Shah Rukh ropes in Hollywood writer-director David Benullo for ‘Ra.1’

Done with his shoulder surgery, superstar Shah Rukh Khan now seems to be gearing up for his upcoming production ‘Ra.1’. The actor has reportedly signed Hollywood’s famous writer-director David Benullo for the film being directed by Anubhav Sinha.

David is best known for writing the screenplay of much appreciated ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ and the script for Hallowed Ground, Cupid and Shadow Man, which had won him accolades. And now he has been roped by none other than King Khan for his next venture ‘Ra.1’, which is reportedly an SFX film.

An industry insider said, “‘Ra1’ has loads of special effects, which is why it is to be made differently from the usual commercial Hindi films. SRK wanted a writer who would do justice to the film. So he got David Benullo to work on the script.”

Confirming the news, director Anubhav Sinha said, “Yes, David Benullo is one of the writers working on the script.” Reports reveal that the writer has already started working on the film when he was he was in India recently.

‘Ra.1’ is slated for release early next year.

SRK’s big plans for the small screen

All IPL teams feature on Red Chillies’ next TV show. Telefilms are also on the anvil.

Shah Rukh Khan’s television software company Red Chillies Idiot Box, is busy finding brand new programmes for television.After Knights And Angels, a talent hunt to choose cheerleaders for SRK’s Kolkata Knight Riders, the next to roll out will also be another show on the Indian Premier League. “It’s a new show that will feature all the IPL teams,over a series of six episodes” revealed a source close to the company but did not divulge more details.

Shah Rukh himself proclaimed that he has great ambitions for his television company and wants to produce programmes of international quality. Balancing all areas, there is fiction, comedy and even telefilms in the pipeline. These will be interesting , short films on different genres. Interestingly, the programmes will not be restricted to only NDTV, Shah Rukh’s current favourite channel, but spread across a spectrum of channels.

Red Chillies’s Ghar Ki Baat Hai the comedy series based on Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, and the Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla-hosted chat show The First Wives are also on air.

In fact, Shah Rukh Khan’s reticent better half, Gauri, will be seen chatting about her superstar husband for the first time in the chat show on NDTV Good Times on March 28. The popular show was the first to roll out of Khan’s television production house and Gauri’s interview will be the grand finale to this exclusive show.

Gauri who has modelled for friend Maheep Kapoor’s jewellery line and has also designed SRK’s clothes for some of his films is the producer for most of his home -productions. And now it is heard that the superstar’s wife could go a step further and even host a show for her husband’s company. “If there is some show that suits her, we are sure she will be ready to do it,” revealed a source close to the company .