Shahrukh Khan more popular than Tom Cruise

A year ago, Shahrukh Khan was asked how he felt about a report that 3.2 billion people knew him, while only 2.7 billion across the world knew Tom Cruise. Replying with his trademark humility, Khan pointed out that Cruise still made more money thanks to Hollywood's marketing and pricing power. "So there, we do fall short," he had said.

But, recent indications show that King Khan will have less room to complain in the years to come. Bollywood cash flow has just begun to build up in tandem with its effort to build global scale and reach. And last month, there was an opportunity to guage the current market appeal of both Khan and Cruise. Lions for Lambs, directed by Robert Redford and starring Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep released about the same time as Om Shanti Om (OSO), directed by Farah Khan and starring Shahrukh Khan and debutante Deepika Padukone. Cruise's movie, which had consumed $35 million in production, garnered $10.3 million in 45 markets on its opening weekend. Khan's movie, also his home production, grossed $19 million worldwide in its opening weekend.

But the most thumping show of the rising might of Indian films came Tamil Superstar Rajinikant's Sivaji, which collected between Rs 100-150 crore worldwide — the highest for any Indian film so far. While OSO and Sivaji are just like oases in a desert, they show that Indian movies have it in them to be global offerings.

Bollywood is sure to make a determined bid to narrow its revenue gap with Hollywood, experts say. Advances in digital technology have brought down the cost of prints — a big cost element — by as much as 90%. That has made it easier for Indian film producers to put out many more prints for distribution. So a movie like OSO is today able to release with a simultaneous print run of 1,400, of which 500 are digital.

One reason is the improving economies of scale. Multiplex cinemas are spreading across the nation, even in smaller towns. In fact, multiplex halls average Rs. 150 per movie. "With increased prints come more collections, especially in the Bombay circuit, Central Province and Central India," says Rajesh Mishra, chief operating officer, UFO Moviez, which has installed digital outfits in 903 cinemas across 23 states. Digital distribution has raised revenue per film. If the last year's big ticket films were sold in the range of Rs 4-6 crore to distributors for Bombay, the territory with the highest earnings, the tag has gone up to Rs 11 crore this year. This can only increase considering industry estimates that the reach of multiplexes is going to increase from 400 to 2,000 by 2011.

The spread of Internet and mobile phone usage, coupled with the Indians' everlasting passion for music, will ensure new media revenues grow for Bollywood. Digital music revenue is expected to touch Rs 3,601 crore by 2009, compared with Rs 450 crore in 2005, according to a PwC study. More and more firms are tapping this potential. For instance, Eros Entertainment derived 11% of its April-September total revenue from new-media opportunities.

(Edited)
Nandini Raghavendra, TNN

It is Shah Rukh, of course!

Who is the star of Bollywood. Shah Rukh Khan or Akshay Kumar? Many found this question to be very dumb –“It is Shah Rukh, of course!’’ they said.

There was online voting done and Sharukh did win the poll. This was not uprising as it was something expected.

Shah Rukh Khan did win the poll and that didn’t surprise us. What did was the large number of readers who voted for Akshay Kumar too! Looks like he is next on the league.

The main reason Sharukh was voted was because of his versatility which spans across genres such as romance, drama, comedy and action - not unlike Amitabh Bachchan who ruled Bollywood in the 70s and 80s.

Srk in Goa for New Year

Major Bollywood players and telly actors have chosen Goa over other exotic locales, this holiday season.

It's that time of the year again when the otherwise buzzing film studios come to a grinding halt. Most of our Bolly janta has worked round-the-year, earned their fair share of moolah, fame, bouquets, brickbats (too) and are now heading out for a holiday. This year the popular destination is unarguably Goa. It's probably Bollywood's very own festival that has just kick-started, as the likes of Shah Rukh Khan and soap queen Ekta Kapoor have already landed with their entourage.

So, what makes Goa the fave party destination? Karan Johar, who left for Goa on Saturday morning, says, “I'm heading to Goa as most of my close friends are going to be there. Shah Rukh and his family are already there. Actually, most places seem to be fun when you have friends with you.” He further adds, “I definitely like the energy of the place and you can do your own thing.”

Talking about activities, Karan and good friend Shah Rukh Khan will not be venturing out that often. SRK is a complete homebody and prefers to stay indoors and spend time with friends over food and board games. A source close to Khan says, “Shah Rukh has board games for all occasions. He has packed a few for our stay at Goa.” Other actors who're holidaying in Goa include Arjun Rampal, wife Mehr Jessia with daughters Mahikaa and Myra, and Jackie Shroff.

Ekta Kapoor, who usually heads to Thailand, has also taken her bunch of fave actors - Prachi Desai, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Suvarna Jha, Preeti Amin, Naman Shaw from the Balaji stable along. She says, “Yes, I'm in Goa for my holidays.” Prachi Desai, who has taken a break post Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, adds: “Goa is always funs. A few of my Balaji friends and even Ekta is here. We all met over dinner last night.”

Even a few couples who participated in the recently-concluded Nach Baliye 3 have parked themselves at secluded and not-so-popular beaches there. Pooja Bedi, who is with her children Aalia and Omar, says, “I love the tranquil beaches and I can stroll around in my bikini without any one clicking away.” She adds, “Kavita Kaushik and Karan Grover are joining us today.”

MumbaiMirror