MNIK first truly global Bollywood film, say distributors

Having earned around Rs 150 crore (Rs 1.5 billion/$35 million) worldwide in 10 days, distributors Fox STAR Studios say they are extremely happy with the "truly global" response to Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name Is Khan (MNIK). They now plan to increase the Bollywood presence in the Middle East through the film and also release it in countries like Germany, Poland and Egypt.

"We genuinely believe that My Name Is Khan is the first truly global Bollywood film. It has received an exhilarating response in India and the 40 countries that we released it on Feb 12 and we are expecting the same in other countries," Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox STAR Studios, told IANS.

Singh said it has been doing extremely well in the US, Canada, Britain and the Middle East.

Fox STAR, which is the Indian arm of US-based 20th Century Fox International, has planned the distribution of MNIK in a unique way - by releasing it in phases in 25 more countries over the next six months.

"We have planned to increase the Bollywood presence in the Middle East with this film. We have also decided to release it in Germany, Poland and in new markets like Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon because it is a very globally appealing film," said Singh.

My Name Is Khan, directed by Karan Johar, co-stars actress Kajol. Exploring lives in the post-9/11 period in the US, the movie also has Shah Rukh playing a man with Asperger's Syndrome.

It was even promoted at international platforms like on Britain's Jonathan Ross Show and at the world's biggest stock exchange NASDAQ. It is being released with a record number of prints in many countries.

"In Germany, we are releasing it on 40 screens and we have released it in eight screens in Egypt - which has never happened before. In Syria, we will be releasing it in nine theatres," he said.

To increase the reach of the film, the company has also planned to dub it in German and Turkish as well as subtitle it in Polish.

As for the movie's collections dipping after the opening weekend, Singh said: "Comparing My Name Is Khan with the collections of 3 Idiots won't be fine.

"One needs to understand that December (when 3 Idiots was released) is a holiday period and February is an exam period. While a lot of people don't mind going to watch a movie on December weekdays, it isn't possible during this period."

HISTORIC: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge completes 750 weeks

Just like old wine, SRK and Kajol's blockbuster film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) keeps getting better and better with each passing year. This month- February 2010, DDLJ has set yet another record by completing 750 weeks of continuous play. In a feat perhaps unmatched anywhere in the world, the magic of the evergreen romance keeps pulling audiences back to the Maratha Mandir theatre in Mumbai.

Directed by Aditya Chopra, DDLJ opened to full houses and rave reviews all over the world way back on 20th October 1995.

This evergreen Yash Raj Film remains the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema, as it passes one milestone after another, and is presently running in its 15th year of running.

Shah Rukh to sing, dance for KKR during IPL

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday said he would sing and dance to cheer his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team during all the seven matches at Eden Gardens in the third edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) next month.

"I will sing, I will dance, I will be there to cheer up the boys," KKR co-owner King Khan told reporters via video-conference.

SRK, as Shah Rukh is popularly known, had gone to South Africa to encourage his side during the first five matches of the IPL last year.

He said KKR, in association with Nokia, will host Para (neighbourhood) cricket to create a platform for a new generation of cricketers.