KING KHAN goes economy class

For those who thought Shah Rukh Khan only travels kingsize — this should be news. Yesterday morning, Shah Rukh travelled to Kolkata in the economy class of Jet Airways and not on a chartered flight as he’s wont to do. His team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, took on the Deccan Chargers and SRK had to be in time for the match. As the first class seats were full, SRK did not mind travelling economy class.

Says a co-passenger, “Shah (as he’s fondly called by close friends, including Farah Khan) flew to Kolkata with his entourage. Since the group was large, SRK gave the ladies the first class seats including his own and asked the guys to do the same.

So while Bhavna Pandey (Chunky’s wife), designer Shabina Khan, Divya Kumar (T-Series Bhushan Kumar’s wife), Neelam Kothari, Seema Khan (Sohail’s wife) and a few other friends of SRK and Gauri sat in first class, SRK along with Karan Johar, Riteish Deshmukh, Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani and Priyadarshan made themselves comfortable in the economy class.”

The co-passenger observes that unlike other stars who behave arrogantly while flying, Shah Rukh was absolutely normal and fuss-free. “Shah Rukh even ate the food served in the economy class without any objections. The other passengers were thrilled and kept asking Shah for autographs and he kept obliging them.”

Gauri wasn’t part of the entourage. The source adds, “Gauri and the kids (Aryan and Suhana) along with Arjun Rampal, Mehr Jessia, Maheep Kapoor and Nandita Mahtani arrived in a private jet.”

Designer Manish Malhotra who was part of Shah Rukh’s group was spotted with two suitcases full of Kolkata Knight Riders’ black-and-gold outfits.

The source says, “Manish gave the outfits to everyone so they could wear them during the match and cheer SRK and his team. Yesterday, the atmosphere at the Eden Gardens stadium was electric as the two teams played to a packed crowd of over 80,000.

Shah Rukh’s entourage stayed at the ITC Hotel Sonar Bangla Sheraton and Towers, Salt Lake City.” Shah Rukh returned to Mumbai today morning by HDIL’s chartered plane.

Upala KBR

I believe my victory is God's assurance that I really worked hard: Shah Rukh Khan

After defeating Hyderabad's Deccan Chargers on Sunday at the Eden Gardens, the Kolkata Knight Riders and team owner Shah Rukh Khan was at the peak of their confidence about winning the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"I love winning - whether it's IPL matches or films or a game of carom with my kids or the entire world. I believe my victory is God's assurance that I really worked hard," the superstar said.

"We are the toughest competition for the other seven teams. Why one team at a time-put all the seven teams on one side and see how the Knight Riders battle it out against them," Shah Rukh said on the sidelines of a press conference after Sunday's match.

Does he not get nervous while his Knights are in action?

"Kolkata Knight Riders is my dream personified. I always wanted to be a cricketer. Now it's through my team that I am fulfilling my dream. I am possessive about my team. When my boys are playing I am worried throughout about their comfort. It's like seeing Aryan (son) take part in a race and praying that he wins unhurt."

Did he spend Rs. 2 billion on the team just to fulfil his dream, or has he already started calculating his profits?

"Do I look so intelligent as to count my profit instead of shouting and cheering for my team?" he said with a smile.

"The team is divided into three sections - the cricket part is looked after by my Knights, I look after the entertainment section and my business partner Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta look after the administrative part. The latter will be the right people to comment on the profit."

How was the experience of playing the first match at Eden Gardens?

"It's fantastic. Only Kolkatans can feel the true spirit of cricket. It's their overwhelming support that no tough pitch and power failure could come in the way of the victory of the Knight Riders."

What is beyond the team motto - "Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo" (Do, Fight, Win)?

"The Kolkata Knight Riders are here to teach the world how to believe and win a dream that no one else dares to do. Discipline, dedication and dignity are the three powers that are combined at every stroke of our bat and every throw of our ball," he said.

Times Of India

SRK uncomfortable choosing his heroine

Aditya Chopra has shortlisted three girls for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi — and none of them knows the others exist! What’s even more odd is that lead actor Shah Rukh Khan, too, doesn’t know who his co-star will be.

Shah Rukh says, “I’m only an actor and do not interfere as far as casting is concerned. Adi has told me that they have selected three girls. He wanted me to choose one but I am not comfortable with that. I have left it to Adi.”

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi marks Aditya’s return as a director after eight years.

A source from the production house (Yash Raj) reveals, “The film has to go on the floors by May 15 to be able to make it to the release date (December 12). Adi has finalised three newcomers who have been put up in different hotels.

They arrive at Yash Raj Studios twice a week at different timings and Adi shoots scenes with them. This has been going on for over two weeks and he is expected to take a call by the month-end.”

Amul Sharma, Mid-Day

Man of the match goes to...

When the 22 yards in the middle caused more agony than ecstasy in the first IPL T20 match at Eden Gardens, you could always turn to the right lower tier of the Club House.

There sat all the King’s Men (and Women) — Kolkata Knight Riders ‘Boss’ Shah Rukh Khan’s friends from Mumbai and Delhi — making the first day first show at Eden a thumping blockbuster. Here’s how King Khan’s latest superhit unfolded on the opening night on Sunday…

3.30pm: As all the galleries filled up steadily — “my films always open big” the Shah Rukh guarantee — the first eight rows of the right end of the lower tier of the Club House saw the main cast appearing. And what a cast! Arjun Rampal, Meher Jessia Rampal, Viveik Oberoi, Gauri Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Riteish Deshmukh, Manish Malhotra, Karan Johar all trooped in under heavy security.

Around 10 minutes later, under even stricter security, the Gandhis — Priyanka and Rahul — walked in, shaking hands with the crowds nearby, very much like one of their political rallies. Once seated in the front row, they were not difficult to spot as the only people not in the Knight Riders’ colours of black-and-gold. He wore a black tee and jeans, she a blue salwar kameez.

4.05pm: The King appears in the stands having led his team on the ground. Shaking hands with Rahul, Shah Rukh sits next to him and pats son Aryan who is completely engrossed with the golden helmet in his hand.

As daughter Suhana settles on his lap and Arjun hands him a baseball cap to counter the blazing heat, SRK turns furious as Gilchrist is not given out, having been caught off Ashok Dinda. He had obviously missed the no ball the delivery before!

4.17pm: As the first Deccan Chargers wicket falls, it’s carnival at the Club House with the whole of Team SRK, barring Rahul and Priyanka, on their feet dancing to his chartbusters.

But after a few minutes when Dinda gets rid of Hyderabad captain V.V.S Laxman, the Gandhi scion joins the King’s men, clapping to the anthemic chants of Korbo lorbo jeetbo.

5pm: The musicians join the party — Pritam, with his flowing tresses, Vishal, with not a blade on his head, and the baap of bling, Bappi Lahiri. Symonds may be calling the shots on the ground but it is SRK and his promised dance of Dard-e-disco that’s getting all the cheers.

There are more Shah Rukh posters across the Eden than those of Sourav, clearly showing where the crowd priorities lie. And the best seats in the house are that in Block B, where people are going berserk not at Ishant’s appeals but at the antics around the adjoining Club House.

5.45pm: Interval time but Shah Rukh has left his seat a tad too late, allowing him to only dance to the last couple of lines of Korbo lorbo jeetbo on the stage in Block J.

The crowd doesn’t mind as wife Gauri makes up for him, dancing in her seat. Karan Johar cheers her on. “It’s absolutely outstanding,” KJo tells Metro. “The energy level in the stadium is truly an experience to watch and remember.”

6.36pm: Sourav plays Shah Rukh’s favourite shot — “the one over the keeper’s head”. Despite the tense situation on the field, SRK keeps cheering, from every single to every wide, from Rang de basanti to Mast kalandar. His neighbours on the front row have changed. Adding some local flavour are Rituparna Sengupta and Usha Uthup.

7.05pm: The lights go off, but the crowds need not worry as SRK gives them a taste of his Deewangi deewangi magic — with all his star friends making some noise just like in the film. The 30 minutes just fly away as Hussey re-emerges to finish off the thrilling win for the Knight Riders with a six and a four.

7.45pm: The crowds are leaving as Shah Rukh enters the greens and hugs his all-time fave cricketer Farookh Engineer, the match referee. And just like the closing credits of Om Shanti Om, King Khan has a dream ending up his sleeve. The crowds rush back as SRK does a victory lap around the Eden. Back in the stands, the star had a new fan in Sana Ganguly, carefully preserving the autograph she had got herself a few minutes back.

Pratim.D.Gupta, The Telegraph Calcutta