King Khan went up to Amitabh when he learnt they were shooting on neighbouring sets

It seems Shah Rukh Khan is tired of the long-standing cold war between him and Amitabh Bachchan. If rumours are to be believed, the younger star walked up to the Big B around 5.30 pm IST on Wednesday.

Amitabh was shooting for Sujoy Ghosh's Alladin on Set No. 3 at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai's Bandra area while Shah Rukh was shooting a commercial on Set No. 2.

Says our source, "When Shah Rukh learnt that Amitji was shooting next door, he walked up to him and both embraced each other. It was surprising and the shoot came to a standstill for almost five minutes."

Bachchan, who was shooting a song sequence with Ritiesh Deshmukh, Saahil Khan and

Jacquiline D'Souza, was just as warm and cordial.

Apparently the reason why Shah Rukh Khan took this step was because he realised that it was because of him Bachchan did not turn up at Smita Thackeray's event last Saturday. Whatever the reason, if this cold war does thaw, it will spell the end of a major chasm that has divided the Bollywood for some years now.

Johnny Vaz, Buzz18

Shah Rukh Khan gets a Rs 2-crore extortion call

The success of Shah Rukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om has an unexpected fallout. After the movie set cash registers ringing, Khan is said to have received extortion calls from gangster Bunty Pandey.

Khan was reportedly told to cough up Rs 2 crore. He received several phone calls in the last few days from Pandey, it’s learnt. Pandey, the police have found out, has sent six goons to “speak” to Khan personally.

Khan informed the Crime Branch of the Mumbai police and its Anti-Terrorist Squad of the calls from the gangster.

The Crime Branch and ATS officers, who heavily rely on wiretap surveillance, have managed to eavesdrop on Pandey’s plans and have put teams on the trail of the gangsters. The police have also discreetly stepped up security around Khan’s bungalow, Mannat, at Bandra’s Band Stand.

When contacted, Khan’s secretary said he was away on a shoot and wouldn’t be available for comment. When specifically asked about the threat, she said, “I am not aware of any threat or increase in security at Mannat”. Senior police officers, too, were not available for comment.

Khan had earlier received threats from Abu Salem while he was returning from Khandala after the shooting of Dil To Pagal Hai. Salem wanted him to act in a movie produced by an acquaintance and was upset over Khan’s refusal.

Narayan Prakash ‘Bunty’ Pandey was with Chhota Rajan before he broke away to set up his own team which includes Bharat Nepali and Ajay Mohite. It targets Bollywood for income, just as Abu Salem did.

Indian Express

'Jobless' Shahrukh Being Sought By Yash Raj Films

After opting out of a number of projects, ShahRukh Khan had proudly stated: “I am jobless”. But he may not remain so for long.

Om Shanti Om was SRK’s last big release. And now a lull has set in after the storm. ShahRukh Khan, the superstar of Bollywood, has no movie commitment to look forward to after walking out of Shankar’s Robot and turning down Raju Hirani’s upcoming film.
On the other hand, industry’s topmost production house Yashraj Films is coming to grips with their dwindling fortunes due to a string of failures their movies have met this year, beginning with Tara Rum Pum , Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and Laaga Chunari Mein Daag . Even Madhuri Dixit ’s comeback film Aaja Nachle has failed to turn YRF’s fortune around. The only solace for the production house this year was the super success of SRK starrer Chak De India .

Now, Yashraj Films is once again falling back on its luckiest mascot and most reliable star Shah Rukh to take the production house out of the morass of flops.

Reports have it that Aditya Chopra is keen to rope in SRK for a project now that the superstar has dates to spare. Aditya doesn’t want to waste much time and is reportedly going through a number of story ideas, some suggested by Jaideep Sahni , to plan a film with SRK as soon as possible.

It is also being speculated that Aditya himself will direct the film.

Meanwhile, SRK is over the moon after the success of OSO and is spending his free time attending music launches and parties.

On Monday, the superstar and director Farah Khan had a special gathering for the crew of ‘Om Shanti Om’. At the gathering, SRK gave away bonus cheques to everyone who worked in the making of the movie. That is SRK’s way of sharing the profits with the crew.

Apunka Choice

Why Is Shahrukh King?

The man has something that many others don't...the love, respect and support from his peers simply because he loves, respects and supports them in return.

ShahRukh Khan is good with his friends and worst with his competitors. But when it comes to friends, SRK is always willing to give much support and help. Like he lent E Niwas, when he attended the music launch of his film My Name Is Anthony Gonsolves . He also stood by a newcomer like a Nikhil Diwedi, who hails from a non-film background.

When asked about how and why he associated with the film he said, "Everyone including E Niwas, Sahara and T-series thought of making this film and I decided to be part of it. It's not just because they all are my friends but all of them are hardworking people and I like hardworking people. My Red Chillies' team helped them in line production because they all are new. Today films don't need big budgets, they need good talent and people who work hard. I believe in hard work and my company too."
He continues, "E Niwas and his team is very gifted. I feel proud of these people because they worked very hard against all the odds. I am sure My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves will be a very beautiful film and insha allah it will be a big hit."

One more reason for SRK to promote the film is his good relationship with newcomer Nikhil Dwivedi who knows Shah Rukh since he was a Videocon employee. Shah Rukh is a self made man in the industry and without having any film background he made it big. And now when newcomers like Nikhil Dwivedi have similar dreams. SRK is ready to lend his support to the likes of him and Deepika Padukone, who no big and known film family support.

It can be also recalled that when his film was released with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya he said, "Why do they want to come up against my release? Don't they know, I'll finish them?" Saawariya introduced two star kids Rishi and Neetu Kapoor's son Ranbir and Anil Kapoor's daughter Sonam.

Though SRK had no grudges for star kids, he didn't like the way Bhansali promoted the film. King Khan is someone who never underestimates his competitors. He smartly planned promotions of his film OSO , and proved that he is the real king of Bollywood.

Indiatimes

SRK: The King of the Bollywood

MATINEE idol Shah Rukh Khan’s life is well documented and needs no introduction either. This book, presenting thumbnail sketches of his rise in the Bollywood filmdom, is targeted mainly at the Indian diaspora scattered worldwide and not possessing such easy access to reading material about him as we in India have. To quote the author: “When a star of his stature approaches a career milestone of 60 films and gets to a stage where he clearly needs to chart unexplored territory, it is perhaps time for a career assessment”, hence this book.

While Rajesh Khanna was called ‘The Phenomenon’ and Amitabh Bachchan was known as ‘The Supremo’ or ‘Big B’, Shah Rukh Khan took over the crown by being called King Khan and King of Bollywood. And why not, considering the fact that a documentary has been made on his life and work, a perfume carries his name and he has endorsed a number of consumer items. An icon and the most saleable celebrity in India, Shah Rukh is an “ubiquitous presence in the media”, endorsing varied brands including Tag Heur, Pepsi, Hyundai, etc.—ranging from watches to electronics, from cars to noodles. At times, he seems to be present everywhere, particularly if he belongs to the crowd he moves in. He is seen at parties, while performing on stage and giving umpteen interviews, peppered with wit and sarcasm. He seldom fails to make some ascerbic comment at old timers (like Manoj Kumar, nicknamed ‘Bharat’ Kumar) or for instance his immediate senior like Amitabh Bachchan or a contemporary like Hrithik Roshan.

Born on November 2, 1965 at the Talwar Nursing Home in New Delhi as Shah Rukh, who could have known that this “ordinary-looking, not-too-tall, mop-haired young man” would be one of India’s biggest and highest paid superstars. He studied at Delhi’s prestigious St. Columba’s School, was good both at studies and sports and took part in extra-curricular activities, especially theatre. He graduated from Hansraj College but could not complete post-graduation due to shortage of attendance—reason being his involvement in theatre and television (where he started his career by acting in serial Fauji and Dil Dariya). In the meantime he began courting a Hindu girl, Gauri Chibba whom he married after six years of courtship.

On entering the Hindi film industry, Shah Rukh established himself in only a couple of years as one of the top male stars of his time. He says about himself, “I want to be known as a performer. It would be dishonest to say I am an actor who performs…” and perform he does. No doubt, he has such a huge fan following whom “I cannot repay for what they have done for me; they have given me so much love…”

Shah Rukh’s films have become hits one after another, as his career graph shoots up and to quote his first mentor, Aziz Mirza: “He has more potential than a director is able to bring out”. We have to wait and watch him achieve that true greatness, which is yet to come, says the author, critic and screenwriter Deepa Gahlot, who has analysed various phases of Shah Rukh’s life.

Manju Gupta , Organiser.org

Yash Raj's SOS Call To SRK

With four out of their five films flopping at the box office in 2007, Yash Raj Films has sent out an SOS call to their most successful star and the lead of their only super hit film for the year Chak De India, ShahRukh Khan.

Sources inform, "The Hindi film industry's premium banner is keen not to have a repeat of 2007 in the coming year. The King Khan has had a 100% track record with them starting with Darr (1993) to their last release together Chak De India. As the planning for next year's releases is underway, the Yash Raj head honcho Aditya Chopra is extremely keen on casting him in his next which he has been planning for long to direct."

"Presently, the three under production films by Yash Raj that are confirmed for a release by mid 2008 are Tashan and the animated flick Roadside Romeo. There is a Kunal Kohli produced and directed film starring Saif and Rani that they are presenting which shall release in the second half of 2008. None of these star their lucky mascot. Adi, who was very keen to handle the next in the Dhoom series, is keeping that on the back burner and concentrating more on the script which is being written with SRK in mind. The details about its theme are however not known," adds the source.

Shah Rukh is on a break presently and is likely to start work on his next, My Name Is Khan for Karan Johar in May. He has backed out of his commitments for Shankar's Robot and Rajkumar Hirani's next based on Chetan Bhagat's novel Five Point Someone and has no other films on hand. The buzz is strong that the King Khan is about to meet the Yash Raj bosses over the coming days and discuss this project being planned with him.

Amrita Rao Is My Lil Sweetheart: Srk

It was a grand affair at the Sahara Star hotel. ShahRukh Khan was expected any moment for the music launch of E Niwas' film My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves. Although King Khan arrived quite late, he immediately made up for it with his usual charm. While there was a smattering of celebrities, SRK was at his charming best and stole the show with his humility. "I'm basking in the glory of this wonderful film. Inshallah, it may be the biggest hit of the year," said he. He praised the lead actor Nikhil Dwivedi. Ading further he said, "Amrita Rao is my li'l sweetheart. She's a great dancer and a fantastic actor."
Before getting into his BMW, he kissed a little boy on his cheek on the request of his father. Cool!

Buzz18

Srk's Five Point Theory

Though ShahRukh Khan was unwell, nothing stopped him from being his usual charming self. As he took the mike from the anchor, a tall lissom babe, he looked at her and said, “Why are all these girls taller than me? Yeh kaun sa factory hai jo inko produce karta hai ?” Everyone burst out laughing. Then he turned to Nikhil Dwivedi and said, “Always remember Nikhil, there are five stages that you will have to go through as an actor. First: When people will ask ‘Who is Nikhil? Second: They’ll say ‘Get me Nikhil’. Third: ‘Get me a look alike of Nikhil’. Fourth: ‘Get me a younger looking Nikhil’,” and when he said that, he looked at Mithun Chakraborty and said, “Right now, Mithunda and I are in that stage!” This sent everyone into uncontrollable fits of laughter again. SRK continued, “And the fifth and the last stage is when the same people ask ‘Who is Nikhil’?” We are sure Nikhil had had enough of lessons for the day.

Amrita Rao looked pretty and radiant in a peach colour dress. “I had to leave Jaisalmer at 8 am ‘cos it’s a four-hour drive to Jaipur from there and then I had to take a flight to Mumbai,” she said. Another actress who sizzled on the stage was Hrishitaa Bhatt who performed on one of the songs of the film.

Seemanto Roy, Head, Sahara-One Media and Entertainment, played the gracious host. Ritesh Deshmukh was seen having a good time with his buddies and so was Mushtaq Sheikh.

Times Of India

Shah Rukh Khan felicitated at CNBC-TV18's India Business Leader Awards

Shah Rukh Khan was presented the newly instituted Entertainment Business Leader of the year award at India Business Leader Awards Friday, December 7.

Reliance Industries' Mukesh Ambani won the Outstanding Indian Business leader award.

Other award winners included Ratan Tata who won the "Taking India Abroad" Award. For having bagged the Tata-Corus deal and Pepsico Chief Indira Nooyi won the Global Indian Award.

The award to Shah Rukh Khan was a tribute to his consummate marketing skills evident during the promotion of his film Om Shanti Om, Bollywood's biggest grosser ever.

Shah Rukh courage of conviction in first producing a film that stepped way out of the mould and then promoting it aggressively in the face of a competing film from Sony was inspiring.

The 42-year-old actor and filmmaker has great ambitions for his production company - Red Chillies Entertainment

Referring to the Hollywood companies that have stepped into the lucrative market of film production and distribution in India, Shah Rukh the filmmaker says:

"They may have big budgets, big banners but I have Shah Rukh Khan! And I will ensure that Red Chillies never has to give way to any production - whether it's Sony or Columbia."

Sawf News

Dard-e-Disco & Disco Dancer

It was the launch of E Niwas’s My Name is Anthony Gonsalves, starring debutant Nikhil Dwivedi, Amrita Rao and veteran Mithun Chakraborty, scheduled for 8 pm on Friday night.

Mithunda walked in first, followed by the rest of the cast. But there was one person who was yet to make a grand entry, King Khan — he was supposed to unveil the music of the film.

Mithun propped up the bar, chatting with all, drink in hand, smiling for the shutterbugs and trying to pass his time. It was nearing 11 pm when someone announced that Shah Rukh Khan was about to make an entry.

Mithun had by then moved to the first floor of the venue. Going to the balcony, he started bellowing, “Shah Rukh, Shah Rukh, kahan hain tu, yaar?” Moments later, SRK entered escorted by bodyguards. Again, Mithun called out the Bollywood Badshah’s name, this time louder than before to everyone’s surprise. Shah Rukh, unaware of the great presence above him, waved out the way he does to hysterical fans.

“He didn’t see me!” exclaimed Mithun, throwing his hands up in the air. But when SRK stepped out of the lift, the first thing he said was “ Da ,” on seeing Mithun.

The original Disco Dancer forgot his long wait and held open his arms to hug the Dard-e-Disco star. “I was calling out and you waved to me as if I was one of your fans,” complained Mithun. “Oh, was it you Da? I’m so sorry, I really thought it was just another fan calling out my name,” apologised the six-pack Khan. To which Mithun replied in jest, “It’s not your fault, dear, I’m so dark that you wouldn’t be able to see me from that distance anyway.”

Sharin Wader, TNN