SharRukh Khan's OK! as India's sexiest dad

Well, SRK says ok to OK! On being voted as India's Sexiest Dad, who are we to argue. If we had our way, then, we would have only elevated it a step further and would have 'crowned' SRK as World's Sexiest Dad.

First things first, all the pictures in this mag are nothing short of a sheer visual treat! In this issue of OK magazine, SRK goes onto confess, "I would love to have more children." Talking about children, SRK with paternal pride says "My son has learnt how to edit and my daughter loves to act, so I try to make films all the time." And when asked as to who's a stricter parent between him and Gauri, he says "Gauri is. I think I am strict too, but Gauri thinks that I am very lenient."

SRK's character to have grey shades in 'Dhoom' threequel?

Scuttlebutt has it that Bollywood biggie, Shahrukh Khan

will be seen portraying the role of villain in the third installment of action thriller based film, 'Dhoom'.

Though nothing has been officially confirmed, inside story reveals that SRK has allotted dates for the shoot. The shooting of the 'Dhoom' saga will kick off in March, next year.

SRK is suspected to enact the bad guy, while Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra will be portraying their usual roles in the third installment. But the leading ladies are yet to be known.

What has come as a surprise is Aditya Chopra will be directing the third installment as Sanjay Gadhvi, who had directed the earlier two prequels, has quit the film.

Though a deal of three films was signed with him, due to few unknown reasons he left.

An insider familiar with the matter revealed, “Dhoom 3 has been in the news for the longest period. While there have been all kinds of speculations about who will direct the film, one thing was always clear that Vijay Krishna Acharya (of Tashan), better known as Victor Acharya, is writing the script.

“Aditya Chopra has now decided that he will don the director’s cap. While Shah Rukh Khan in all probability will be playing the role of a villain, Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra will play their regular roles.”

Interestingly, Aditya has directed films like 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' (1995), 'Mohabbatein' (2000), and 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' (2008).

Indeed, 'Dhoom' threequel has been in news since long and now, we are eagerly for some confirmations. What say?

SBKHT: A tribute to King Khan

SRK fans have been feeling deprived of late. So a title Shahrukh Bola Khoobsurat Hai Tu, might just take them scurrying to the theatres. But a small note of caution. The film has only a miniscule guest appearance by Shah Rukh Khan.

SBKHT is all about how the superstar's persona has invaded millions of lives across the globe cutting through all sections of society.

Laali (Preetika Chawla) is a flower seller who has a chance encounter with her demi-god SRK at a signal one day. This innocuous event becomes the turning point of Laali's life as she escapes into a dream world. But Laali isn't a middle class girl who can spend all her time fantasising about her favourite hero. She's a part of a larger community where no thoughts or emotions can be concealed for long. Her pointless infatuation sets off a chain of events with bizarre consequences.

John (Afzal Khan) a book seller at the same signal is madly in love with Laali and goes ballistic when her obsession shows no sign of diminishing. Even as he is all set to destroy himself, Champa the vamp with a heart of gold appears to rescue John and save him from disaster.

Veteran theatre director Makarand Deshpande's debut film SBKHT is a satire about Bollywood invading our lives and deciding the course of our actions whether we are aware of it or not. John visualises himself as a Devdas and Champa sees herself a modern day Chandramukhi. But this soap opera isn't being played out in a crumbling haveli of Bengal, it's happening in a little hutment community adjacent to the traffic signal.

The opening sequence makes you balk but the film manages to keep you engrossed because it's difficult to predict how the characters will react. The pressures of life are rigorous and violence continuously simmers below the surface. Whether it is the arrogant police inspector or the carom king 'Wanted', just about everybody is ready to start a brawl. And yet in a moment of crisis people are not alone. Unlike a middle-class society, where people tend to turn up the volume on their stereos when a storm brews in the adjacent flat!

The film has been shot partly on location and the feel is authentic. Newspaper-lined walls, dimly lit nursing homes, cramped police stations successfully create the right ethos. A wash room is just a tiny space demarcated by a curtain. Rubble and garbage are consistent backdrops in many scenes.

Makrand Deshpande plays Salim the local don who has eyes at the back of his head and despite his puny frame beats up several goons single-handedly. Obviously Makarand's tribute to his mentor Shah Rukh!

The obvious flaw in the film is the supporting cast. Salim, 'Wanted' the crime reporter and his German girlfriend Stefie, are all prototypes and mouth corny dialogues. Spoofing masala movies is fine but when it happens repetitively it becomes a shade tedious. And the pace drags the film down especially in the second half.

Preetika Chawla (an accidental discovery by the director) plays the role of Laali to perfection. She wanders around in a hazy dream-like state with a perpetual smile hovering around her lips. Dialogue delivery is bit raw but she has loads of potential.

The narrative stays focused and doesn't try to incorporate any sub-plots. A common mistake by debut directors which thankfully Makarand Deshapnde has manged to avoid. Good cinematography without gimmickry or dull gloomy mood lighting.

This film isn't really for SRK fans. There is no gloss or candy floss involved.

But it's an interesting watch for those who enjoy slice-of-life films. And for those who believe DDLJ to be a cult film.