Shahrukh Khan refuses to be labelled as a marketing guru

Actor Shahrukh Khan has tied up with several brands for the promotion of his mega-budget movieRa.One, but he has refused to be labelled as a 'marketing guru'. He says that the term is completely nonsensical because every actor talks about his film and tries to be innovative to reach out to more people and keep them aware about his film.

Talking to PTI, Shahrukh Khan said, "These terms (like marketing guru) are all nonsensical. I think every actor talks about his films in some or the other way and like them I also do things when my film is about to release. I feel I am no marketing guru." He added, "But I do feel in order to reach out to more people one needs to be innovative so that more and more people can be made aware about your film." 
However, Shahrukh Khan has collaborated with Formula One races, as a part of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. He has also tied up with the brands like Nokia, Godrej Consumer Products, Coca-Cola, Cinthol, Gitanjali Group, Horlicks, McDonalds and others to promote the film Ra.One and its merchandise. On digital front, he has tied up with YouTube, UTV Indiagames, Sony playstation and others.

RA.One: the most awaited film of 2011

On Day One of 2011, we surveyed a cross-section of distributors, exhibitors and trade analysts to arrive at the film that according to them deserves the tag of the most eagerly awaited film of the year. Predictably, it is Shah Rukh Khan’s RA.One, closely followed by Reema Kagti’s suspense thriller with Aamir Khan.

The curiosity surrounding RA.One is attributed to Shah Rukh’s absence from cinemas after My Name Is Khan in February last year and the fact that it’s one of this year’s Diwali releases. Analyst Komal Nahta of Film Information explains, “The film has kept Shah Rukh on his toes. It’s his most ambitious project so far and one of the most expensive films made in Bollywood. Heavy special effects and constant comparison with Robot have heightened expectations.”

Director Kagti’s second film has become the talk of the town because Aamir, apart from playing the lead, is also co-producing it. Suniel SRKWadhwa, a distributor from the Central Province, believes that the actor’s entry in the suspense thriller genre has added to the trade’s eagerness for the release of the project. “He has a reputation of delivering bigger hits in successive years. So, we’re keeping our fingers crossed,” he adds.

Power of 2

For the Khans, it’s also a year of two films each: RA.One and Don 2 for Shah Rukh, Bodyguard and Ready for Salman, and Dhobi Ghat and Kagti’s next for Aamir. Distributor Sanjay Mehta from Delhi believes that the Don sequel will be intriguing to watch because of its location and the fact that Don with Shah Rukh was a remake of the 1970s hit. “I’m also curious about Agneepath and Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara with Hrithik Roshan. They should be worth the wait too.”

Saif Ali Khan, apart from Agent Vinod, will start filming Aarakshan; Imran Khan will be seen in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and Short Term Shaadi; Akshay Kumar has his hopes pinned on Patiala House, Thank You and Desi Boyz; and Abhishek Bachchan is praying for either Game, Dum Maaro Dum or Players to put an end to his run of flops. Trade pundit Amod Mehra asserts that 2011 is poised to be the ‘biggest year’ for the industry because “at least Rs 2,000 crore is riding on ‘big ticket’ films, of which about Rs 400 crore is riding on Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh’s films alone.”

Sanjay Ghai of Mukta Arts feels that Salman’s Ready will be lapped up with an increased hype closer to its release in May. “Salman also has Bodyguard which releases close to Eid. I’m quite hopeful that it could repeat the Dabangg success for him,” he adds.

The business brains in our survey agreed that the best has been saved for the second half of the year, as always. In the meantime, viewers have No One Killed Jessica, Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, 7 Khoon Maaf, Delhi Belly and Players to choose from.

From the perspective of box office collections, Ashish Saxena of Big Cinemas states that after a lot of films crossed the Rs 50 crore mark last year, the expected stakes and returns on RA.One, Don 2, Ready, Bodyguard, Agneepath and Agent Vinod, to name a few, are higher this year: “We hope to do a lot better this year with a fleet of promising films from leading actors.”

My Name Is Khan might go to the Oscars

The Oscars list for 2011 might just feature a certain Mr Johar on it. My Name Is Khan, starring Kajol and SRK, and directed by Karan Johar has made it to the reminder list of movies eligible for this year's Academy Awards, joining box office heavyweights Inception, Iron Man 2 and Black Swan.

Karan said, "MNIK started off as a movement and it's heartening to hear that today it's in the broad list of films eligible to be in the running in all categories. I am deeply honoured that MNIK has that kind of acceptance level on a global platform and it's the only Indian film to enter this list. Whether it will be selected or not depends on many factors including luck but it's wonderful to know that people all over the world have loved MNIK so much that they felt it should be eligible enough to be an entry."

While it may be early days yet to predict a repeat of the Slumdog phenomenon for India's highest grossing movie overseas, the Oscar buzz around politically charged romance My Name Is Khan is enough to make Bollywood proud.

"'Ra. One' is the best Indian action film ever" - Karan Johar

For someone who has never fell shy of acknowledging the films of his peers, contemporaries and even rivals, especially so in the last couple of years, Karan takes no time in gushing about buddy Shah Rukh Khan's superhero high adrenalin action thriller - 'Ra.One'.

"I have seen one hour of the film and mark my words, this is the best Indian action film ever made. Period," Karan is all praise for Anubhav Sinha, the man who has made action films like 'Cash' and 'Dus' in the past, "The film totally blows you away. Anubhav has done such a superb job and based on what I have seen of his work, he would certainly go a long way from here. In fact I have no qualms in admitting that after 'Ra.One', he would be hailed as the best ever action film director that Bollywood has today."

If Anubhav Sinha is reading this, it would be understandable if he feels flattered with the compliments. Also, he can afford to breathe easy with the turnaround of events, what with one of the biggest entertainers in the industry hailing his talent even as the film is close to a year away from the release.

Shahrukh Khan as a baddie

Hot buzz is making rounds in the industry that Shahrukh Khan will play the bad guy in Hrithik Roshan starrer ‘Krrish 2’.

The two screen icons shared screens in ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’ and Khan has good rapport with Rakesh Roshan for working in his films before. Both the families bond well in personal front and, sources said, it was but natural for Roshan Sr to etch a role in his son's flick for SRK as well.

Already Shahrukh is playing a grey shade in his forthcoming ‘Don 2’ and with ‘Krrish 2’ the star is completely stepping into villain’s character.

The sources also shared that Roshans have already informed Khan of about having him in their project while he has told them that he can be available only after the release of his production ‘Ra.One’.

However, Rakesh Roshan is maintaining that he is yet to finalise the cast for ‘Krrish 2’ and they are still working on its script. Let’s wait to see what happens next……

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev meets Shahrukh Khan

The likes of a Russian president and a world famous magician were spotted hobnobbing with the stars on the sets of RA.One

Lately the unit of Shah Rukh Khan's much awaited next RA.One seems to have a lot of high profile visitors

On Wednesday evening, the Russian President, Dmitri Medvedev, who is in town on a political visit, dropped by on the sets of the film. Medvedev wanted to meet SRK and Kareena Kapoor, the grand daughter of the legendary actor Raj Kapoor.

It may be recalled that the legendary actor Raj Kapoor is the most popular Bollywood actor in Russia till date. Shree 420 and Awaara were big hits in Russia and songs from the films can still be heard in restaurants in and around Moscow.

A reliable source reveals, "The president was very keen to meet Shah Rukh Khan. Since he is a huge fan of Raj Kapoor, he also expressed his desire to meet the two grandchildren of Raj Kapoor Kareena and Ranbir. He couldn't meet Ranbir since the actor is shooting in Delhi for Rockstar, but he did catch up with Kareena and SRK while they were shooting a song sequence at the Yash Raj studios. The President saw one shot, chatted with the stars and left."

A while ago the world's best magician, Franz Harary, who made the Taj Mahal disappear years ago, was in B town. Since he was in Bombay he was very keen to see a Bollywood film shoot.

The huge Shah Rukh Khan fan dropped on the sets of RA.One to meet the star. The director of the film, Anubhav Sinha remained tight lipped about the president's visit. However he talked about his interesting encounter with the magician.

Anubhav recollects, "I was taken in by surprise to have the world's best magician on our film sets. He is a huge Shah Rukh fan. He hung around on the sets for an hour and entertained the unit. It was great fun."

SRK and Kareena remained unavailable for comments.

Shahrukh Khan signs ‘Two States’ adaptation

Chetan Bhagat’s another celebrated book is going to be made into a film. His recent novel Two States will be adapted for a romantic film to be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj with Shahrukh Khan in the main lead.

Yes, you are reading it right. SRK and Vishal together for the first time and guess who is producing it, SRK’s friend-turned-foe Salman Khan’s good buddy Sajid Nadiadwala. SRK has not been seen in a romantic film after Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and his female fans across the world were waiting for news like this.

To adapt Two States was always in the pipeline for Sajid Nadiadwala; earlier it was planned that the movie will have Priyanka Chopra and Saif Ali Khan and will be directed by Siddharth Anand. May be the producer was in two minds as Siddharth’s last release Anjaana Anjaani was a dud at the box office.

For those who haven’t read the novel: it is about a boy and a girl studying in an elite MBA college. The guy is from Punjab and falls in love with the girl who belongs to Tamil Nadu. Naturally, the two have problems getting married as they belong to two extreme different cultures. It’s Chetan’s own love story; his wife Anushka is a South Indian.

Sajid has bought the rights for its adaptation. SRK has heard the script and he has ‘loved’ it. Who will be cast opposite SRK? There will be a new girl.

SRK too features in WikiLeaks!

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and the threat by the Shiv Sena to ban screenings of his film My Name is Khan found mention in a US embassy cable that was leaked by WikiLeaks.

My Name is Khan is a 2010 movie made by Karan Johar in which Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol played the

lead roles.

"The Shiv Sena had threatened to ban screenings of Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming movie, My Name is Khan, because Shah Rukh Khan publicly lamented the absence of Pakistani cricket players in India's professional cricket league for the coming season," says the cable dated Feb 22, 2010.

The cable posted in the Guardian newspaper said that Shiv Sena goons burnt posters of the movie and protested in front of his home, asking Khan to "move to Pakistan".

"Khan himself did not bid on any Pakistani players as co-owner of one of the frachises," it said.

While some theatre owners refrained from screening the film on its opening day due to security concerns, "a show of force by the police convinced theatres to roll out a full release" the next day.

"With protests and controversy generating far more international buzz than the typical Bollywood movie, Khan's new movie opened to packed audiences in Mumbai and elsewhere," it added.

SRK highly impressed by Akon

Shah Rukh Khan is a self-confessed fan of Akon's music. Now that they have jammed together for a song in Ra.One the two have become so close that Akon has promised to give Shah Rukh some tips on "cool rapping" in exchange for Hindi lessons from Shah Rukh.

R& B singer Akon has sung in Hindi for a track in Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One. Initially it was meant to be only a smattering of words in Hindi. Now there are passages of Hindi by Akon. The absence of an accent in his singing of the Hindi words in the track took Shah Rukh Khan so much by surprise that he decided to add some more Hindi words and lines into Akon's song in Ra.One.

Confirming this, composer Shekhar Ravjiani speaking on behalf of the duo Vishal-Shekhar who have composed the Akon track, says, "Akon's Hindi took all of us by surprise. It was almost like he had been speaking the language all his life. No one could believe Akon was seeing those Hindi lines for the first time. He just rattled of the lines as if he was conversant with Hindi. When you hear the song you will see no difference in the singing quality of Akon's English and Hindi lines."

Ra.One is expected to have 10 tracks. Vishal-Shekhar are in the process of creating the soundtrack.

Says Shekhar, "The director Anubhav Sinha has such a keen ear for music. He understands ragas, rhythm, melody and the format of music composition. Shah Rukh too is very clued to world music. We are creating the kind of global sound in Ra.One which has never been heard in Indian cinema before."

Shahrukh flaunts his six packs again

When Shahrukh Khan flaunted his six packs for the first time in ‘Om Shanti Om’, he has impressed one and all and it hit the gossip columns. King Khan is again back with his six packs and this time for his much anticipated and highly sci-fic ‘Ra. One’. For the film, he in one the way to grow six packs.

Speaking about his new avatar, King Khan said, "I am not going shirtless but yeah I have got my three packs back and certainly working on getting three more soon. We are presently shooting the song in Filmistan Studios".

His co-stars Shahana Goswami and Kareena Kapoor are full of praises for the actor. This time he will be choreographed by Ganesh Hedge and not by his best friend Farah Khan.

Shahrukh in China

Karan Johar's My Name is Khan is the first Bollywood film to release in China in the last three decades.

And the only reason why this happened is because of Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan's immense popularity in that country. Everyone knows that despite the changing scenario in the home market, SRK continues to remain Bollywood's biggest export. His draw in countries like UK, Germany, parts of Europe, China and the entire Far East is still bigger than that of any other Bollywood actor.

MNIK also has successfully managed the deferred release experiment. Starting February 2010 to December 2010 this film has found markets for itself around the world, paving the way for others from Bollywood.

Malaysia Truly Asia´s Langkawi & Genting Miss SRK´s ´Don 2´

'Don: The Chase Begins Again', directed by Farhan Akhtar and starring Shah Rukh Khan was extensively shot in Malaysia, popularly known as Truly Asia!

In fact, eighty percent of the movie was shot in Malaysia, and was filmed around the tropical Langkawi island as well as the Petronas Twin Towers and the Jalan Masjid India area, which is the 'little India' of Kuala Lumpur. Not only that the well known Genting Highlands too featured in the proceeding.

It was expected that the sequel to the film, 'Don 2' would also feature the South East Asian country. But as things stand today, 'Don 2' is being extensively shot in Berlin and from there it will move to other locales of Europe.

The people of Malaysia, who also conferred an honorary doctorate on King Khan in 2008 (and he became Datuk Shahrukh Khan), are hoping that the unit comes to Malaysia once again, may be just for a few shots.

Well, are Farhan and Shah Rukh Khan listening?

Shahrukh's Ra.One is cynosure of all eyes

Ra.One seems to be the most awaited film. Going by the discussions on the film, even though Shahrukh Khan is yet to release the first look of his home-production, it is evident that viewers across the globe are awaiting this SRK film for more reasons than one. The discussions across message boards/forums pertain to varied topics, right from the special effects to SRK's look in the film to the release date of this keenly-anticipated movie.

Initially slated for release in June 2011, it is speculated that the film will now release in the second half of 2011, although the producers are yet to finalize a date. That's because the VFX will take time to achieve the desired results. In fact, Anubhav's tweet says it all: "The VFx team and I are still figuring when we can deliver the film. Then my friends, The Producer will announce the date. But soon now..."

The question is, with Don 2 slated for release in December 2011, will Ra.One arrive a few months earlier or a few months later? After all, there has to be a sufficient gap between two biggies starring the same actor. Even the launch of the promos should be planned accordingly, so that they don't overlap each other.

With Rajinikant's Robot setting the standards, one expects Ra.One to go a step forward vis-à-vis the special effects and woo the audiences across the globe. And knowing SRK and his penchant for perfection, one is more than sure that Ra.One will turn out to be a visual delight, at par with the Hollywood counterparts.

Shahrukh the first James Bond of India

Action is the mantra for Shahrukh Khan, this season. The Bollywood actor seems to be in love with the genre at present. Though the audience is more used to watching the King Khan in romantic roles, SRK is all set to set screens on fire with action in his upcoming releases Don 2 and Ra.One. One look at the actor’s newly acquired lean structure is enough to confirm the fact that he has been sweating it out to become the first James Bond of India.

First of the two action films featuring Shahrukh Khan in the lead is Farhan Akhtar’s Don 2. While the director had already improved on the older version of Don, he plans to make the sequel even more stylish and action-packed. And it is for this reason that Farhan Akhtar is taking a leaf out of the books of Hollywood action hero James Bond. The crew of the film is presently shooting in the German capital Berlin and it has been reported that while a body double will be used for the extreme sequences, SRK himself will perform some of the stunts shown in the film. In fact the actor has also had an accident while performing the acts in Berlin.

Following the Don 2 act is Ra.One, for which Shahrukh Khan will have to perform more stunts considering that he will play a superhero in the movie. Ra.One is being touted as one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by the actor in his flourishing career. Action or no action, we love Shahrukh and will be waiting for his films to hit theaters.

SRK’s special Diwali offer in 2011

A King is always the King and rightly so the ruler sets standards and the pupils follow. Bollywood Badshaah Shahrukh Khan is gung ho to see that his dream project ‘Ra.One’ leaves no stone unturned in Bollywood super hero sci-fi genre.

With ‘Robot’ setting new standards in Bollywood sci-fi, SRK wants his ‘Ra.One’ to surpass all expectations.

The movie which was supposed to be released by mid of 2011 has been sifted till Diwali because the SFX won’t be complete by then.

Shahrukh wants to ensure the best effects for his fans and is ready to go to any length to achieve his goal.

According to close hands, ‘Ra One’ will have the best effects which money can buy.

So all of you fans can wait till Diwali and can ignore the hassle of buying crackers next year because the Badshaah is all set to blast his way into your Diwali plans to make it more and more enjoyable.

Next Step In Hindi Cinema Will Be Technology And Effects: Shahrukh Khan - RA.ONE - Sci-Fi Indian Film

In a new behind-the-scenes shooting video of upcoming Hindi sci-fi fantasy RA.ONE starring SRK - Kareena Kapoor, Shahrukh Khan indicates the next step in Indian Cinema will be technology and effects. He thoughtfully adds "if I can manage it".

Other than SRK and Kareena, Veteran actor Dalip Tahil, who is mainly remembered for his villainous roles in Bollywood films, is playing the owner of a game programming company in Shah Rukh Khan starrer sci-fi movie Ra. One.

Filmfare award winner Khan reportedly plays a Miami software engineer Shekhar, who as a video-game hero takes on his self-created techno-monster Ra.One. Filmfare winner Kareena Kapoor (Jab We Met) will play female lead. Most of the shooting crews will be reportedly brought from India but extras required will be from the area, according to reports.

Watch the newly surfaced backstage video from RA.ONE

Shahrukh Khan: Special Agent or spy in Don 2?

Shahrukh Khan the star who is well known as Baadshah or King of Bollywood is certainly akin to doing a role certifying to that designation after all, he did portray the role of a spy in the movie Baadshah which was quite well appreciated by the audiences. So what is he going to be in the forth coming film Don 2 ,a special agent or spy?

However after playing a gang leader in the Farhan Akhtar film Don, this star is reportedly going to play a totally different character in the sequel Don 2.

Coming to think of it, the title suggests Don 2 and his character is touted to be quite different from Don and it is going to be a positive character, so the question that comes to mind is that is SRK going to play the role of a special Agent or a special spy in Don 2?

That would also mean that SRK was going to be an agent working for a reputed institution like the government. This could also mean that he could be working to give service to society and mankind as he works as a secret agent- whoosh! All this only seemingly adds up to the fact that Shahrukh Khan just might be stepping into the shoes of a 007 James Bond like character!

Wow! If this is true then Shahrukh’s fans are going to have a great time watching their favorite star cracking on the hideouts of scrupulous people and getting them to the law enforcement team.

Besides all this the movie is going to be a sleek, stylish and highly sophisticated amalgamation of action comedy and wit. So wait all you SRK fans your favorite star is about to surprise you in the coming year!

Shahrukh Khan with German flag

 

 

Shahrukh Khan has been shooting Farhan Akhtar’s film Don 2 in Berlin for about a month now. Since the time he began filming, the superstar has been showered with adulation of fans in the German capital.

Earlier in a press conference, SRK had revealed how much he loves coming to Berlin where even the Germans have begun to recognize him well. We came across a few stills of the superstar meeting his German fans in Berlin. He was carrying a German flag as well.

Don 2 to have fight sequel between Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan

Don 2 produced by Farhan Akhtar and after ten years he is bringing together two very popular and loved bollywood actors of the 21st century, Shah Rukh khan and Hrithik Roshan. After their last film ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’, both the stars were busy in their respective career and didn’t share the screen together for ten years.

Although in Don 2 also Hrithik is doing only a cameo role, however audiences are psyched to see both the megastars together. The detail of Hrithik’s role is not yet known as the director is keeping that under

tight wraps. When asked, Hrithik said that he was doing it for a friend and he is very happy with his part.

Sources said the film would have an interesting highlight, a fight sequel between Hrithik Roshan and Shahrukh Khan. To shoot the sequel Hrithik flew to Berlin and celebrated Shah Ruk’s birthday.

On his birthday although SRK was missing Karan Johar, his biggest buddy, who was ill but he had family and friends to celebrate it with. He even said that it was the best birthday he has had so far. Hrithik organized the whole thing and threw a huge birthday bash for Shahrukh Khan.

Shahrukh Khan gaining muscle!

Shahrukh Khan will see little slim in his home production Ra One. But the King Khan is now busy with his fitness expert Prashant Sawant. Shahrukh Khan is gaining muscle for Don 2. Prashant Sawant had train King Khan to build his six packs in Om Shanti Om. Not only Shahrukh Khan the trainer is also busy to fit Boman Irani too for Don2.

One source said: “SRK's role in Don 2 requires him to not just be fit but to have a tough, athletic and lean body -- something that can help him do high-intensity stunt sequences effortlessly. Prashant Sawant, his trainer of 10 years, is helping him achieve that. For over a month now, the actor has been undergoing extensive weight training along with a high-protein diet that helps build muscle mass.”