DILWALE DULHANIYA... enters 650th week!

The third time pairing of mega director Aditya Chopra and Bollywood's global superstar Shah Rukh Khan, RAB NE BANA DI JODI, is all set to take off on 16th May 2008 and release on December 12, something we have already told you about. The latest is that the hunt is still on for a fresh face opposite King Khan and contrary to media speculations; neither Sonam Kapoor nor a new face has yet been officially finalized.

However, the first Aditya Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan project, the trend-setting DILWALE DULHANIYA LE JAYENGE is still running at Mumbai's Maratha Mandir in a matinee show. The super blockbuster achieved another milestone last week as it entered the 650th combined week of its run.

Just for records, the Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, (late) Amrish Puri, Anupam Kher, Farida Jalal and Mandira Bedi starrer has netted more than 11.80 crores in 649 weeks from Bombay. And that excluding Thane!

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

Shah Rukh Khan walks out of TV show?

The smoke was not emanating from his trademark cigarette but from Shah Rukh Khan’s ears yesterday. A furious SRK stalked out of the sets of Star’s ‘Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai?’ a television gameshow featuring him. Apparently a 10-year-old student sprang up and fielded a question which left the actor flummoxed.

In the show, based on the international ‘Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader’ in which grade-school level questions are put to adults. Contestants are presented with the chance to win up to Rs 5 crore by answering questions taken from the syllabus of the fifth grade level or lower. Children are part of the show and are the contestant’s ‘classmates’. The show is to air on Star Plus soon.

SRK was filming at the Haji Ali studio Letsroll yesterday. All seemed well five minutes into the shoot with the parents of the kids watching intently in the audience, adult contestants and the children all eating out of SRK’s hands already.

Then, a student got up and asked SRK rather insolently if he knew to which cricket writer one could attribute the quotation: ‘What do they know of cricket who only cricket know.’ SRK was taken aback. He said hesitantly, “Neville Cardus.” He was hooted down and some students who shouted, “No. It is CLR James.” A voice shouted from the back: “People who do not know their cricket should not own teams.”
This referred obviously to SRK’s acquisition of the Kolkata team for the Indian Premier League (IPL).

As SRK protested that he did know his cricket, other bouncers were hurled at him: “When did Graham Gooch lead a rebel tour to South Africa?” and “Which cricketer was forced to flee Zimbabwe fearing Robert Mugabe’s wrath?” SRK did not know the answers to both which were incidentally 1982 and Henry Olonga. More booing followed, with somebody shouting, “Go and dance at weddings.”

The superstar stormed out and has left the programme in the lurch refusing to return today for shooting. The buzz is that SRK has left the show for good. The actor refused to comment on the issue yesterday.

Meanwhile, the student who was later identified as Amit Buch from Eklavya High School, Cuffe Parade, told MiD DAY that he was a big fan of SRK and thought he could earn some brownie points by asking questions. “I have seen all of SRK movies and one day want to enter movies. I thought this is a way to impress him. I had studied up stuff for the shooting. I hope he is not too angry with me.”

Buch’s parents said that King Khan had behaved rather immaturely in front of the children and should learn to take jokes better.

Hemal Ashar, Mid-Day

Charmed, by SRK

Whether talking about each other or otherwise chatting, the two had a lot of fun. And so did the audience and SRK’s fans. But why does King Khan always wear black and white ensembles? “I love black and white.

I don’t like experimenting much. I’m perfectly fine with this,” he replied. Perhaps he thinks he’s reached an age where one should only wear subdued colours, because he certainly was rather grandfatherly towards almost everyone he met. “How are you? Take care of yourself. You should watch your health,” he told many of the people he handed out golf awards to. And each of them loved it so much that they all wanted to stand on stage and chat with him, even after they’d received their prize and the next awardee’s name had been announced!

But it wasn’t just the awardees – people like Simar Duggal, Charu Sharma and Rajiv Bal were charmed by SRK too. His fans had heard he was coming, and they were at the venue six hours before he arrived – little kids clutching their autograph books, asking the menacing-looking bouncers, “Shah Rukh uncle aayenge. He’ll give us autographs. Hamare saath photo bhi karenge?” The bouncers, of course, remained stone-faced and silent.

During the stage announcements, SRK turned to Karun, who was standing next to him, and said, “He’s done the country proud, and he will continue to do so. Because convincing a cricket-crazy audience to watch another sport is tough. He will be much more famous one day than Schumacher... and that’s the only name I know from motorsports!” To which Karun said, “I’m a little conscious endorsing brands because brands are usually endorsed by good-looking people like SRK, who know how to do it perfectly and they don’t have to do or say much. I’m very conscious.”

Times Of India

Shah Rukh wins Best Actor Award for Chak De India

Last year's runaway hit "Chak De India" dominated the Producers Guild Awards with the movie on women's hockey bagging five honours, including those for Best Actor, Best Director and Best Film.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who played belligerent coach Kabir Khan in the film, walked away with the Best Actor award while Shimit Amin was adjudged the Best Director.

Writer of "Chak De India" Jaideep Sahni received the Best Screenplay and Best Story awards at an award function here on Sunday.

Young filmmaker Imtiaz Ali's romantic comedy "Jab We Met" received three awards, including one for Kareena Kapoor in the Best Actor category and music composer Pritam. Ali won the Best Dialogue award.

Konkona Sen Sharma and Irrfan Khan won awards in the Best Supporting Actor category for their performances in "Life in a Metro".

Aamir Khan's directorial debut "Taare Zameen Par", which swept the Filmfare Awards, was conspicuous by its absence as it released after November 2007 deadline for the nominations.

Singers Shreya Ghosal and Shaan won awards for their song in "Guru" and "Saawariya" respectively. Veteran Lyricist Gulzar won the Best Lyrics award for "Guru".

Veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra was felicitated for his contribution to Indian cinema.

Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone won honours for their debut performances. Salman Khan and Govinda won the award for Best Jodi for their work in "Partner".

Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif received special awards after being voted as style icons by Pakistani audiences in an award announced by a Pakistani media house.

The Hindu

SRK launches 'Knight Riders' Website

Shah Rukh Khan is sparing no efforts to promote his Indian Premier League (IPL) team — the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Says a source, “Shah Rukh is going ahead with his Bengali battle cry — Korbo, Lorbo and Jitbo (we’ll do it, fight it and win the battle) using all his might and wit. He is pulling out all stops to promote his team. SRK recently launched the website (http://www.kolkataknightriders.com).”

Elaborating on the website the source adds, “It’s got everything on the Knight Riders from news to downloads to their mission, including the names of the players, with the latest update on what their logo and mascot Royal Bengal tiger Hoog Lee of the team has been up to.”

The source further adds, “The website was designed by BCWebwise on March 13. Though it was a hush-hush affair, the website has already more than 8,000 hits.”

Says Shah Rukh, “I have launched my website on the Knight Riders. I want the youth of India to be part of the website and we have already got a huge response from them.”

Earlier, in one of his press conferences, SRK had said, “The idea and ideology behind naming the team Kolkata Knight Riders is because I want to appeal to the youth of the country.”

The Kolkata Knight Riders costumes have been designed by Manish Malhotra and Anaita Shroff Adajania and are a mixture of black and gold, which is the background theme of the website.

Upala KBR, Mid-Day

Hrithik is an awesome dancer and actor, Says Shah Rukh

King Khan was in his hometown Delhi and in a candid interview he talked about comparisons with Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, his item number in Krazzy4 and playing lover boy again at 42.

CNN-IBN: Every time people talk about who is the number one actor in Bollywood your name comes up. You are constantly compared with either Aamir Khan or Amitabh Bachchan. Does so many comparisons bother you?

Shah Rukh Khan: There are two ways to look at it. One is that I don’t believe that whether it is Mr Bachchan or Aamir, who is a friend, that they believe in this number game. We all respect each other’s work. There is an old saying that only telephones have numbers, not movie stars. I have never really sat down and thought that X is number one and so on. There is no race, this is a creative field. So all this doesn’t bother me really.

CNN-IBN: In the film Krazzy4, Hrithik has also done an item number after you did one. Do you think you were better and was there a need for Hrithik to also do one?

Shah Rukh Khan: As far as I am concerned, I told them that at the end of the day Hrithik’s dance would be better and it is so. And it will always be because Hrithik is an awesome dancer and actor. So, there is no comparison at all.

CNN-IBN: In the film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, we have heard that you are again playing lover boy at 42.

Shah Rukh Khan: I would clearly tell you that no, I am not playing just a lover boy at 42. It is a different kind of film and I hope people enjoy it.

CNN-IBN: You are wearing two watches, and I have seen you giving away watches on KBC. It just so happens that ‘mera time bhi bahut kharab chal raha hai to...’

Shah Rukh Khan: One is my own, which they (Tag Heur) gave me long time back and another one is being launched. So, I will tell the Tag Heur people to give you one. They are very big hearted and loving. (smiles)

Watch The Video: Click Here

CNN-IBN

"First, learn to act, Shah Rukh" - Juhi

We all know how good friends SRK and Juhi Chawla are. They have paired together in a number of films in the past and are coming together yet again in producer Ravi Chopra's Bhootnath that is being directed by Vivek Sharma.

The camaraderie and chemistry between SRK and Juhi was evident on the sets of the film. In fact, Juhi showed that if there is anyone (except Aamir Khan , of course) who can banter with SRK, it was she.

It happened during a shoot in which SRK, Juhi and Vivek Oberoi were taking part.

Despite a busy schedule, SRK was his flamboyant self on the sets. He memorized his dialogues to perfection while doing the make-up, and when he faced the camera, he delivered his lines flawlessly and okayed his shots in a single take only.

Smug about his efficiency and talent, SRK turned to Juhi and asked rhetorically,"Now, wasn't that worth a compliment?"

Not to be charmed by SRK's smugness, Juhi retorted wittily: "First learn to act Shahrukh. Then you will get the due praise."

Everyone on the sets reportedly broke out in laughter at hearing this. Even SRK took Juhi's good-natured banter in the right spirit.

The two actors play husband and wife in the film. However, SRK has a brief role because the character he plays dies mid-way in the story.

Aparajita Ghosh, ApunkaChoice

SRK's TV Show Caravan Creates Frenzy

The Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?, the Indian version of are you smarter that a fifth grader?, caravan is moving from city to city auditioning for the probable contestants on the show; the audition has received humongous response.

With so many citizens registering for the auditions, the selection team is in a huge dilemma over sorting of the contestants profiles.

The effect of the on-air and off-air campaign is so tremendous that viewers from different backgrounds and professions have come to audition for Paanchvi Paas.

Centers like Bhopal and Bangalore saw lakhs of aspirants requesting to meet Shah Rukh Khan.

People from the two cities vied to get a glimpse of Shah Rukh thinking that he had come personally for the auditions; though SRK didn't travel for the same.

Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata auditions saw citizens wait for hours outside the audition centers to take Paanchvi pass test to win the prize money of Rs 5 crores.

Some people were found raving about their knowledge and how the Paanchvi Pass test is a child's play.
It will be fun to see such qualified people get embarrassed, and admit that they are not smarter than a fifth grader!

The show is coming soon on Star Plus, now the truth will be finally tested on Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?

CNN-IBN

Kajol uncertain about 'Khan'

When queried regarding the upcomimng Karan Johar film 'Khan', this is what Kajol had to say :

TOI: And you also are in Karan Johar 'I am Khan'?

Kajol: Let me clarify once again that for me a project materialises only after I have signed on the dotted line. As far as this project in concerned, talks are still on.

TOI: You have always accepted projects keeping in mind your responsibility towards Nysa...

Kajol: She will always be my priority and what projects I take on will depend on how well I balance and manage my time with her.

Roshni Mukherjee, Times Of India

“I don’t believe in this cheap competition,” - Shah Rukh

When we bumped into Shah Rukh recently at an event, without missing the golden opportunity that we had been blessed with, we asked the superstar as to what did he think about the constant comparisons between him and Rakhi Sawant as far as their item numbers in Krazzy 4 is concerned!

Khan’s reply to his comparison with Rakhi took everyone by surprise as the otherwise witty but well spoken actor bluntly replied, “I don’t believe in this cheap competition”! Everyone’s surprised faces must have made SRK realize the repercussions of his strong critical comment and as to cover up the goof up, Shah Rukh added, “I’ve always said that my competitors are better than me and as it is I don’t believe in competition! I am sure Hrithik will do more justice to the item song that I’ve done, him being a fabulous dancer and even Rakhi is known for her dancing! So frankly I don’t consider myself to be their competition!”

“Shah Rukh never looks down upon his co-stars! This time around he replied curtly to the question about his comparison with Rakhi only because he is not an item boy material the way he is made to look like. He is an actor and did the Krazzy 4 song only because Rakesh Roshan requested him to do so! He definitely does not consider himself in the league of Rakhi’s and that is what made him a little furious” said a close friend of SRK!

We have already seen SRK and Rakhi grooving to the music of Krazzy 4 and Hrithik has already impressed all, with his version of ‘Breakfree’, (the same track as SRK’s) with different choreography of course!

We spoke to Jaideep Sen, the director of Krazzy 4 and he said, “It was a delight to direct SRK and I must say the song is getting popular day by day. Hrithik's song is on the same tune but there is a slight change in lyrics. He has danced brilliantly as usual and it shows! I am very lucky that two mega stars have danced to my title song for my debut film!”

When we asked the filmmaker about the SRK v/s Rakhi war, he replied, “Rakhi Sawant's song is for the masses as she has a certain amount of class which appeals to a certain target audience as she is famous through her item songs. It was a great working experience with her as well!"

Only April 11th will help us decide which is the best ‘item’ of the three is as that is the day when Krazzy 4 will hit the theatres!

Renuka Vyavahare, India Times Movies