'CDI' title track is song of year: NDTV poll

The title track of CHAK DE INDIA has been adjudged the song of the year in the annual year-end poll conducted by NDTV. The award was handed out in a glittering ceremony and was received by Sanjeev Kohli, CEO and Director, Yash Raj Films, Shimit Amin, director of the film and Salim Merchant, music director.

Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM

'Bhootnath' brings Bachchan, Shah Rukh together

MUMBAI (Reuters) - There were no sparks flying when Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan met on the sets of "Bhootnath," says the film's producer.

The Bollywood stars, portrayed by the media as locked in a popularity battle, share screen space in the film which sees Bachchan playing a friendly ghost.

"They bonded big time on the sets and atmosphere was very cordial," says Ravi Chopra. "They spoke regularly during filming and even played Trivial Pursuit together."

For years, India's celebrity-obsessed media has pitted the two against each other comparing their acting, star power, fan following and box office fortunes.

Bachchan and Khan have largely avoided commenting but they have occasionally taken subtle digs at each other.

But Chopra says reports of a rift are mere speculation.

"People have to see them together. They are very friendly," he said.

"Bhootnath", directed by Vivek Sharma, will see the two superstars working together for the first time since "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" in 2006.

"The film is about a beautiful relationship between a child and the grandfather," Chopra said. "Bachchan plays the grandfather who is also a ghost and Shah Rukh plays the father who triggers the climax."

The producer said 65-year-old Bachchan is the USP of the film since he hogs maximum screen space.

"Bhootnath" is set to release on April 11.

Shahrukh interested in MCD project

New Delhi (PTI): Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan's company has evinced interest in 'Advertisement Oasis', a Rs 500 crore dream project of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

Khan's company, Dreamz Unlimited, had approached the civic body some time back showing interest in the project -- an advertisement park and launch pad for products by blending technology and Bollywood glitz, a senior MCD official said.

"Khan's company approached us. But we told them to compete in the tender process," the official added.

The park will have virtual screens floating in air, amphi-theatre screening advertisements, shopping arcades and food courts.

The facility will come up in a three-and-half acre plot here.

"It can be used for launching products also and once it is operationalised, we believe it will augment our revenue," the official said.

The Hindu

No haircut for Shah Rukh Khan !

Dulha Mil Gaya, featuring Sushmita Sen and Fardeen Khan, is in doldrums. Apparently, Shah Rukh Khan, who makes a special appearance in the film, is reluctant to chop his long mane. Khan, who has already shot for a few days in a cropped haircut, cannot resume shooting till he goes back to his previous cropped look. This has led to an unexpected delay while the desperate producer Viveck Vaswani is trying hard to convince good friend Shah Rukh to head to the barber's shop.

Our source says, "The film is held up because of a disagreement over Shah Rukh's look. Viveck wants SRK to go back to his usual look sans ponytail, but the actor is not in a mood to cut his hair. His long hair has become a rage of sorts."

In circles where it really matters, the buzz is that Shah Rukh attaches more importance to Ravi Chopra's production, Bhootnath and therefore, is unable to give out dates for Dulha Mil Gaya. A source close to the actor informs, "SRK wants to complete Bhootnath first. It is high on his priority list and hence, he has been delaying Dulha Mil Gaya. Almost eight days of shooting are still left."

When quizzed about it, producer Viveck Vaswani confirms that portions featuring Shah Rukh are yet to be shot. He says, "We are yet to complete shooting with Shah Rukh."

Is Shah Rukh expected to do away with his ponytail in to maintain the continuity of the film? Viveck reacts, "Why are you questioning me about this? I myself haven't figured that out."

Ask him about SRK's obvious preference for Bhootnath over Dulha Mil Gaya, Viveck says, "SRK had signed Bhootnath much before Dulha Mil Gaya. So it is only obvious that he will concentrate on finishing it before Dulha Mil Gaya."

Shah Rukh Khan was unavailable for comment.

Indiatarget

Rajinikanth replaces Shah Rukh Khan in India's costliest movie

CHENNAI: Digging for gold appears to have become superstar Rajinikanth’s favourite pastime. As if the Rs 80-crore blockbuster Sivaji, The Boss was not enough, filmdom’s money spinning hero has now signed up for India’s costliest movie.

Pegged at Rs 100 crore, director Shankar’s Robot, a science fiction film, will see Rajni replace King of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan as hero. London-based Ayngaran International, in which Kishore Lulla-owned Eros International picked up a controlling stake last July, is to produce the film.

Robot will be released in five languages for a global audience. This dream project of Shankar was also to be produced by SRK’s Red Chillies Entertainment. In fact, last year, the film had been planned featuring filmdom’s other cash king Shah Rukh Khan.

However, owing to differences between Shankar and SRK on the creative front, as acknowledged by the latter in recent statements, the film was dropped about two months ago. Observers say, given Shankar’s penchant for large canvas presentations the cost of production of Robot could even cross the Rs 100-crore mark, setting a new Indian record.

“Ayngaran and Eros Multimedia will be jointly producing Robot featuring Rajinikanth and directed by Shankar. The formal agreements will be signed soon,” Ayngaran International CEO Rohan Manickavasagar told ET on Friday from London.

Eros and Ayngaran had together distributed Sivaji globally, which is said to have grossed between Rs 150 crore to Rs 170 crore from both the domestic and overseas markets. "Robot will be a joint production. The film will take anywhere between 18 to 24 months for completion and will be produced at a cost in excess of Rs 100 crore," Mr Manickavasagar said.

The film will be made in Tamil, but will be released in five languages, including Hindi and Telugu, besides a couple of other regional languages. “It will also have stars from Bollywood. But these finer details will be finalised in due course,” he added.

Shankar had originally wanted to do Robot with Kamal Hassan over five years ago for Media Dreams, the now defunct film arm of Chennai-based Pentamedia Graphics. Somewhere down the line, even Hritik Roshan’s name came up for serious consideration. But Rajini appears to have swung it yet again.

With Rajinikanth becoming a national phenomenon after Sivaji, which also generated interests in international markets, Robot is expected to be marketed in a big way overseas too. Tamil films have a huge market in the UK, USA, Canada, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia and the Middle-East.

D. Gowardan, TNN