the right.
"How do you think I look," he asks everyone around, including the rather baffled CNN crew that has specially flown down from the US post the success of Chak De! India to capture the inexplicable appeal of King Khan.
It's a rhetorical question; it demands nothing but approval. But before I can react, director Farah Khan pitches in: "Your body is like John's (Abraham) and you are dancing like Hrithik." SRK's famous dimples get switched on bright: "I have the abs; I don't need to act now."
It is the very last shooting schedule of King Khan's forthcoming home production, Om Shanti Om (OSO). The cheesy number, Dil mein mere hai darde disco is being canned at the swanky Yashraj Studio. Being on the sets is an other-worldly, out-of-the body experience. It's hard not to get intimidated by such full-on Bollywood kitsch. Shirtless SRK in faux leather pants is shaking his booty alongside tall, lissom white girls, wearing golliwog wigs, leopard print leotards and hoop earrings.
A huge eagle provides a Chandamama-like backdrop, while welders perched precariously on the roof create sparkles that provide a shooting star effect. The theme is 'fire' and the song will move on to the 'water' and 'wind' themes, I am told. Meanwhile, a pregnant Farah Khan, expecting triplets, and complaining of morning sickness in between shots, is angry at the cameraperson for cutting SRK's crotch from the frame. "We are not shooting a Bengali art film here, get it (the crotch) back," she roars on the mike, and stretches herself on the director's couch.
SRK is in a jolly good mood. Unsparingly mocking, he sends up everything for a lark: the 'Yashraj Films'-inscribed cutlery with which he eats his McDonald's burger, Rahul Rawail's new film, Buddha Mar Gaya, and a news item in the Economic Times which quotes a 'prosumer' survey to declare that Ram Gopal Varma's Darling will be the biggest hit of 2007. The mention of fire is enough for him to tell us a hilarious anecdote about watching Deepa Mehta's film of the same name in the company of his mother-in-law and squirming all the way. SRK even sends up SRK. He complains to Farah about how he hates shooting with the leggy models: "They make me look and feel like a chaprasi (peon)."
It's not all fun and games. Seriousness surfaces as Khan reads the scripts of promos of OSO that will show on NDTV, red-stemmed glasses perched on his nose. The film is ready, the marketing and hype are about to unleash and you can see how keen he is to get all the details of the launch right. The performer's job is done, the producer-businessman has taken over.
SRK is at an interesting juncture in his life. He is not just a star. Many see him embodying, through the Rajs and Rahuls he plays, the spirit of post-liberalisation, feelgood India—just as Big B's Angry Young Man represented the angst-ridden India of the '70s and the '80s. And 2007 has, so far, been a glorious year for him. Chak De has been the year's biggest hit. What's more, it's the first film in his entire career to earn him commercial and critical approval in equal measure. "They loved you in Chak De," I tell him. "We will undo that with OSO. I can't make people love me for so long," he says, tongue firmly in cheek.
With OSO, SRK is back to giving us an absolutely in-your-face Bollywood movie, the mother of all entertainers, with a mother of all item numbers starring every single big star in the industry. In this film, Shahrukh is paying tribute to his own world, the Hindi film industry. "This is a film made by fans of Hindi films. Farah is the biggest one, I am a close second," says SRK. The film plays out a reincarnation theme against the backdrop of 1970s Bollywood, and later, the Bollywood of 2008. Its logline is, "for some dreams to be fulfilled one lifetime is not enough". The story is about the passion of a junior artiste, Om, for the regal heroine number one, Shantipriya (a throwback to Hema Malini), a love story cut short by death and renewed with rebirth. Shades of Kudrat, Karz, Karan Arjun and Reincarnation of Peter Proud. "It's a hugely dramatic film," says SRK. "The story has been told earlier, the beauty lies in telling it more interestingly." So apart from drama, there is also comedy.
Why the '70s? "I love the films of that period—Sholay, Deewar, Yaadon Ki Baraat, Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin, the films of Vijay Anand, Nasir Hussain, Manmohan Desai. The era had glamour and fashion," says Farah. "We are what we are because of that kind of cinema," says SRK. "When they talk Bollywood in London they think of bell bottoms, sidelocks and long hair and over-the-top music. Bollywood is a term which, people don't realise, is used for the '70s."
The challenge was to recreate the spirit of those times. "It's very interesting to create a period. People think period is only kings and queens. Every decade is a period," says SRK. The big stars of the times, and even the junior artistes, appear in songs and cameos. SFX have been deployed to make the film's heroine serenade with Sunil Dutt. Even though Vishal-Shekhar have scored the music Pyarelal (of LP fame) was asked to arrange two songs, to achieve the sweeping orchestral effect of the music of the times. Listen carefully, even Javed Akhtar's lyrics are a throwback to Anand Bakshi lingo.
The success of Chak De has set a high benchmark for the new film, which releases this Diwali. And SRK is aiming high too—for nothing less than a blockbuster hit. The distribution rights of the Rs 35-crore film have been sold to Eros Entertainment for a whopping Rs 75 crore and 2,000 prints of the film will be released worldwide. These are record figures. Normally, the rights for a big film are sold for Rs 35-40 crore, and only a 1,000-odd prints are released.
With this film, SRK is also hoping to bequeath to Bollywood its new star, a stunning looker and dancer called Deepika Padukone. "She has a brilliant, languid poise," says Farah. So a lot is, obviously, at stake, and the chances of success and failure are equally high. Even SRK knows that. "There will be lots of people who will have reservations; lots of them will love it shamelessly," he predicts.
Apart from the Rs 75-crore target to be achieved, there are other challenges. Films on films are traditionally not supposed to do well. Moreover, the film will be locking horns with another biggie: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus, Saawariya, which marks the debut of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor's son Ranbir and Anil Kapoor's daughter Sonam. Saawariya is also the first foray of a big time Hollywood studio, Sony Pictures, into Bollywood film production. So, in a way, it's nothing less than SRK vs Hollywood. As a producer, he has already made a neat Rs 45 crore on the film. But there is more than personal profit at stake: SRK's reputation is on the line.Will he get those returns in for the distributor? Will he expand the Bollywood money market? Or is he flying too high like Icarus? This Diwali, we will know.
NamrataJoshi-OutlookIndia.com
Recently,while addressing at the Leadership Summit,Mr.Khan, with his super-sharp wit and mercurial repartee, zapped the daylights out of a gathering of several dignitaries and certain media representatives who tried to un-nerve him with their incessantly inane querying.
The best was his reaction to a question about the aggressive marketing of his competitor's film.
"Let the Americans watch Saawariya,
Indians will watch Om Shanti Om."
Touche,SRK!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Court case against Shah Rukh and Juhi dismissed
Rajasthan High Court has dismissed the case filed against actors Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla in subordinate court at Kota. The High Court held Shah Rukh Khan not guilty for uttering the dialogue against advocates in the film Ram Jaane. Justice R.S. Chowhan, admitting the petition filed by Shah Rukh Khan, cancelled the order of the subordinate court at Kota.
Shah Rukh, in his petition, had challenged the order of the court at Kota, in which the subordinate court had taken cognizance against him in respect of dialogues spoken by him in the film Ram Jaane.The Kota court had taken cognizance in the same case against Juhi Chawla and producer-director of the film, too.
Advocate Manish Sharma, on behalf of Shah Rukh, pleaded to the High Court: “The petitioner is only an actor, who speaks the dialogues as directed by the film’s director. If the Censor Board issues a valid certificate to a film under clause 5(a) and 5(b) of the Cinematography Act, 1952, no criminal case can be filed against the film’s artistes. The Supreme Court too has passed such orders.”
Shah Rukh, in his petition, had challenged the order of the court at Kota, in which the subordinate court had taken cognizance against him in respect of dialogues spoken by him in the film Ram Jaane.The Kota court had taken cognizance in the same case against Juhi Chawla and producer-director of the film, too.
Advocate Manish Sharma, on behalf of Shah Rukh, pleaded to the High Court: “The petitioner is only an actor, who speaks the dialogues as directed by the film’s director. If the Censor Board issues a valid certificate to a film under clause 5(a) and 5(b) of the Cinematography Act, 1952, no criminal case can be filed against the film’s artistes. The Supreme Court too has passed such orders.”
SRK's VoiceOver Draws Tourists to Chittorgarh Show
The light and sound show at Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan's historic city of Chittorgarh has become a great attraction for tourists.
With the voiceover done by Bollywood stars Hema Malini and Shah Rukh Khan, the light and sound show at Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan's historic city of Chittorgarh has become a great attraction for tourists.
Besides the two actors, famous singers Lata Mangeshkar and Rehmat Khan have also lent their voices to the show.
The one-hour evening entertainment in the fort, which is spread across a 280-hectare site on the top of a 180-metre-high hill, is proving to be a great draw as about 1,000 to 1,500 visitors come to see the show every day.
Chittorgarh, also called Chittor, was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Mewar under the Rajputs from the 7th to 16th centuries.
Completed at a cost of around Rs.29 million, the light and sound show project is the first of its kind in the state that has been set up on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis.
Financed by the central tourism ministry and executed by the ITDC, the show is being run by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) and Hindustan Zinc Limited on a partnership basis.
"The department of tourism has been making concerted efforts to improve tourist facilities in Chittorgarh and the sound and light show is a step in this direction," Rajasthan Tourism Minister Usha Punia said in a statement.
The minister added the newly introduced show suitably reflects the pride and glory of Rajasthan. The episodes of romance, valour and chivalry have been creatively displayed.
The show begins with a 6th century king's search for a place to establish his capital. He finds Chittor to be a safe place from invasions.
The story then meanders to the valiant defence of the town by Bappa Rawal from Arab invaders.
Episodes in the show also relate to the beauty of Rani Padmini while Rana Kumbha is portrayed as a versatile and able ruler. The spirituality and devotion of Meera, the treacherous plan to kill young Udai Singh and the supreme sacrifice by Panna Dai are some other gripping features of the show that enthral visitors.
With the voiceover done by Bollywood stars Hema Malini and Shah Rukh Khan, the light and sound show at Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan's historic city of Chittorgarh has become a great attraction for tourists.
Besides the two actors, famous singers Lata Mangeshkar and Rehmat Khan have also lent their voices to the show.
The one-hour evening entertainment in the fort, which is spread across a 280-hectare site on the top of a 180-metre-high hill, is proving to be a great draw as about 1,000 to 1,500 visitors come to see the show every day.
Chittorgarh, also called Chittor, was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Mewar under the Rajputs from the 7th to 16th centuries.
Completed at a cost of around Rs.29 million, the light and sound show project is the first of its kind in the state that has been set up on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis.
Financed by the central tourism ministry and executed by the ITDC, the show is being run by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) and Hindustan Zinc Limited on a partnership basis.
"The department of tourism has been making concerted efforts to improve tourist facilities in Chittorgarh and the sound and light show is a step in this direction," Rajasthan Tourism Minister Usha Punia said in a statement.
The minister added the newly introduced show suitably reflects the pride and glory of Rajasthan. The episodes of romance, valour and chivalry have been creatively displayed.
The show begins with a 6th century king's search for a place to establish his capital. He finds Chittor to be a safe place from invasions.
The story then meanders to the valiant defence of the town by Bappa Rawal from Arab invaders.
Episodes in the show also relate to the beauty of Rani Padmini while Rana Kumbha is portrayed as a versatile and able ruler. The spirituality and devotion of Meera, the treacherous plan to kill young Udai Singh and the supreme sacrifice by Panna Dai are some other gripping features of the show that enthral visitors.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Shah Rukh and Amitabh Clash at Sanjay Dutt Book Launch
Dilip Kumar released a book on Sanjay parents — Sunil and Nargis Dutt. Present at the launch were Jackie Shroff, Govinda, Amitabh Bachchan, Prem Chopra, Karan Johar, Rajkumar Hirani, Farah Khan, SRK, Waheeda Rehman, Ramesh Sippy, Sunil Shetty, Akshaye Khanna and many other stars.
The event was hosted by Karan Johar while Dilip Kumar launched the book formally in Mumbai. Yes there was high tension as both SRK and Amitabh along with Amar Singh were present at the book launch.
The initial media response went to Amitabh but as soon as SRK made his late entry once the event started almost everyone forgot about Big B! Yes literally as everyone followed SRK whereever he went. Khan grabbed the opportunity to give the best pictures as well as bytes to tv channels.
So the big question did SRK and Big B meet each other? Yes they did and SRK only said adaab to Big B once and that's it. SRK even ignored Amar Singh and both the celebrities walked away without much interaction.
Robot ,Robot , Robot....Lets Fly...
Since the director is wielding the megaphone for Shahrukh Khan for the first time, he’s extra careful about every aspect of the film.
After a blockbuster hit in Sivaji, Shankar is now gearing up to commence his next venture Robot. Since the director is wielding the megaphone for Shahrukh Khan for the first time, he’s extra careful about every aspect of the film.
Sources say that Shankar and his team are currently holding discussions in a farm house near Mahabalipuram to give final touches to the script.
Plans are on to commence the movie during Diwali. Robot will be produced by the production house of the King Khan himself. The movie with all its techno jazz will be released in Tamil, Telugu and other languages besides Hindi.
Shahrukh Laughs Back
He's a volcano in human form, occasionally the lava spills over. This year he has blazed his way to the forefront of leading male stars yet again. With recent box-office successes such as Yes Boss, Pardes and Dil To Pagal Hai, he's back to where he was over a year ago - at the top of the heap. He's suddenly inches shy of superstardom - the first actor amongst the present lot to get that far in tinsel town. He's clearly on top of the world as Shah Rukh Khan talks about his recent hits, impending fatherhood and his next big release, Duplicate.
Deep in Mehboob Studios, Shah Rukh Khan enters the sets of Karan Johar's Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai. His arrival prompts warm attention. The energy on the set changes. There's something really amazing about him, his generosity of spirit. Everyone wants to say hello, slap his back, make a crack, make him smile. Shah Rukh's in no hurry. He soaks it in, slaps his own share of backs, whispers a few naughty jokes, grins the grin. He feels like a brother, a younger brother, masculine yet nonthreatening. He likes to laugh on a set, to be creative and collaborative, and if he can't, he'd rather not do the show. He loves not just the satisfaction of having completed a role but the actual process of acting and the sense of community that develops between the actors and the director while making a film. "Thank you, boss," he says affectionately as a unit hand brings him a chilled soft drink. The unit hand beams. He shines because Shah Rukh is that likable and cool, which sets him apart from whole legions of leading men. tinsel town is really lucky. He is a man's man, which makes him a woman's man, which makes him box-office manna.
Someone once said that success allows people to be what they always were. Shah Rukh has always been kind of weird. Now he has the freedom to be weird when and where he wants. And people don't say, 'what?' anymore. They say, 'Ahhh'. Much has also been made of his looks. The camera doesn't just love him - it ripens him. On film he is himself, only more so. And,yes,he is a looker- with an awkward, fleshy mouth that sends him smiling sideways, like a school kid. His face reveals his energy; it is alive with a thousand expressions and questions. He's primal, passionate, pulsing with raw rebellious energy. He's so unbelievably exhilarating to be around, at least you'll never be bored.
Despite the accolades and awards, Shah Rukh's friends and colleagues all mention a wildness, a fury, within the star. He seems by nature a pretty angry man. Maybe it's to do with perfectionism in his craft. He can't bear not to be on top of his game all the time. All he basically cares about is acting, and whenever he falls short he becomes incredibly angry with himself. His ferocious energy and relentless sexuality offer a welcome relief from the studied types. He's extremely fast and alert..and funny. He thinks deep thoughts and pulls silly pranks with his friends. The intellect and the power that comes with it is what women find sexy. He has reached new depths as an actor, but a teenage devil still lurks inside. Thus, he's weaned the audience away from their living rooms and exposed them to things exciting and new on the big screen. He's got that unbelievably magnetic screen presence.
Some cherish those few performances of his that are not nervous or hurried. In most of his films, like Darr or Ram Jaane for example, it was wonderful acting, but it was all about the expenditure of a great amount of energy in a short space of time. He was sort of like a live wire. But in Dil To Pagal Hai and Pardes he is completely in control of his craft and of his feelings. In it he seems as consummate an actor as one has ever seen. On screen, he has been tenderness incarnate, of late: The way he consoles Karisma in Dil To Pagal Hai and Juhi Chawla in Yes Boss and Mahima Chaudhury in Pardes. The sad, sad eyes and the little smile that flickers across his face in Dil To Pagal Hai when he learns of Madhuri's marriage. Thus, he likes to move on, regenerate and doesn't stay satisfied with one genre - or one routine. At present, he couldn't be better situated. Fresh from a fat action movie (Koyla), a romantic comedy (Yes Boss) and a couple of mushy romances (Pardes, Dil To Pagal Hai), he's proved himself to be as versatile as he is ubiquitous.
Shah Rukh has everything all other men could want - talent, looks, money, respect, freedom, fame, a loving wife and a cast of loyal old friends. Until now, constant work had seemed as necessary as oxygen. He simply enjoyed the stimulus, the energy, the day-to-day business of working. He really lived the crazy life of a movie star, but now he's ready to settle down, start a family and remain successful. He's turned into a man with the strength to commit himself to his wife and family. And so he's actually taking time off and the respite is voluntary. Fatherhood beckons, you see. These days, because of Gauri and the soon-to-be-born baby, he's much less apt to drive himself nuts. He's lucky enough to have a wife he loves so much but now the baby could probably become the center of everything.
He's obviously relishing every moment of the good times he's going through. With a smile so ravishing, it could melt a stone, he asks brightly, "Will you have a soft drink?" Watching him eye the scenario around him, you notice no cloud of brood or hostility that usually comes with a thirty something man-child. There is no stink of fear, only the mind-addlingly seductive presence of jejune enthusiasm. Usually when Shah Rukh talks, his words spill out in a torrent and one has the sense of his motor racing very fast underneath. But unlike most artistes, he is an intense listener too. He leans forward, as though English weren't his first language, as though he needed to breathe your words through the pores of his skin, and his face locks in an all-absorbing gaze. He sucks on his cigarette until his dimples touch. Edgy as ever, he explains why this has been the most fabulous year in his career. "What's most gratifying is that within this year I've had four markedly different releases with pretty varied roles. Koyla was an action film where I feel I did a great job. Yes Boss was a romantic comedy where such a character hadn't been essayed before. In Pardes I gave quite a low key subdued performance while in Dil To Pagal Hai my role was very mature and intense. I'm proud of this fact because very few actors have had the chance to do such varied stuff in one year. Therefore, it has been one of the best years of my career."
Thus, it was in the latter half of the year that his fortunes actually revived with the success of Yes Boss. It did prove to be a saviour of sorts after the low phase he'd been through. But did it do as well as it was expected to? He explains instantly, "When you do a different film like Yes Boss, you don't expect it to be a grand success commercially. And since it's a classy, city-based film, you know who your target audience is. So despite it all, the film has done much better business than expected. It has earned about 4-5 crores in every city which is amazing business for a film of this genre. The music too was very popular and a lot of people loved me in the film. I too loved myself in it."
But there were many others who actually didn't feel one with his character in Yes Boss although it was such a believable role. "Probably people could not accept a hero to be such a slimy character. A lot of people told me that he seemed like a pimp. Maybe they were scared to accept the reality. You do see guys in real life who are always thinking of devious means to fulfil their ambitions. Such selfish, self-centred go-getters are very much at large today. However, the audience should be thankful that somebody's actually playing such characters and not just doing the star act in every film."
Meanwhile, Subhash Ghai's Pardes has proved to be yet another feather in his cap. Though the film opened to an average response, It picked up business in the following weeks, thanks to the tax redemption, and has now been proclaimed a hit and still going strong. But many feel that Shah Rukh was sidelined in the film. "I don't think so," he defends, "I don't know why the media in particular puts it like that. Pardes was a girl- oriented film. I had heard the subject and liked it. For me it was a chance to do something different or rather not to do something I had always done. I hadn't done a role where I'm simply flowing with the tide like Aamir Khan did in Hum Hain Rahi PyarKe. I wanted to play subdued and mature characters. It's not necessary that I hog the limelight everytime. And it goes to the credit of Subhash Ghai to have made a successful film without the usual, popular Shah Rukh Khan scenes. And, of course, becoming tax-free also helped the film a lot. The tax redemption is given only to a deserving film which meant Pardes was so and that's why it has done quite well."
But is it true that he refused to do Subhash Ghai's next film? "I don't know what you're talking about," he replies quite perturbed by the suggestion. "We haven't had any discussions on his next project as yet. I think he hasn't yet worked out a subject. If he needs me, he'll call me. But I don't have any dates for him right now. I had given him dates for Shikhar and Trimurti which got exhausted mid-way through Pardes due to the delay with Trimurti. I was supposed to do just two films with him and I've done that."
Coming to his third success of the year, Dil To Pagal Hai, he was pretty much in control in the film. His performance was the perfect balance between his spontaneity and restraint. And even though the film has a thin storyline, it was pretty engrossing right till the end. He must surely be satisfied with his work in it. "Not really," he says and takes us by surprise. "I feel I could have done a better job. Since I was trying out something new, I still feel I lacked something. Probably if I were to do a similar role again, my performance will be more polished. However, on the whole I liked myself in the film. My mature characterisation fitted well with the film as it was a film about normal people. Everything was in the right amount. The jokes were good, so was the intensity of the emotions. And as far as the storyline is concerned, then you'll realise that some of the nicest films even in Hollywood have such weak stories. In these films one knows right from the start what it's all about. There's no mystery or suspense. It's how you present the film ultimately that's important. I think only a good director has the guts to rely on the screenplay and make a successful film. "
His next release in all probability is Yash Johar's Duplicate. Slated for a February '98 release, it has Shah Rukh trying out something new once again. This film has him playing a double role for the very first time. So how differently has he delineated the two characters? He explains meticulously, "Duplicate is a film with the usual dose of confusion and comedy of errors that you see in most double role films. One character is quite comical while the other is a bad guy both of which I've played in the past in different films. But what sets them apart from my past efforts is that in Duplicate the comic character is a complete dimwit, a total nerd which I've never played before. While the bad guy is the typical Gulshan Grover kind of villain you see in films. The dark characters I've played in the past had a purpose behind their mean streak. Whereas this guy is simply made like that, an unscrupulous fellow. He's a typical villain who looks lecherously at women. What's fascinating about the film is that it's not like other comedy of errors where the good guy falls in trouble due to the bad guy's misdeeds. Here the villain's life becomes miserable when he tries to step into the nice guy's shoes to achieve his nefarious deeds. He doesn't realise the mess he's getting into before it's too late. And by the end of thefilm, he's pulling at his hair roots. The motto of the story here is - it's more difficult to be good while it's easier to be bad. On the whole, Duplicate is turning out to be a fabulous film."
Finally, things are also looking brighter in his personal life. He's on the verge of becoming the proud father of a son who he's already named Aryan. Is he experiencing . any pre-natal jitters? "Not really," he confesses, "but I've already made plans to spend time with my kid. I'm taking a month-long break from work to be with my family." By the time you read this, he will already be in the throes of fatherhood.
He falls silent for a rare moment. Then he sighs happily, downs the remains of his soft drink and gets up to greet an acquaintance. Minutes later, he plops down, smiles contentedly, lights up a cigarette, leans back and exhales a fog of smoke. He looks at once defiant, like a rebellious little boy who hasn't forgotten what it feels like to be a kid.
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