Om Shanti Om get ten nomination for 53 Filmfare awards

Nomination of 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards

* Best Film
* Best Director - Farah Khan
* Best Actor - Shahrukh Khan
* Best Actress - Deepika Padukone
* Best Actor in a Supporting Role(Male) - Shreyas Talpade
* Best Music - Vishal-Shekhar
* Best Lyrics - Javed Akhtar…Main Agar Kahoon (Om Shanti Om)
* Best Lyrics - Vishal Dadlani…Aankhon Mein Teri (Om Shanti Om)
* Best Playback Singer (Male) - K K…Aankhon Mein Teri (Om Shanti Om)
* Best Playback Singer (Male) - Sonu Nigam…Main Agar Kahoon (Om Shanti Om)

See full Details of Nomination of 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards

SRK to Lecture at Berlin Film Fest

The Berlin Film Festival has completed the lineup for its main section with the addition of three out-of-competition and five competish titles.

The festival has also unveiled 11 pics for its Berlinale Special sidebar.

Guests presenting their films in the section include Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who will attend the screening of “Om Shanti Om,” as well as giving a lecture at the Berlinale Talent Campus.

Following are the films that will feature in the BERLINALE SPECIAL :

“1000 Journals,” Andrea Kreuzhage (U.S.)

“Auge in Auge — eine deutsche Filmgeschichte” (Eye to Eye — All About German Film…), Hans Helmut Prinzler, Michael Althen (Germany) (world premiere)

“CSNY Deja vu,” Bernard Shakey a.k.a. Neil Young (U.S.)

“El pollo, el pez y el cangrejo real” (The Chicken, the Fish and the King Crab), Jose Luis Lopez Linares (Spain) (world premiere)

“Himlens hjarta” (Heaven's Heart), Simon Staho (Sweden/Denmark) (world premiere) with Mikael Persbrandt, Lena Endre, Jakob Eklund and Maria Lundquist

“Nerakhoon” (Betrayal), Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath (U.S.)

“Om Shanti Om,” Farah Khan (India/U.K.) with Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Shreyas Talpade

“Plus tard tu comprendras,” Amos Gitai (France/Germany) (world premiere) with Jeanne Moreau, Dominique Blanc and Hippolite Girardot

“Steal a Pencil for Me,” Michele Ohayon (U.S.) with Jean-Pierre Gillian, Jack Polak and Ina Soep

“Trip to Asia. Die Suche nach dem Einklang” (Trip to Asia. The Quest for Harmony), Thomas Grube (Germany) (world premiere) featuring Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

“Wine and Cupcakes,” Bruce Weber (U.S.)

V-International - Variety.com

Om Shanti Om complete 50 days

While OM SHANTI OM has already achieved the BLOCKBUSTER status at the box office, it would also be completing a super successful 50 days run at theaters across the country today.

The film has already crossed 85 crores mark at the box office and looks set to add on some more moolah to it's overall collections in weeks to follow. In the meantime, work is already on in full swing to get the DVDs of the film out on stands in international and national market.

If initial indications are anything to go by, the film's DVDs too are supposed to be extraordinary with ton loads of special features being added to give that extra edge into home entertainment media.

Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

The Making of Om Shanti Om : Book Review

I did so myself! The moment one flips through the pages and greedily tastes a sound byte here, a picture there and a quick read somewhere in the middle of the book, you know that it would be hard not to enjoy reading the book. The expectations level are at an all time high in these few minutes itself; something which is akin to watching a full length theatrical promo of a big Bollywood blockbuster film and anticipating it's arrival on the big screen soon!

Thankfully, all the high expectations are met in totality, hence making it truly a collector's delight which can be find a place in your book shelf at least for one lifetime. No pun intended!

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Om Shanti Om is the biggest opening week grosser in history of Indian cinema

The film opened to rave reviews and advance bookings on the 9th November and has since grossed over US$19mn worldwide in its first week making it the most successful opening in Indian cinema history.

Eros International, the leading integrated company within the Indian media & entertainment sector announces an unprecedented opening of Shah Rukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om, produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and directed by Farah Khan. The film opened to rave reviews and advance bookings on the 9th November and has since grossed over US$19mn worldwide in its first week making it the most successful opening in Indian cinema history.

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The Making of Om Shanti Om Book will be Launced in Mumbai Today

"I feel every day with Shah Rukh is a discovery," says the screenplay writer of Om Shanti Om, Mushtaq Shiekh whose book ‘Making of Om Shanti Om’ will be launched amidst grand fanfare in Mumbai today.

Having known SRK for the last 12 years as a journalist, friend, biographer (his book ‘Still Reading Khan’ is a detailed account of Khan’s personality and life) and now as a close associate, Shiekh feels, "if Shah Rukh trusts, then he trusts completely." Shiekh has earlier written ‘Asoka the Book’ and ‘Devdas-The Indian Hamlet’ besides penning several top telly soaps.

Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om is busy tickling a sense of déjà vu amongst audiences worldwide. This ode to seventies embellished with colors of life and rocking superstar six pack abs has had a pied piper effect. How have you tried to chronicle such a film as this? "Those who’ve liked OSO will like the book. There are lots of glamorous photographs taken by a German photographer Jochen Mang. There are a lot of on location shots, candid shots. It’s a very in your face book. There’s a circus happening, Bollywood ishtyle. It’s a handy book. It is not as heavy as ‘Still Reading Khan’. You can take it to bed," says Shiekh.

They who may be unaware, Mushtaq played a cameo in OSO as the street urchin who gives ‘Om Makhija’ (name of SRK’s character in OSO) a piece of his mind. Also you couldn’t have missed him dancing-n-sauntering his way into the camera as the end credits rolled in. “I’ve got an unbelievable response for my cameo. Rekhaji said I was sensational. After this I can retire as an actor,” Mushtaq chuckles. What according to you is the reason for the tremendous success of Om Shanti Om? “I think it’s the magic of unadulterated entertainment. If it puts pudding on your face, it says so. It has an unapologetic outlook. Full blown entertainment never fails.”

The audience response was expected, but were you guys anticipating fantastic reviews from cinema critics? “I have always said why make a critic to be an alien. OSO just proves how cinematic brilliance can be appreciated both by the audience as well as the critics,” Shiekh signs off.

‘The Making of Om Shanti Om’ has been published by Om Books International and is priced at Rs 695/- It will be formally launched at a gala event with the OSO team celebrating in style. It goes without saying that the who’s who of Bollywood would be present at Badshah’s Bash. Do check out the exclusive video and images from this happening event tomorrow on IndiaFM.

IndiaFM

Om Shnati Om Continues its Blockbuster Overseas Run

Farah Khan's OM SHANTI OM continues its record-breaking overseas run, even during the second weekend.

After resetting the first weekend Bollywood record in the US, the film moves on to an astonishing $2,892,773 in just ten days and is now certain to dethrone the top grosser KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA's (2006) $3,275,444. Interesting to note that both the movies have one thing in common, Shah Rukh Khan.

Moving on to UK, OM SHANTI OM is now the top UK grosser of 2007, with $1,997,013. It has moved past the previous record holder, NAMASTEY LONDON's $1,730,000 (approx).

The movie that released with OM SHANTI OM, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ranbir, Sonam, Salman (special appearance) and Rani starrer SAAWARIYA is now way behind, mainly due to a heavy fall in collections. SAAWARIYA has so far grossed $805,054 in the US and $554,271 in the UK.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

Saawariya team to attend the Om Shanti Om Book Launch Party tonight

After the success of Om Shanti Om, the film’s cast and crew will be present to launch a book, The making of Om Shanti Om tonight.

The book launch will be followed by a party to celebrate the film’s success. Interestingly, Farah Khan has also invited the entire cast and crew of Saawariya. Given the fact that Saawariya clashed with OSO at the box office, it remains to be seen if Team Saawariya will attend the event.

Mushtaq Sheikh, the co-writer of OSO and also the book says, “I have called all my friends. I want them all to be a part of my celebrations.”

Team Saawariya
When asked that there are reports that he has also called the entire Saawariya team, he refused to confirm the news.

However, a source says, “They have surely invited the Saawariya team. Despite rumours that things are not so well between SRK and Bhansali, the actor has always mentioned that Bhansali has given him one of his biggest hits, Devdas. However, it will be interesting to see if Bhansali comes to the event.”

MumbaiMirror.com

OSO Enters Record Books Netting Over 40-crores

The first week results of the 'Diwali' battle are out, and it is game, set and match to Farah Khan's OM SHANTI OM. During its astonishing seven day record-breaking run in India, the Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Shreyas Talpade and Arjun Rampal starrer netted over 40-crores.

OM SHANTI OM has broken many individual records, including that for Bombay. In the process, OM SHANTI OM has set a new first week record in India, surpassing the 35-crores netted by the Hrithik, Aishwarya and Abhishek starrer, the 2006 blockbuster DHOOM:2 ( in its first week).

While on the other 'Diwali' release, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ranbir, Sonam, Salman (special appearance) and Rani starrer, SAAWARIYA, the movie also performed creditably, netting around 20-crores, thanks to its good weekend run.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

Around the World Box Office Roundup

It was the first time this year an Indian movie, the romantic action drama Om Shanti Om led the foreign box office.

As the rest of the world saw the box office sag before the holiday movies hit full swing, India awoke and supplied the globe's two top grossers for the weekend.

The second most populous nation celebrated Deepavali (or the Hindu Festival of Light) over the weekend, which sent most people to the cinemas.

The romantic action drama Om Shanti Om led the way with $18.2 million from 17 markets. It was the first time this year an Indian movie led the foreign box office. The picture tabulated an estimated $15.5 million in its native land while also grabbing $1.1 million from just 52 screens in the United Kingdom.

In second place was the musical Saawariya, which made $13.3 million over the weekend from 12 territories, with $12.4 million of that coming from India alone.

In third place, Lions for Lambs grabbed $10.3 million from a near worldwide launch. While failing to top the charts in nearly all of its markets, the war drama mustered a decent collective opening that was relatively better than its American debut, but suggested a sub-$50 million finish. In Australia, it nabbed a second-place $840,740 from 248 screens and ranked sixth in Germany ($1 million from 300 screens) and the U.K. ($1.4 million from 404 screens).

Conor Bresnan, BoxOfficeMojo.com

SRK + Diwali + Big hype = Big bucks!

The volume of business that the two films -- Om Shanti Om and Saawariya -- did from Friday to Sunday clearly indicates that the market has grown [and continues to grow] manifold.

The booty amassed by Om Shanti Om especially proves that SRK + Diwali + big hype = big bucks!

But once the initial hype settles down, it's the content that does the talking. Let's look at what the actual scenario is, as on this date…

Om Shanti Om opened to huge numbers. The first weekend was incredible and post-Monday, it continues to gross 75%-85% collections. Now that's an achievement! In today's times, the actual examination begins on Monday. A fabulous start for a film that has been released with excessive prints is akin to winning half the battle, but if the film maintains the pace [40%-50% +] on weekdays [Monday to Thursday], it indicates that the film is on its way to become a big grosser.

A section of the industry was of the opinion that Om Shanti Om might totter from Monday onwards, given the fact that too many prints were in circulation to encash on the Diwali vacations, but Om Shanti Om continued its glorious ride on Monday [85% +], Tuesday [75% +] and Wednesday [70% +].

The guessing game has begun. Will Mumbai cross 15? Or 17? [distributor’s overall share]. Will Delhi-UP be 10? Or 12? Or 14? What about Overseas? What will the theatrical as well as non-theatrical revenue be? It’s a tad too early to jump at figures, but one thing is crystal clear -- Om Shanti Om ranks amongst SRK’s biggest hits. The figures corroborate that, don’t they?

The Lullas of Eros, who acquired the rights for a phenomenal amount, haven't stopped laughing ever since Om Shanti Om released. Their confidence in the film paid off and how!

Now let's look at Saawariya. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a brand and coupled with the fact that it stars two star-kids and was timed during Diwali, the opening numbers were truly impressive at most places. But the reports being negative went against the film. The reactions of cinegoers on all prominent TV channels on Friday were an eye-opener. I've to admit, the common man is a much harsher critic than most critics these days.

And the cracks started showing as days progressed. While the first weekend numbers were generally good, the film fell from Monday onwards. Not just at single screens, but also at multiplexes. In fact, the negative word of mouth reflected in the box-office collections as even multiplexes came down to 20%-30% collections on weekdays. Now that's quite a fall!

SLB is going around town bad-mouthing the media for the negative reviews his film has garnered. SLB is truly a genius, a great film-maker [I maintain that, despite his caustic comments against me in a leading daily], but I'd request him to visit any movie hall close to his residence/office and check the occupancy himself.

Also, if you cannot face the heat, don't enter the kitchen. In today's times, from a car that hits the roads to a toothpaste that's launched to a dosa in a dining place -- everything gets reviewed in newspapers/TV channels/Internet.

Saawariya is the creation of a master film-maker and was bound to be scrutinized by the media. So why this hullabaloo?

Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM

Shah Rukh Khan beats Tom Cruise

Shah Rukh Khan and writer-director Farah Khan exceeded the wildest forecasts as they not only beat the Tom Cruise, Robert Redford and Meryl Streep starring political drama Lions for Lambs over the weekend outside America but also propelled their Om Shanti Om into world movie history.

The film grossed a mighty $17 million gross in India and an estimated $4 million in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the UAE. Ken Naz, who runs distribution company Eros International in North America, called the phenomenon a high watermark for Indian movie industry.

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Om Shanti Om is Better than Saawariya at US Box Office

Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan’s reincarnation-based film Om Shanti Om handily beat Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya featuring debutantes Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor at the U.S. box office for the November 9-11 opening weekend.

According to preliminary U.S. box office numbers, Om Shanti Om came in at a respectable No-14 with a weekend gross collection of $1.5 million. Eros Entertainment distributed Om Shanti Om.

Based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novella White Nights, Saawariya was way behind at No-23 and a weekend gross of $600,000. Saawariya was produced and distributed by Sony Pictures.

Om Shanti Om was released in 114 theaters in the U.S. compared to 85 for Saawariya.

For Shahrukh Khan, the performance of Om Shanti Om at the U.S. box office during its opening weekend must come as welcome relief since his previous film Chak De India fared badly in its opening weekend (August 10-12, 2007) coming in at No-20 and grossing only $351,887.

Om Shanti Om also did a bit better than Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, which came in at No-17 and grossed $1.35 million in its opening weekend (Aug 11-13, 2006).

Saawariya was the better picture but the people have spoken with their wallets at the box office. And their verdict was clear - more desis in the U.S. preferred to watch Om Shanti Om than Saawariya during the Diwali weekend.

Eros’ well-oiled publicity machine must have also helped Om Shanti Om to do well. Other Bollywood producers urgently need to pay attention to strong public relations if they want to see their movies do well at the box office.

Om Shanti Om' Outroars 'Lions for Lambs' Overseas

Bollywood stole the spotlight from Tom Cruise's "Lions for Lambs" at the international box office over the weekend, with a pair of socko launches for Shah Rukh Khan's "Om Shanti Om" and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Saawariya."

"Lions for Lambs" launched with a $10.3 million take from 2,681 playdates in 45 foreign markets -- but that number was easily topped by "Om Shanti Om" and "Saawariya," both of which bowed in India taking advantage of the Diwali holiday.

Eros Intl.'s "Om Shanti Om," a tribute to the 1970s era in Bollywood, took in roughly $17 million in India while Sony's musical-romance "Saawariya" finished with $14.4 million at 754.

"Om Shanti Om" also took in $1.5 million at 114 the United States while "Saawariya" generated $600,000 in the U.S., $340,000 in the U.K. and $100,000 in Australia.

The stunning numbers for both pics comes two months after Sony pacted with Eros -- the leading Indian movie group -- for a multipicture production and distribution deal that encompasses six to eight movies in the first year of the agreement (Daily Variety, Sept. 19).

Dave McNary, Variety.com

'Om Shanti Om' beats 'Saawariya' at the box office

NEW DELHI: The audience verdict is out. The box office seems to favour Shah Rukh Khan's " Om Shanti Om " in comparison to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-touted magnum opus " Saawariya ".

While King Khan's film registered 90 percent occupancy across the country on its Diwali release, Bhansali's love story managed 60 percent.

" Om Shanti Om " is director Farah Khan's tribute to the colourful and vibrant cinemas of the 70s and it has Shah Rukh is a new avatar, going shirtless and displaying his six-pack abs, while Bhansali's film is a mystical love story set in Shimla and introduces new faces.

According to Vishal Kapur, COO of Fun Cinemas, the Shah Rukh film has generated a lot of repeat audience interest in comparison to " Saawariya ".

"Among our 15 cineplexes across the country, the bigger ones did a business of at least Rs.500,000 and smaller ones Rs.150,000 on Friday. ' Saawariya ' churned out Rs.350,000 at the big centres, while at the smaller ones it could only manage to collect Rs.78,000," Kapur told IANS.

Kapur feels that " Om Shanti Om " could prove an even bigger Shah Rukh hit than his last " Chak De! India ".

"It could do better than 'Chak De! ' which picked up after the positive reviews. However, 'Om Shanti Om ' had a great opening. I am a little doubtful about ' Saawariya '," said Kapur.

The audience response can be gauged from Anirban Basu, a movie buff who saw both the films. " 'Om Shanti Om' is much more entertaining than 'Saawariya' . SRK's film has a perfect blend of comedy and drama while Bhansali's film is stale and boring. It is extremely slow. Apart from the lavish sets there is nothing in the film to hold the audiences' interest."

The difference of how well both the films would do in the coming days is also evident from the advance bookings.

"For Saturday, 50 percent of advance booking has been done for 'Om Shanti Om' while for 'Saawariya' it is just a little over 20 percent," said Ashok Bisht, assistant manager of JAM multiplex, Noida.

With both the films in tough competition, the weekend will prove boom time for the multiplexes across the country.

"With two big films releasing the same day, this weekend will prove to be a big money spinner for all multiplexes. However, we have noticed a new trend among some viewers - they want to watch both films," said Gautam Dutt, chief marketing officer of PVR Cinema.

Economic Times

OSO Draws a Historic Box Office Opening Worldwide

Om Shanti Om has opened to an earth shattering 95-100% response smashing records all over.

The film was released on around 600 single screens and set new first day highs on nearly 500 of these 600 screens. The multiplexes saw near 100% collections but the grosses are not as high as last year biggies as it only managed to get 8-10-12 shows as against the 14-16-18 that other biggies have managed. This was due to the clash with Saawariya which took up a similar amount of screens at multiplexes.

The reports are very positive from all parts of the country and the film will become a huge all India hit. The opening day in Delhi/UP, East Punjab, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Mysore was humungous as single screens went over capacity at places. The first week should see may more records being crushed.

In Overseas the film managed to collect around 125,000 pounds on Saturday in UK.

Shah Rukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om was the most-watched film on Friday in the entire U.K., if one goes by the screen average of all 150 films [English and non-English] running in the nation.

The film collected £ 114,318 on 52 screens on Friday, with the average working out to
£ 2,198.

Extra-ordinary.

FilmTradeNews

Om Shanti Om - India's first ever 'Item Film'

OM SHANTI OM is truly a near 3 hour circus show in the offering.

You get to see dozen odd item sequences one after another that tie the script together for a circus and turn out to be amusing and entertaining by themselves.

So here we go with the dozen odd item sequences/concepts and gimmicks which make OM SHANTI OM an entertainer that makes you visit a circus, be entertained for those three hours and come back home satisfied!

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Duelling Epics Get Four Thumbs Up

Bollywood cage fight hits Canada as fans flock to multiplexes, torn between a well-hyped musical and a sombre love story...

A heavyweight battle between two Bollywood films has made the trip from India to Toronto.

In one corner, it's superstar director/actor Shah Rukh Khan's Om Shanti Om. In the other, it's newcomers in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya, for the first time backed by the might of a big Hollywood studio.

It's a battle of song, dance and celluloid that has kept Bollywood fans waiting for months. The worldwide release of the two films last night comes after months of hype, publicity and hot soundtracks.

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Dard-E-Disco Finale: SRK & Team OSO pick the Winner

Sweet Surprise!

Shah Rukh and the principal cast of Om Shanti Om picked the winner of the Dard-E-Disco winner from the 5 finalists who were selected through an all-India search.

The show was compared by Cyrus Broacha.

Watch the video

Om Shanti Om : Quite a Mughal-e-Masala

Mr. Khalid Mohamed's much awaited review gives OSO a well deserved 4 star rating.

Yesterday’s gangsta moll, Bindu, is now bigger than a shopping mall. No one can carry off a suit as sharply as Dharmendra, jackflash like Jeetendra, and hey dude, Mithun Chakraborty is still the disco champ. As for Rekha, guys, ma’am can blow the stockings off any fashion ramp. Drool.

Want to celebrate the crunch-popcorn-Manmohan Desai movies of yore? Then you’ve come to the right place. Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om is dedicated to the imperishable magic of the movies. Flog them or fume over them, but nothing compares to those tickets which make fantasies real. Mmm, that’s entertainment.

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