Airtel digital TV premieres ‘My Name is Khan'

Subscribers of Airtel digital TV can view this film by paying a nominal amount of Rs. 50. The movie will be available on digitalTV from May 27, 2010 on channel no. 180.

Airtel digital TV announced the TV premiere of the Bollywood blockbuster ‘My Name is Khan’ on its Pay Per View (PPV) service on Indian television. Directed by Karan Johar, the film brings together the hit screen pair Shahrukh Khan and Kajol after a long time. This superhit film also stars Jimmy Shergill.

Announcing this on Airtel digital TV’s PPV platform,Sugato Banerji, Chief Marketing Officer, DTH - Bharti Airtel said, “My Name is Khan has been one of the most awaited movies in recent times because of its star cast. The movie also did extremely well at the box-office worldwide. We will continue to add popular movies on our PPV platform and are happy to bring this star-studded movie with unique storyline to for our customers.”

Subscribers of Airtel digital TV can view this film by paying a nominal amount of Rs. 50. The movie will be available on digitalTV from May 27, 2010 on channel no. 180. Customer can book this movie and enjoy multiple shows running on this channel. To book the movie for the day customers need to SMS BOOK <180> or BOOK to 54325 from his registered mobile.

Set in India and USA, the film talks about Indian subcontinent diaspora in USA and how they experience the change in their livelihood after the 9/11 World Trade Center attack. Rizwan Khan (Shahrukh), a Muslim man from India, moves to San Francisco and lives with his brother and sister-in-law. Rizwan, suffering from the Aspergers syndrome which is an autism disorder, falls in love with Mandira (Kajol). They get married and start a small business together. They were happy until September 11, 2001 when attitudes towards Muslims undergo a sea of change due to terrorist attacks. Their only son was killed due to a collective hate to Islamic faith and this development devastated Mandira Eventually Rizwan was forced to leave Mandira. To win Mandira back, he embarks on a touching and inspiring journey across the United States which consists of faith, love and trust to the humanity that transcends religion, caste, gender and nationality.

DVD REVIEW: My Name is Khan

MOVIE DETAILS

Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Soniya Jehan, Jimmy Sheirgill, Zarina Wahab, Tanay Chheda, Yuvaan Makar

Director: Karan Johar

Producer: Gauri Khan, Hiroo Johar

Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Lyrics: Niranjan Iyengar

THE FILM

Their names are Khan and Johar. And they are no more just candy floss filmmakers.

This statement pretty much describes the effort that has gone into making My Name Is Khan and the best part is that within no time, it is obvious that the 'effort' isn't made visible just for the sake of it. First and foremost the film is a complete turnaround for Karan Johar brand of cinema because he leaves his troupe of 500 group dancers somewhere far behind and settles for a world where the only dance step performed by Shah Rukh Khan is an awkward 'two left feet and one forward move'. Thankfully, this is not the only factor that makes My Name Is Khan entirely different from all the films that Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan have made so far. There is more. Actually, a lot more.

Credit must be given to Karan Johar and Co. for letting know their audience what's in store in the opening reel itself. Within a restricted space of the credit rolls, the picture is completely clear that it is not going to be an easy journey for Rizwan Khan (Rizwan Khan) who is off on a road journey to meet the President of America. His mission? To tell him and then the entire world that 'His name is Khan and he is not a terrorist'. In a way this could well be Bollywood's own take on The Motorcycle Diaries and though the conflict is far more different and serious here, it nonetheless is a tale which is one of its own kinds.

Still, it does take time to settle into the world of Rizwan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) with the narrative taking turns to delve into three different times in his life - his growing up years, his past with Mandira (Kajol) and the current times. Though the opening portions are equally endearing, what with some of the sweetest moments with his mother (Zarina Wahab) being brought to fore, My Name Is Khan becomes a lot interesting once Rizwan's love story with Mandira begins.

This is where Karan Johar brings in his maturity as a film maker because neither does he take a melodramatic route where Rizwan's issues with Asperger's syndrome starts taking centre stage nor does he make it all look all so light that it takes a fake or frivolous connotation. Instead, he uses this syndrome to very strongly establish the character of Rizwan who takes things on face value, calls a spade a spade and is still left untouched by the negativities of the world.

This is why even when he is arrested as a suspect terrorist; he doesn't blame the Government of any religion in particular. He continues his journey of goodness and unwittingly kick-starts a movement that takes a much broader meaning. Even around this juncture, Karan Johar risked taking a route that many of his contemporaries (and his own students) have taken in films like Shoot on Sight, New York, Kurbaan or Khuda Ke Liye. However, he plays it all different, in fact very different, and comes up with a euphoric outing that picks up momentum at the interval point and never once looses pace (and focus) right till the end credits title roll.

There are quite a few moments that audiences take home and after avoiding the spoilers, the ones that can be revealed are where Shah Rukh proposes marriage to Mandira, his bonding with their son, the turning point in the film where he is forced to take the road journey, the sequence where he spots the President for the first time and is caught on camera and the point when his movement picks up heat.

From performance perspective, Shah Rukh Khan is simply outstanding. There is no second thought about it and after Chak De India, this one would now stand out as the most definitive performance of his career. Mark my words; this is a National Award winning performance. His dialogue delivery, body language, mannerisms - everything just makes you connect to Rizwan Khan, not Shah Rukh Khan. Though Kajol has a lesser screen time, she occupies her place with authority and is completely and truly natural, something which is expected from the actor of her stature. Yuvaan Makkar, who plays their son, is quite believable as well.

There are number of other supporting actors but the ones who make the best impression are Soniya Jahan, Zarina Wahab, Arjun Mathur and Vinay Pathak. Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy, come up with a good soundtrack though at places one would have expected the background score to be a little more euphoric. Cinematography is perfect, especially in the scenes set at San Francisco.

PACKAGING

DVD of My Name Is Khan comes in a regular plastic case. Now that's a surprise because one expected the packaging to be far more elaborate and lavish considering the fact that this is the biggest release of the year so far.

DURATION

The film's duration is 155 minutes

SPECIAL FEATURES

- The Making

- Unseen Footage with Karan Johar

As expected, there is a definite quality feel to the way the entire 'making' segment is presented. One can see an upmarket treatment to this entire segment and though to begin with there is usual introduction about the movie and the casting decisions, the pace picks up once Karan, Shah Rukh and Co. begin to talk about the actual 'making' of the film. It makes for a good watch to see how the entire floods set came into existence. Also, what makes this segment special is to see 'action director' Shah Rukh Khan coming to fore and giving instructing from behind the camera for key action sequences in the film.

There are quite a few deleted scenes that find a place in this additional DVD. Lasting 45 minutes, they were (well to put it mildly) best left out of the final cut. Most of them only end up extending the length of the movie while a couple of them are quite clichéd as well as definitely unnecessarily. For example, a scene involving Kajol talking to her parents about her marriage with Shah Rukh Khan is a plain no-no as it only ends up belonging to cinema of the 90s. However, what is shocking is to know that there was actually an extended version of the hurricane sequence, something for which Karan Johar had got quite some flak already. At the time when the international version of the film is said to be doing away with the entire sequence, it is surprising to see that the DVD here carries an extended version of the same.

Of course there are some beautiful moments as well but then not the kind that were a must to be present in the final cut. These are the alternate cuts of songs like 'Tere Naina', 'Sajda' and 'Noor E Khuda' which do not make for a bad watch at all. However, other than these, there is not much to look forward to in this 'unseen' footage segment except for the commentary by Karan Johar which precedes each of the scenes.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

- 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation

- Subtitles in English

- Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo

PRICE

Rs. 399/=

CONCLUSION

So much has been seen, heard, read, speculated and gossiped about the religion and terrorism angle in My Name Is Khan. The fact is that all of this is just at a peripheral level and though its presence is felt right through the film, especially during the second half, it is never too imposing to take over the narrative. And thankfully, there are no debates around 'jihaad' and its relevance (or the lack of it). Really, audience have had enough of it and a subject like this is best left untouched in a mainstream yet meaningful film like My Name Is Khan.

Go, bring home this DVD.

Rating: 4/5

Karan Johar releases 'My Name Is Khan' home video on Reliance BIG Home Video at CROSSWORD

Reliance BIG Home Video continues its endeavor of providing the finest quality in home entertainment and has released the much awaited home video of 'MY NAME IS KHAN'. A special release function in Crossword Juhu, saw Karan Johar and Sweta Agnihotri, Chief Operating Officer of Reliance BIG Home Video releasing the DVD & VCD of 2010's biggest global hit.

Mumbai, Maharashtra, April 22, 2010 /India PRwire/ -- Reliance BIG Home Video continues its endeavor of providing the finest quality in home entertainment and has released the much awaited home video of 'MY NAME IS KHAN'. A special release function in Crossword Juhu, saw Karan Johar and Sweta Agnihotri, Chief Operating Officer of Reliance BIG Home Video releasing the DVD & VCD of 2010's biggest global hit.

The movie has created box-office history, with the trio of Karan Johar, Shahrukh Khan & Kajol coming together after a long time. A Dharma Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment presentation, this is Karan Johar's fourth directorial venture. 'My Name is Khan' is the triumphant story of an unconventional hero overcoming obstacles to regain the love of his life. The film holds the record for the highest opening day & also the highest grosser overseas for a Bollywood film.

Keeping the excitement and wide appreciation that the films has received, Reliance BIG Home Video has launched a premium collector's edition - a 2-DVD pack. Apart from the film, the 'Special Features' disc has exclusive, never- before-seen content. The disc contains specials like 'Making of the Movie', 'Unseen Footage with a special commentary by Karan Johar' & the 'Theatrical Trailer' as well. The DVD pack has been released at Rs. 399 and 2 VCD pack at Rs. 149. The Blu-ray will also be released soon.

Sweta Agnihotri, Chief Operating Officer, Reliance BIG Home Video says, "We have always believed in the power of great quality cinema. My Name is Khan is a great example of coming together of highly creative and talented people along with a novel subject which made this film a global success and now a must own DVD."

Vijay Singh. Chief Executive Office, Fox Star Studios says "MNIK is a landmark film that touched millions of audiences and broken Box Office records across the globe. With its superb direction & extraordinary performances by the starcast, DVD offering by Reliance Big Home Video will enable MNIK lovers to relive the experience and know more about their favourite film."

Karan Johar, Director say, "I'm really thrilled that the Home Video of MNIK is being released because this film is very, very special to me. Initially, a few people close to me were nervous when I set out to make the film but today I can happily say that amongst all my films, it is not only the biggest hit worldwide but it has also got more critical acclaim than any of my previous films. I'm really pleased that the DVD gives all those who loved the film a chance to see the many years of effort that went behind making it. And also I have added a very special section on the deleted sequences in the film, including an alternative edit for the hurricane sequence and alternate song edits for the Tere Naina & Sajda. That should be a real treat for fans of the film."

The launch will be supported by an all encompassing marketing campaign across Radio, Internet along with a strong focus on Retail activation and on-ground promotion. Various innovations like a 'Peace Wall' is being set up in retail stores, where people can leave their messages for the 'My Name Is Khan' team. These walls be presented to the cast of the film. Apart from that various retail branding sites have been booked for display across 10 cities. Contests as well as paid promotions will ensure reach and frequency optimization. The organisation is also looking at partnering key brands for marketing and corporate gifting tie-ups.

We are sure that all movies aficionados will be waiting to take this extraordinary journey again. For all of them, 'My Name Is Khan' DVD will be worth the wait.

Shah Rukh Khan MNIK cut 35 minutes for US, releasing May 7!

Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer Karan Johar’s blockbuster flick ‘My Name Is Khan’, which is due for a US release on May 7, has become 35 minutes shorter after Hollywood editor Alan Edward Bell of ‘500 Days of Summer’ fame edited it of hurricane sequence for the US audience.

The reputed editor of Hollywood considered the hurricane sequence unnecessary addition but kept the Hindi song and dance numbers in the film intact. In fact, he took the view that these song and dance numbers should be kept in the film as they highlighted the uniqueness of bollywood flicks.

Sources close to production house say that Alan Bell felt that the hurricane sequences of Wilhelmina town in the US would only irritate the American audience who were fully aware of the reality and would instantly recognize that it was not their town. In fact, Karan Johar had shot that particular sequence not in the US but in the Film City studio in Mumbai, and he knew from the very beginning that it was not up to the mark

Karan Johar roped in Allan Beal to edit the American version of ‘My Name Is Khan,’ as he wanted it to be finalized from the US audience’s point of view without any interference from any quarters.

‘My Name Is Khan’ in its new US avatar will have subtitles and voiceover in English for the benefit of audiences there. However, the flick will continue to be in Hindi language, as the original was, to keep its magic intact.

Shah Rukh Khan plays the character of Rizwan Khan, who is suffering from the Asperger’s syndrome. The US authorities mistook his condition and arrest him for being a Khan. The movie shows the trauma of being a Muslim in the US after the bombing of New York by suspected terrorists.

Khan is box office king

Shah Rukh Khan and the controversies surrounding him will always sell. Need proof?

His latest Bollywood love drama, My Name Is Khan, has been certified a box office hit in India, chalking up box office collection of Rs250 million (S$7.7 million) on the opening day alone.

The movie had initially sparked outrage in India because of comments made by the Bollywood superstar.

According to Channel News Asia reports, the extreme right wing party, Shiv Sena, based in Mumbai had taken offence to Shah Rukh's statement on India-Pakistan relations. Shah Rukh had earlier stated that cricket players of Pakistani origin should be allowed to play in India.

Party workers of Shiv Sena had since torn movie posters of MNIK and were threatening movie theatres against showing the film. Police had arrested 300 Shiv Sena members so that the movie screening would not be disrupted.

Elsewhere in the world, Yahoo! News India has reported that MNIK has grossed US$18 million (S$25.4 million) during its opening weekend, which is the highest ever recorded for a Bollywood film (In the US, MNIK collected US$2.3 million in its first four days).

Back in Malaysia, Shah Rukh continues to enjoy his supreme reign. The TGV cinema in Cap Square, which is the latest centre of Bollywood films in the country, reports that it's been a full house everyday since the movie opened on Feb 12.

"We expect MNIK to stay in the cinema for a month," Saravan Letchmanan, the marketing consultant for Suraya Film Distribution and Production Sdn Bhd, the distributor of the movie here, offers his optimistic view when contacted by The Daily Chilli.

"Aside from the Klang Valley, we've also released the movie in Malacca, Johor, Kedah and Penang. The response has been good with 75 to 85 per cent of the tickets booked. We're only left with the front seats," Saravanan adds.

Set against the backdrop of post-911 racial discrimination, the film features Shah Rukh as an autistic Muslim guy, Rizwan Khan, who embarks on a journey across America to win back the love of his life, a Hindu girl named Mandira, played by Kajol.

But upon his arrival in Los Angeles,Rizwan is unfortunately detained by authorities at LAX who mistake his disability for suspicious behaviour.

SRK to dub 'My Name Is Khan' in English

Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan is on a roll. The film that has reportedly touched the life of scores of people across the globe, plans to continue with its winning streak overseas.

The original Hindi version is the No.1 grosser in the UK and it has also broken several records in the regular diaspora markets across the US. Now, Karan and Fox Star Studios will release a re-edited, two-hour long version (that’s minus 45 minutes!) in 25 countries like Germany, Poland and France between April and June, with SRK dubbing his lines in English.

Karan says, “Right from the beginning we had plans to release a fresh cut meant mainly for the non-diaspora markets in North America, Russia and certain parts of Europe. We will have a platform release in the art-house circuit. MNIK is the first global movie with the ethos meant for a world audience and Phase II was designed to take it to markets where no Bollywood film has ever been.’’

In Indonesia, the film is said to have broken records of all previous Hindi movies with a box office of 1.5 million USD. And the local distributor Harris Lasmana says, “My Name is Khan has appealed to the Indonesian audience, where Islam is followed by the majority of the population. Moreover, the film reviews have been excellent.’

Delirious with the praise that has been coming his way from across the globe, Karan says, “It’s humbling and heartening at the same time to hear from people almost every single day as to how MNIK has touched their lives in so many ways. It has empowered SRK and me to continue with releasing this film in markets where Bollywood has never had a presence. The cumulative gross of MNIK makes it SRK’s biggest hit overseas.’’

Speaking of the accolades that have come to SRK for his outstanding performance as Rehan Khan in MNIK, Karan says, “It is and will remain one of SRK’s most special and memorable performances. And, I’m happy that I made this film for him and with him. You have no idea how encouraging the feedback on the film has been.’’

Shah Rukh Khan MNIK in English, shorter for Germany, Poland, France!

Shah Rukh Khan, the badshah of bollywood who played the character of Rizwan Khan in Karan Johar’s ‘My Name Is Khan’ and earned the goodwill of the UK, US audiences with his seasoned performance, is all set to woo countries like Germany, Poland, France with English version and a shorter duration film (about two hours) this April-May.

In fact, the flick has been totally edited again keeping in mind the tastes of these countries where Indian audiences or NRIs are not present in large numbers. To this end ‘My Name Is Khan’ has been trimmed of its flab and song numbers and now will not have the portions of about forty five minutes.

Sources close to Karan Johar’s production house say that the plan was to release the film after Shah Rukh Khan completes the dubbing of his lines in English language, which is easily understood in these countries. The buzz doing the rounds in the industry is that Fox Star, which has the distribution rights of the flick, was elated by the response to the film and wanted to tap the areas which have been traditionally out of bollywood’s ambit so far.

The industry watchers say that the main factor which has been aiding Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer flick in different countries is its humanistic theme. The storyline of the flick, which is based on problems of Muslims in the US after the New York bombing, is such that people everywhere feel sympathetic towards the plight of the beleaguered religious group.

Shah Rukh Khan plays the part of a person who is suffering from Asperger’s syndrome and is detained by the US security agencies at an international airport due to his name having the word ‘Khan’ and his unusual behavior. Kajol plays the part of his wife and supports him during this ordeal. Shah Rukh Khan’s efforts to meet the President to save his love, is touching.

´My Name Is Khan´ DVD May Release On 14th June!

Karan Johar's Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer, 'My Name Is Khan', is now ending its run in India. The film is likely to finish after netting around 75 crores from India. And is the only hit of the first quarter of 2010.

'My Name Is Khan' is already Bollywood's biggest Overseas grosser with $16.50 million, and is still to release at many other un-explored markets.

The good news for those fans of King Khan, who want to add the film to their collection or who reside in countries that have not yet seen a theatrical release, and also is that the official DVD is likely to release on June 14, 2010.

Star Plus hopes 'My Name Is Khan' to strengthen its TRPS!

While it’s not a new fact that Bollywood films take the help of small screens when it comes to promoting their movies and songs, these days, TV channels are now taking help of Bollywood films in a bid to survive the race for highest TRPs.

It is believed that Star TV has approximately paid RS.15 crores for acquiring the TV rights of My Name is Khan which has been co-produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Dharma Productions.

This piece of news has been confirmed by Anupam Vasudev, executive vice-president (marketing) at Star, though he did not divulge anything about the amount the channel had to shell out.

It is believed that when a channel airs a big Bollywood movie, GRPs gets a hike of about 30-40.This means that the channel can move one spot up in the viewership listings.

Vasudev is optimistic that My Name is Khan will be watched by many people when aired on TV, since it was a big-budget film and quite new. While an average film gets a rating of 2 and 3 when it is aired on the TV, it is expected that My Name is Khan will manage to earn a rating of 4-5.

Star Plus shells out Rs15 cr for TV rights of My Name is Khan

The channel is said to have paid approximately Rs15 crore for the satellite television rights of the film, co-produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Dharma Productions.

Star Plus, the flagship Hindi entertainment channel from Star India Pvt. Ltd, will soon bring Shah Rukh Khan’s latest film My Name is Khan to the small screen. The channel is said to have paid approximately Rs15 crore for the satellite television rights of the film, co-produced by actor Shah Rukh Khan’s company Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt. Ltd and Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions Pvt. Ltd.

Anupam Vasudev, executive vice-president (marketing) at Star, confirmed that the channel had acquired television broadcast rights for the film, but he refused to comment on the price paid for the rights.

However, according to a senior executive at a rival channel who specializes in buying films for the small screen, Star forked out Rs15 crore for My Name is Khan. Incidentally, Star’s sister company Fox Star Studios had bought the marketing and distribution rights of My Name is Khan, reportedly for Rs100 crore.

Vasudev maintained Star Plus expected the film to do well since it was a new and a big-budget release. “Paa (featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan) has delivered 2-2.5 in ratings, which is a reasonably good performance,” he said.

Attracting viewers: A still from the movie My Name is Khan. The TV screening of a big Bollywood film could trigger a surge of 30-40 gross rating points for the channel during the week in which it is aired.

Attracting viewers: A still from the movie My Name is Khan. The TV screening of a big Bollywood film could trigger a surge of 30-40 gross rating points for the channel during the week in which it is aired.

According to L.S. Krishnan, president of media specialist agency Radar at the Mudra Group, My Name is Khan is a good acquisition for Star, and should get enough traction. “An average film gets a rating of 2 and 3, which is considered good. I would expect a rating of 4-5 for My Name is Khan,” he said.

Based on his discussions with Star India executives, a media buyer, who requested anonymity, said that the channel was charging Rs3 crore for 300 seconds of airtime, for the title sponsorship of the film. “Ten seconds of advertising inventory around the film is going for as much as Rs10 lakh. If I had that kind of money, why wouldn’t I put it on the Indian Premier League (IPL)?” he asked, referring to the ongoing IPL T20 series that is hawking advertising inventory at a premium.

He said the steep tariff on the inventory is unjustified as the film was not a huge commercial success.

Meanwhile, Mona Jain, chief operating officer of VivaKi Exchange, the centralized buying unit of French advertising and communications firm Publicis Groupe SA, said the channel could justify the high ad rates if it telecasts the films several times. “The movie will spark off an interest, but there ought to be multiple airings in a single day. Just like when Star Movies got the rights to James Cameron film Titanic and it was shown four times in a day. It makes sense for both the channel and the sponsors associated with it,” she said.

To be sure, the race among Hindi entertainment channels for big films has been heating up. Star Plus recently acquired the TV rights to other new films such as Rann, London Dreams, Aladdin and De Dana Dhan. Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd’s Hindi channel Colors, meanwhile, won the TV rights to releases such as Kaminey and Kurbaan.

The TV screening of a big Bollywood film could trigger a spike of almost 30-40 GRPs (gross rating points) for the channel during the week in which it is aired. That has often helped channels to displace competition in the viewership ranking.

In the period from 14-20 March, TAM Media Research Pvt. Ltd’s TV viewership data shows Star on the top with a 24% channel share, Colors at No. 2 with a 23% share and Zee TV in the third place with a 20% share.

My Name Is Khan the biggest Bollywood grosser in UK with 2.5m pounds

After winning over the US box office, Shah Rukh Khan starrer 'My Name Is Khan' has become the biggest ever Bollywood film at the UK Box office, grossing over 2.5 million pounds, according to movie bosses.

The Karan Johar directed film surpasses the previous record set by 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' in 2001, which also starred Shah Rukh and Kajol in the lead roles.

"I am thrilled that with My Name is Khan we have raised the bar for box office performance in UK by going past the previous record which also happens to be my film. The Fox team believed in the film and got behind it which helped us set new benchmarks for Bollywood in the UK," said Johar.

'MNIK', which reunited Shah Rukh and Kajol on screen after eight years, has been produced by Fox International Productions and Fox Star Studios in association with Dharma Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment.

"We always thought we had a chance of becoming the biggest opening Bollywood Film ever, but to become the No 1 UK Bollywood Film of all time is a tremendous achievement. We have been most fortunate to have had full support and that our film has been so well received from the UK audiences," said Andrew Turner, Director of Sales at Twentieth Century Fox.

"This success will hopefully encourage a wider audience to embrace this extraordinary and powerful film either at the cinema, where it is still enjoying an incredible 5th week on release or when it releases on Home Entertainment later on in the year," Turner added.

New releases fail to impress, 'M.N.I.K.' continues to dominate abroad

‘My Name Is Khan’ continued to dominate the key markets, for the fourth weekend in a row. The new release, ATITHI TUM KAB JAOGE?, hasn't found patronage in U.K. and U.S.A. Last week's KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK had a drastic fall, while ‘Teen Patti; is a colossal disaster.

Weekend: March 5 - 7, 2010.

U.K. BOX-OFFICE
MY NAME IS KHAN [last weekend: No. 15, this weekend: No. 23]: In its fourth weekend, the film has collected £ 87,141 on 56 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,556. Total: £ 24,79,880 [approx. Rs. 16.93 crores].

My Name Is Khan Sets New UK Record

My Name Is Khan has broken the long standing lifetime record of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham in United Kingdom.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham grossed £2.5 million in 2001 and My Name Is Khan had a similar total by the end of business on Tuesday. My Name Is Khan is likely to end with £2.62 lifetime business in UK. The top grossers in UK are as follows.

1. My Name Is Khan - £2.62m (Expected)
2. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham - £2.5m
3. Veer Zaara -£2.02 million
4. Three Idiots - £1.86 million
5. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - £1.75 million
6. Devdas - £1.69 million
7. Kal Ho Na Ho - £1.67
8. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi - £1.50 million
9. Don - £1.43 million
10. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge - £1.40m

My Name Is Khan conquers new territories for Bollywood!

It is old news that Karan Johar's MY NAME IS KHAN is re-writing history and creating box-office records in the Overseas market, wherever it has opened. And we will not give the details about how MNIK has broken all the records held by previous SRK movies in US or state that MNIK has already set a new high for UK by grossing £2,307,067 so far and still counting.

We are actually here to give our patrons an interesting insight into the business of MY NAME IS KHAN in the relatively unknown and uncharted territories, even places where no other Hindi film movie has been released before. First let us let you know about Bahrain, a small island in the Persian Gulf, where MY NAME IS KHAN is the first Hindi film to release and has topped the box-office charts collecting $148,800. The whole of Middle East sees a new record as MNIK has collected a total of $3.3 million, till we last heard.

Coming to the numbers in the exotic African countries, in the unknown and new territory of Ghana, the country known more for its cocoa, MNIK is the first Hindi film to release and it has created a sensation by topping the box-office charts collecting $7,443. In the country of the pyramids, Egypt the film opened to a superb response collecting $42,362. Moving on to South Africa (entire region), MY NAME IS KHAN has notched up an impressive $177,119.

Moving on to South East Asia, MY NAME IS KHAN has mopped up $301,094 from Singapore. In Malaysia MNIK has $120,452 to show. In Indonesia, the film has grown from six to 14 screens and has seen a jump of 300 percent in week three.

Well, certainly and without even a hint of doubt, Karan, SRK, Kajol and Fox have done Bollywood proud by daring to take their film to many hitherto un-explored territories and then topping the charts as well, creating history. And maybe this will open the doors for other Hindi films which will follow suit and thus give the citizens of those country a chance to celebrate Bollywood.

Well, the world is certainly following Bollywood's (King) KHAN!

For the world, a long-awaited good guy on the screen

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The 100 or so young couples, college students, middle-aged parents and grandmothers in head scarves that packed a movie theater could have been mistaken for an audience in Mumbai, Lahore or any other South Asian city.

They had come to see My Name Is Khan, a new Bollywood film that has shattered box-office records in India and is now making a respectable showing in the United States.

The film features dramatic plot twists and sensitive social subjects but throughout pounds home a tolerant message that the main character learned from his mother: There are two kinds of people in the world, the good guys and the bad guys.

And until recently, Muslims — at least those depicted by Hollywood — have nearly always been the bad guys.

Some of that, however, is changing. A small but growing number of films shown in the U.S. depict Muslims positively, or at least as something other than terrorists. Although creators say Khan is a love story above all, it has not been lost on audiences that the story's hero is a Muslim who preaches messages of peace and tolerance.

“It's nice to see a Muslim hero because we're so used to not seeing that,” said Azam Nizamuddin, a 42-year-old lawyer in Chicago. “Even more important was the spirituality of the central character. They really showed his commitment to God, despite his situation.”

Khan is showing in almost 1,600 movie theaters worldwide, including more than 100 in the U.S.

Set in San Francisco, the film stars Bollywood heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan in the role of Rizwan Khan, an Indian Muslim immigrant with Asperger syndrome. He courts and marries Mandira, a single Hindu mother with a young son, Sameer. They live happily until the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when Khan's Muslim name makes the family a target of discrimination.

Customers stop going to Mandira's hair salon. Khan's sister-in-law is attacked and stops wearing her head scarf. Sameer is rejected by his best friend before being killed in a racially motivated attack.

“I never should have married a Muslim man!” Mandira tells her husband, ordering him to leave. It doesn't matter that he's not a terrorist. “Why don't you go to Washington and tell the president, ‘My name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist.”'

And so the literal-minded Khan does just that, embarking on an epic journey across America that touches many of the major social currents coursing through the Muslim-American community.

The movie is replete with Islamic references and imagery that would be familiar to Muslims: Khan frequently cites the Quran; bows in prayer at the bus stop and in jail; and takes a compassionate lesson from the story of God's command to Abraham to sacrifice his son.

Jack Shaheen, author of Reel Bad Arabs, attributes the growing number of films with sympathetic Muslim characters to more Muslims working in the film industry and a greater cultural sensitivity in Hollywood.

Despite progress, Shaheen said the effect is modest because most of the films with sympathetic Muslim characters are independent, low-budget productions with limited distribution. Without reaching major audiences, negative stereotypes of Muslims will persist, Shaheen said.

A broader-reaching film may not be far off. Director Jonathan Demme is reportedly considering a film based on the award-winning book Zeitoun, which documents the true story of a Syrian-American man who helped rescue residents of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina but landed in jail when police suspected him of being a terrorist.

Despite its relatively modest distribution in the U.S., Khan has also found fans among non-South Asian audiences as well.

“Tolerance is one of the most important messages that movies need to deliver,” said Stephen Marks of Cambridge, Mass., who saw the movie with two friends. “That's a message that should sell.”

My Name is Khan grosses 174.60 crore worldwide

Shah Rukh Khan starrer My Name is Khan has grossed Rs 174.60 crore worldwide with India contributing Rs 102.2 crore and international markets netting an all time high of Rs 72.4 crore for a Hindi film, distributors said.

It has become the highest grossing Bollywood film in the Middle East at USD 3.3 million. With the movie opening in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria on March 10, the number is expected to go much higher, according to Vijay Singh of Fox Studios.

In the UAE, MNIK's collections are nearly on par with Dark Knight, Transformers 2, Spider Man 3 and Twilight: New Moon. At final count, the Middle East distributors expect the figures to be twice of Fox Searchlight's global 2008 phenomenon Slumdog Millionaire in this market, he said.

"In other markets too, it continues to grow and has crossed over to non-diaspora audiences. In Indonesia, for example, the film has grown from 6 to 14 screens," Singh said. Directed by Karan Johar, the movie is about the journey of an Indian family and their saga post the 9/11 attacks on the US.

SRK takes on Hollywood internationally

So India has a population of one billion, right? And its economy, brain power and youth drivers are set to rule the world right? That’s why it bothered us no end when Indian movies were often left on the wayside when it came to overseas collections and the Oscars.

Even brilliant offerings like Lagaan that deserved more than the Oscars. But we think the time is now. For a first, AR Rahman swept the world. And now it’s My Name Is Khan that is winning the global sweepstakes. We hear that apart from its India gross, MNIK has earned about Rs 72.4 crores from international markets. In the UAE alone, MNIK is set to become the 4th biggest movie of all time, ahead of Dark Knight, Transformers 2, Spider Man 3, Twilight: New Moon. And that’s the news that warms the cockles of our desi hearts.

At final count, the Middle East distributors expect it to be twice of Fox Searchlight’s global 2008 phenomenon Slumdog Millionaire. “In other Islamic markets too,” says Vijay Singh of Fox, “It continues to grow and has crossed over to non-diaspora audiences. In Indonesia, for example, the film has grown from 6 to 14 screens and has seen a jump of 300 per cent in week three. The film has not just done the highest ever theatrical business for a Bollywood film, it has become a national phenomenon.” Is SRK smiling? Sure. Is Brad Pitt? We truly doubt that.

'MNIK' is the first global Indian film: Karan Johar

In a candid interview with MSN India, Karan Johar discusses Sena- SRK tiff over 'My Name Is Khan', his love for Twitter, upcoming projects and much more.

Q: Do you think Sena-SRK controversy eclipsed the success of 'My Name Is Khan' (MNIK)? Did the controversy in anyway help the box-office collections?

A: No, I don't think controversy had any impact on the film. The film had great audience support. Initially, say for the first three weeks, we did lose out some business in Maharashtra. But I think audience will eventually watch a film for what it is. They would not get swayed by the controversy surrounding it. Big controversies may help some small films, not a Kajol-SRK starrer. Controversy or no controversy, such films command audience. Nevertheless, we are glad to be out of the controversy.

Q: What could have been the possible reason for SRK-Kajol starrer's domestic box office collection confining itself to Rs 90 crores in the first ten days of release?

A: It is an unusual film. What did people expect? It is a completely different film where the lead actor is autistic and has Asperger syndrome. There are no songs or quintessential mainstream comedy in the film. It is a heavy issue-based film that is saying something strong.

A comparison

It being an issue-based film will show up in its final business and will eventually end up as a very strong figure. In fact, the business 'MNIK' has done in India has been one of my highest in the domestic markets. Of course, if you compare it with other films you may feel it has not done well enough. But then, I never set out to make the biggest hit of the Indian cinema. I never sit and make calculations about my film. I am here just to make a credible film that has a strong message and can reach as many eyeballs as possible.

Q: How different was the association with Fox Star Distribution? How did it help 'MNIK'?

A: It was different because we tapped the untapped markets with Fox. Fox Search and 20th Century Fox, with their wide infrastructure, made us creep into the markets that we haven't explored earlier. With them, we have gone into markets in Middle East where no Hindi film has ever been released before. 'MNIK' is also opening theatrically in Poland, Germany and Russia. We might also do a second international cut in North America. All this is happening only because of our association with Fox.

When we got together with Fox, we wanted 'MNIK' to be the first global film India has ever produced. In fact, this is the first Indian film that has turned global. It is not just a film that has been in India only but we have taken Indian cinema across the globe, put it on the world map and made sure that everyone knows that our quality, content and our soul is unusual, different and is fantastic.

Q: How much has the mainstream Indian cinema changed since your debut film?

A: It is totally changed. I was part of the transition phase when we were transiting from the one syntax of cinema to another. The transition had been fantastic. Today, we are proud filmmakers of unusual content. We are dabbling in all kinds of cinema. We have quintessential mainstream entertainers, fun and frolic films with songs and dance, heavy issue-based films, solid parallel ones with great content and have been making our presence felt in international arenas like film festivals.

We are proud filmmakers doing all kinds of work. We have a defiling perception on day-to-day basis and we are still trying to fight the perception of Bollywood which is song, dance, fun and frolic filmmaking which actually we are very far away from today. I think what we do is done by no one else in the world. From 2001 onwards, Bollywood has only seen turning points with the success of films like 'Lagaan', 'Dil Chahta Hai', the 'Munnabhai' series, 'Rang De Basanti', 'Paa', 'Taare Zameen Par' and 'Black'. I mean, we have had so many great films this decade.

Q: What is the next project that you are working on after 'MNIK'?

A: I have no idea. I think having just delivered a baby, that too caesarean, we need to take at least month off. Otherwise, as a producer, we have 'Dostana 2' directed by Tarun Mansukhani. 'I Hate Love Stories' starring Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor is a small exemplary date film and is being directed by Punit Malhotra. We also have official adaptation of 'Stepmom' starring Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal, in tandem with Sony Pictures.

Q: What drives you as a filmmaker?

A: My films are a reflection of my state of mind. As I grow older things will change and it will show on celluloid.

Q: Are you playing godfather to Bollywood's young and upcoming filmmakers?

A: Godfather and me? Oh no! I am just nurturing young talent within my production house so that I can leverage them time and again.

Q: You are seen to be quite active on Twitter and you recently received an award for the same. What gets you hooked to the Twitter?

A: I think it is a great platform to check your delusional level. All of us have delusions in the movie industry because of which we overestimate our position, talents and ourselves and I think Twitter connects you to everyone across the world. It is a great way of making your feet stick firmly on the ground, a great place to get feedback, great place to connect with the people. Also, sometimes it is a nice platform to express oneself. Sometimes you feel it can be therapeutic, sometimes you feel very strongly about something and you don't know what to do. So you put it up there and feel it is out there in the universe and I like that.

Q: Do you think that the certain aura surrounding the film stars can fade off with their overexposure to social networking sites?

A: Aura died a while ago. With a hundred paparazzi and cameras, three thousand media houses and ten thousand interviews prior to the release of the film there is no aura left. Aura died with Dilip Kumar and Madhubala. Now, what we have are stars without aura.

Q: What would Karan Johar say about ---

A: Love: It is a blend of trust, respect and lust.

Friendship: It is trust and respect without lust.

Family: It is forever.

Cinema: It is forever and ever. It is archived, beautiful and is the reason why I exist.

Karan Johar was in Bangalore to attend 'Obsessions and Obligations' commemorative conversations, which celebrated Tehelka's five years of Outstanding Public Interest Journalism. He was a part of the panel to discuss 'Tradition and Modernity: Is our change only skin-deep?'

‘MNIK’ among top 5 box office hits in the Middle East

Shah Rukh Khan starrer “My Name Is Khan” (MNIK) has become the highest Bollywood earner in the Middle East with $3.3. million in collections.

“In other Islamic markets too, it continues to grow and has crossed over to non-diaspora audiences. In Indonesia, for example, the film has grown from six to 14 screens and has seen a jump of 300 percent in week three,” Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios India, said in a statement.

The film is to open in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria March 10.

So far, “MNIK” worldwide earning is about Rs.174.6 crore ($37.5 million) with India contributing Rs.102.2 crore and international markets recording around Rs.72.4 crore.

Directed by Karan Johar, “My Name Is Khan” explores lives in the post-9/11 period in the US. The movie has Shah Rukh playing a man with Asperger's Syndrome and Kajol plays his love interest.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), “MNIK” is now tracking to become the number four movie of all time, competing with Hollywood blockbusters like “The Dark Knight”, “Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen”, “Spider Man 3” and “Twilight: New Moon”.

'M.N.I.K.' continues to dominate overseas box office

Despite two new releases, ‘Teen Patti’ and ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’, ‘My Name Is Khan’ continued to remain the first choice of moviegoers in the key international markets. The combined total from U.K., U.S.A. and Australia, after 17 days, is an incredible [approx.] Rs. 36.22 crores... ‘Karthik Calling Karthik’ is strictly average, ‘Teen Patti’ is a non-starter.

Weekend: February 26 - 28, 2009.

U.K. BOX-OFFICE
MY NAME IS KHAN [last weekend: No. 11, this weekend: No. 15]: In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 1,76,145 on 82 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 2,148. Total: £ 23,07,067 [approx. Rs. 15.88 crores].

KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK has debuted at No. 23 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 61,969 [approx. Rs. 42.66 lacs] on 28 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 2,213.