Shah Rukh Khan's 'Chak De' continues relentless box office run

While making the movie, probably, neither Shah Rukh nor director Shimit Amin or writer Jaideep Sahni realized that they are making a landmark film. I call it landmark because with subtle sophistication, the movie ends up packing in lots of lessons.

To begin with, the film has many positives. Lessons in team building and leadership qualities make for superb management case studies. Similarly, virtues of patience (the final scene when Balbir Kaur tells her mom, "Bebe, gussa karma accha nahin hota") and putting nation above individuals ("Mujhe states ke naam na sunayie dete hai, na dhikaie dete hai, Sirf ek mulk-a-naam sunayie deta hai, I-N-D-I-A") make for lovely school text book lessons.

The film holds up the mirror to our society in many places. For instance, when Molly Zimik is not pleased to be addressed as a guest and questions, "Apne hi desh mein mehman?" - the alienation of North-East comes to the fore. Or insensitivity of North towards the varied cultures and languages of the South makes Nethra Reddy remark, "Tamil or Telegu mein utna hi fark hai jitna ki Bihari or ….". Or Our Gennext's cluelessness about places like Jharkhand reflect sharply on the current scenario and corrections to be made.

The magical power of Chak De can be gauged by the cheering and clapping in the theatres. Mr Narayan Murthy, Chief Mentor, Infosys technologies is the latest to join the Chak De fan club. After watching the movie, he comments, "I wish more and more of our leaders see 'Chak De' and learn these precious lessons".

Source: SAWF News

SRK flaunts six-pack look, charms Sania Mirza

Despite having turned up two hours late to promote the Sunfeast Open Tennis Championship, the superstar immediately began to work his magic - first on his co promoter tennis champ Sania Mirza.

"These people are absolutely wonderful, take pictures I'm touching her," he said.

And then, he also had a word for all the women in the room who were waiting for the superstar to arrive. "I love women. And it's true I love them the most, I love all of you, " he quipped.

When the conversation turned to sports and tennis, he let Sania take centrestage.

"I can assure you one thing, as athletes and I think I speak for all of them, when we step out on the court or on the field, we are giving our hundred per cent. We are human, we cannot win everything," she said.

Shah Rukh too chipped in with his opinion here. "They are fantastic but we need to encourage them and accept that it's sports. I think we mustn't forget that sports is about winning and losing. One can't win all the time," he said.

The talk once again veered to SRK's fit new six-pack look. In his usual sporting manner, he gave a witty reply to the shirtless hype. "Now they are asking for pant-less Shah Rukh, which i am kind of thinking about," he said.

Pants off...err...hats off to that!

Heres the link to watch the video:

Click Here To Watch

Source: CNN-IBN

I can act without taking off my shirt : Shah Rukh Khan

Notwithstanding his six-pack abdomen which is in the limelight, Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan feels he is capable of acting without taking off his shirt.

"In 'Om Shanti Om' I play a hero of today. I felt that everyone in the film world looks cool these days and we went for this look," Khan, who attended a event with tennis star Sania Mirza to promote an upcoming tennis tournament, said.

Khan said he had received praise from fellow actors like Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan for his new look. But Salman had also told him he was looking too thin.

The star said he had great respect for sportspersons and had taken up an exercise regimen after shooting for his recent hit "Chak De India", which centres round the game of hockey.

Asked if he had any regrets about not doing the Oscar- nominated cricket-based movie "Lagaan", Khan said, "After watching the film, I thought only Aamir (Khan) could have done justice to it. However, I did manage to do 'Chak De'."

Khan parried questions on whether there had been renewed interest in hockey following the success of "Chak De India".

"I want to make it clear it is not because of the film that we are doing well in sports. Instead it is because they (sportspersons) are doing well that such movies are made," he said.

With more sports-based movies expected from Bollywood in the near future, this could become a new genre in the film industry, he remarked.

Source: EconomicTimes

‘SRK is a director’s dream’, says his Guru

Excerpts from the interview :

He left his hometown in the West and settled down in India, to teach acting. After setting up an acting school in Delhi and teaching the nuances of the profession for over 36 years, world renowned acting teacher (popularly known as the ‘theatre guru’) has now shifted base to Mumbai, because, according to him, “Mumbai is the ultimate destination; Mumbai is Bollywood.

Speaking of actors, one of his most-famed students happens to be the King Khan of Bollywood — Shah Rukh Khan — among others like Shiney Ahuja and Kunal Kapoor.

So, when he was training Shah Rukh way back in the early 80’s, did he realise the potential that SRK had?

“He had an unmatched zest to learn, he was extremely committed and put in a lot of effort, just like he does today for any project. He’s a director’s dream,” smiles Barry, as he remembers how SRK’s work in theatre was “energetic, lively and witty.” But is the ‘actor’ in him misjudged because of his ‘star’ status? “The actor versus star debate will always plague big artists. But Shah Rukh has proved his worth as an actor,” says Barry.

Nicole Dastur,TNN

Get ready for fireworks this Diwali !

Shah Rukh starrer ‘Om Shanti Om’ and ‘Gangotri’ with Amitabh Bachchan in the lead are set to release on the same day during Diwali.

It’s been long in news that ‘Om Shanti Om’ would release around Diwali and now producer of ‘Gangotri’, Deepak Sawant has decided to release his film on the same day.

“I have no issues releasing it on the same day. Jaise Shah Rukhji ka naam hai waise Amit ji ka bhi naam hai. Amitji koi kam nahin,” says Sawant.

“A multiplex can screen all three movies at the same time. It will be up to the audiences to watch the movie they like. If ‘Om Shanti Om’ and ‘Saawariya’ can run to packed theaters then the audience would definitely come to see my film or vice versa.

This had happened when ‘Ganga’ was released. Theatres screening ‘Ganga’ were filled up first and then people saw ‘Don’,” says Sawant. Interestingly ‘Don’ and ‘Ganga’ were released during Diwali last year. Sawant had decided to go ahead with his plan to make the sequel in two languages as there were huge demands.

“My film has audience from all sections of the society. But affluent people cannot go to theatres, which screen Bhojpuri films. I also found that people who speak other languages watched ‘Ganga’ too,” explains Sawant.

It would be interesting to see, who wins the competition at the box office: Shah Rukh with his ‘Om Shanti Om’ or Amitabh Bachchan with ‘Gangotri’. Or will it be Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Saawariya’, playing the monkey as two cats fight!

DNA - After Hours

"Today, every superstar is removing his shirt" - Farah Khan

It's not even a week since the first look of 'Dard-E-Disco' was out and the song, especially due to 'perfect-six-abs' of Shahrukh Khan, is already the talk of the town. Composed by Vishal-Shekhar and written by Javed Akhtar, 'Dard E Disco' is a 'jump-on-the-dance-floor' number which has a Persian touch to it even as overall feel of the song stays on to be Western.

"I am thrilled with the kind of reactions the song is fetching. As the teaser suggests, this is my way of re-introducing Shahrukh Khan", quips Farah Khan, director of this year's most awaited film Om Shanti Om.

Re-introduction it certainly is, considering the fact that after 'Kaal Dhamaal' [Kaal] where he danced in designer sleeveless vests with Malaika Arora, Shahrukh Khan has shed his inhibitions further and gone the Monty route, even if it is only half the way!

"Well, full credit to Shahrukh for attempting something like this which showcases him in an altogether different 'avtaar'", talks Farah fondly for her superstar friend, "The idea was to give him a much leaner look, while refraining from making it all look artificial."

"Shahrukh has a good physique but when you are required to remove shirt for the camera and the entire world is expected to watch you, extra care has to be taken", explains Farah about the effort which went behind the makeover of 40 years plus King Khan.

She adds, "We never wanted a beefy look for him, that wouldn't have worked. Instead, what you see is a body which befits that of a swimmer. Also, it was not just the physique part on which we concentrated. Even his hair has been done differently to give him a real makeover."

A contemporary track with Sukhwinder Singh in his full elements and Marianne, Nisha and Caralisa coming together for backup vocals, 'Dard-E-Disco' is a true-blue dance number, as expected from Vishal-Shekhar. Still, one can't help but ask Farah whether a situation like this was absolutely required in the film?

Justifies Farah, who is dabbling between paying visits to doctors and supervising media campaigns for her November 9 release, "As we all know, the film has Shahrukh Khan as junior artist in the 70s followed by being a superstar of 21st century. These are the times when every superstar is removing his shirt with a physique to die for. It is imperative for the character played by Shahrukh Khan also to dabble in something similar", she smiles.

Meanwhile first promo of the film has reportedly settled down with the audience too. "It was always expected that it would be very well received across multiplexes. People were clapping and cheering aloud while it was played first. You have to be there to witness the noise level when the promo was on; one could barely hear what was being played on screen", informs Farah about the crowd reaction.

"What further thrilled me was the response from theaters across UP and Bihar. After being elated with the tremendous response, distributors have not stopped calling ever since", cheers Farah.

Source: IndiaFM

Shah Rukh Khan's Chak De Motivates a Big Win for India

Shah Rukh Khan may deny it but Chak De India motivated our players to perform well. Coming after the miserable performance of our cricketers at Lords the pre-vious day, the sweet taste of victory was welcome.

So, Chak De India has worked and we saw the influence of the movie on the Indian team in the recent Asia Cup hockey tournament. Indian fans, disappointed with its cricket team’s loss at Lord’s on Saturday, were overwhelmed by the victory of the Indian hockey team in the Asia Cup, on Sunday. The Indian hockey team lifted the men’s Asia Cup hockey title with a huge 7-2 win over South Korea in Chennai. In fact, the Indian hockey team had won the Asia Cup only once before – way back in 2003, when the team played some excellent hockey against some tough opponents.

Soon after the game ended, television news channels also came out with special reports on the Asia Cup Final and most of the channels appreciated the movie Chak De India too, in the process.

NDTV interacted with Shahrukh Khan, who played the hockey coach, Kabir Khan in the movie Chak De India. Shahrukh Khan was also pleased with the team’s victory, but he gave all the credit to the team and opined that Chak De India had played no role in India’s victory in the final. He said the Indian players had in fact played an exceptional game and they were the real heroes.

Yes, Chak De India was just a movie and there is a huge difference between reel life and real life. But viewed from across the spectrum, the film had really motivated our players and the fighting spirit really stood out in all the matches. What the Indian players achieved on Sunday is really commendable and they have set a benchmark for the upcoming hockey tournaments including the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the next Hockey World Cup. Moreover, the victory in the Asia Cup is just the beginning of a better tomorrow. We expect much more from the Indian hockey team. Lastly, we hope that the players will restore India’s supremacy in the national game by winning the gold in the Beijing Olympics 2008.

Source: MeriNews

OSO cinematographer V Manikanandan amazed by SRK

He made the sober Sushmita Sen sizzle in MAIN HOON NA, Shilpa Shetty wow the audience in MR. ROMEO.

And now his eyes are trained on the stunning Deepika Padukone, who makes her dream debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the upcoming 35-crore venture, OM SHANTI OM.

Who are we talking about? Well, let us not test your patience further. We are referring to Shah Rukh's in-house cinematographer, Manikanandan, for two of his biggest home productions, MAIN HOON NA and the forthcoming OM SHANTI OM.

A fan of veteran P C Sreeram, Manikanandan's admiration for King Khan (which started with MAIN HOON NA) has only increased. He finds the superstar fantastic. He is specially amazed by the way Shah Rukh Khan has developed his 6-pack abs in a matter of two months, for the much talked about (on-air) 'Dard-E-Disco'.

Abid, BollywoodTradeNewsNetwork

Sanjay Dutt is extremely impressed by Shah Rukh Khan's 6-pack abs!

Sanjay Dutt is mighty impressed with Shah Rukh Khan's 6-pack abs . The actor, who was addressing a press conference for his film Dhamaal said," I am really happy to see that Shah Rukh has worked on his body. It is important for one to remain fit; I will also work out more from now on."

Dutt has done a song in Shah Rukh Khan's film Om Shanti Om.

Source: IndiaTarget

"The recipe for such a success was most wonderfully conveyed by Shah Rukh Khan"

The other day, my wife and I were perhaps among the very few post-50 people in the mostly-20ish crowd watching the film Chak De in Bangalore. You had to be there to believe the shouts of joy that accompanied every goal India scored in the imaginary tournament in the movie.

The mood at the end was as if India had actually won the women's World Cup in hockey. I can appreciate this mood since I too felt similar joy and pride when hundreds of cameras clicked at me holding our national flag, on India and my being declared the winners of the E and Y world entrepreneur award among the 40-odd competing nations at Monaco in 2003.

As I exited the theatre after watching Chak De that day, several youngsters asked me for my reaction to the movie. My answer was simple. I said I wanted to see the movie become a reality, not just in hockey, but in every sphere.

The recipe for such a success was most wonderfully conveyed by Shah Rukh Khan and those wonderful women hockey players in the movie. Let me recount them here. We have to identify as Indians first and rise above our affiliations with our states, religions and castes. We must accept meritocracy and enthusiastically play the role we are best suited to. We must embrace discipline to strictly follow every step required for success. We have to put the interest of our nation ahead of our personal interests, subordinating our egos and biases. Finally, we have to put in tremendous hard work and make short-term sacrifices for long-term glory.

I have immense faith and optimism in the youth of this country. But, will we get our leaders to set examples for hundreds of millions of Indian youth? I wish more and more of our leaders see Chak De and learn these precious lessons.

Narayan Murthy - As Guest Editor TimesofIndia