SRK and Ranbir in Cola Ad

Interestingly, this will be the first time that Shah Rukh and Ranbir appear on screen together. The duo, who were seen as rivals last year during the release of Om Shanti Om and Saawariya, are scheduled to shoot for the commercial in the coming weeks.

A source close to the project reveals, “Shah Rukh and Ranbir have bumped into each other at parties and award functions, but never really bonded. The commercial will be the first time that the actors not only share screen space but also get to know each other.”

Before Ranbir, it was John Abraham who appeared in a Pepsi commercial with Shah Rukh. Ranbir who was in Sydney shooting for a Yash Raj film returned home on Sunday night.

Mid-Day

What's keeping SRK busy ?

We have news that Shah Rukh Khan is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that his IPL team has the best of everything.

King Khan hasn’t yet got his players in place (bidding is yet to take place and we expect SRK to go all out when it does), but he is busy getting a theme song ready to represent his team and taking a personal interest in designing the team’s uniform.

Music composers Vishal-Shekhar, who composed the chartbuster music of SRK’s latest production Om Shanti Om, have been roped in to compose the song’s tune. Reportedly SRK’s favourite, Anahita Shroff, will design the uniform.

Our well-placed source from the industry tells us, “On Monday, Vishal-Shekhar met SRK at his office in Bandra. They had a long meeting and SRK briefed them about the kind of tune he wanted. The brief is that it should set the adrenaline flowing.”

Vishal confirms the news, saying, “Yes, Shekhar and I met Mr Khan on Monday. We have been given about a month’s time to get a tune ready for his IPL team. We’ve been told that the tune should be one that represents a winner. We all know that Mr Khan plays to win.”

So, which colour will SRK’s team sport? Our source says, “SRK’s favourite colour is black, but then cricket uniforms can’t be black. So, he’ll have to settle for a colour other than black.” SRK’s favourite designers are Anahita Shroff and Karan Johar. But currently, Karan is very busy with his show Shava Shava. So, Anahita it is. (Anahita is known for her work in Bluffmaster, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and Dhoom. Anahita has also designed the look for John Abraham and Vivek Oberoi in Kaal, Sushmita Sen in Zindaggi Rocks.)

When asked whether SRK has asked her to start work on his IPL team’s uniforms, Ananhita simply said, “Please ask Shah Rukh Khan about this. I don’t want to say anything. Yes, I am sure that he is taking a personal interest in the uniforms. He is, after all, a perfectionist.”

Vickey Lalwani, TNN

King Khan to meet fans at Zee Carnival

KING of Bollywood – Shah Rukh Khan has been confirmed as the only Indian superstar headlining the Zee Carnival next month.

The three-day exhibition is being held at London Olympia between the 15th and 17th February and Shah Rukh is expected to attend all three days including the 'autograph stand'.

In the past year, Shah Rukh has had two huge box office successes including 'Om Shanti Om' and 'Chak De! India'.

STAR Plus' favourite and ZEE TV's recent addition to 'Teen Bahuraniyan' Smriti Irani is leading the woolpack of TV stars, along with regular Sanjeev Kapoor of 'Khana Khazana' fame, Roshni Chopra from 'Kasamh Se' and Twinkle Bajpai who plays 'Lakshmi' in 'Betiyann' have all been confirmed too.

Zee Carnival 2008 will also bring to London the best of pulsating music, lifestyle and fashion at its peak, a huge variety shopping and services, multi-cultural food to leave your taste buds tingling and much, much more - providing visitors with a complete entertainment experience for the entire family.

(Edited)

The Asian News - UK

Theme song and cool uniform for SRK's team

By now its common knowledge to one and all, that King Khan is all excited about bagging the ownership of the Kolkata team in the BCCI's Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament. There were even talks of how SRK wanted none other than the Prince of Kolkota, Sourav Ganguly, to lead his team, but all that will be finalized only when Dada returns home this week from the long Australian tour.

Meanwhile, not one to waste any time, SRK is going all guns blazing to see that his team gets all the right support required to make an impact in the inaugural edition of the tournament. In fact, the buzz is that Khan has even spoken to music composers Vishal- Shekhar and given them the task of composing a rocking theme song for his team.

What's more with the owners of the teams, being given the task of determining the look of their teams, SRK it seems is leaving no stone unturned and is working in full swing on deciding the right gear for his Kolkata team. In fact, one of SRK's favorite designers, Anahita Shroff, is apparently in the lead to design the look for the team.

Well, at the rate at which he is going all out to support his team, you never know the Baadshah of Bollywood may soon end up being the Baadshah of even the cricketing world.

Bollywood Hungama

Shahrukh Khan's Rejoinder to Ramadoss on Smoking

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan today said Indian cinema survives on creative freedom, and added that Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss's criticism of him and Amitabh Bachchan for portraying smoking on screen is great thought, but a little issue.

"I think there is a huge amount of creative freedom that should be allowed in cinema and arts, and one should not go around picking on little things - because that's just cinema, it's make believe and we should not have huge censorship on that," said Shah Rukh Khan at a ceremony where he was awarded the French title of 'Officer in the Order of Arts and Letters'.

"I saw it in the news that Mr Ramadoss feels that Mr Bachchan and I should not be smoking on screen. I truly agree with that, I think it's a great thought. More than that, I wish Mr Ramadoss prays that I stop smoking in real life. That's worse - in movies we just do it for make believe.

Every time I am in front of a television channel I always say children don't smoke, it kills you. It is the worst habit and I want to give it up as soon as possible," he added.

Last week, Ramadoss had urged Bachchan and Khan to desist from smoking in their films. He was also critical of Khan for smoking at a cricket match.

ANI

I never knew French people also knew me: SRK

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who was conferred the 'Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters' title by the French government yesterday, admitted that he did not know he was popular in France.

"I came to know that people in UK knew me after I travelled there. But I never knew people in France also knew about me," Shah Rukh Khan said, prior to the function in a suburban hotel where he was awarded the title last night.

"I am proud we have taken our culture and identity to France through the medium of our films," the superstar said.
The title was conferred to Khan by Jerome Bonnafont, French Ambassador in India, at the inaugural ceremony of a four-day French film festival.

Admitting to having a French connection, Khan said he used to go to the French Cultural Centre in Delhi to watch their movies since he was told it was the best cinema. "But I also used to watch it for the lovemaking scenes," he quipped.

The star also said he had not thought about acting in foreign films as he had not been offered any yet.

The actor, who had a good year in 2007 with runaway hits 'Chak De! India' and his home-production 'Om Shanti Om', was conferred the award in recognition of his 15-year-long career in the Hindi film industry.

The 'Order of Arts et Lettres' is one of the four Ministerial Honours of the French republic and was established
In 1957 to reward artists who gained fame for their works in the field of arts and literature and have promoted these fields.

Hindustan Times

King Khan joins the league of Celine Dion, Leonardo Di Caprio

What would you get when you combine the Brand Ambassador of Romance and the God's very own Kingdom of Love? The answer is 'Rendezvous'! This is exactly what had taken place at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, when the French Embassy, in collaboration with Unifrance inaugurated the 1st Rendez-vous with French Cinema.

The USP of the event was undoubtedly the 'Brand Ambassador of Romance' Shah Rukh Khan himself, who was conferred the prestigious 'Insignia of Officer in the Order of Arts & Letters'. With this, the King Khan joins the league of the previous awardees like Arundhati Roy, David Bowie, Celine Dion, Bob Dylan, Leonardo Di Caprio, Robert Redford to name a few. Also, present on the occasion were Verenioque Cayla, Managing Director-CNC, Jerome Seydoux-Chairman of Pathe.

Even though the event was nothing short of a visual treat, but what really took the cake was the Q & A round with the King Khan. Needless to say that SRK was in his elements and was ready with an answer (read 'repartee') to every question, even before the question would have popped up in the person's mind. When asked about his take on the French cinema, SRK said "It's just a beginning. I feel too humble for this huge honour. I feel that I am taking the Indian Cinema much beyond as a career." He also drove home a few examples to explain that cinema is cinema, irrespective of the language. Not only that, SRK also got nostalgic about his first ever visit to France (which was for Devdas) and the second time for Veer Zaara. When asked about his popularity in France and his acceptance, he resembled a personified version of humbleness and modesty, as he said that "It's not me who is popular in France. It's the Indian Cinema which is popular and I am just a part of the Indian Cinema!" He also did not rule out the possibility of a French film, but with a right script and at the right time!

Echoing SRK's sentiments and statements was His Excellency Jerome Bonnfont, the Ambassador of France in India, who said "We want to marry the Indian and the French cinema, which will take some time, but, will happen for sure!" He also added that this kind of 'Rendez-Vous' will happen every year.



Bollywood Hungama

Shah Rukh earns more from ads

Shah Rukh Khan, the Badshah of Bollywood, is an even bigger king of the advertising world, according to his tax figures.

The superstar has paid an advance tax of Rs.270 million ($6.8 million) on his estimated income during the current financial year of 2007-08, but a major share of it has gone into paying for his income from endorsing a slew of products and other sources.

Sources in the advertising agency for which the superstar has worked reveal that his income from endorsements fetches him Rs.1.5 billion ($38 million) a year, the highest for any Indian advertising "model".

In comparison, though Amitabh Bachchan endorses more products than Khan, earnings from his annual endorsements do not cross Rs.1.2 billion.

Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, two other Bollywood stars who source a good part of their incomes from endorsements, earn a little less than Rs.1 billion each from advertising assignments annually. The rest of the Bollywood "models" are all in the Rs.50- million income bracket.

Industry observers believe that apart from the top chair he occupies in Bollywood, Shah Rukh is going to maintain his prominent position in the advertising world as well for some more years as there is no one yet who can rival his charisma.

In the current fiscal, his earnings from this source may go a little above Rs.1.5 billion as he has been made brand ambassador of more products - and more are waiting, the sources added.

King Khan's earnings from endorsements stand at a notch much above the emoluments that he gets for starring in movies, which, according to his own admission, never goes beyond Rs.50-60 million per assignment.

A big chunk of his income from outside Bollywood in the current fiscal also came from hosting STAR Plus' Kaun Banega Crorepati quiz series for which he received Rs.10 million per episode.

Additionally, he also made a quick profit of Rs.400 million across the table by selling the world distribution rights of his home production Om Shanti Om to Eros International for Rs.750 million as against the production cost of Rs.350 million.

The profit that he earned from the deal was apart from the remuneration of Rs.50 million that he gave to himself for leading the cast in the movie.

Barring this, the actual figure of his earnings from starring in movies was only Rs.200 million, as he featured in four movies last year. Considering his current star-price, his income from movies in the current fiscal may not go beyond Rs.300 million, which is way below his average earnings from endorsements.

If Shah Rukh earns less from movies, it is because he is seen as the least greedy among the Bollywood stars. Any producer would vouch for it. While other stars generally hike their prices after each successful movie, Shah Rukh never increases his price as others do without thinking. Even after Om Shanti Om became a super-hit, he has decided against hiking his price.

"Shah Rukh chooses his movies carefully. First, the subject matter must appeal to him and, if it does, his opting to star in the movie would largely depend on the credibility and antecedents of the producer and the director," said an executive of the star's production banner, Red Chillies Production.

"But once he has agreed to a movie, he would devote himself to it wholeheartedly and ensure that the producer never faces any problem in successfully completing it," the executive, not wishing to be named, said.

It is therefore no wonder that Shah Rukh has been seen to be working only for certain known banners in the last decade. It may even be said if any lesser-known production house rather than Yash Raj Films had approached him for a film like Chak De! India, he would have perhaps refused it.

"I have not seen him throwing star tantrums ever, like nitpicking on small things as most stars do. He comes to the sets and gets involved in shooting right away. As a matter of fact, on the sets, he never behaves like a star," said a production controller, the professional who on behalf of the producer takes care of the needs of the stars during shoots.

In contrast, Shah Rukh behaves like a 'star' when he shoots for TV commercials. There he refuses to compromise on anything, particularly on his price.

Says he, "Why should I compromise? TV commercials are what they are - commercials. The companies that manufacture the brands pay the advertising agencies to make the commercials and the companies do so in order to boost their sales. The agencies, on their part, use me as a prop to meet the demands of the companies. So there! If you use me as a prop to climb up, pay me. Unlike my price for movies, I have no fixed price for my appearance in commercials."

But don't the producers sign him up essentially to boost box-office performance of their movies?

The superstar counters this question, saying he is beholden to Bollywood because it made him the superstar that he is today. He says his charging less for movie appearances is his little gesture of gratitude towards the industry.

"Had the industry not put me in a position where I am today, would the companies have chosen me to be their brand ambassadors?" he asks.

Is King Khan, then, robbing Peter to pay Paul? As one advertising agency executive put it: "He is, but he has made his 'larceny' seem like a social service."

Indo-Asian News Service

Guess who designed SRK's office at Mannat ?

Now here’s some more news about the King Khan, we all know that just some time back he built a new office in his mansion like house Mannat, well the story is about the designer for the office.

And guess who did that? Well, not many people know about this but the entire settings and the marvelous, state of the art office was designed by none other than, Hrithik's wife Suzzanne Khan.

"Suzzanne has also designed Priyanka Chopra's house and after that she took up SRK's office work. Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri are very happy with the design and that's when Rakesh Roshan approached him to do the item number in his home production, he did that without even thinking twice," says a friend of Shah Rukh Khan.

Ryan Lobo, Indiatimes Movies

King Khan's dig at BCCI

He's got the IPL's Kolkata team to himself - and a victorious Shahrukh Khan has now taken a dig at the BCCI.

The 'Badshah' says no one should have objections if he goes to watch a match now.

Vintage Shahrukh was at his best as he took a potshot at the Indian cricket board yesterday, when it became apparent that Khan was still smarting from his run-in with the BCCI a few months ago when the board had implied that Shahrukh's attendance at cricket matches including the T20 final was a rather clever attempt to promote his film 'Om Shanti Om'

A furious Shahrukh had at that time anounced that he knew where he wasn't welcome.

"I would like all those who play cricket or football or hockey to not watch my films. I do not like it. This is a spectator sport - I think I was invited by the BCCI itself and I was very happy I went - but now I am a little sad," SRK had reacted on November 21, 2007.

But now, the proud owner of the Kolkata IPL team seems to be getting his come uppance and is enjoying every second of it.

"The one thing I hope that does not happen is that people think I am watching a cricket match to promote my film. I will be supporting my team," said SRK on Thursday evening to the press.

The Badshah of Bollywood certainly has a way with words, and if he has his way cricket, is all set to get a lot more entertaining whether the BCCI likes it or not.

Timesnow.tv

SRK chucks Hockey, selects Cricket

Shah Rukh Khan surely hit a six straight out of the ground yesterday (Jan 24) when he bagged the ownership of the Kolkata team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a staggering $75.9 million (approx Rs. 296 crores).

King Khan who is an ardent sports lover, created a solid impact through his power-packed performance of a hockey-coach in the smash-hit Chak De India and brought our very own National sport hockey back into the reckoning. However, Shah Rukh soon shifted his loyalties towards the more popular sport cricket when he was seen cheering the 'Boys in Blue' as they created history winning the T20 World Cup in South Africa last September. He even made fleeting appearances at a few other One-day matches with his Om Shanti Om co-star, Deepika Padukone, and soon tongues started wagging that SRK is using cricket to promote his films. Before you could say SRK, he distanced himself from anything to do with cricket and even denied any intention of bidding for teams in IPL.

However, after much speculation and deliberation, Khan sprung a surprise when he was in the bidding process for cricket teams for the forthcoming IPL. What's more he along with friends Juhi Chawla and her husband Jai Mehta even bagged the ownership rights of Kolkata team for nearly Rs.300 crores yesterday.

Now with cricket back on King Khan's mind would hockey take a backseat? Your guess is as good as ours. In fact, as the artist of the above picture depicts, King Khan seems to be literally torn apart between Cricket and hockey even as he clearly makes his choice obvious.

Image Courtesy: Mid-Day
Source: Bollywood Hungama

"I am just out of work right now." - SRK

MUMBAI: Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan has given a candid interview while speaking to Sonia Singh at the NDTV Indian of the Year Award Function held in Delhi on 17 January.

"I would love to work but I think I have over exposed myself last year so most of the producer, directors are not signing me. Until Mr. Chidambaram lowers the taxes I guess none of the producers can afford me. So I am just out of work right now." This was Shah Rukh Khan's statement to NDTV 24x7 managing editor Sonia Singh on being asked what his plans were for 2008.

Khan also advised all politicians to be 'as honest as is realistically possible', on being asked by Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on what his advice to politicians would be.

He received the Indian of the Year award for the actor with the most impact on Hindi Cinema in the year 2007.

The interview will be aired on NDTV 24x7 on 26 January at 8 pm with a repeat on 27 January at 11 am and 10 pm.

Business Of Cinema

Ganguly finds supporter in Kolkata team's owner Shah Rukh Khan

MUMBAI, January 24: Discarded from India's One-day cricket team, Sourav Ganguly found a big fan in Shah Rukh Khan soon after the film star won his bid for the Kolkata side in the Indian Premier League. "He is one of the most stunning and wonderful players in the world. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly are two players I am most impressed by. I love them for the human beings they are," said Shah Rukh.

"I am very impressed by their commitment and by the way they play their cricket," he said. "Even as everybody kept asking when they would retire, they keep playing so well."

On whether he and his kids wanted Mumbai, Shah Rukh said: "I am happy that Mukesh has Mumbai. His team is mine and my team is his. We will all play in a friendly way. Maybe we will end in a tie, even then it will be our win."

On what his Kolkata team and captain would like, Shah Rukh said: "I like Sourav, or for that matter all other players. As for the captain and the team, it will be up to the experts to decide on that. I will have a core team to do all and I will try and see as many matches as possible and encourage the sport more."

Talking about his love for the sport, he added: "I am a brand ambassador for my country. We are not here for money, we are here for the sport."

"I will support cricket and not promote cricket, otherwise people will say I am promoting my films," said Shah Rukh.

Last year Shah Rukh was accused of turning up with the Indian team for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa in order to promote his films. That was the time the film "Om Shanti Om" - where he stars - was about to be released.

"If you come to my house, you will see all kind of sports equipment and we (his family) keep on playing all kinds of sport," Shah Rukh added.

IANS

King Khan, Preity Zinta bag teams in IPL bidding

After months of speculation, the verdict is finally out. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who had expressed a keen interest in acquiring a team in BCCI's much awaited Indian Premiere League (IPL), has emerged as one of the successful bidders thereby getting hold of the Kolkata team.

Mukesh Ambani emerged as the highest bidder bagging the Mumbai team while liquor baron Dr.Vijay Mallya was not far behind when he won the bid for Bangalore. However, a surprising name among the winners of the bid was none other than Preity Zinta who has bagged the Mohali team.

One thing's for certain with such big names from entertainment and business world now associated with this event, apart from top cricketers, it will indeed be a spectacle when the season kicks of somewhere in the middle of this year.

Bollywood Hungama

Nobody actually knows Shah Rukh

“Shah Rukh's persona and the films that he does, speak to an audience that transcends all boundaries,” says well known journalist-author Anupama Chopra whose bestseller King of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema has been translated in German and will be launched on January 30 and a few days later SRK will be having a special screening of his blockbuster Om Shanti Om at the Berlin Film Festival.

“The translation has been undertaken by Rapid Eye Movies who are pioneers in disseminating Bollywood in Germany. They were the ones to promote Hindi films in Germany with Karan's Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. King of Bollywood…happens to be their first venture in publishing,” an excited Anupama informs.

Adding another feather to his blooming cap, Shah Rukh Khan will be honored with the honourable distinction of Officer dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters) on January 27 in Mumbai either by French President Nicolas Sarkozy or the French Ambassador to India Jerome Boonafont. Arundhati Roy is the other famous recipient of this award.

Anupama, you've interacted with Shah Rukh Khan over a period of several years while writing this book. How would you evaluate Shah Rukh Khan's persona, considering he rules the Hindi Film Industry (many would say the Indian Film Industry), wins whatever possible awards that have been invented, has a great sense of humour, is supremely competitive but he also happens to have lost his parents early in life, has withstood gangster threats and a lot more? “He has had his share of ups and downs and has seen such extremes in life that he is so grounded. Gauri (Khan) once said, nobody actually knows Shah Rukh.”

Faridoon Shahryar, Bollywood Hungama

Bindass to air SRK concert on 26 January

MUMBAI: This Republic Day get ready to watch some fun performances by Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Dia Mirza, Rakhi Sawant and others on Bindass that will telecast the Airtel Bindass India Concert. The show will be aired on 26 January from 6.30 pm onwards.

The three-hour concert by Cineyug organized to celebrate the power of youth will begin with the red carpet at 6.30 pm followed by the main concert at 7 pm.

King Khan will perform with his fans on chartbusters like Mein Hoon Don, Aankhon Mein Teri, Pretty Woman along with Priyanka Chopra on Aaj Ki Raat from Don, Rakhi Sawant with Beedi from Omkara, Dino Morea showing a jhalak of his moves on Jhalak Dikhalaja , Kunal Ganjawala humming along with performances by Mauli Dave and Niti Mohan choreographed by Ganesh Hegde. And Sajid Khan has tickled funny bones here.

Also watch winners of the Dance with SRK Contest – 12 years old Viddhi from Mumbai, Andrew from Kolkata and Richa from Delhi as they shake a leg with Shah Rukh Khan.

Business Of Cinema

Shah Rukh Khan bids for 5 IPL teams

Buoyed by Indian cricket team’s success at T20 World Cup, BCCI’s pathbreaking Indian Premier League (IPL) has received an overwhelming response from India Inc.

The list not only includes business houses such as RIL, ADAG, GMR, DLF, Nirulas, Deccan Chronicle, India Cements, Videocon, UB Group, Deutsche Bank but also bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who has placed bid through his company, Red Chillies in a consortium with none other than IPL chairman Lalit Modi.

ET has a list of all the companies and consortia which have placed bids on their preferred teams. According to sources, the total bids will amount to over a billion dollar for all the teams, with the Mumbai team being the most sought after. Leading from the front are the Ambani brothers.

However, the most surprising name on the list is Red Chillies Entertainment, the company owned by Shah Rukh Khan, who has applied in consortium with IPL Chairman Lalit Modi and placed bids for five teams, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Jaipur.

Others in the fray are Deutsche Bank and ICICI’s Private Equity firm ICICI Venture. According to IMG India, which has devised the league for BCCI, the real revenues for the team owners will come from the corporate business tickets, which will form almost 50% of the revenues generated from ticket sale.

Economic Times

French honour for King Khan

Shah Rukh Khan is all set to join the ranks of Hollywood superstars like George Clooney, Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Bruce Willis as he has been chosen by the French government to be be honoured with the distinction of Officer dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters).

The distinction is conferred on persons who have distinguished themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of the arts in France and throughout the world.

SRK is expected to be presented with the honour in a special ceremony on January 27 in Mumbai. The day also marks the opening of the high profile French film festival.

The award will be presented either by the visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy or the French Ambassador to India, Jerome Bonnafont. “SRK is very popular in France. Few years back when he was in Paris for the premiere of Veer Zaara , he was staying in the same hotel as Tom Cruise. There was a sea of young girls outside the hotel. The guards thought that they had come to see Cruise, but were surprised to see them rooting when SRK came out,” says Mohamed Bendjebbour, Audiovisual Attache-Head of the French Film & TV office, French Embassy in India.

Arundhati Roy is the other well-known Indian recipient of the award.

The Times Of India

SRK dances, charges a bomb

The King Khan may have got Hrithik and Rakesh Roshan to do OSO for free. But when the Roshans approached him for a cameo in their film, Krazzy 4 he didn't think twice before charging them a bomb.

And given Shah Rukh's popularity, Rakesh had little option but to shell out the amount.

Sources insist that Shah Rukh had demanded a little over a crore to be part of the song. Though no one is ready to confirm the figures it looks like Rakesh has had to cough up the dough.

The song has already been shot at Yashraj studios and took five days to be picturised. Composed by Rajesh Roshan, the breezy track is sung by Vishal Dadlani

Krazzy 4 is being directed by Raja Sen who has been Rakesh Roshan's assistant for a long time.

Unlike 2007, this year does not have any full-fledged Shah Rukh Khan releases. Bhoothnath and Dulha Mil Gaya of which he is a part are not exactly centred around him.

But then again to make crores even without a single release you have to be Shah Rukh Khan, don't you?

Johnny Vaz, Buzz18

SRK to perform at Balaji awards

Shah Rukh Khan will perform in the grand finale with leading small screen actresses at the Global Indian TV Honours presented by Balaji while Lara Dutta will get jiggy with a couple of TV’s male hotties.

The event will be held on February 1 at the Andheri Sports Complex.

It is learnt that SRK was first slated to perform with the 11 Chak De! India girls, but that didn’t work out.

Says a source, “The finale starts with SRK’s solo performance and then moves on to his dance with 11 TV actresses. Shah Rukh might even make an appearance as he did in his yesteryear soap Fauji.

The reason we are keen on having Shah Rukh was because he began his acting career with TV, went on to become a megastar and last year came back to TV with Kaun Banega Crorepati.”
Chloe Ferns from Balaji adds, “Shah Rukh’s act will be one to watch out for.”

The actresses that will shake a leg with King Khan are likely to include Smriti Irani, Mona Singh, Navneet Nishan, Neena Gupta, Prachi Desai, Anita Hassanandani, Gautami Kapoor, Sakshi Tanwar and Rajshri Thakur.

Mid-Day

Shahrukh Khan In Salman Kareena Starrer

Shahrukh Khan has agreed to do a guest appearance in the Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor starrer Mr and Mrs Khanna.

It is reported that that Shahrukh Khan has not charged for the role. Preity Zinta and Deepika Padukone may also be making guest appearances in the film.

Mr and Mrs Khanna is being jointly produced by UTV and Sohail Khan while the director is newcomer Prem Soni. The film is expected to be released in December 2008.

Mohit Sharma, Boxoffice India

Shah Rukh back with Sushmita Sen

After Main Hoon Na the unanimous opinion was Shah Rukh Khan and Sushmita Sen made a sizzling pair. They are coming together once again in Dulha Mil Gaya.

"Shah Rukh and I are getting together again in Dulha Mil Gaya, though Shah Rukh only makes a guest appearance in the film," Sushmita told IANS.

The superstar makes a special appearance opposite Sushmita.

"That's been organized completely by producer Viveck Vaswani. It has got nothing to do with me. It's a romantic comedy.

Hindustan Times

SRK to Lecture at Berlin Film Fest

The Berlin Film Festival has completed the lineup for its main section with the addition of three out-of-competition and five competish titles.

The festival has also unveiled 11 pics for its Berlinale Special sidebar.

Guests presenting their films in the section include Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who will attend the screening of “Om Shanti Om,” as well as giving a lecture at the Berlinale Talent Campus.

Following are the films that will feature in the BERLINALE SPECIAL :

“1000 Journals,” Andrea Kreuzhage (U.S.)

“Auge in Auge — eine deutsche Filmgeschichte” (Eye to Eye — All About German Film…), Hans Helmut Prinzler, Michael Althen (Germany) (world premiere)

“CSNY Deja vu,” Bernard Shakey a.k.a. Neil Young (U.S.)

“El pollo, el pez y el cangrejo real” (The Chicken, the Fish and the King Crab), Jose Luis Lopez Linares (Spain) (world premiere)

“Himlens hjarta” (Heaven's Heart), Simon Staho (Sweden/Denmark) (world premiere) with Mikael Persbrandt, Lena Endre, Jakob Eklund and Maria Lundquist

“Nerakhoon” (Betrayal), Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath (U.S.)

“Om Shanti Om,” Farah Khan (India/U.K.) with Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Shreyas Talpade

“Plus tard tu comprendras,” Amos Gitai (France/Germany) (world premiere) with Jeanne Moreau, Dominique Blanc and Hippolite Girardot

“Steal a Pencil for Me,” Michele Ohayon (U.S.) with Jean-Pierre Gillian, Jack Polak and Ina Soep

“Trip to Asia. Die Suche nach dem Einklang” (Trip to Asia. The Quest for Harmony), Thomas Grube (Germany) (world premiere) featuring Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

“Wine and Cupcakes,” Bruce Weber (U.S.)

V-International - Variety.com

Shah Rukh Kehta Hai Tu Khoobsurat Hai

As is known to all film enthusiasts by now, the wispy haired and multi-faceted Makrand Deshpande is working hard on his next directorial venture (after DREAM MAN), SHAH RUKH KEHTA HAI TU KHOOBSURAT HAI.

According to sources, Makrand rolled the 'mahurat' shot on 2nd November 2007, which coincided with Shah Rukh Khan's birthday. Makrand plans to start shooting soon and is looking for fresh talents for his film.

It is widely believed that Makrand Despande, who got along very well with SRK during the making of SWADES (2004), went ahead with the movie and its title, only after getting a nod from Bollywood's global superstar. Our sources also confirm that King Khan has agreed to a guest appearance in the film.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

SRK and the season of nakedness!

It is not for the first time that Shah Rukh Khan has taken off his shirt for OM SHANTI OM. As film buffs may recall, King Khan has done it for films like Mahesh Bhatt's DUPLICATE and Karan Johar's KABHIE ALVIDA NAA KEHNA. But definitely the impressive six-packs, which became the talk of the country, were not there. However, Bollywood's global superstar does not believe in flaunting his recently acquired muscles unnecessarily. In fact, he feels that it is sexier if one has it and does not show it.

Recounting a recent incident, SRK, who is the brand ambassador of Dish TV, was shooting for a commercial and was requested to take off his shirt for one of the many promos. Shah Rukh Khan politely declined and queried as to why he had to take off his shirt and that too for a DTH commercial. To this he was given a rather gullible answer - different clothes are for different season. In a lighter vein, the witty superstar asked the ad-makers as to which season nakedness specify!

Needless to add that all went speechless and had no clue about what to say to SRK's deadly wit and humour.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

Prime Minister Manmohan takes time off to watch Shahrukh Khan film

New Delhi (PTI): Known to be a workaholic, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took time off to watch a Shahrukh Khan starrer film.

"Yesterday, I watched a picture of Shahrukh Khan," Singh said at the NDTV Indian of the Year Awards function here on Thursday evening.

Singh, who gave away the award in the `Entertainer of the Year' category to Southern superstar Rajnikant, however, failed to recall the name of the film.

"I have forgotten the title of the film," Singh, who tried to remember the name of the movie, said.

The Hindu

Shahrukh Khan Not In Krrish 2

Shahrukh Khan is very unlikely to do Krrish 2 as is being mentioned in some quarters. A source close to King Khan said “The rumours must have come around because Shahrukh agreed to do an item number in Rakesh Roshan’s Krazzy 4 but as of now Shahrukh is not in Krrish 2. There has been no talk of Krissh 2 with the Roshans. Shahrukh is committed to do Karan’s (Johar) next film and a film for YRF and hopefully will launch a film with Red Chillies by year end”.

Shahrukh scores a cameo hat trick

2008 would go down as a year which would see Shahrukh Khan only in cameos / special appearances / item song appearances rather than enacting the part of a principal protagonist. The films in picture are BHOOTNATH, DULHA MIL GAYA and KRAZZY 4, in each of which he would only have small part to play.

Incidentally each of these three films has a debutant director wielding the megaphone. While BHOOTNATH has Vivek Sharma at helm, Muddassar Aziz makes his debut with DULHA MIL GAYA. Also KRAZZY 4, a Rakesh Roshan production, would mark the arrival of Jaideep Sen as a director.

Though the makers of DULHA MIL GAYA are proclaiming that the film has much more than just a special appearance by Shahrukh Khan, Ravi Chopra, producer of BHOOTNATH hasn't made any such claim. Moreover, it has been widely publicized that KRAZZY 4 would utilize the services of Shahrukh Khan only for an item song sequence.

Now until and unless some quickie film happens (chances of which are remote), audience would have to wait to see him in a lead role once Karan Johar's tentatively titled KHAN happens in 2009!

Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

SRK overtakes the Undertaker

The Undertaker can go and eat cake! And the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) can consider infringement of copyright on the exclusive look of menace of its star entertainer.

But Shah Rukh Khan will not be put off. If this is how King Khan wants to look in his new avtaar, then who’s going to stop him?
Yes, take a peek at SRK today. Isn’t he a piece of bad news? Would you like to come up against him in a dark alley? We wouldn’t. But, post Chak De! India, if the Bollywood Badshah worked on his new six-pack look for Om Shanti Om, then post OSO, this is how he looks. From the lover boy of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to the mature hockey coach of Chak De to the latest muscular hero, SRK has made the transition with ease. And now this!

Though, like we said, the 6 feet 7 inches bruiser who provides the chills and spills of the WWE ring is not going to be very amused. As it is, his massive body took quite a trouncing some years ago from Akshay Kumar for Khiladi No 1. And now this beating his image is bound to suffer with SRK getting into the act of heavy breathing, deadly silence and murder in the eyes. Tsk, tsk, maybe it’s really time for the Undertaker to Rest In Peace!

Gautam Buragohain, Times Of India
Image Courtesy: Times Of India

Shah Rukh, the spoofer, gets spoofed!

With unapologetic flamboyance, Shah Rukh Khan ’s home production Om Shanti Om had spoofed some Bollywood veterans. Now, King Khan finds himself at the receiving end of potshots in Bollywood’s latest release.

Whether you like Rajkumar Santoshi’s latest film Halla Bol or not, what you would surely enjoy is the unsubtle way in which the film takes potshots at some top stars of Bollywood.

There is a scene in the film in which Ajay Devgan ’s character (Sameer Khan, an actor) speaks about product endorsements by Bollywood stars. With a cynic tone in voice, Devgan mocks Bollywood stars who endorse products just for the sake of big bucks without caring to use the product themselves.

Devgan’s character even goes on to mock a Bollywood star who endorses hair oil without ever using the product.

The allusion becomes clearer when Devgan spoofs SRK and mimics him, saying: “Thanda Thanda, Cool Cool.

Now, we all know that this is SRK’s punchline in an advertisement of Navratna oil that he endorses.

In the similar scene, Devgan carries the joke further by ridiculing the stars who dance at weddings of rich people for money. This, again, is an indirect potshot at SRK who is known to have danced at some high profile weddings.

A source from the industry says: “Shah Rukh hasn’t yet seen ‘Halla Bol’ but he must have by now heard about the scenes in the film that seem to mock him. Given his sporty nature, he is not likely to get offended by the scenes.”

Even Rajkumar Santoshi says he hasn’t heard any complaint from Khan about the scenes.

It may be recalled that Bollywood veterans like Manoj Kumar and Dev Anand were spoofed in SRK’s home production ‘Om Shanti Om’. In fact, Manoj Kumar had openly expressed his displeasure over spoof scenes in the film. However, peace was made just in time and the issue was not taken to the courts.

Apunka Choice

SRK - A film on Shah Rukh Khan ?

While the grapevine went into a frenzy with talks of Karan Johar's next directorial venture, KHAN / MY NAME IS KHAN, featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, being based on SRK's life, Karan on his part has laughed off the speculations. But here is something interesting on the same lines.

Unbelievable as it may sound, but one production house has sought the registration of the title SRK, for its forthcoming venture! Pro-Motion Picture Pvt. Ltd. has applied to the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) for registration of SRK in both, Hindi and English.

One presumes the abbreviation SRK stands for Bollywood's global superstar, Shah Rukh Khan!

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan to co-star in film directed by Aditya Chopra

Following the poor showing of the films produced under his banner in 2007 producer Aditya Chopra is pulling out all stops and rolling up his sleeves to direct his own film starring...

..Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan in lead roles.

Last year, other than Chak De! India, other films from Aditya Chopra Productions - Ta Ra Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Aaja Nachle all bit the dust at the box office, seriously denting the reputation of a banner once reputed to have the Midas touch.

Aditya Chopra has in the past directed two films both runaway hits - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and Mohabbatein (2000).

Since he built his formidable reputation directing romantic films, Aditya is sticking with the genre but his new film will be laced with action and humor.

Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta, both banner favorites, are expected to be part of the project which will be shot in Greece Australia and Dubai, reports HT.

Chopra who is currently readying the final draft of the film hopes to start pre-production work in March so as to start wielding the megaphone by June - July.

Both Shah Rukh and Hrithik have plenty of free dates on their calendar as do Rani and Preity.

Sawf News

Dabboo Ratnani's 2008 Calendar

Shahrukh Khan

Dabboo-Speak: I reached the location and saw the bright blue sky behind me. I placed the mirror and said I want Shahrukh to wear blue & white because there is a white wall and there is blue sky so we will stick to blue & white in this picture.

What-We-Feel: SRK is the flying eagle who knows his destination. There’s style in that flowing white shirt and denims are always in fashion. The stretched hands say…Only I can touch myself, no one can come close to where I am…perched right at the Top.

Faridoon Shahryar, Bollywood Hungama

Bindass SRK charms the audiences at his concert

UTV' s entertainment channel for the youth Bindass had its first concert called the 'Airtel Bindaas India' concert yesterday at the MMRDA grounds in Mumbai and the top draw at the event was none other than the presence of the Baadshah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan.

The concert gave the die-hard SRK fans an opportunity to interact and get up, close and personal with their favorite matinee idol. The show hosted by Sajid Khan had opening acts by Rakhi Sawant, Mouli Dave, Neeti Mohan, and Kunal Ganjawala, enthralling the audiences. However, the temperature actually started soaring when actors like Dia Mirza, Dino Morea, and Priyanka Chopra took centre-stage dancing to some of their popular tracks.

But the frenzy reached its maximum when King Khan made an entry. The stylish look, the well-toned physique, and his much-loved dimpled smile sent the crowds in a tizzy. Shah Rukh kept his act interactive for most part. He first called on two winners of the 'Dance with SRK' contest and gave tips on how to woo a girl even as his chartbuster 'Aankhon Mein Teri' from OSO played in the background. Next up was a performance on Don with SRK teaching yet another winner some mean tricks. Last but not the least a young girl from Jaipur had an unforgettable time as King Khan flirted around with her while swaying to the tunes of Pretty Woman from Kal Ho Na Ho.


As it was time to say Good-bye the winners were given gifts like a certificate, a copy of Shah Rukh's biography SRK- Still Reading Khan and a large size cut out of the star which he himself autographed.

Even as the show ended, people were waiting near the VVIP car-park to get one last look at their favorite superstar. One thing is for sure when it comes to super-stardom and mass fan following there is no one to beat Shah Rukh Khan.

Bollywood Hungama

Shah Rukh Khan on Bollywood's fittest men!

Shah Rukh Khan's recently acquired six-packs for OM SHANTI OM, have grabbed maximum eyeballs and headlines, in the year gone by. Experts concerned with physical training like, Rahul Dev, have marveled at his new physique, especially as it was developed at the age of 40 plus. King Khan gives credit for the above to the motivational talks of his OSO director-cum-friend, Farah Khan, his strict diet and of course his personal trainer.

When asked the obvious question (that comes to mind), as to who are the fittest men in the film industry, as per the 'Baadshah' himself, the answer was not surprising at all. SRK finds Akshay 'Khiladi' Kumar fit and the original macho man, Sunny Deol as very fit. He also mentions the names of Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan in the same breath. Quite an impressive line-up to be inspired by!

Let us see if we are able to see more of Shah Rukh's six-packs (and now abs!) in the item song of Rakesh Roshan's KRAZZY 4, for which he is scheduled to shoot during the current week itself.

However, as Bollywood's global superstar himself says that he is very shy and is not comfortable about dropping his shirt (like his friend Salman Khan), it seems highly unlikely.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

Makrand is crazy about SRK

It all began with Chandan Arora getting inspired by the one-and-only Madhuri Dixit and making a film called Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon. The film had Antara Mali as an aspiring starlet. Now Makrand Deshpande has been inspired to take up a similar project with Shah Rukh Khan. The film has been tentatively titled Shah Rukh Bola Tu Khoobsoorat Hai.

Makrand Deshpande, who earlier acted with King Khan in Swades said, "Yes, the film has been inspired by SRK. I am making this film with newcomers. It's a romantic comedy with the film industry as the backdrop. The film is about the relationship between a die-hard Shah Rukh fan and King Khan himself. Before starting this film I told Shah Rukh about this project. Since the film revolves around SRK, he has promised to make a special appearance in the film."

Currently, the shooting of Shah Rukh Bola Tu Khoobsoorat Hai is in progress, in Mumbai. Meanwhile Makrand Deshpande's first film Dream Man is ready for release.

Buzz18

SRK's new look!

Here's a Peek-a-boo of King Khan's new look. Post Chak De , he worked on his new six – pack look for Om Shanti Om and now post ' OSO ', this is how he looks.

From the lover boy of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to the mature hockey coach of Chak De to the latest muscular hero, SRK has made the transition with ease. Now the big question.. is it going to be his new look for his super villain's role in Krrish 2 ?

Gautam Buragohain, Indiatimes Movies

Cheque De, SRK

If any confirmation was needed that 2007 was the year of Shah Rukh Khan, with two thumping hits Chak De! India and Om Shanti Om, it has come in the form of income-tax returns.

For just nine months starting April 2007, Shah Rukh has paid Rs 27 crore as advance tax for the assessment year 2007-2008, way ahead of his closest Bollywood competitor Akshay Kumar, who has shelled out Rs 7 crore.

Akshay wouldn’t mind, considering the buzz suggested that he would be doling out nothing less than Rs 26 crore this year. But the final bill came to Rs 7 crore for Akki who is riding on a popularity wave thanks to his four hit films this year. Brand Bachchan - comprising Big B, Abhishek and Aishwarya - has shelled out just a bit more than Akki. And surprisingly, Abhishek is the one who has paid maximum out of the three. Big B’s chunk of it was Rs 1.8 crore, Abhishek paid Rs 3.7 crore and bahu Aishwarya Rs 1.6 crore. The surprise entry of the year in the big I-T league was Himesh Reshammiya, who is pegged at Rs 2.1 crore. Aamir Khan, with his one-film-a-year policy, who produced and acted in Taare Zameen Par this year, paid Rs 3 crore, while Kareena Kapoor whose Jab We Met was hugely successful at the box office, handed out Rs 1 crore.

Sources said the huge gap between Shah Rukh and his competitors in the industry could be explained by the runaway success of OSO that was produced by him, the reception that Chak De got from audiences, the slew of endorsements that he got in 2007 and his Kaun Banega Crorepati deal where he got Rs 1 crore per episode.

Priti Gupta, TNN

'Shah Rukh Khan deserves more' - Shimit Amin

He deserves everything and more,” said Shimit Amin, the winner of the Best Director at Star Screen Awards yesterday, about his Coach Kabir Khan who won the best actor statuette at the same award function. “I feel great for all the people who were a part of the team.” How does it feel that the title track of your film has become a modern day anthem representing Indian Pride all over the world? “I’m very happy for Salim-Sulaiman, the music director duo and Jaideep Sahni, the man who wrote the song. The concept paid off. We had never imagined that so many people would like it this much,” Shimit added.

You’ve shared the Best Director trophy with Aamir Khan for Taare Zameen Par. “Aamir is a very talented man. He is terrific.” Have you seen the film? “Yes, it’s fantastic. It is wonderful and Aamir rightly deserves all the credit.” Finally, what are you doing next? “I haven’t planned it as yet. But as a part of three part film deal with Yash Raj Films, I have to do two more films with them,” Shimit says.

Well, whatever he does, every move of Shimit Amin will be keenly watched. After all he has made one of the finest films in the recent times. Bollywood Hungama congratulates Shimit Amin on being adjudged the Best Director at the Star Screen Awards.

IndiaFM

Shah Rukh Khan ready to do the 'Krazzy' jig

The superstar, who jokingly claims to be jobless nowadays, will shoot an item song in the coming days.

Shah Rukh Khan is ready to shake his leg again. This time it is not for any awards show, but for a song in Rakesh Roshan’s production Krazy 4 , being directed by newcomer Raja Sen.

The King Khan will shoot the song on January 15 at Yash Raj Studios. The shooting will last four days.

The song, a breezy dance track, is composed by Rajesh Roshan and has been sung by Vishal Dadlani. The number cannot actually be called an item song because it is a situational track that helps the forward progression of the story.

Though the film’s stars – Arshad Warsi , Irrfan Khan , Juhi Chawla and Rajpal Yadav – are a part of the song, they don’t have any scenes with SRK.

Apart from this number, ‘Krazzy 4’ already has another item song by Rakhi Sawant . And there is a chance that Hrithik Roshan might also shoot a song for the film.

Well, that’s too many item songs for a flick. The audiences might go krazzy.

Apunka Choice

Shah Rukh injured, braves it for his protégé's premiere

The one quality in Shah Rukh Khan that seems more appreciable than all others is the generosity with which he supports his friends and protégés. The most recent beneficiary of his largesse is the My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves wana-shine Nikhil Dwivedi. Not only has Shah Rukh been supporting Dwivedi’s starry dreams he has also been making sure the boy is seen in public places with the superstar.

After making his presence felt at the music release of Nikhil's film, Shah Rukh showed up at the film's premiere on Wednesday night with his leg obviously in pain. The star had injured his leg while rehearsing his steps for the Screen awards. "It was really very nice of him," says Nikhil. "The injury was an old one. But he hurt himself in the same leg while rehearsing for his performance at the awards." Shah Rukh couldn't stay for the whole film. Nevertheless, promised to catch up with My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves in a couple of days.

Subash K Jha, Bollywood Hungama

Shah Rukh Khan adjudged Best Actor at Nokia Star Screen Awards

Shah Rukh Khan was adjudged the Best Actor Award for his performance in Shimit Amin directed Chak De! India at the Nokia 14th Annual Star Screen Awards on Thursday, January 10, Mumbai.

In addition, Shah Rukh and Deepika Padukone were named the Best Pair on screen.


Chak De! India also topped as the best film of the year from amidst a field that included Taare Zameen Par, Chak De India, Life…In a Metro, Om Shanti Om and Guru.


Shah Rukh Khan performed the Dard-e-Disco number from Om Shanti Om at the event.