"Shah Rukh most welcome," says BCCI Vice President

...who had threatened not to watch cricket matches after being accused of using the sport as a platform to promote his films, the BCCI today said the actor was "most welcome" to the stadiums.

"He (Shahrukh) can come to watch matches. He is most welcome. We have no objection to him being present at the cricket stadiums," BCCI Vice President Lalit Modi told reporters here today.


"If (former Pakistan captain-turned-commentator) Rameez Raja asked him a question about his movie what could Shahrukh do? He had to answer," Modi added.


Modi was reacting after Khan yesterday hit back at BCCI Chief Administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty's comments that cricket matches were being used by stars to promote films after the actor was seen talking to cricketers during Jaipur ODI.


Khan said he was sad and disappointed over the remarks by Shetty and "may be won't go to watch cricket matches in future if it has not gone well with the BCCI".


"It will be strange if film actors do not talk about films," he said. (Agencies)

ChennaiOnline.com

Boorish Cricket Control for India humiliate Shah Rukh

Shame on BCCI (Board of Cricket Control for India) for its reaction to SRK watching recent matches.

In chess, the king and the pawn go into the same box after the game. But in cricket, King Khan and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wouldn’t even watch a match sitting in the same box.

Why else should the Bollywood superstar find himself at the centre of a controversy after a senior board official reportedly accused him of attending matches merely to “promote” his films? Media reports speak of the BCCI’s Ratnakar Shetty taking offence to Mr Khan’s latest film Om Shanti Om being discussed during a chat with TV commentator Rameez Raja at the Jaipur ODI between India and Pakistan. Surely, Mr Khan couldn’t have been expected to refuse to answer questions just because it happened to be a ‘much bigger platform’ than a private TV station?

Starting with the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa early this year, Mr Khan has been a regular at several cricket matches involving Team India. He even celebrated on field with the men in blue after India’s famous victory against Australia. So much so that many commentators consider him India’s lucky mascot, as the team invariably wins every time he cheers it on. So it’s very unfortunate that the BCCI should have involved him in this needless flap.

The richest cricket board on the planet obviously takes itself too seriously, the way it is so finicky about who watches matches. There is no other plausible reason for such exaggerated jitters about someone — who also happens to be a celebrity — with a ticket sitting in the stands.

In any case, if the board is so allergic to famous personalities sitting in the gallery, why does it look the other way when infamous ones like, say, the underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, watch India-Pakistan matches abroad?

Hindustan Times

Shah Rukh to inaugurate IFFI 2007

After much debate and discussion, SRK has also finally agreed to participate and be the chief guest for the inaugural function of the 38th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which is to be held in Goa on November 23.

This decision was announced on Wednesday by the Information and Broadcast ministry. Actor Mamooty will be amongst those attending the inaugural function alongwith actresses Ramya Krishna, Mira Jasmine, and also Lenin Rajendran. Celebrated filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta will be chief guest of the closing ceremony.

4 Months 3 Weeks 2 Days, a film by the Romanian film maker Cristian Mungiun, which had been awarded at the Cannes festival this year, will be the opening film at Goa. There are big speculations about Amitabh Bachchan’s film, The Last Lear to be premiered during the fest.

In all, 21 feature and 15 non-feature films have been short-listed for the Indian panorama by the jury.

IndiaFM

'Khan' or 'My Name Is Khan' ?

So what is Karan Johar’s next venture called? Is it KING KHAN? Or is it KHAN? Or has it been re-titled MY NAME IS KHAN? Reports in the media suggest it’s called MY NAME IS KHAN. In fact, Karan is breaking away from the ‘K’ factor this time [all his films start with the alphabet ‘K’].

“I haven’t zeroed on any title yet,” Karan confides, “It could be MY NAME IS KHAN or just KHAN. But it’s not KING KHAN. Where did that one come from?” Reportedly, the film is based on terrorism. “It’s not! That’s another rumour. There’s no terrorism angle in my film. Yes, there’s a mention of the 9/11 episode, but nothing beyond that,” he clears the air.

The film has been delayed slightly. It was expected to start before the year came to a close, but will now roll in second quarter of 2008 and will hit the screens in April 2009. And yes, the film teams the golden combo – SRK and Kajol – after a hiatus. “I can’t confirm on Kajol’s presence till I talk to her. I’ve shifted my film ahead and need to sit with her on the fresh dates,” Karan reveals.

Meanwhile, Karan has started work on the animation version of KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI, called KOOCHIE KOOCHIE HOTA HAI. Also, the Tarun Mansukhani-directed film, starring Abhishek, Priyanka and John, is expected to roll shortly.

Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM

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.

Read More......

Shah Rukh in Catch - 22 over Film Festival

If the Federation of Western India Cine Employees has its way, Shah Rukh Khan may not be present at the inaugural function of the film festival in Goa on November 23.

The federation workers are smarting over what they refer to as the "insulting attitude" of the I&B ministry by not inviting its office bearers.

"We cannot tolerate this insult to our leaders and workers and have decided to boycott the event. We have written to Shah Rukh Khan requesting him to stay away from the function," said Dinesh Chaturvedi, general secretary of the federation.

Industry sources say this could put the actor in an awkward position. "If he backs out, he may invite the ministry's ire and if he ignores the federation's wishes, he is bound to face an industry boycott," said a senior film producer.

Shah Rukh was not available for comment but his secretary confirmed he had got the federation letter by fax.

DNAindia.com

"God has given me enough. I don't crave publicity," SRK

...after a senior Cricket Board official alluded that cricket matches were being used by stars to promote films but the superstar hit back saying he does not have to depend on other's platforms to push his films.

Khan said he was sad and disappointed over the remarks by Ratnakar Shetty that use of the platform of cricket for promoting films by stars is "slightly debatable" in the wake of his latest film Om Shanti Om coming up for discussion during a chat with TV commentator Rameez Raja at the recent Jaipur ODI cricket match between India and Pakistan.

Read More......

SRK upset with BCCI official's comment

Shah Rukh Khan and controversies seem to be going hand in hand off late. After the Manoj Kumar episode, it is now the BCCI, who did not take SRK’s appearance for cricket matches in ‘the right sense’.

The senior Cricket board officials commented that stars are using cricket matches to promote films. However, the superstar hits back saying that he does not have to depend on other's platforms to push his films. He was upset over the annotations made by Ratnakar Shetty that use of the platform of cricket for promoting films by celebrities is "slightly debatable" in the wake of his latest film, Om Shanti Om as it came up for discussion during a chat with TV commentator, Rameez Raja at the recent Jaipur ODI cricket match between India and Pakistan.

SRK further added that he went to watch the match as a sports lover. It is because his children are fans of Sachin, Dhoni, and Sourav. Meanwhile BCCI Vice President, Rajiv Shukla said that the Board has no objection to SRK or any other celebrity coming to watch the matches.

Shah Rukh has been appearing in matches connecting the Indian team. He was present to cheer the team at the final of the Twenty 20 World Cup in South Africa and also at the Twenty20 match against Australia in Mumbai, where Deepika Padukone, his co-star in Om Shanti Om was also present.

IndiaFM

Amitabh and Shah Rukh Khan bonded well on the sets of Bhootnath

Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan hit it off well on the sets of Bhootnath. They would be often seen together, playing cards, etc.

A source from the sets says, "Big B and SRK spent a lot of time on the sets, playing card games in between their shots. They bonded really well on the sets."

When contacted Vivek Sharma, director of Bhoothnath, confirmed, "It was a sight to watch SRK and Big B together. The two had fun over games and general conversations.

There were several occasions when SRK dropped by on the sets even when he was not shooting. Big B showed interest in everything ranging from SRK's pony tail to his six- pack abs.

They would often play an interesting game called Trivial Pursuit." Not just that, SRK gifted AB many DVDs of latest video games available.

Vivek adds, "The two competing teams comprised Big B and I, and Raviji (Ravi Chopra) and Juhi Chawla respectively.

SRK would be the official quizmaster. We discovered that Big B's general knowledge is really good, he knew answers to almost every question."

Rajiv Dutta, IndiaTarget

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