SRK and KJO's 50:50 Partnership Deal

One of Karan Johar’s most awaited films My Name is Khan starring Shah Rukh Khan is set to go on the floors in a few months from now. But even before the first scene is shot we have some news for you.

The industry is abuzz with rumours that Shah Rukh will get the negative rights of My Name Is Khan. Our well-placed source from the film industry says, “Karan has offered Shah Rukh 50 per cent stakes in the profits of the film, and in return, Shah Rukh will work on the film without charging a single penny.”

Karan made this offer to Shah Rukh a few days ago. “Shah Rukh Khan loved Karan’s idea. SRK is very excited about My Name Is Khan’s story,” our source further says.

In the film, Shah Rukh plays an activist who gets kidnapped by terrorists and how his attitude and entire perspective towards life changes subsequently. According to the source, My Name Is Khan will have nothing that the audience has come to expect from Karan’s films as it is a serious film.

Our source adds, “Since Shah Rukh will not charge his fee, the budget of My Name Is Khan is unlikely to exceed Rs 15 crore. Going by the track record of Shah Rukh’s last blockbuster Om Shanti Om which was reportedly sold for close to Rs 80 crore, My Name Is Khan also is estimated to go for around that much money.

A Karan-Shah Rukh project in today’s times will definitely command and receive that amount. Thus, the film stands to gain a minimum of Rs 60 crore as table profit. Add to this the box-office collections.”

The earlier plan was that Shah Rukh will work on My Name is Khan as soon as he is free from the Indian Premeir League matches (he owns the Kolkata Knight Riders team) and Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain?, which he is currently hosting. But when Aditya Chopra requested Karan to allow Shah Rukh to start his film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi first; Karan immediately obliged.

The hunt for the female lead of My Name Is Khan is still on. The role was offered to Kajol who turned it down for reasons best known to her. The film is expected to be shot entirely in Los Angeles and New York.

Karan Johar refused to answer our repeated calls and text messages.

Vickey Lalwani, Mumbai Mirror