Shahrukh Khan Throws Party for Scottish Actor Gerard Butler

After Priyanka Chopra it was Shah Rukh Khan who hosted a Bollywood style party for visiting Scottish actor Gerard Butler at his residence Mannat on Sunday, May 3.

Priyanka and Shah Rukh had bonded with Butler in Dubai during the Palm Spring opening event earlier this year.

Those attending the party included Imran Khan with girl friend Avantika, Farhan Akhtar with wife Adhuna, Amrita Arora with new husband Shakeel Ladak, Suzanne Roshan minus husband Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Sanjay Kapoor with wife Maheep, Dino Morea, Tarun Mansukhani, Bunty Walia, Shaina NC and Reema Kapoor.

Gerard Butler, 39, who was on a one week leisure trip to India with some friends, is known for his portrayal of King Leonidas in 300, The Phantom in the 2004 film version of The Phantom of the Opera, Gerry Kennedy in P.S. I Love You, and One Two in RocknRolla.

Butler's upcoming films include: Game, The Ugly Truth and Law Abiding Citizen. He is likely to feature in Bounty Hunter opposite Jennifer Aniston.

Shah Rukh visit Adnan Sami's ailing father

The Big B's visit to Adnan Sami's ailing father at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital on Thursday evening has triggered off the industry's A-Listers' conscience. On Friday, barely 24 hours after the Big B, Adnan's father Arshad Sami Khan was surprised to see another superstar-guest walk in. It was Shah Rukh Khan whom Adnan's father has almost adopted as a distant son in his heart.

Explains Adnan, "Shah Rukh resembles Dilip Kumar Saab so much. And Dilip Saab whom we call Yusuf Lala is not just a favourite of our family but also a relative. So to us Shah Rukh is a direct descendent of Yusuf Lala's heritage."

The frail ailing Arshad Sami could barely speak but uttered two words, "Veer Zara". This was the former Pakistani diplomat's way of recalling the SRK film that did its substantial bit to improve relations between the two countries.

Says Adnan emotionally, "I missed both Bachchan Saab and Shah Rukh by minutes. But at least my mother was there when Shah Rukh so graciously visited with his daughter. My father couldn't recall the names of all the Bachchan and SRK films he had seen except Veer Zara."

The hugest moment post- Mr Bachchan's visit was a call from Rajesh Khanna. Says Adnan, "I've seen his Prem Nagar at least a million times. When he called and spoke such wonderful words of consolation-'God is there for everyone I'm sure he's there for you too'-I was overwhelmed."

The other dream come true was a call from Saira Banu. "Mr Dilip Kumar whom I call Yusuf Lala and Sairaji are relatives. I envy Yusuf Lala for a wife who's so devoted and for so long."

The Kokilaben hospital is suddenly a beehive of Bollywood activities. On Thursday Mr. Bachchan dropped into see Karan Johar's mom who underwent neuro-surgery, Dimple Kapadia's sister Simple who's critically ill, Adnan's father and Prakash Mehra.

In fact Mehra is an ICU flank next to Adnan's father. When Adnan got to know that the man who created some of Adnan's favourite childhood celluloid fantasies with Big B was lying ill in the room next to his father, he did what any sensitive person would.

Says Adnan, "I walked into Prakashji's ICU to quietly take his blessings. But what do you know! He recognized me in that condition and did the popular hand movement from my song 'Lift Kara De' with the Big B. It was his utterly endearing gesture of acknowledging me and my love for the movies that he did with the Big B. At times like these, being in the hospital is no more an acknowledgement of mortality. It becomes a celebration of life."

SRK won’t sell team, loves thrill of loss

SRK says there is no way that he would sell his beloved Knight Riders team, and that he is enjoying the moments of turmoil that he going through.

In an SMS to journalists who asked him about the rumours of his sellout, Shah Rukh replied: “Nonsense… I have invested so much love into our KKR team that even if I want to… nobody else in the world can afford to match that.”

The actor said that owning a team was “ amazing and a first for me. People believe that defeat means one should leave the arena. It’s such a wonderful feeling to be a struggler again… hoping to succeed… losing again… and again… feel the hatred… the jibes…. Been a long time since I wanted to beat failure again….”

The team is currently at the bottom of the IPL league, having won only one match so far. They also lost on Sunday in their match against Punjab.

Shah Rukh said that this did not get him down.

“I feel younger, more energetic and so damn hungry now. Contrary to what everyone is saying… More than ever now… I want to own the arena… not run away from it.

Inshallah, KKR will come out of this stronger than ever… and I am so proud being a part of this turmoil."

Shahrukh's Happy New Year postponed

This news will literally break the hearts of Shahrukh Khan and Farah Khan fans, as their forthcoming project together tentatively titled Happy New Year, has been postponed.

After the stupendously successful Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om, Happy New Year was to complete this jodi’s hat-trick films and was to begin shooting in mid 2009 after Shahrukh finished shooting for Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan.

Industry insiders claim, “King Khan was supposed to begin Farah’s next to be made under his banner Red Chillies Entertainment later this year but now due to his shoulder injury and other commitments, the film, which was initially meant to mount the floor later this year, has been pushed to April next year. Shahrukh is currently shooting for Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan which he is jointly producing with Karan.

“However, instead of Farah Khan’s film, he will start the shooting of a superhero film with loads of Special effects which is going to be directed by Anubhav Sinha. This film Ra.1 too will be produced under his banner and is set to go on the floors by September or October this year and will be completed for next summer release coinciding school vacations.”

Security guard at Shahrukh's house convicted of murder

A sessions court on Monday convicted a private security guard posted at Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan's bungalow for murder of a colleague.

Yatendra Chauhan was found guilty of shooting another guard on duty Chandrapratap Singh on August 14, 2006, when the actor was at home.

Both the guards worked with the security agency Topsgrup and were posted at 'Mannat', Khan's Bandra bungalow, in addition to police personnel.

Singh and another guard named Lakhan were patrolling the area behind the bungalow when Chauhan, 28, who was sitting on a chair, dozed off. According to the prosecution, Singh ridiculed and taunted by asking if his gun actually worked.

A furious Chauhan then shot Singh in the chest, resulting in his death later in hospital.

The court on Monday convicted Chauhan for murder and the sentence is likely to be pronounced tomorrow.

SRK-Kajol-Rani’s Kootchie Kootchie Hota Hain is almost ready

The much awaited animated version of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai titled Kootchie Kootchie Hota Hain is almost ready and is being scheduled to release soon to commemorate 10 years of the film. This mega budget animated venture is a joint production between Karan Johar’s banner Dharma Productions along with Los Angeles-based Prana Studios and the Mumbai based 3D Animation Studios. It is learnt to be featuring the latest innovations in computer graphics matching International cinema standards. However though K2H2 was a very successful film marking the debut of Karan Johar as a director, its animated version is not being directed by him but his Dostana director Tarun Mansukhani.

There was also speculation whether Salman Khan who featured in a Filmfare Award winning performance in the film would dub for his animated character since him and SRK have had a fall out. But now we have learnt that his character will be dubbed by Ritesh Deshmukh. The names of stars who shall lend their voices for this animated film are - Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Uday Chopra, Riteish Deshmukh, Simi Garewal and Sajid Khan.

SRK gets support from Bollywood

Shah Rukh Khan may not show it but he is definitely upset with the way his team is performing at the IPL. Kolkata Knight Riders has lost all its matches, except one, and is at the bottom in the points table.

SRK has come back to Mumbai and will be going back to South Africa only after his team wins a match.

And, as far as his cricket team goes, the industry seems to be with Shah Rukh, even his rivals.

After Aamir Khan made peace with him due to the multiplex issues, it is now Akshay Kumar who is by his side.

Akki, who is currently shooting in Singapore, wishes SRK's Kolkata Knight Riders all the best on his blog.

"The most important thing to me my IPL! I called up my producer and said I don't care where I stay even if it's in the back of a kitchen, I need to watch my IPL. Bad news, my hotel didn't have the channel so what else could I do but personally find the hotel manager and fold my hands in humble request and plead and plead for whatever it takes to please get that channel.

”By the next day, I was sitting in my room watching KKR vs PK XI. Happy is not enough to describe how I was feeling. And wow! What a season it's been. Seriously, I wish the best for all the teams, you have me on the edge of my seat, and I'd like to send my best regards to Shah Rukh Khan's Knight Riders, they've put up a good fight. So don't worry boys, you will always be loved”, he wrote on the blog.

Meanwhile, there have been reports that SRK is in talks with companies to sell off his share in Kolkata Knight Riders and get out of cricket.

SRK is said to be negotiating with Nokia, Anil Ambani and the Sahara Group to dispose off his share in the IPL team.

His PR agency, however, has denied the reports and said Shah Rukh has a major holding in Kolkata Knight Riders and is still emotionally attached to it.

All the three companies too have denied the report but have said they would definitely buy Shah Rukh’s stake it if they are approached by him.

Shah Rukh's angels back from South Africa

The six cheerleaders for Kolkata Knight Riders team in IPL are on cloud nine even though they have not had the opportunity to cheer for their team at the ongoing tournament in South Africa.

Selected through NDTV Imagine’s show “Knight and Angels”, produced by SRK’s TV production house Red Chillies Idiot Box, the girls are just back from an all expenses paid 10-day trip to South Arica.

They were treated to the holiday as they could not perform at IPL after the venue was changed from India to South Africa.

For the cheerleaders - Ananya Bera, Sanna Chirawawala, Sunanda Hiroo, Rupali Kantharia, Ritika Chibber and Samyukta Surendar – it was an experience of a life time.
They got an opportunity to perform during the cricket carnival road show and drove around Cape Town in an open bus with the players and owners of Kolkata Knight Riders. They cheered to the team's theme song, “Korbo Lorbo Jitbo Re”.

The girls also watched three matches from the VIP box along with SRK and his family. They accompanied the team to a dinner party and interacted with most of the KKR players.

The went sightseeing and did some shopping in South Africa as well.
Says Ritika, "We were so excited to get an opportunity to go to South Africa. There were the players and there was Mr SRK."

"We were put up in apartments just opposite the hotel where Shah Rukh stayed," adds Sunanda, who has shifted base to Mumbai from Kolkata to seek a career in entertainment.

Adds Ananya, who is a Class 12 student, "This trip made us forget all the despair we had. Shah Rukh has told us that we will be the cheerleaders for KKR when the IPL will be held next year in India.”

SRK takes a pay cut too!

We told you about Shah Rukh's Rs 3 cr performance at the wedding of a prominent Mumbai citizen. But we happened to be at the wedding and were tad disappointed because King Khan didn't dance at all!

Shah Rukh did come to the function. People went into frenzy when he stepped on the stage. But he said that since he wasn't keeping well, he wouldn't be able to keep his promise and dance.

However for the next 45 minutes he kept the eight thousand strong audience in splits! He took digs at himself, his team's disastrous performance at IPL and even broke a bottle on his head!

Shah Rukh stepped on the stage and did a little jig with the relatives as Pretty Woman from Kal Ho Na Ho played in the backdrop. Then the grooms' brother was invited and asked to imitate Shah Rukh's actions. The bright young fellow did everything that Khan did but didn't know where to look when Shah Rukh broke a bottle on his head.

Then there was an old lady who wanted to dance with Shah Rukh and seemed thrilled to bits when King Khan danced with her to Dard-E-Disco!

At the end of his act, as Shah Rukh was preparing to take a bow over two dozen kids ran up on the stage. The security panicked but Khan – his tongue firmly in cheek – style, assured them that he wasn't in any sort of threat from the little ones.

In fact he even went ahead and danced with them to Mar Jaani from Billu! Shah Rukh seemed quite tired and his energy levels seemed much lower than usual.

Our sources told us that Shah Rukh walked home with half the amount he had demanded simply because he didn't dance. However all those present at the event swore that they couldn't have enjoyed more!

Among others who performed were Emraan Hashmi who was a hit with Jhalak Dikhla Ja and Bipasha whose little dress during the Lucky Boy performance got many pulses racing.

Rani Mukerji however was an eyesore with her golden jacket but put up a spirited performance to the remix of the Hum Tum title track.

If there was someone who earned the flack, it was Rakshanda Khan, the emcee of the show. Even as everyone was having a blast, Rakshanda seemed like she was hosting a serious corporate event. Her poker face didn't seem to go down well with the audiences who were laughing at her cost.

Shah Rukh Khan gifted the bride an autographed guitar and the show ended with a lot of fireworks.

SRK turns to prayer to save KKR

The going is not good for the Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL and so team owner Shah Rukh Khan has taking to penning down his problems- virtually though. Yes, the superstar, who once famously said that he doesn’t like to blog because he’d rather connect with his fans through the media, is now typing out his worries for the world to see. He’s also using the blog as means to encourage his team to pick themselves up off the floor.

Here’s his latest post titled Keep the Faith:

You must have heard a thousand times that the way to victory does not lie in how hard you can hit; but how hard you can take the hit. And I am not telling you anything new. Every teacher says that to his student, every coach says that to his team and I am sure John has said this to you guys enough times already, just as a father says that to his son.

When they all say this, in their hearts they also wish and hope that their team does not get hit; it doesn’t have to learn to win that way. A father feels, let my son win without ever getting hit; but you still say this to them because you know this world is a hard place. Games are a hard battlefield…your opponent wants to win as much as you do…so there is always going to be a chance that you will get hit. The best of us get hit…Mohammad Ali got hit…Carl Lewis got hit…John Buchanan must have been hit…Sourav Ganguly here has been hit several times.

So lets start from the fact that yes we have been hit already. So this is a good thing. A very good thing! We have been hit and hit hard, so the difficult part is over now. We all should accept that, we do lie at this point very nearly on the floor. So now comes the part, which is more important. The part that we need to show everyone around us, that we can take a hit; we can fall down; but we also know how to scrape ourselves from the floor and continue to fight. We still can take a few hits more and still fight back. Lots of people are saying lots of things about us, but none of them are right. The only right thing is that the owners have faith in this team, the coach has faith in this team; as a matter of fact the team has faith in this team. So there is no problem here at all. Just go out and play to have a great time…enjoy yourselves because pressure only builds more pressure. There is no need to prove anything amongst us. We all trust we are a great bunch of people and cricketers.

One lakh people out there have only one prayer in their hearts, god give our kids strength and a bit of luck to beat the shit out of their opponents. God will listen and deliver today, but just to make sure run faster, hit harder and go out destroy the opponent.

Lets play this like our first game ever as if we have to prove it to the world that we are good and can hit, then lets play this game like the last game of our lives, because we need to prove it to ourselves…that we can take being hit and get up from the floor.

I say a prayer my father taught me; whatever your faith, lets get together and say it… “Nasrun minal lahe wah fatahun kareeb” …