"I'll bite with goodness" - SRK

In an exclusive interview with E-Now’s Naomi Dutta, the ‘Badshah of Bollywood’ Shah Rukh Khan talks of biting the heads off his competitors. Take a look…

Naomi: Shahrukh, I am going to ask you my first question from the perspective of a producer. Is there a certain kind of cinema that your banner, Red Chillies Entertainment inherently believes in?

Shahrukh: Yes. The idea when we started Dreamz Unlimited, (which is now Red Chillies), was to try and make films which nobody else would want to. Then we decided if we keep on making that then nobody will want us to make any more films. So then we decided that whenever a film appeals to you and if you are able to create a whole bank of people who would be similar thinking we say ok let’s give this a shot. The idea was to make films happily. Now it’s been 5-6 years, we have survived. ‘Om Shanti Om’ is one of the bigger films which I am hoping will be able to give a bank of directors that we have developed. Their mindset of how the film should be made is similar to mine and the company's, so they go ahead and make and tell the story that they want to tell as long as they make the film happily. Everybody should love each other, everybody should shout at each other, everybody should be happy with each other and there is no boss except me, everybody else is a slave and everybody has to remember that. So as long as they can do that with happiness, that’s the cinema, we would want to make.

Naomi: Commercially OSO has already done well for you because the trade says that as a producer you have already made a profit of it. There are huge figures doing the rounds.

Shahrukh: See there are two people who know how much profit I have made. One is me and the other is the person who has paid me. The person who has taken the payment is me and the person who's paid me is my three distributors.

Naomi: So what are you saying?

Shahrukh: What I am saying is that of all the interviews and newspaper headlines that I have read including Economic Times, which is a fantastically well informed economic paper; neither have spoken to these two entities. So nobody has asked me how much money I have got.

Naomi: How much money have you got?

Shahrukh: I don’t tell and nobody has asked the person who has paid. I don’t know why, may be he also doesn't tell and somebody has made up this figure. I have read different figures that I have made. Let me be honestly saying that I don’t have such small intentions, I want to make many many many more crores, but I have thought of that for ‘Paheli’ also and I didn't make it. But sometime I'll get it right!

Naomi: Ok, is it reassuring or scary that there is no such thing right now as a commercially safe film? Because if you see Chak De India- it’s the biggest hit of the year. You were playing a Muslim protagonist, it was about hockey and it went on to become the biggest hit of the year - is it scary that there is no box office formula?

Shahrukh: No, I always choose a film as an actor. I choose a film, I hear a story, and then I start believing the director who's making this film who believes in the story more than I do so he or she will not leave a stone (unturned) to make the film work. I thought ‘Chak De India’ was a very interesting story to tell. It may be have been difficult to narrate but a very nice story to tell. So my state of mind is completely convinced the day I decide to do the film. Sometimes some bad stories also work. You know this business is art. I can’t tell how well a film will do; I don’t have any control over it, that’s why I am never nervous about it. The ‘Chak De’ story is good which is why it has done well. I think Om Shanti Om will do very well also.

Naomi: At a recent newspaper summit, you said that you didn't have the marketing budget of ‘Saawariya’. Now a Shahrukh Khan film is never regarded as an underdog, you can never call it an underdog even if it is ‘Saawariya’ produced by Sony pictures.

Shahrukh: No I didn't mean it like this. I'll explain how I meant it. What I meant is everybody is always bothered and nervous about their own thing. Not in comparison to something else, so if I worry for my film, I cannot be an underdog. I am a big movie star; I have had the goodness of the media with me. I have had all the goodness of the audience with me for years now. I think I have no comparison with ‘Saawariya’. On 9th of November only one film is releasing for me i.e. ‘Om Shanti Om’ and with full love and respect to ‘Saawariya’, as a producer I have to be very competitive. I am very clear on that whether I am the underdog or the over dog or the middle dog, I am a dog so anybody comes and messes around with this dog in terms of marketing. I am going to try and bite them, bite their head off! So if Sony Columbia tries to come in, I'll try to bite their head off. I am going to eat them up. This is my intention with positiveness, I'll bite with goodness. My film has to do well because my audience expects that of me and I can’t let them down.

Naomi: Ok Shahrukh, since the first part of ‘Om Shanti Om’ is about the 70s, suppose you were in the 70's and what would your positioning be? Have you thought of it?

Shahrukh: No, I don’t know. I would have done the ‘Don’ as the original Don. I think I would have been very good at anti-establishment hero. I would do some good fighting scenes and I don’t know if I would be able to say ‘kutte kamine’ with that kind of power. I find it odd to say bad words and I don’t know if I am flamboyant enough. See Amitji, Dharamji, Shatrusahab, Shashi Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, have a lot of pizzazz and a lot of good heartedness in their performance. I am not as easy going. I think more than I feel. When I see actors of the 70's, I find them a lot more heartfelt. So my positioning would have perhaps been a thinking man's hero. I don’t know where I would be. Maybe I would be blamed for still playing a romantic hero with Yash Chopra.

Naomi: And giving competition to Rajesh Khanna at that time …..

Shahrukh: That’s ok, people still tell me that I am competing with a lot of senior actors so it’s not that being born in the 90's has taken that away from me. I am still competing with the great stars that have been and are still in our hearts and great stars who are to be. So I am ok. I don’t know if that would have changed, though I think 70's period the actors were amazingly talented, they were much better looking, taller than I wasI think I would never have been able to last in the era of 70's. In my movie in ‘Om Shanti Om’ I end up being a junior artist. I think I would have ended up being just an extra artist in the 70's.

Naomi: Thanks so much Shahrukh.

Shahrukh: Thank you.

TimesNow.tv

If not SRK, who'll do Shankar's Robot ?

It is now almost certain that this Shah Rukh Khan and top South Indian director Shankar's combination derailed even before it took off.

Post the stupendous success of Rajnikant starrer, Sivaji , Bollywood Badshah was excited about working with director Shankar and even came forward to produce Shankar's next film – Robot, a scientific thriller, when Shankar shared with him the plotline.

Three months later, the film is called off as differences between Shankar and Shah Rukh erupted beyond reconciliation.

Sources claim it was the lack of a proper script that failed to convince Shah Rukh. Hence the two shook hands amicably and parted ways.

Shankar has now two options – to approach another Bollywood hero with the financial support from Adlabs (they have an agreement with Shankar for a film) or do what he is best at: making a Tamil/Telugu bilingual.

On other hand, Shah Rukh Khan will be doing his good friend Karan Johar's ambitious film titled My Name Is Khan , a film about an Indian Muslim caught in legal problems in New York due to his religion.

Shah Rukh was supposed to be a part of Raj Kumar Hirani's film soon after Om Shanti Om but he backed out, due to indifferences that may have arisen between Vidhu Vinod Chopra and him.

Jalapathy Gudelli, IndiaTimes

"SRK has six, I've 18!"

Arjun Rampal rolls up the sleeves of a Tommy Hilfiger shirt to reveal the tattoos of his daughters Myra and Mahikaa on his forearm. We sit in the balcony of his 9th floor apartment, overlooking the Bandstand sea.

So, who got the ponytail first—he or Shah Rukh Khan?

“Well, it’s not about who grew it first. But I have had long hair in my last three to four movies,” he laughs.

And does he have an opinion on what everyone in the city is talking about the six pack?

“It is definitely motivating. I don’t think people associated him with six packs. He worked four long years at it,” says Rampal.
“I think he got inspired to get a six-pack after he saw his son Aryan’s six-pack.
"Aryan apparently taunted him and said, ‘Dad you have everything but you don’t have a six pack’,” he says.

So, when did he get his six pack?

“I don’t have a six pack. I have 18,” he says with a wink.

What about Bollywood fashion?

“Fashion in movies, even 10-15 years ago was horrendous. The 60s and 70s were stylish, but the 80s and the 90s were terrible, now it’s getting professional and actors are getting more and more conscious.”

Kabeer Sharma, DNA after hours

When Shah Rukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor met...

Whoever is talking about the rivalry between ‘Om Shanti Om’ (OSO) and ‘Saawariya’ should hear of this one. Not so long ago, Shah Rukh Khan was shooting at the same studio as Ranbir Kapoor. While SRK was finishing the last schedule of ‘OSO’, Ranbir was there for the promotional shoot of ‘Saawariya’.

The two happened to finish together and reached the car parking area at the same time. SRK grabbed the opportunity to wish the Kapoor boy all the best for his debut film. In return, Ranbir conveyed his wishes for the success of ‘OSO’. Both obviously believe in the ‘live and let live’ philosophy!

DNA after hours

Star Gold to celebrate Shah Rukh's birthday

MUMBAI: Bringing in actor Shah Rukh Khan's birthday, which falls on 2 November, Star Gold will commemorate the Bollywood star's special occasion for three days by showcasing exclusive curtain raiser of his film – Om Shanti Om along with trivia capsules on the movie.

The channel will also showcase a special series on Khan, titled 'The Inner and Outer world of Shah Rukh Khan' produced by Nasreen Munni Kabir and some of his blockbuster movies.

The schedule for SRK's movies on Star Gold is as under:

31 October: 4:30 pm - Kabhi Haa Kabhi Naa

31 October: 8:30 pm - Paheli

1 November: 4:30 pm - Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman

1 November: 8:30 pm - Main Hoon Na

2 November: 8:50 am - Special Series – 'The Inner and Outer world of Shah Rukh Khan'

2 November: 4:30 pm - Baazigar

2 November: 8:00 pm - Exclusive curtain raiser of forthcoming movie 'Om Shanti Om'

2 November: 8:30 pm - Don – The Chase Begins Again

Businessofcinema

"It gives me a high, everytime I sing for SRK" - Sukhwinder Singh

The Shah Rukh-Sukhwinder jodi just clicks. There is something about Shah Rukh Khan that works every time, for both of us.

Some enigmatic, mystical element makes it happen and we hit it off every time we work together. I have only sung four songs for Shah Rukh -- Layi Vi Na Gayee form Chalte Chale, Chaiyya Chaiyya from Dil Se, Chak De from Chak De! India and Dard-e-Disco from Om Shanti Om -- and all of them have created such a furore that it gives me a high every time I sing for him.

I'd like to specially mention that Shah Rukh is one person who acknowledges your hard work and brings out the best in you. He is a reservoir of boundless energy and passion and his enthusiasm is highly infectious. There is some sort of magic that takes over when I sing for SRK.

When we started with Chak De, I thought we were really breaking cinematic grounds in terms of experimenting. We were getting far too innovative. We knew people could relate to the song since it touched every aspect of human life. I saw many documentaries on hockey and read on many sportsman from Dhyan Chand to Dhanraj Pillai.

I didn't focus on hockey per se; I sang the song keeping all national sports in mind. It was about India in totality. It became such a rage with people and almost became like the sports anthem.

I smsed Shah Rukh for the first time in my life and he said it's my voice that does the trick and he hopes he can justify my voice in Dard-e-Disco too. Someone of Shah Rukh Khan's stature saying that to you is such an ego booster.

Chak De has done us proud and worked wonders for the Indian Hockey team. It restored the honour and dignity that hockey truly deserved.

Rediff

Profit struggles cloud Om Shanti Om & Saawariya

It is a battle that erupts every festive season, and this year is no different.

The multiplex owners and distributors of Saawariya and Om Shanti Om are at loggerheads over sharing the profits from ticket sales. And that has put a question mark over whether the films will release on November 9, the Diwali weekend.

Read More....

Shah Rukh Khan's Divali Bonanza

The Badshah of Bollywood has undoubtedly delivered the maximum hits over the better part of his 25 year old film career. But what is interesting to note is that most of his films that have gone on to become blockbusters have released or rather designed or planned to be released days before Diwali. We wonder what’s SRK’s fascination with this particular period of the year.

Read More....

"Shah Rukh is a sweetheart" - Arjun Rampal

Actor Arjun Rampal plays the negative lead in Om Shanti Om. We caught up with the actor and found out what Arjun had to say about Shah Rukh Khan -- the good friend, the good husband, the good father and more.

There was actually a time when negative roles were given to people with villainous looks but now it has completely changed. The best looking men in the country are doing negative roles.

CNN-IBN: Hi Arjun. How are you?

Arjun Rampal: Very well, thanks. How you doing?

Read More....

SRK Dances on Fingers of Girls!

Lucknow

Karva Chauth, the spouse festival, was celebrated on Monday when women fasted for the longevity of their husbands. The newly-wedded got their husbands’ name painted with Henna on their palms.

But unmarried girls did not want to be left out. Many of the unmarried girls here opted to engrave the names of Bollywood heart-throb Shahrukh Khan or the youth Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

They made efforts to get Sharukh Khan and Rahul Gandhi ‘dance on their fingers’.

“On visiting this beauty parlour I learnt about the nail art. I got Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan on my nail. Now I shall make him dance on my fingers (she laughs). There are so many different designs to choose from and I have got even Rahul Gandhi (the young Congress leader) on one of my nails," said Nupur, a customer.

These nail-art parlours and salons had brisk business during the festival with women thronging these in huge numbers to avail of the customised pictures on their nails.

Married Hindu women observe Karva Chauth, the day of fasting without water, for the long life of their spouse. The fast, observed from sunrise to sunset, is broken only after moonrise. The day is spent in the company of the family members.

Hindus believe that if a woman fasts on the 'Karva Chauth' day her prayers for good health and long life of her spouse will be granted.

Bangle sellers and artists who paint herbal designs or henna do brisk business ahead of Karva Chauth.

Henna or Mehndi, considered auspicious for married woman, is part of the Karva Chauth ritual. And above all is the 'Shringar' that includes applying henna and additional embellishments to the woman's makeup.

On this occasion, women receive gifts from their husbands . Exchange of sweets between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law is an integral part of the festivities.

ANI/TopNews.in

Shahrukh Khan summoned in liquor ad case

Shahdol (MP) (PTI): A local court has summoned Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan to appear before it on December 11 for allegedly promoting alcoholism by featuring in a liquor commercial.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Deepesh Tiwari has also summoned the manufacturer of Master Stroke Deluxe Whisky.

The court, after recording the statement of petitioner Vinod Kumar Tripathi and other witnesses, registered a case against Khan and the general manager Digo Raddico Distelleries Associates Alcohol and Breweries Limited, Khargone.

In the petition Tripathi said he saw a board displaying Khan with the liquor and people, reading the board "success needs a master stroke", were purchasing the brand.

The petitioner demanded action against the actor for promoting alcoholism which is against the law. Advertisement of alcohol and its public use is banned in the country.

The Hindu

SRK - Kajol 'My Name Is Khan' from July 2008

Though it is being postulated that Shah Rukh Khan is all set to take a sabbatical before he shoots for Farhan Akhter's Don 2 in December 2008, that is far from the truth.

In an informal chat with a leading news channel, SRK was very specific when he said that the shooting of his next project with Karan Johar, My Name Is Khan, will commence from July 2008. It is the same project where Kajol is likely to be paired opposite him.

While on Shah Rukh and his upcoming projects, the workaholic superstar is also tipped to work in a start to finish, in one or two schedules, for his close friend Aditya Chopra. And that may be prior to Karan's My Name Is Khan.

Abid, BollywoodTradeNewsNetwork

"Kids go berserk with CHAK DE INDIA VCDs out on stands"

Guess CHAK DE INDIA VCDs are not just being patronized by the youngsters; even kids are mighty excited about having one as a part of their collection.

While the film's VCDs have released and already made a splash by occupying the #1 position on the home video charts (film's DVDs are still awaited though), a substantial portion of consumers comprises of children.

Though it's not news anymore, the fact still remains that the film has achieved a cult status amongst the Indian audience and has managed to strike a chord amongst all age groups. Hence, it doesn't come as a surprise to see the film being first patronized immensely at the theaters and now also on home video circuit!

Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz

Dard-e-Disco contest : SRK picks the 5 finalists

The Dard-e-Disco dance challenge has now reached its final stage.

It's down to the final five.

Here's SRK taking a look at the entries and giving his verdict.

Watch SRK here

IBN Live

"SRK and sex have become one now" - Neha Dhupia

Neha Dhupia when asked during an interview whether she would ever live down her quote that only Shah Rukh Khan and sex sell, responded by saying :

"I don't think anyone has forgotten that quote.
With his six-pack abs, Shah Rukh and sex have become one.
I should immediately get a copyright to this quote."

Nilufer Qureshi, Hindustantimes

"We are not targeting SRK"

Goa-based cancer surgeon says he has an ongoing case against Amitabh Bachchan as well.

Dr. Shekhar Salkar, attached to the Manipal Goa Hospital and secretary of the non-governmental organization, National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), believes in putting his foot on celebrity posteriors, saying if kicking famous butts makes him publicity-crazy then so be it.

The cancer surgeon from the land of sun, sand, sea and surf has slapped a legal notice on Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan for smoking in public during two recent events — the Twenty20 cricket match in Mumbai, where India beat Australia at the Wankhede Stadium and the recent Hindustan Times Summit in Delhi. Dr Salkar believes it is time to stuff those who puff.

Dr Salkar said over telephone from Panaji (Goa), “Yes, NOTE has sent the legal notice on Friday through advocate Vilas Thaly.

Are you taking on this star for publicity?
Yes, I am doing this for publicity. It is because of Shah Rukh that you have approached me and are writing about it. If my being publicity-crazy spreads the message that idols cannot smoke in public as that means propagating smoking, I am happy to be publicity crazy.

Many celebrities smoke in public; why are you targeting SRK?
We are not targeting SRK. We also have an ongoing case against Amitabh Bachchan as he is seen holding a cigar in some movie posters. That case is still on. These people have so much money that they are giving me a real runaround. Anyway, that is all right. All these fellows need to be punished. SRK has 15 days to reply to the legal notice.

There is a flipside. Celebrities can have a great positive impact on society too.
Yes, they can. For instance, when Amitabh Bachchan did the public awareness campaign for pulse polio it raised awareness tremendously. In fact, I advocate the film No Smoking as it gives a positive message towards the end: do not smoke, it says.

SRK can do what he wants outside films, after all stars have a life too…
Stars can do what they want in private. They can go to hell if they want to in private. Wankhede stadium and the hotel where the summit was held were public places. SRK’s smoking there meant this was affecting others around him. They became passive smokers.

Does seeing stars smoke really influence people?
Definitely. Companies are not crazy to spend crores to get these stars to endorse their products. When stars say buy a TV brand, people buy it.

Shah Rukh is not telling people to smoke.
He does not have to say anything. People, especially college kids, get swayed by his actions and follow him. Why do people try to imitate his walk, his hairstyle? Did he tell them to do so? Now, youngsters walk around with their shirts open, trying to flaunt their abs, like SRK does in some movie. That is the influence the stars have on youth.

What do you suggest celebrities do?
SRK and all so-called creative people must visit the Tata Memorial Hospital and see the state of the oral cancer patients. That is what they should do.



Graphic details to kick in soon:

By December 2007, cigarette packs in India will be required to carry pictorial warnings covering up to 50 per cent of the display area on the box as per the Indian Tobacco Control Act 2003. Indications are that the pictures are designed for shock value, babies figure in these pictures with messages saying: ‘Your smoking can kill babies’. Statutory warnings will also run alongside the pictures.


What Bachchan did when he was sued:

Amitabh Bachchan wrote a letter of apology to NOTE after they sued him over a poster that showed him smoking a cigar. Dr Salkar was then quoted as saying that while he appreciated Bachchan’s response, he was going to go ahead and make him party to the case any way because without him, there would be no case. Sunday MiD DAY reproduces portions of Bachchan’s letter that appeared in the media at the time:

“I am deeply apologetic of the advertisement that has hurt the sentiments of the people at large and organisations such as yours…
“The publicity banner carrying my photograph was a still from my film Family in which I am portraying the character of an underworld don…
“While I was not instrumental in designing the publicity campaign, I find from the photograph of the billboard stated to be put out on NH 17 in Goa, that the manufacturers of Anchor Electric switches are seeking to promote their own products. Neither A B Corp Limited nor I have promoted Anchor products or tobacco products…

“I have made a note of anti-tobacco legislation and informed my producers and told them to take immediate steps so that no such violation takes place as far as I am concerned...

“I am a teetotaler, I do not drink nor smoke and I have not indulged in these activities for almost 30 years, and have no intentions of indulging in them in the future.

Hemal Ashar, Mid-Day

Om Shanti Om vs Saawariya : The Final Set

While the initial rounds had both Om Shanti Om and Saawariya trying to put their best foot forward, by way of breath taking visuals and grand song promos, round two saw the makers of both the big-budgeted ventures go in for merchandising and reality shows.

Read Full Story......

'Karde Disco' with Radio Mirchi & Shah Rukh

The station gave its listeners a unique opportunity to meet the Mirchidaar stars of the movie Om Shanti Om - the gorgeous Deepika Padukone and the one and only King Khan- Shahrukh Khan!

As part of Mirchi's exclusive marketing tie-up with Om-Shanti-Om, 'Karde Disco' contest is being organized by Radio Mirchi across 21 cities. Listeners have to simply tune into Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM and send in their entries. In the Mumbai phase of the contest the selected finalists were invited to the Radio Mirchi studio yesterday (October 26 2007) for the final round.

Read Full Story.....

And now, A Case Against SRK for Appearing in Liquor Ad!

A day after an NGO issued a legal notice to Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan for smoking in public, a case was filed against the actor in a local court here for allegedly promoting alcoholism by appearing in a liquor commercial.

A case was also filed against the manufacturer of 'Master Stroke Delux Whisky', the brand endorsed by the film star.

In a petition filed before Chief Judicial Magistrate Deepesh Tiwari, complainant Vinod Kumar Tripathi said he saw a hoarding of the whisky brand featuring Shah Rukh Khan with a catch line, 'Success needs a master stroke', reading which people were purchasing the brand.

The petitioner while filing the case demanded action against the actor for promoting alcoholism.

Advertising any of the alcohol or tobacco-based product and its consumption at public places is banned in the country.

On Friday National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) had issued a legal notice to the actor for smoking in public during two recent events - the Twenty20 cricket match in Mumbai and Hindustan Times Summit in Delhi.

DnaIndia

Karan Johar's "My Name is Khan"

First things first, will we officially get to see the SRK-Kajol combo? Komal claims, "Yes, Kajol and Shahrukh will both be starring the film." I'd prefer to wait for Karan's word on the casting.

Though Karan himself claims it's essentially a love story, sources suggest that it will have a political backdrop. Komal confirms, "It's about how the minority community is unnecessarily being targeted and they are always looked down upon with suspicion. Karan has almost completed the screenplay and it's very emotional. If it's made the way he visualizes it, he will have Muslims eating out of his hand." What a comment!

Bolly Spice

Shah Rukh Ran Through Fire for Om Shanti Om

Om Shanti Om is a film set in a 'film backdrop'…

Yes, the much-awaited film is all about the making of films and is set in the '70s. It will portray the film industry of the '70s, the bell bottoms, side locks, flashy, colourful shirts et al. I think the term Bollywood is a coinage of this period as it witnessed the making of the maximum number of classics. I have grown up watching these films. I love Sholay, Amar Akbar Anthony, Zahreela Insaan… and Rishi Kapoor's romantic films. My name in OPM is Om Prakash Makhija as my father in the film is a huge fan of Om Prakash.

Read More.....

Industry Reacts Strongly Against Legal Notice to SRK

When Konkona Sen Sharma walked in at the recent Lakme Fashion Week with a cigarette in hand, she had seemed oblivious of the camera crew around her.

Today, she might care to send them a thank-you note for not airing on national TV how she had flouted the ban on smoking in public places.

Shah Rukh Khan hasn’t been so lucky. An NGO has sent him a legal notice for smoking at two recent events — the Twenty20 international in Mumbai and the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in Delhi. The actor has 15 days to reply or face a lawsuit.

“Shah Rukh broke the law twice in seven days. He should be taught a lesson,” said Dr Shekhar Salkar, general secretary of the National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (Note), which sent the notice.

“At the cricket match he was smoking in the air-conditioned enclosure. It was aired on Doordarshan. During the summit he smoked on the dais.”

The legal notice has been issued under a 2003 law, violation of which only leads to a fine of Rs 200. But Salkar said the principle was the thing.

“Celebrities should understand that what they do in public is aped by hundreds of people. In a way (it amounts to) endorsing smoking.”

Research shows children are heavily influenced by their screen idols in lifestyle choices. In a recent study on 1,265 Mumbai schoolchildren between 12 and 16 years, over 65 per cent felt Shah Rukh looked cool smoking in Swades and said they wanted to be like him. Their favourite actress was Rani Mukherjee, who has smoked in films such as Bunty Aur Babli.

The film industry isn’t amused by the spurt in activists targeting actors. Film-maker Kunal Kohli said, “Most celebrities are soft targets. The NGOs use them to gain mileage for their cause. Even in Aamir Khan’s case, when he was accused of dishonouring the national flag, it was a blatant attempt to get publicity.”

An Indore court this week issued a non-bailable warrant against Aamir after an advocate complained that the organisers of a function the actor had attended had failed to take the flag down before sunset.

In January 2006, Note had served a notice to Amitabh Bachchan because posters of Family showed him smoking. The actor has issued an apology and the case is still pending in court.

“The courts should throw out this kind of public interest litigation – there are more important issues that need the courts’ time,” said adman Prahlad Kakkar.

“This is a free society, all of us have the right to choose what we do with our lives,” said film-maker Mahesh Bhatt, who had moved Delhi High Court to stop the government from banning onscreen smoking in 2005.

Bollywood has often been criticised for portraying characters blowing smoke on celluloid, but Anurag Kahsyap’s latest flick No Smoking, which released today, makes a strong statement against smoking. Of course, it shows the lead character smoking.

The Telegraph - Kolkata

SRK gets legal notice for smoking in public

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was on Friday issued a legal notice by an NGO for smoking in public during the two recent events - the Twenty20 cricket match in Mumbai and a media summit in Delhi.

The NGO, National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE) issued legal notice to the film actor for smoking in public during the two recent events - the Twenty20 cricket match in Mumbai and a media event in Delhi.

NOTE, an anti-tobacco NGO, which is already into a legal battle with megastar Amitabh Bachchan over his movie posters showing him smoking cigar, issued legal notice through its lawyer.

The NGO has threatened to sue Khan for promoting smoking in public places, which is banned under the Anti-Tobacco Act.

The notice to Khan has been issued under Sections 4 and 5 (3) of cigarette and other tobacco products (prohibition of advertisements and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply and distribution) Act, 2003.

"Images of Shah Rukh Khan inhaling smoke were shown on Doordarshan during its telecast of the Twenty20 cricket match in Mumbai on October 20. The national television channel's telecast of such outrageous images is another act worth condemnation," NOTE general secretary Dr Shekhar Salkar said.

Prior to this incident, Khan was shown sitting on the dais with a lighted cigarette in his hand during a media event in Delhi on October 12 and 13, NOTE said.

These acts show the much-acclaimed actor and youth icon in a very poor light, the NGO mentioned.

A superstar, imitated and adored by millions cannot lend a helping hand to promote smoking, Salkar added.

TimesOfIndia

King Khan the 'Maha Style Icon'

Shah Rukh, attired in black trousers, shirt and light brown coat, received the award at the Andheri Sports Complex.

'I am honoured to receive the award,' said Shah Rukh, waving to enthusiastic crowds.

The glittering evening hosted by MTV VJs
Sagarika, Cyrus Broacha and Cyrus Sahukar saw the Most Stylish Film Award going to 'Dhoom 2'.

The same movie gave Aishwarya and Hrithik Roshan the Most Stylish Female and Male awards respectively. The pair also bagged the viewers' choice Most Stylish Couple (on-screen) award.

Hrithik also walked away with the Most Stylish Body and New Look awards.

Choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant, 'Crazy kiya re...' from 'Dhoom 2' was named Most Stylish Song of the year.

The return of actor turned parliamentarian, Govinda, to filmdom gave him the Most Stylish Comeback award.

While Atif Aslam got the Most Stylish Person in Music Award, Anita Adajania Shroff received the Most Stylish Bollywood Designer award.

The awardees were selected by a panel of judges that included Farah Khan, Neha Dhupia, Raghavendra Rathore, Ramona Narang, Sheetal Malhar, Rohit Bal, Prahlad Kakkar, Manoviraj Khosla, Ambika Pillai, Narendra Kumar Ahmed and Mickey Contractor.

The high- voltage event was marked by electric performances by Shreyas Talpade and Atif Aslam.

IANS/YahooNews

Why did Shah Rukh drop 'Robot' ?

The movie was supposed to star Shahrukh Khan and the latter even agreed to produce the movie.

The latest buzz is that the project has been dropped. Both Shankar and Shahrukh have mutually agreed to pull out of the project.

When queried the reason, Shahrukh said, "I was impressed with the storyline. I was supposed to act in Shankar's Hindi remake of 'Mudhalvan'. Hence I was keen on doing 'Robot'. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, 'Robot' has been shelved."

On his part, Shankar said, "I gave the English version of the 'Robot' script to Shahrukh. He liked it very much. Though we decided to do the movie, we could not come to terms with few other things. Hence we decided to pull out of the project."

IndiaGlitz

SRK on 'No Smoking'

It's practically impossible to picturise actor Shahrukh Khan in the coming movie 'No Smoking', which stars John Abraham and deals with issues related to an addictive smoker, especially since the 'King Khan' hasn't so far been able to kick off his nicotine fixation.

Shahrukh himself clears the air on this perspective.

As Shahrukh puts it, "Very few people know that I was offered 'No Smoking' but smoking has become such an addictive habit of mine that, I wouldn't be able to leave it just by watching a movie based on it."

Though he's certainly got his priorities right, after all old habits die hard, although he as usual has a different take on things as the 'King Khan' quotes, "Smoking is a bad habit like I am a bad habit for the people, and bad habits are hard to give up."

Big vices for big boys. However it's only Shahrukh, who can manage to have it all - smoke like a chimney and yet, still manage to look absoultely fit.

Shahrukh got a bit defensive when it came to his pastime, as he commented, "As for quitting smoking, one should leave the habit of public smoking."

Meanwhile smoking or no smoking, 'Kind Khan' is waiting to exhale once his upcoming movie 'Om Shanti Om' is released next month.

TimesNow.tv

SRK's brand new office behind his bungalow Mannat

Those who have seen the office swear that they haven't seen an office like this in Mumbai.

"It's state of the art and is better than any of the 5 star hotels in Mumbai. He is still doing it up and it will take some time before it becomes fully functional," says a friend of the star.

And even though the office is not fully functional, SRK has shifted from his old office Khar (which was in the eye of controversy) and has started operating from his new office behind Mannat.

Well, with King Khan already making a whooping 50 crore plus profit on his forthcoming home production 'Om Shanti Om' we are sure his office will get more swanky.

Gautam Buragohain, IndiaTimesMovies

Shah Rukh Khan Shy to Kiss Onscreen

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan says he is too shy to kiss on screen because he fears he can't pull it off in style.

A traditional industry where onscreen sex was implied by birds pecking or two flowers joining, Bollywood films are now becoming bolder and actors are beginning to kiss and perform love scenes.

But conservatives frown on such openness and film stars have been dragged to court on obscenity charges.

Khan, 41, is among the actors rarely seen lip-locking on the screen.

"I'm too shy to do kissing scenes," he told Reuters at a promotional event this week.

"There are some things which I cannot do and it is better not to do something if you cannot do it well."

Reuters Life!

SRK - Gauri Celebrate 16th Wedding Anniversary

MashaAllah...

Shah Rukh and Gauri celebrate their 16th wedding anniversary on the 25th of October.

SRK, one hopes you will jet your Begum to Paris for a 16 course candle-lit dinner at the Arpege,

raise a toast with the Krug Clos du Mesnil,

delve into a heart shaped truffle cake with 16 magic candles (the kind that don't extinguish),

surprise her with 'Love you' 16 times through the special day...

...and serenade her with 'Just the way you are' 16 times over on your flight back home on the Falcon 900...

Howz that for ideas,Miya Jaan?

Always & Forever

"I am very shy of photo shoots" - King Khan

After launching many a health clubs the Om Shanti Om star will be soon seen with his super six pack abs on the cover page of the new October issue of Filmfare.

Along with unveiling the new cover of Filmfare the actor also launched Filmfare’s new initiative, Filmfare mobile, India’s first mobile magazine with filmy news and gossip.

Shah Rukh Khan attended an event Wednesday, October 24 at Hotel Inter Continental, Mumbai, to promote the October Issue of Filmfare magazine that features him shirtless on its cover flaunting his six pack abs.

Shah Rukh, who sweated a lot to acquire the look for his role as a young actor of contemporary Bollywood in his forthcoming film Om Shanti Om, was asked if he was at the event to promote the Filmfare issue on his six pack abs or his film.

Talking about the shoot for the magazine cover he joked.

"I am very embarrassed; people come to see my abs and not my acting. Actually I am very shy of photo shoots.

Shah Rukh may have worked very hard to make Om Shanti Om a success but he remains modest about his effort saying it is not he who will steal the show in the film.

IndiaTimes

Shah Rukh and Farah Make a Great Team

All right so we've all heard the taunts about women drivers, and wanted to run over every man who made them. To be honest, some of us would have run them over anyway as we struggled with tongue curled over upper lip to stay in our own lane!

But here we are, about to say something about women directors. You see, this is where our double X chromosomes comes into play. We're women so we couldn't possibly blanket insult of every beautiful creature of our sex, now could we? We're pointing our finger at one woman, one woman director alone…Farah Khan.

Okay, so Main Hoon Na, her directorial debut was a super duper hit. The film wasn't a fluke, some innovative scenes, camera frames, the lighting patterns, colors, brilliance yada yada…and now with Om Shanti Om near about ready for release, it's hardly expected that the film will be a disaster. What a great year for the woman, to have two hit films and three babies all under one belt. Yes, she's expecting triplets.

Why? Well, because Bend it like Beckhams' Gurinder Chadha, yet another woman director, had twins. This is Bollywood baby, we have to do it bigger and better!

We happened across a very interesting rendition of a sequence of events during some OSO patch work scenes of Shah Rukh Khan's to be shot by director Farah Khan. Well, that's how it will read in the credits anyways…and if it's to be believed this is how her film is shot, every shot…

So this day, there's the cameraman very busy setting up the lights, getting the frame just right, SRK rehearsing his lines and Farah… well, she was off in the corner grumbling about being hungry. Can't blame the woman she has four mouths to feed! So the cameraman approaches her and asks how he should set up the next scene.

Response from Farah is more grumble, grumble and a shout for where's-the-food-yaar! So cameraman suggests something else, he puts across three options and dare we say it…. suggests in so many words how to direct the scene. Gasp!

To which, Farah-- now remember people, hormones are an issue here-- she could blow up and scream at him for attempting to call her shots, quite literally, in fact. But nope, she waved him off with a 'whatever' and then went pouting to SRK to find out if he was finished with the scene so they could have lunch. SRK irritably told her to munch on air.

While he and the cameraman figured out the camera angles, FK pouted in a corner, alternately whining and grumbling about how long it was taking….

End deal, the shot was canned no thanks to Farah, she ate and yet another glorious moment of celluloid was created. Lady, take a bow…hang on, here have a seat instead. Somebody get some more food!

SAWF News

Shah Rukh Khan launches Filmfare's New Issue

King Khan is an old term. Now Shahrukh Khan is better known as the six-pack Khan. And if he is at an event, the Media cannot resist but ask him about his six-pack abs.

And thats what you get to see not only in Om Shanti Om but also on the cover of the latest edition of Filmfare.

"I am very embarrassed, people come to see my abs and not my acting. Actually I am very shy of photo shoots,” says Shah Rukh.

When asked if was there just to flaunt his six-pack abs cover, or to promote Om Shanti Om, he said, “Well it’s just not a promotional event for Om Shanti Om, its my relation with Filmfare as well."

So will he steal the show in Om Shanti Om?

“I think this film is completely ruled by the two leading ladies and that is Farah khan and Deepika,” said SRK.

Be it the ladies or his six-pack abs. or just him, Mr producer is doing whatever it takes to get movie buffs to the theatres when it hits the screen on November 9.

Manisha Mahaldar, IBNlive

Distributors, cineplex owners fail to chant Om Shanti Om

After a meeting on Monday most of the prominent multiplex chains, including PVR Cinemas and Inox Leisure, are learnt to have removed promotions of Om Shanti Om and Saawariyan and have refused to agree to the term and conditions of the distributors.

Read Full Story.....

"Internationally, if you have a Muslim surname you might be considered a terrorist." - SRK

Top Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan says his Muslim surname gets him put through extra security checks outside India, particularly at London's Heathrow airport, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

Khan said in the Mumbai-based DNA newspaper that in the past his name was recognized overseas, and he easily cleared his own and his movie crew's baggage.

However, due to tighter security his Hindu assistant is now able to clear his bags faster the Khan could, the newspaper said.

"These days I am the one who is stopped so ... he carries my bags," the actor was quoted as saying. "Internationally, if you have a Muslim surname you might be considered a terrorist."

Khan will soon be acting in well-known Indian filmmaker Karan Johar's film, "My name is Khan" — about how people with Muslim names are viewed with suspicion internationally after the terror attacks in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.

Khan has acted in more than 50 movies. He played the coach of an Indian women's hockey team in his recent blockbuster "Chak De!India" or "Go for it,India."

International Herald Tribune

"I am not doing Dhoom 3," - SRK

Shahrukh Khan is currently promoting his home production Om Shanti Om which is all set for a Diwali release.

Apart from that it seems that several projects have fallen through for this big star.

There was a lot of talk about south director Shankar’s film Robot starring SRK. However due to creative differences between the director and Shahrukh, the two have decided to part ways amicably and are not doing the film together anymore.
Robot was supposed to be a hi-fi, sci-fi flick.

Shahrukh admits that he will not be doing Robot; he says “Yes, we have called it off. We were not happy with a few things; his take on the film was completely different from mine. We had worked very hard on the film and it is sad that we had to call it off. Both Shanker and I decided that we won’t make it together.” But SRK maintains that it was a mutual and amicable parting between director Shanker and him.

Apart from that Shahrukh was also supposed to do Rajkumar Hirani’s film but will not be doing it due to various problems . So now Shahrukh has a few months free, in his witty humour he says “I am pretty jobless for the time being. However I am sure that I will manage to get some work.”

There have also been rumours that Shahrukh will be doing Dhoom 3, but he says “I am not doing Dhoom 3.”

Shahrukh’s next project will be Farhan Akhtar’s Don 2 which will begin at the end of 2008.

Recently Shahrukh had supposedly also asked Shirish Kunder to make some changes in his film script, but this did not go down well with the director and he and SRK supposedly had a huge showdown. SRK then opted out of the film and Shirish approached Akshay Kumar who agreed to do the film. So it seems that lately SRK has been having a lot of creative differences with his directors.

So is Shahrukh going the Aamir Khan way of getting involved in every aspect of the film and meddling too much with the script?

Well, being SRK, he definitely has every right to!

Bollywood Mantra

SRK decided to opt out of Shankar's sci-fi thriller 'Robot'

Shah Rukh Khan has pulled the plug on South director Shanker's sci-fi thriller Robot. Shah Rukh was to produce the film through his Red Chillies Entertainment and also play the lead in it as a super hero.

After having worked hard on the film for four months, Shah Rukh decided to opt out of it due to creative differences with Shankar who recently directed the blockbuster hit Sivaji starring Rajnikanth.

"We were not happy with few things, among them being the fact that his take on the film was completely different from mine. It was amicably done and there is no bad blood," Shah Rukh says

Shah Rukh who had set aside 7 months for the production of Robot, which was to start filming in November, now has a lot of time on his hands.

He will next star in Farhan Akhtar's Don 2 which will go on the floors in 2008.

Shah Rukh appears to be making good use of the time he has on hand. He recently played host to one of the world's richest men, steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal. The two met at a party in Mumbai over the weekend during which Shah Rukh invited him over to his residence Mannat.

"I met Mr Mittal at a party and just invited him home, so on the way to the airport he just dropped in for a cup of tea," Shah Rukh says.

SAWFnews

World's richest man visits SRK's home

He isn't called the King Khan for nothing, and it's this status which enables him to makes stand and interact with top political leaders and industrialist alike.

And guess who paid him a visit at his bungalow Mannat recently? None other than , one of world's richest men, steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal.

"Over the weekend Mr Mittal was in Mumbai and he met with Shah Rukh Khan at a party and SRK invited him to his house so before flying out to London on his private plane, Lakshmi just dropped in to pay a courtesy visit," says a source.

When Shah Rukh Khan was asked about it he confirms the news and says "I met Mr Mittal at a party and just invited him home, so on the way to the airport he just dropped in for a cup of tea.

Earlier,the launch of international magazine FHM turned out to be one sensational event with media and celebrities attending the event.

The surprise for the evening turned out to be Shah Rukh Khan who unexpectedly turned up at the event along with industrialist Lakshmi Mittal . Other celebrities present at the event were Gauri Khan, Karan Johar, Vivek Oberoi, Farha and Aqeel Khan, Upen Patel, Jackie Shroff, Chunkey Pandey and Farhan Akhtar.

Gautam Buragohain, IndiaTimes Movies

Shahrukh has learnt his lessons in media relations well

The weekend was a somber one - Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Bhool Bhulaiyaa are no comic capers, so entertainment came from unexpected quarters - Shah Rukh Khan's witticism at HT's leadership summit.

There was no dearth of quotable quotes, politically correct or otherwise, from SRK. Ruling out a move to politics, he said, “I'm too materialistic, too selfish, and too capitalistic. Besides, I'm too good looking.”

He also enlisted for the media's support by playing patriotic “I use the media when I have a film coming up-like now. Om Shanti Om will be competing against a Sony Columbia - Tri-star film, so I have told the media that I don't have 30 or 40 crores to spend on the publicity like Sony and I have asked them, “Will you help me?”

The timing is significant-the two films Om Shanti Om and Saawariya are slated for Diwali release and SRK, always ahead of the pack, has learnt his lessons in media relations well. It could be that playing Kabir Khan in Chak De! India reiterated the advantage of playing the underdog or it could be that he learnt from the outrage that follows a skirmish with the media. Either ways, the actor / producer is not taking a chance.

Becoming accessible to friends and favorites in the media around the time of a film's release is de rigueur- even the most elusive, reluctant star, to borrow a phrase from Dickens, “is willing,” Nothing new about that except the clever bit making appear as though requesting their support. And then pitching himself - a passionate actor / film maker - against the invaders. It works like a charm.

True to his word, Khan has gone to town using every available platform to wax eloquent about his six - pack, why and how he acquired them, the brand new heroine of his film Deepika Padukone and all else related to his forthcoming film. Reality show round have been done by both the OSO and Saawariya teams and there was recently even a fashion show devoted to the former.

Whether it is the war of words between Bhansali and Farah Khan and Deepaika Padukone's liaison with Ranbir Kapoor, all news related to these two films has been chronicled in great detail. So far, the media footage for both the films has almost been equal but as the release date draws close, the blitzkrieg is likely to get even more intense.

At present the scales certainly tilt in favor of OSO, what with SRK's witty rejoinders and director Farah Khan's humorous asides and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. And of course, the six-pack abs. Unfortunately, the how-Sanjay sir-tutored-and-trained-me lines don't appear to be working quite as well, Neither do Sonam's drastic weight- loss saga (though she could well turn out to be the scene-stealer) or that bit about Ranbir dropping the towel. Maybe they need to give their publicity campaign a new spin-the suggestion of a romance between the actors is ruled out since they have already declared themselves childhood friends. Perhaps a story about a fictitious rivalry or some such would help? Or they could take a cue from the keep-them-guessing couples John-Bipasha and Kareena-Shahid.

As till the time the films are released, my vote for the most entertaining publicity campaign could certainly go to OSO.

Screen India

Shah Rukh Khan : The One Man Revolution

Can you be hot at 40?

Definitely, and Shah Rukh Khan has just proved it.

The actor who until now was famous for his Raj and Rahul roles, has done a U-turn and now flaunts a fabulous lean physique and an enviable six-pack. And this has not just increased his fan following, but has also motivated people slipping into mid-life to pump iron and acquire hot bods of their own.

After Shah Rukh's six-pack, I've enrolled 30 clients who're in their 40s and want to look like SRK. And because of the demand, I've developed a new fitness regimen for people in this age bracket called the lean mean machine workout, says fitness expert Naren K. The workout is aimed at developing a lean, well-toned body without much strain.

At 40, you need to follow a stricter diet and exercise. So without causing much stress or strain to the body, I put my clients on a high protein and low carb diet. The workouts are structured in a way that you don't build muscles, but sport a lean look,” it's very in right now, says Naren.

Fitness and aerobics trainer Santosh Kumar has also seen an increase in his client base following SRK's latest avatar. Theres always been a demand for flat abs, but a six-pack has always been a dream for most men. But after King Khan developed a six-pack, many of them have become confident and have ventured out to get a six-pack,says Santosh.

So can anyone acquire a six-pack?
Of course, but there are certain criteria. Firstly, some people are genetically pre-disposed for one, while others are not. So these people need to take in additional sports supplements to build their core muscle mass, he says. And secondly, always consult a physician before going in for vigorous training . ” Its preferable because at 40, your body isn't as receptive as 20, says Santosh.

And what about the side effects? There will be no side effects as long as you've consulted the doctor, work under a trained instructor, workout regularly and stay away from stimulants,cautions Santosh.

But, according to fitness programmer Wanitha Ashok. SRK adopted a fast-track approach. I'd advise people to be realistic, set practical goals and follow the instructions of their trainer. You also need to balance your diet and workout according to your body type. If there's sincerity and hard work, you could have a six-pack in a year,? she says.

TimesofIndia

Om Shanti Om ties up with Lycra MTV style awards

Lycra MTV style awards announced a tie up with the most eagerly awaited movie of the year- Om Shanti Om. King Khan, director Farah Khan, gorgeous Deepika Padukone, versatile Shreyas Talpade and the debonair Arjun Rampal will show their distinctive style statements on the October 25 at LYCRA, MTV Style Awards 2007. Designer Manish Malhotra will be showcasing his retro theme, inspired by his Om Shanti Om.

Read Full Story....

"If Shah Rukh wants me to promote OSO, I will." - Salman

"Shah Rukh is promoting Om Shanti Om in a big way — so why not? After all, he is the producer of the film.

I also feature in Om Shanti Om in a song, if Shah Rukh wants me to promote OSO, I will (laughs). I am pretty cool about all this, I have no qualms doing it and talking about the other project which also releases on the same day. I hope it does well too."

Mid-DayMumbai

Shah Rukh Khan - An Australian Perspective

n November 2003 I picked up a program for Australia’s first Indian Film Festival and was astonished to find that every second film described in the booklet starred Shah Rukh Khan.

My nephew and I joked about the prospect of there being only one actor in India. At that stage I didn’t know that the demand for films in India exceeds the number of stars available.

I didn’t know that Khan, one of India’s biggest stars - was affiliated with Yashraj Productions who had linked up with a local distributor. I also had no idea how much I would enjoy Bollywood cinema. At the time I needed something uplifting so I chose to see Dil ToPagal Hai because it was described as being a light film with “great song and dance numbers and a good looking cast”. I recognized Khan immediately as the actor who advertised shampoo on Indonesian TV. Dil To Pagal Hai was only the second Bollywood film I had seen; the first had been Raja Hindustani which I’d watched on TV. Both films left me with the same impression - that of insignificant story-lines but top-notch acting. I remember thinking that Khan was an odd choice for a romantic lead because Akshay Kumar was more conventionally good-looking but as the film progressed I became caught up in Khan’s performance and his appearance became strangely beguiling.

Since that first festival I have watched many Bollywood films, passing my favourite DVDs on to a friend who has watched them with her 13 year old son. After a while I saw a pattern emerging – her son would ask if the DVDs I’d bring had Shah Rukh Khan in them. They were obviously his favourites. When asked why he thought Khan was a good actor Arthur thought for a bit then said “he plays diverse characters like the hero, the bad guy, the stupid guy…” The last type mentioned probably refers to Khan’s portrayal of naïve characters such as Babloo (Duplicate) and Vijay (Don).

I’d have to agree though, Khan is a versatile actor with an impressive range. From slapstick to tragedy, from commercial films to arthouse ventures; from the mannered to the more natural and understated, he has crossed genres, styles and garnered a large fan-base from beyond the diaspora.

In her book King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema, film critic Anupama Chopra includes a comment made by Ashutosh Gowariker about Khan’s early approach to acting - “If there was an emotion given to him he would multiply it twenty times.” The skill of overacting is often denigrated and considered to be cheesy or rather low-brow. Yet not all actors can overact well. To express the operatic highs and lows – the emotional excesses of masala films and melodramas is an underrated art. Large displays of emotion and gesture whether in villainous or heroic mode, sit comfortably within Khan’s repertoire. So comfortably that he was able to draw public sympathy for his portrayal of a villain in Baazigar (1993). As Chopra puts it “even as Shah Rukh slaughtered innocents, the audience was firmly on his side. As he murdered, they clapped.” A similar show of public support occurred for his portrayal of a self-mutilating stalker in Darr (1993).

Tears, blood, anguish, bravado and running – lots of running, were common features of his earlier films among them – Deewana (1992), Karan-Arjun (1995), Chaahat (1996) and Koyla (1997). Apart from acting in these unsophisticated melodramas, there were also "clown-roles" where Khan amplified his characters to create cartoon-like caricatures in films like Chatmatkar (1992), Oh Darling Yeh Hai India (1995) and Duplicate (1998).

An emphasis on external show was almost a prerequisite for the types of commercial films Khan was doing earlier in his career. A good actor accommodates himself to the director’s vision of the film. Director Shimit Amin (Chak De!) has recently likened working with Khan to “driving a luxury car” while Gowariker (Swades) has referred to him as an obedient actor.

Quite early in his career – in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1995), Khan showed that he could play a more complex character responding to situations arising from the story itself rather than being driven by stereotype.

However these were not the films the Indian public was choosing to see. The failure of Dil Se (1998) at the box-office in India testifies to the fact that audiences wanted escapist fare. And so the directors of these popular but none-too-subtle extravaganzas set the boundaries for many of Khan’s early performances.

Anupama Chopra makes many illuminating connections between Khan’s work and social and economic changes taking place in India in the 90s. Rapid modernization, a growing middle class and an urban focus made Bollywood reconsider the types of images it was projecting and a more “youthful” cinema was born. Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar were in their 20s when they directed the films that made Khan a superstar. The Raj-Rahul roles which have defined him have also created interest in Bollywood across the globe.

In Australia - Bollywood has three faces. There’s Aamir Khan in Lagaan – a popular film with cricketers and filmbuffs. Aishwarya Rai is recognised for Bride and Prejudice which many Australians erroneously believe to be a Bollywood film.

And there’s Shah Rukh Khan as Raj-Rahul or Devdas because he is the Bollywood actor that we most often see on our TV and cinema screens.

Khan’s roles in the Yashraj and Dharma romantic melodramas play out like one extended performance. Although Khan is a successful, well adjusted yuppy in all of them, the films themselves are more relationship focussed than a lot of his earlier work so that interactions between characters appear more complex and natural.

I refer to scenes like the one in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1996) when Raj questions Simran about her views on marriage crossing the line between comfortable curiosity and vested interest as he presses her to admit that her arranged marriage could be a loveless misery.

Or the scene in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) when Rahul and Anjali are reunited years after a rift in their adolescent friendship.The emotional complexity of that reunion is beautifully communicated by Khan and Kajol as the characters move from awkwardness to familiarity; from shyness to an awareness of deeper feelings within a matter of minutes! In these scenes there are some challenging transitions which could have collapsed in lesser hands.

Khan is older and times are changing. It’s not so much that he has grown as an actor but more to do with audiences seeing different facets of his talent as bought out in the current wave of issues films. The sorts of roles that are being written for him now seem to be moulding him into a champion of good causes – Indo-Pak relations, women’s issues and patriotism to mention a few.

His acting style has changed in keeping with the more naturalistic feel of these films. It was not surprising that Khan could channel a sustained sense of despair in the operatic tragedies of Asoka (2001) and Devdas (2002).

Earlier films such as Dil Se and Mohabbatein clearly demonstrated that he could project a deep sense of melancholy. The real surprises have come more recently in Swades (2004) and Chak de India (2007) - in Khan’s restrained portrayals of men who feel deeply but are more guarded in the way they express themselves. Swades is the story of an NRI who comes home. In it there is a wonderful progression of scenes that shows Khan internalizing the character’s feelings. It begins with the playful dhoti tying scene where his lighter comedic talents are fully utilized in a suggestive manner – with inflections and slight changes in body language. This is followed by at scene which centres upon a panchayat meeting where the village elders quiz Mohan (Khan) about life in America. He begins in an articulate controlled way then slowly loses it as he recalls suffering witnessed in the darkness of a farmer’s hut. A subtle personal journey takes place and a refined performance makes it possible.

Anupama Chopra quotes Khan as saying "There is not going to be some new revelation, another layer when this layer is over." When asked whether she believed Khan’s statement Chopra said “No, Chak De just proves that it’s not true. Shah Rukh’s always been very self-deprecating and the first one to say “I have only 5 expressions” and that kind of thing…I think there is a lot more to come.”

From where I sit in "far flung" Australia – I hope this is true.

PlanetBollywood

SRK is Indian cricket's lucky mascot

It was Saturday night fever all right.

Only, the venue was Brabourne Stadium and not a swish nightclub and the guests were thousands of Indian cricket fans, who had come to see T20 World Champs India get their sweet revenge (and sweet it sure was!) against Australia at the first international T20 match in India. So what if Team India lost the ODI series, this win camouflaged all the bitter memories of the past.

The stadium was packed (blue was the most seen colour in the stands), the mood was electric and the DJ did a terrific job of playing the right music at the right time. Needless to say, ‘Chak De’ was the most played song, but there was a good mix of ‘Dhoom Machale,’ ‘Jhoom Barabar Jhoom,’ ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ and in the second last over of the match, ‘The Heat is On.’ And believe us, it couldn’t have gotten hotter!

Of course, the focus was on our Boys In Blue (We want a six, the crowd shouted to Yuvraj, while Gambhir got a standing ovation for his match-winning 63), but when cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi Shastri, Bollywood hotties Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone and political heavyweights like Rahul Gandhi and brother in law Robert Vadra are sitting in the pavilion, it’s obvious that the crowds want to get their celebrity dose as well.

And the cameras willingly obliged. But on Saturday, one couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to SRK and Deepika’s presence there than met the eye.

Just to refresh those cricket-loaded memories, King Khan (looking super hot) was the only Indian celebrity who specially flew to Johannesburg to support Team India and watch the final of the T20 World Cup, live.

Our Boys in Blue came away shining then, and we did it again on Saturday. Makes you wonder if SRK is not just Bollywood’s, but also Indian cricket’s lucky mascot. Has the baazigar turned jadoogar?

Move over to the most-flashed woman on screen during the match no, it wasn’t a die-hard Dhoni fan, instead, it was actress Deepika Padukone. Recently, it was reported that Dhoni was charmed by Deepika (‘Dhoni’s bowled over by Deepika’), and that he has a huge crush on her. No wonder then that everytime
Deepika’s face flashed on the huge screens, the next image would be that of MS Dhoni. And vice-versa. Did we see a hint of red in their faces when that kept happening, or was it just Deepika’s make-up? Then again, what could explain Dhoni’s shy smile everytime he saw his ‘crush’ on screen?
‘Crush’ that was the operational word here, as India crushed the world champions to hold on to their T20 World Champion status. The phirang cheerleaders sure had a reason to dance the night away!

Nicole Dastur,TNN

Shah Rukh to appear on Star Plus 'Nach Baliye'

Few can beat Shah Rukh Khan when it comes to promoting his movies. As he often says: "I am the best PR person of Shah Rukh Khan and I see my boss never gets let down."

And now, the Bollywood star will feature in the dance reality show Nach Baliye. According to our sources, Shah Rukh will shoot for the Star Plus show on October 27 or 28, depending on when he is free.

If you're wondering what Shah Rukh on a TV show has to do with PR and promotion, do keep in mind his next movie Om Shanti Om will release on November 9.

And SRK has wheeled the buzz machine into action. Even Saturday's Twenty20 match between Australia and India saw the star present with son Aryan, wife Gauri and OSO costar Deepika Padukone.

The Mahendra Singh Dhoni Deepika friendship is also creating buzz. In fact, the television cameras were focusing on Deepika when Dhoni came in to bat.

Earlier, the entire team of Om Shanti Om, minus Shah Rukh, had gone to the sets of the singing reality show Zee SaReGaMaPa Challenge.

SRK, however, requested the finalists to come and meet him in a studio where he was busy with the post-production of OSO. The finalists, especially Pakistani contestant Amanat Ali, were thrilled to meet King Khan.

Now, your guess is as good as ours whether Shah Rukh will bare his new, much hyped six-pack abs on television.

Gullu Gupshup, Rediff

Shah Rukh Khan in 'Deewar' Remake

For a long time now, the industry has been abuzz with reports of King Khan supposedly approaching Yash Chopra (the director of the original) with the idea.

And he is urging the veteran to direct the remake as well. But now, apparently, SRK has also lined up a stellar cast for the same.

Sources say he has proposed Saif and Kareena's name for Shashi Kapoor and Neetu Singh's roles respectively and Boman Irani's name for the character Iftekhar played. Shefali Shah who did a pretty good job playing the eternal suffering mother in Gandhi My Father will step into Nirupa Roy's tattered chappals.

The actress for Parveen Babi's role is yet to be finalised. However I am given to believe that Priyanka Chopra may just bag the role. Needless to say, Shah Rukh will play Amitabh Bachchan... and chances are that he'll probably have a fitting response to, "Mere paas maa hai!"

Juicy Maus, Buzz18

'Chak De India!' wins the t2 Screen Award for the Best Film of the year

On Navami, it’s time to announce the Best and Worst Films of the year picked by readers.

The votes just poured in, screaming one name.

CHAK DE! INDIA wins the t2 Screen Award for the Best Film of the year by a colossal 79.6 per cent votes.

Released in the third quarter of the year, the Yash Raj Films production started on a low-key note but soon the word spread that this was something special.

Then before you could say SRK, "chak de!" had become a national anthem.

The Shimit Amin film about a disgraced hockey star out to salvage lost pride by coaching a team of talented but temperamental girls to the World Cup was definitely the must-watch movie of the year.

So what if Shah Rukh didn’t have a heroine and could only strike his arms-stretched-wide pose to congratulate his wards!

Telegraphindia

Shahrukh Khan is a Fantastic Actor, Michael Clarke

Cricket and Bollywood have made great play fellows, so its not surprising that Michael Clarke's girlfriend Lara Bingle is chasing a bollywood dream

Cricketer Michael Clarke already has alternative career plans in place. He could be spending more time in India checking out his options in the glamour world along with his model girlfriend. Karishma Upadhyay gets him to talk exclusively to Times Now about why Bollywood is so tempting.

Cricket and Bollywood have made great play fellows, so its not surprising that Michael Clarke's girlfriend Lara Bingle is chasing a bollywood dream.

Lara Bingle: Since I've been here I've had a really great time looking at the fashion shows and watching the movies. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying my luck here in India.

Karishma: What kind of things would you like to see her in when she makes her mark in Bollywood?
Clarke: I think she's one of the most beautiful women in Australia and I am certain she would be in India. Any opportunity Lara gets she'll grab it with both her hands. This has been her first time here and she has liked it. So we'll spend a lot more time here.

Karishma: Bret Lee has made a mark in the entertainment scene. Did he have any advice for Lara?
Clarke: I can't say we spoke much to Bret Lee. Bret is into singing and the only singing we do is in the house or in the shower when nobody is around.

Karishma: Will we ever see the both of you on the ramp together modelling?
Clarke: They wanted us to walk the ramp the other day and it was the night before the game. So I couldn't do that but if I'm walking beside her I probably will.

Karishma to Clarke: You've met Bollywood personalities and seen films. What have you liked about them and whom have you met?
Clarke: Shahrukh Khan was at the game yesterday and he's a fantastic actor.
Lara took me to a fashion show which was my first fashion show and was very interesting.

TimesNow.tv

Shah Rukh down with viral fever

King Khan is ailing for the past few days and has been advised bed rest by his doctors. But inspite of that Shah Rukh has been working round the clock.

Over the weekend he was in Pune attending some private affairs and once back at home he met up with Mumbai’s Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak who visited Shah Rukh Khan’s bungalow Mannat at Bandra to enquire about the actor’s alleged encroachment of public space.

And late Friday night he was spotted at a magazine launch party with his wife and business tycoon Lakshmi Mittal.

TimesOfIndia

For SRK...Only the Best will Do

Balaji has postponed their Global Indian TV Honours to next year because they couldn't get the best hotels for SRK and their starry guests.

Shobha and Ekta Kapoor are sparing no efforts to ensure that the first ever Balaji awards function is grand. The Kapoor women want the best of everything for their event.

Even if that means postponing the function itself. And that's exactly what they've done when they realised they couldn't get the best of hotels for their starry guests.

A source from Balaji admits, "The Balaji awards have been postponed. It'll now be held around January 25. We decided to change the date because no A-class hotels are available in December in Dubai because of New Year's eve. Besides, the Dubai Shopping Festival starts after January 24 and Balaji is planning to rope in big sponsors at the time."

Ekta wanted Shah Rukh to perform at the event, and even though Shah Rukh finally agreed to perform on December 20, Balaji changed their plans because they wanted King Khan to stay in the lap of luxury, and they could not provide him that.

Our source adds, "Shah Rukh has been extremely accommodating so we want to make sure that we give him the best of facilities. He's been given a new set of dates and he has to get back on that."

Shobha Kapoor says, "Shah Rukh will be performing at the event. We are working out the dates. His dates have never been an issue. He's been very accommodating but it's more practical for us to have the awards in late January or early February. There are logistical and location problems. It's Eid during the end of December and New Year's so good locations and hotels are difficult to find. We are still working on the dates. Most we will hold the awards after January 24."

The Balaji source adds, "The awards called the Global Indian TV Honours will be held at Abu Dhabi. Ekta wants all her big stars to perform. Talks are also on with big Bolly stars. Ekta wants this to be the biggest and the best TV awards."

Upala KBR, MidDayMumbai