Sanju to play peacemaker

The news of the Shah Rukh-Salman fight has reached Cape Town, South Africa where Sanjay Dutt is shooting for Chatur Singh Two Star. Sanju is close to both Salman as well as SRK. The fact that they were involved in a scrap deeply dirsturbs him.

Speaking from Cape Town, Dutt says, "I still can't believe what's happened. I am shocked! I am so glad I am out of all this. It would have been painful for me to have seen something that involved two of my dearest friends."

B-Town is going through a state of flux after the SRK-Salman fight with most stars picking camps. Is he going to pick a side? Dutt says firmly, "No way! I am very close to both and it would be impossible for me to take sides.

Both Shah Rukh and Salman are like my younger brothers. I love them dearly and it wouldn't be fair of me to side with one of them. I have never been associated with any camp. I don't intend being part of one today."

His thoughts on the fight? Dutt says, "I can't comment on that. I am sure everyone has his/her own perspective; but what happened was very unfortunate. I am sure things could have been amicably solved."

Dutt has always been known as an elder brother who has been there for the industry when any situation has taken place be it raising funds for tsunami victims or fighting for a cause.

Has he tried to patch up things between SRK and Salman? "Well, I am busy shooting in South Africa right now but I will definitely try and do something when I am back."

'Don't invite guests if you're going to insult them'

Insiders are of the opinion that Dutt was shocked at Salman's behaviour. Says a source, "Sanju and his wife Mana felt that it was rude of Salman to invite Shah Rukh and then insult him.

You can't insult your own guest no matter what issues you have with him. If you have problems with someone, don't invite him to your party."

Salman's pre-planned attack on Shah Rukh

If rumours are to be believed, the Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan duel was planned in advance. The incident seems to be a blot on Bollywood’s face as two leading stars of the Indian film industry fought and abused each other like kindergarten classmates.

The industry insiders say that the public spat between the two stars during a birthday bash bode ill for the film industry in India as it tore to shreds the impression that every thing is so nice in Bollywood.

Apparently, the nice things about the Bollywood are the creation of the sets so magnificently prepared and not due to the affable nature of our heroes.

Salman seem to have grudges about Shah Rukh Khan and he started talking him badly ever since he entered the hotel where the lavish birthday party was organized by Salman Khan for Katrina Kaif. Salman Khan is dating Katrina for the last five years ever since Aishwarya Rai broke away with him.

King Khan initially avoided responded to his vitriolic, but thing went out of hand when Sallu threatened to beat him. This infuriated Shah Rukh so much that he said that he would beat Salman, there before the eyes of his friends and relatives.

Aamir Khan who tried to intervene was also reportedly showed away by Salman Khan. Luckily Gauri intervened before it was too late and said she was leaving. She took Shah Rukh’s hand and led him outside.

Salman has a very troubled and infamous past. His turbulent relationship with actress Aishwarya Rai was a well publicised topic in the Indian media, and had constantly filled gossip columns. After their break-up in March 2002, Rai accused him of harassing her. She claimed that Khan had not been able to come to terms with their break-up and was hounding her; her parents lodged a complaint against him.

Salman was arrested in 2002 for rash and negligent driving. His car had collided into a bakery in Mumbai killing a person and injuring three others.

In the year 2006 Sallu was acused of blackbuck hunting and was sentenced 1 year in prison. He spent several days in jail later.

Qanita Iram, Khabrein

'Shah Rukh's dedication to work is tremendous'

After being in the news in the past few days, has Shah Rukh switched off?

He has stopped using his mobile phone on the sets completely. The actor, whose is currently shooting for his next home production Billoo Barber, does not want to be disturbed by unwanted calls.

Priyadarshan, the director of the film, is completely bowled over by Shah Rukh’s dedication.

“Many stars can’t live without their phones. They give one shot and then get busy with their phone calls, but Shah Rukh seems to be from a different world. He is not using his cell phone at all on the sets. No messaging, no phone calls, nothing. He makes himself so engrossed in the process of filmmaking that it is infectious to others,” he says.

Priyadarshan adds, “His dedication to work is tremendous. Billoo Barber is his film and he is definitely setting an example for the entire cast and crew. He is the busiest man of the industry, he must be getting many calls and needs to attend them too, but he knows that doing several things at a time will harm his own project. I have never seen him even holding his cell phone on the sets.”

With this, Shah Rukh joins the league of other actors like Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, who are inaccessible when they are busy with their projects.

Priyadarshan says his cast and crew is hero worshipping Shah Rukh. “He has this uncanny ability to win over people and he has become a favourite of every one on the sets. I’m totally bowled over looking at his intensity and professionalism. My assistant directors flock around him as if he is their brother,” he says.

And how is King Khan as a producer? Is he finicky?

“I have never met a producer like him. He has asked me to make the film and he is taking care of the funding and other departments. He doesn’t even know what I’m doing with the film and how do I plan to shoot. He has given a free hand to me. That’s a sign of a man who has enormous confidence and faith on his team,” Priyadarshan ends.

Prithwish Ganguly, DNA India