Mumbai civic chief visits SRK's home

MUMBAI: Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak on Friday visited Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan's residence here which is at the centre of a controversy for allegedly violating the civic body's development control rules.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, he said the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) will file its final say in the matter in the next hearing of a PIL filed in the Bombay High Court.

"We have not finalised anything yet and will be giving our say in an affidavit. I have not said that we are giving him (Khan) a clean chit," he said.

The PIL by one Bhrashtachaar Nirmoolan Sanghatana alleged that the six-storey building constructed by Khan adjacent to his bungalow in suburban Bandra encroaches upon the road curtailing its breadth. Particularly, the balconies of the structure jut over the road are in violation of development control rules.

Phatak, who has visited the site on earlier occasions as well, said Khan had voluntarily given a small stretch of land at the place for road widening.

The development plan proposes to widen the existing six metre wide road adjacent to Khan's bungalow `Mannat' to nine metres and the proposal is pending with the civic body.

Phatak said the MCGM will have to demolish some shanties located opposite Khan's building too if part of the actor's building is to be demolished for the proposed road widening.

Team OSO's Winning Edge

While their media launches are going at par if OSO’s Deepika Padukone grooved on ZeeTV’s SaReGa-MaPa Challenge 2007, then the Saawariya newbies Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor enthralled all on Amul Star Voice of India.

If OSO tied up with Shopper’s Stop to launch two clotheslines based on its theme, Saawariya has a merchandise tie-up from bed sheets to wardrobe with Future Group.

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"My current high is bonding with Shah Rukh Khan" - Rekha

Bollywood's inimitable diva Rekha has spoken candidly about Amitabh Bachchan, saying he taught her the nuances of acting. She praised his performance in "Last Lear" as "very Shakespearean".

"He's my guru. I learnt so much from him," Rekha told IANS.

Commenting on Amitabh's role in "Last Lear", she said: "Seriously I think Rituparno Ghosh is like Utpal Dutt. And I believe Bachchan is very Shakespearean in 'Last Lear'. Together I believe the two have paid a very proper tribute to Shakespeare. I'm looking forward to it.

"I seriously think Bachchan is more Bengali than any one I know. He's a true Bengali dada. And I'm not saying that because he has a Bengali wife or has spent time in Kolkata. There's more of Rabindranath Tagore's legacy in him than anyone else."

Is she aware that Preity Zinta in Rituparno Ghosh's "Last Lear" has been styled, a la Rekha in "Silsila"?

"Has she? Is it an imitation or a tribute? We've to make that distinction very clearly," said Rekha, who turned 53 Oct 10.

Asked about her birthday celebrations, she said: "I didn't notice. For me every day is a celebration, every moment a blessing from god. I don't need to visit temples on my birthday. There's a temple right here in my house and that's where prayed, as I do every day."

How does she manage to remain so positive in spite of so much negativity around her?

"I don't think about negative things. There's so much beauty, love and excitement to be savoured every day. People can get to us only if we allow them to. Besides, I don't believe people are negative without reason. Even the cobra that bites you has a reason to do so.

"At Dev Saab's book release, I had to rush in and rush out because my pup Shiva was waiting in the car. I've five pups and all very dear to me. They're my children. I left Shiva in the car. Yes, I did trip but I went right into the car! So it was a perfect trip.

"People ask me about the way I conduct my life. Sorry, beautiful music is conducted... Lives cannot be conducted. At least I've always gone with the flow, risen and fallen with the rhythms of existence without, tripping over seriously.

"My current high is bonding with Shah Rukh Khan. Of course, I've known him for years. But lately we're connecting more profoundly. I've done a blink-and-miss appearance in 'Om Shanti Om' and that's when I got to know him seriously. He has a sharp mind."

Rekha then spoke about Tagore.

"Do you know Tagore was a true woman's libber? He started (the university in) Santiniketan for women long before feminism was conceptualised. I like the thought of women being given philosophical and emotional sanctuary by a man who isn't threatened by them.

"Today, I find we're too obsessed by superficialities and surface gratification. On the news channels all we hear about achievers is their financial assets, homes, villas and parties. There has to be a spirit that supports dreams. I dream all the time. My life is a dream and I dream a new dream every day."

Is Rekha going to the West?

"No, where did you hear that? I've no such plans. I've never planned anything in life, certainly not my career. Mira Nair's 'Kamasutra' happened to me by chance. Maybe something will come up. At the moment I'm excited about the debut of my nephew which will happen next year."

Rekha is now preparing for her role in Hema Malini's film, to be directed by Revathy. Esha Deol will be seen with her in the film.

"Hemaji has the most radiant and goddess-like face I've seen. When Lataji called me a reincarnation of goddess Laxmi, I was over the moon. But really, she was just being so kind. I don't really want to be a goddess, or a diva or whatever I'm called. I just want to fulfil my responsibilities. If you ask me to assess myself, I'm an okay actress and a good human being. But I'm not content. I still have a dream. Don't ask me what it is. I don't know."

Subhash K Jha, Kalinga

Shah Rukh Khan Witticism Par Excellence

The weekend was a sombre 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, too capitalistic. Besides, I’m too good looking.”

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'Chak De India' Wins Best Film Award in Sydney

The Shah Rukh Khan starrer mega hit Chak De India has won the Best Film Award at the 5th Australian Indian Film Festival gala night in Sydney Thursday.

The Shimit Amin directed film – a gritty tale of Indian women hockey players that also starred 90 Australian players and over 9,000 Australian extras – has also won applause from audiences and critics alike in India.

Akshaye Khanna received the Best Performance Award for his role in Gandhi My Father at the glittering ceremony hosted for the first time at the Museum of Contemporary Arts, situated on the Harbour foreshore overlooking the iconic Opera House.

The awards were chosen by an esteemed group of Australian film critics, including Peter Thompson (Showtime), Margaret Pomeranz (ABC TV At The Movies), Nell Schofield (Channel 9 Sunday Show), Marc Fennell (Triple J), Adrienne McKibbons (Metro Magazine) and Ian Taylor (ABC TV).

The Sydney festival, which has writer and director Yash Chopra as its patron, is attended by over 40,000 people each year.

This year's screenings include Cheeni Kum , Dhoom 2 , Eklavya , The Namesake and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag.

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