SRK Bids for IPL Franchise

Among the top names doing the rounds for responding to the BCCI's offer of franchise for owning cricket teams in the IPL are Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and industrialist Lord Swaraj Paul. The media has already reported a list of interested bidders who include Anil Ambani and Vijay Mallya.

"Shah Rukh Khan has bid for a franchise," a top BCCI official has told IANS.

The official has also stated Paul as one among the 90 bidders.


Mumbai, the game's hub and home to the BCCI headquarters, and Delhi, where the board was formed in 1928, are amongst the big favourites with bidders.

Meanwhile, PTI has reported that the BCCI has ruled out any current player from having "a stake in a company owning any of the teams." Incidently, a leading business daily had reported that Sachin Tendulkar was in talks for a joint bid with the Kishore Biyani-promoted Future Group.

A final decision on the teams, the league format and other related issues would be taken up at the IPL governing council meeting on 17 November in Jaipur.

IPL will comprise 56 matches in Twenty20 format. It has already pocketed many of the world's top cricketers like Australia's Shane Warne and Glenn McGarth, South Africa's captain Graeme Smith, New Zealand's Stephen Fleming and Pakistan's Mohammed Yousuf.

IPL will feature eight teams, with each playing home and away games against the others. After the league matches, the top four teams will play in the semi-finals with the grand final scheduled towards April-end.

Each franchise/team will have a squad of 16 players registered with the BCCI and drawn from its central contract pool. Each team will also feature under-21 players and those from the BCCI's annual contract.

IndianTelevision.com

Bhansali's Vitriolic Attack on Shah Rukh Khan

Sanjay Leela Bhanshali seems to have stoked a dormant fire by lashing out against his critics after getting hit by box office blues.

It’s a feud that is spiralling out of control. If you thought that the Saawariya-OSO war would die down with the release of both the films, you got it wrong. In fact the fires have been stoked anew with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s vitriolic attack on Shah Rukh Khan in his media interviews post Saawariya.

After SRK announced a few days before Diwali that he would ‘destroy’ the competition, (read ‘Saawariya’), Bhansali has come back with a vengeance, saying SRK had no locus standi to make such comments, and that it was unfair to put down a work of art.

“This is the new era of marketing a film, where even after it has released, the war will continue. Bhansali is obviously hurt by the negative comments that have been made against him and his film and that is why he is coming out in its defence,” says one industry source.

The makers of OSO however do not seem very keen to take this further. When we sms-ed Farah Khan asking for her reaction, she gave us a very tongue-in-cheek reply saying, “I have no reactions whatsoever. Too busy taking congratulatory calls.”

Not everyone is very happy though. Film critic Taran Adarsh, who also found a mention in Bhansali’s tirade is in no mood to sit back and listen.

“I want to tell Bhansali that he should wake up and smell the coffee. If there is a theatre near his house, he should go and count the number of people who are even sitting in the film, let alone liking the film. People have a mind of their own. They don’t need Taran Adarsh to tell them that Saawariya is a bad film and has been rejected by everyone.”

Strong words those. Obviously, we haven’t heard the last of this yet. Its going to be a long drawn out war.

Shilpa Jamkhandikar, DNAindia.com
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Sanjay Leela Bhansali says SRK has no rights to destroy 150 people!

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has come out fighting in defense of his movie Saawariya, and at the top of his target list is… Shah Rukh Khan.

As Om Shanti Om runs away with the top accolades for the Diwali battle, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has gone on record to ask the Bollywood King Shah Rukh Khan some very awkward questions. “Shah Rukh Khan is the king of Bollywood. He can say whatever he likes. But why is he going around saying, ‘I will destroy them?' Where is the dignity of the reigning superstar? Why compare yourself to a film with two newcomers? Who are you to destroy them? Have you created them? Do we eat off your plate? Have we made the film with your money? What gives you the right to say you will destroy 150 people who have invested so much in the film? Let people judge. It's a film with good values, and principles, people should appreciate that,” said an angry Bhansali last night.

He then went on to express his disappointment further, “You feel disappointed. We decided that we'll maintain a certain dignity and not pull each other's films down. But then he started making comments like he will destroy us.”

When asked about the success of Om Shanti Om, Bhansali responded, “I feel that acting is not about six-packs but I've never said it until now. Why ‘destroy' us? It's time for new cinema, cricketers, politicians. Let the newcomers like Ranbir come in. Shah Rukh Khan will remain a king. Just because People love (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni, it doesn't mean they will forget Sachin (Tendulkar).”

Maybe positioning Saawariya against Om Shanti Om was not a good strategy, “I've got a big opening. No other filmmaker would've got that against a Shah Rukh Khan film, and it's a big deal. We got the biggest opening for an Indian film with newcomers in the lead. Anyway, why compare two completely different films? My films are about art, and OSO is about commerce. People are walking out of OSO too, so why are we only talking about people not liking Saawariya? There is an agenda to this,” responded Bhansali positively.

When asked about why critics such as Komal Nahta and Taran Adarsh blasted the movie, Bhansali responded, ““Only a handful of critics are trying to influence the audience against the film…Komal and Taran belong to the cinema of the eighties, they are antiquated and I never expected them to understand ‘Saawariya'. Great cinema should be kept away from such reviewers.”

Rajiv Dutta, IndiaTarget.com

Brangelina and SRK rub shoulders in Dubai

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is set to join Dubai's swelling celebrity ranks next year when he takes up residence in a property on the emirate’s Palm Islands.

The star of blockbuster Om Shanti Om was given the keys to his house three months ago, according to Indian press reports. The actor’s wife, producer Gauri Khan is said to be heading to Dubai later this month to oversee work on interiors.

The property is said to be a gift from Dubai’s ruler, as the actor acts as unofficial brand ambassador for the islands, Sawf.org reported.

The three Palm Islands, located off the Dubai coast in the Persian Gulf, are the world’s biggest man-made islands, based on the biggest land reclamation project in the world. The project will increase Dubai’s shoreline by 120 kilometres.

Celebrity site Ahlanlive reported yesterday that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had bought their own private Island within Dubai’s ‘The World,’ which they intend to turn into a showpiece for environmental issues.

Out of reach from Paparazzi lenses, the islands are a haven of privacy for celebrities, accessible only by boat. Also hoping to avoid the public glare with Dubai properties are David Beckham, Tom Cruise, Sir Richard Branson and Rod Stewart.

ArabianBusiness.com - UAE

King Khan Performs for Cricket Teams

The King Khan performed for the Indian and Pakistani cricket teams yesterday (November 12) at a gala event organised by Subroto Roy Sahara of the Sahara Group, triggering speculation over whether Shahrukh Khan had taken the place of the Big B who till recently was the biggest endorser of the Sahara camp. And just where was one-time close friend and confidante Amar Singh?

Meanwhile Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh today (November 13) took jibes against the Sahara Group and also lashed out at Shahrukh Khan, reacting to the reports published in a national newspaper.

The report quoted a top executive of Sahara as saying, "Only family members and not outsiders" were allowed at the recent Sahara function in Lucknow.

An angry Amar Singh reacted today saying it was up to the media to "read between the lines" and that it was Shahrukh Khan who started the verbal duel when he made nasty comments against him at the Filmfare awards last year.

"I have read in Mumbai Mirror that the Director of Corporate Communication has said that only friends and family was invited not outsiders- if Sahara has made this statement it is for you read between the lines," said Singh.

He went on to "put on record", "I have don't have anything against Shahrukh Khan. He made a comment against me in a Filmfare function. He might be a superstar and a rockstar, but I have also got some North Indian foolish supporters who reacted angrily on that. I am sorry about that. Shahrukh gave a statement that his kids had felt very bad about that - even my kids are Shahrukh fan - when they heard his statement they asked me, why Shahrukh 'uncle' was talking against me that way.

"Thereafter he is keeping mum, I am also keeping mum, I do not have any issue with him because he is not joining SP, and I am not going to join Bombay Film Industry.," said Singh to TIMES NOW.

Shahrukh Khan danced the night away on Monday (November 12) at Sahara City in Lucknow - a Dawat -e-Dosti organised by the head honcho of the Sahara Group, Subroto Roy Sahara. While the evening was a gala one with celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment, it was not so much the guest list as the people excluded from it that set tongues wagging.

While Shahrukh was given superstar treatment with a private jet and a personal invite, one-time confidante of the Subroto Roy Sahara, SP leader Amar Singh and 'Big B' Amitabh Bachchan were conspicuous by their absence.

Though representatives of the Sahara Group have been quick to brush aside the Big B's absence claiming he was busy - but we can't help but wonder whether a new order is in a place - and is Shahrukh the new poster boy for the Sahara group?

TIMES NOW managed to catch up with BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla, who was also present at the gala, for his take.

"They (Sahara) are the Team India sponsors, Sahara had invited Mr Shahrukh Khan and he was gracious enough to be there," said Shukla.

But while everyone may be doing their best to pooh-pooh the reports - it wouldn't exacztly be a bolt out of the blue, considering rumours have been afloat for sometime now of an alleged falling-out between the Sahara family and Amar Singh and a consequent distancing from the Bachchans as well.

Well, evidently in the world of politics and entertainment, relationships rarely last forever!

TimesNow.tv

King Khan Invited To Open Indian League

According to reports published in a local daily, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been invited to open the inaugural I-League in Goa on November 24th by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

zoom - galleria King Khan is yet to accept the invite though. The idea of roping in a celebrity as big as the ‘21st century Don’ is to increase attention towards Indian football.

Shah Rukh Khan recently turned heads towards hockey with his ‘Chak De India’ and the AIFF hopes his presence will benefit the people’s game.

Meanwhile, the winners of this year’s I-League may receive an extra 10 lakhs this year, in addition to the existing prize of Rs.40, 00,000.

The prize money for every game is also likely to be increased.

AIFF had conducted a day-long seminar on the I-League for the top brass officials from the participating clubs.

Indian national team coach Bob Houghton opined that the top clubs who are part of the I-League must distance themselves from the local leagues, which must be run for the U-21 and youth teams.

The suggestion didn’t go well with the Kolkata clubs who believed that it could lead to problems with the sponsors and directly affect the crowds.

The AIFF was to release the fixtures list yesterday but now it has been postponed to Friday.

It is believed the Kerala Football Association (KFA) wants to move Viva Kerala’s matches from Kochi to Kozhikode on the grounds of poor conditions.

An AIFF team shall inspect the ground before taking any decisions on the matter.

Rahul Bali, Goal.com

Shah Rukh Khan all set to call Dubai home

13 November 2007 (Sawf News) - Shah Rukh Khan, who was handed over the keys to his house on the The Palm Islands, Emirate of Dubai, UAE, three months back will become a resident of Dubai on November 1, 2008.

With Om Shanti Om pulling itself in front of a floundering Saawariya, the crown of King of Bollywood rests easy on Shah Rukh’s head. What was still missing so far was a palace befitting the king.

Relax, relax! Shah Rukh is not giving up Mannat-his Bandra mansion, his companies-Dreamz Unlimited and Red Chillies Entertainment, his career - which is so peachy sweet right now it makes candy envious.

However, going by what we hear, if he wanted to he could at a moments notice.

The Palm Islands is a set of three islands created artificially using land reclamation by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government. They are located off the coast of The United Arab Emirates in the Persian Gulf and each is created in the shape of a palm tree, topped with a crescent.

When fully completed, the three islands will have a large number of residential, leisure and entertainment centers.

It seems Shah Rukh’s wife, Gauri is eager to get the interiors done to her specifications for her new property and will be heading to Dubai later this month to oversee the work.

Interestingly, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, the Beckhams are still on the wait list for a piece of The Palm Islands.

Shah Rukh’s property on The Palm Islands is reported to be a gift to him from the ruler of the Emirate and Shah Rukh is the unofficial brand ambassador for the islands created by the Dubia government to promote tourism.

You would think that the gift of a free uber-prime home and property will free up Shah Rukh’s hands to dole out his other expenses that go with living in Dubai.

Think again!

His bills will all be paid for; electricity, water, power, the whole shebang. Prime accounts of unlimited credit have been opened at the finest luxury stores in the city. Food, clothing, cars- you name it, it's all free.

Yeah, that's fine you'd say, everything's all hunky dory now but what about the future, you know… the leaner years when he'll only be pulling say Rs 30 or 40 crores a year, what then? How will he eke out an existence then?

Answer- Grinning ear to ear - Even his children's schooling is taken care of as a part of the special care package Dubai has made up for him.

Life is sweet, people, if you're Shah Rukh Khan. Even sweeter it seems if you're Shah Rukh Khan, a resident of Dubai!

Psst, anyone have an in with this Sheikh guy, let's talk.

Sawf News

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.

Read Full Story......

Om Winner Om Rocks Tinseltown

Last week saw the release of two much hyped movies of the year - Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya.

One was director Farah Khan's second film starring Shah Rukh Khan and model turned actress Deepika Padukone and the other was Bhansali's fifth film with debutants Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor.

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Om and Shanti spotted in London!

The much-awaited Farah Khan flick Om Shanti Om made headlines in London as well, by becoming the first mainstream Bollywood film to be premiered at the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square.

And while there was no formal premiere in Mumbai, there was a dazzling one in London, where the stars of the film (barring director Farah Khan who couldn’t attend because of her pregnancy) interacted with their NRI fans.

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“With my long locks I felt like an art filmmaker" - SRK

The actor who is just back from London where he went to attend the premiere of his recent film, is now toying with a new idea.

It’s like his films. When he’s into making them, Shah Rukh Khan loves what he is doing, but after they are released and record success at the box-office... the Bollywood Badshah gets onto a different track.

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