SRK, Sania, Sachin may feature on postage stamps

NEW DELHI: Celebrities and national icons can now find immortality through postage stamps during their living years, if the government decides to end the decades long custom of honouring people only posthumously.

"We are considering a proposal to issue stamps on young achievers in various fields, who have made the nation proud. These personalities include Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Sania Mirza, Harbhajan Singh and Remo Fernandes among others," Shakeel Ahmad, Minister of State for Communication and IT, said.

These people have achieved a lot in their life and this needs to be conveyed to the youth to encourage them, as well as promote philately.

"Stamp collection is not merely a hobby. It teaches about our culture, civilisation and important happenings within our country and outside," the minister said, adding that this would also give the much required revenue to the postal department.

He, however, said that there was no custom hitherto to issue stamps on living persons. "It is very rare and exceptional... we are debating on this in the ministry and we expect to take a decision on this soon," he said.

Asked if any amendment was required in the Postal Act to issue stamps on living personalities, he replied in the negative.

"No amendment is required in the Postal Act. We just need to take a decision. I have written a note to (Communication and IT) Minister A Raja suggesting this," he said.

Times Of India

I'm leaving: Shah Rukh

LET ME GO!

There seem to be no end to Viveck Vaswani’s woes and the director might not complete Dulha Mil Gaya in time. Shah Rukh hasn’t provided the required dates for the film. He was supposed to shoot for a song on a cruise liner but the shoot was cancelled after rains played havoc with the schedule.

One song only

The latest buzz doing the rounds is that Shah Rukh has conveyed to Viveck that he won’t be able to be part of the project.
Says an insider, “SRK was doing the film as a goodwill gesture for Viveck but after a while, the producer expected him to do more than just one song. While Shah Rukh isn’t keen on doing more than just a song, Viveck wants to use him as one of the major highlights, to give the film more weight and value.”

Shah Rukh and Viveck go back a long way. When the actor had first arrived in Mumbai from Delhi, Vaswani had opened his home to him.

Initially, Shah Rukh had given unavailability of dates as a reason for not being able to do the film.

However, now he has informed the director he isn’t interested in doing it at all. The source continues, “It’s strictly between Viveck and SRK now. No one else has been told about this change (??!).” The next schedule for Dulha Mil Gaya begins in March.

Tushar Joshi, Mid-Day

Ajay and SRK’s Toony Tiff !

Shah Rukh Khan’s recent announcement in Variety magazine about producing an animated kiddie flick has stirred a hornet’s nest. According to the Ajay Devgan camp, the stories of SRK’s and Kumar Mangat’s animation film, Toonpur Ka Super Hero, are the same!

A source reveals that Ajay’s camp is miffed that Khan is going ahead with a project that is very similar to theirs in terms of ideation and plot. The similarity isn’t just about who the film is catering to, but also the treatment. Both the movies are using state-of-the-art effects and will have a video game feel.

Ajay’s angry

Apparently, Devgan was infuriated when Shah Rukh roped in Anubhav Sinha for the project. “Ajay has been conceiving Toonour Ka Super Hero even before he started work on U Me Aur Hum. In fact, during Cash, Ajay had discussed the project with Anubhav and now Anubhav is working with Shah Rukh on a suspiciously similar project.”

Kumar Mangat says, “I have heard that the stories of Anubhav’s film and Toonpur being similar. Some people in the trade have informed me but when I checked, I found out that Anubhav Sinha’s story is different. I know that he’s making an animation film but I am not sure if Shah Rukh has said yes to the film.”

Both Anubhav Sinha and Kumar Mangat are working at breakneck speed to complete their films they want to release their film first.

It’s a race

Mangat says, “I don’t know about Anubhav’s film but 80 per cent of our animation work has already been done. We will complete shooting by June and definitely plan to have a Diwali or Christmas release.

Doing an animation film is no child’s play. It takes months to work on a character — extensive knowledge and research.”

Crowded space

He continues, “Kirit is an experienced ad filmmaker with his own animation company. One wrong frame and the entire shooting gets wasted. We have been working on Toonpur since last 15 months and now only two songs including one with Ajay and Kajol need to be shot. Ajay and Kajol’s song is called Chal baliye chal Toonpur chaliye and will be shot with 5000 animated characters.”

Mangat is roping in noted animation specialist Charles Darby for TKSH. Kumar Mangat says, “We are in talks with a Hollywood technician who has worked with Steven Spielberg in his films. Everything will get finalised in a few days.”

When asked if his film is similar to TKSH Shah Rukh says, “No.”

Tushar Joshi & Upala KBR, Mid-Day

Shah Rukh Duped & Loses Passport

Bollywood superstar, Shahrukh Khan is in the news yet again though this time for an off-screen mystery that has left the Mulund (Mumbai) police baffled.

It involves his credit card which came into the possession of three people who took a big chance to splurge away merrily but were nabbed by an alert department store executive.

On February 10, Vinay Vijay Tambe (22), James Paul Peremal (28), and Shekar Jadhav (44), went to Shopper’s Stop at Nirmal Lifestyle in Mulund (W) and bought trousers and t-shirts worth Rs.25000.

So far, so good till it was time to pay up and out came an ICICI credit card. The sales executive was stunned when he saw that the name on the transaction slip was none other than SRK. He knew something was terribly wrong especially when the credit card holder signed it as Vinay Vijay Tambe.

The executive made a call to ICICI Bank to verify the card’s authenticity and also informed the police about the transaction. They wasted little time in reaching the spot and arrested the trio under Indian Penal Code sections 34 (common intention) and 420 (cheating). They have been remanded to police custody till February 18.

Shahrukh confirmed the story through an SMS to this newspaper.

The Mulund police says the card was not forged. “ICICI Bank has confirmed that the card belonged to Khan. We are trying to find out whether it was stolen or if he lost it. And, of course, the big question is how did it come into Tambe’s hands,” senior police inspector Prakash Landge, Mulund police station, told DNA.

The trio’s version, according to him, was that they found the card lying on a road in SantaCruz a few days prior to their arrest.

The Mulund police got in touch with their counterparts at Bandra to check if SRK had registered any complaint on a lost credit card. “They told us that he had lodged a complaint on his passport being lost. We are now investigating the exact source of the credit card,” Landge said.

The police might soon contact SRK on the matter.

V.Narayan, DNA India

Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader ?

Not that King Khan had gone anywhere, but he’s making a comeback on the telly with another show, which comes after the super successful Kaun Banega Crorepati. This time, Shah Rukh Khan will be the host for Star Plus’ new game show Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain, which will be on air later this year. An Indian adaptation of a hit Fox TV quiz show, that’s doing well in over 50 countries, Khan explained the concept with some witty repertoire at the launch in Delhi. “Main dil say khud baccha hi hoon (At heart, I am a also a child),” said Khan, who rode a bicycle to the podium for the press conference.

The movie icon will be seen in Aditya Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan, apart from three home productions from Red Chillies Entertainment. “Since I’m not shooting at the moment, I can devote my time to this show. Finally, I have work,” joked Khan. “At Red Chillies we are also planning an animation film. Barry John taught me that if I can hold a child’s attention, I can be an actor,” said Khan.

Khan watched the original show , Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, with his kids and their friends before deciding on whether he wanted to be part of this venture. “My kids found it fascinating,” he said, and that eventually convinced him to don the quizmaster’s hat yet again. With a self-imposed break from films, Khan has his plate full with cricket and television. “I think I never left television. I began my career with TV and I owe my life to this medium,” he said. He’ll host this show in a classroom environment.

Regarding his recent exploits with cricket, he is smitten with cricketer Sourav Ganguly and has set his heart at getting him on board his most recent purchase — the Kolkata Cricket League. “Sourav will captain my team. Since our team is Kolkata, we must have a signature player and who better than Sourav? Had he not been from Kolkata, even then I would have bid for him just because he is a great player,” he insisted.

Prone to self-congratulation, Khan is disarmingly modest at the same time. “With all humility, I think I am the ambassador of the Indian film industry. Those international awards might have been conferred on me, but they are a reflection of the fact that the world has woken up to Indian cinema,” said a triumphant Khan. Here we go again!

Express India

SRK and Kajol Voted Jodi No 1

It's valentine season and romance is in the air. And romance has been the staple for Bollywood for many years.

So which onscreen couple charmed the hearts of the audience? Which lead pair is the jodi no 1? We here at CNN-IBN decided to find out.

Bollywood has had some memorable onscreen couples who lit up the silver screen with their sparkling chemistry.

While the spotlight has shifted from reel life to real life couples off late, the magic that the male and female leads created on celluloid is definitely a source of inspiration for many.

So this Valetine's week we decided to check out who's the best of them all...the couple that has reigned in the hearts of the audience as the hero and heroine who made their ticket money worth every penny.

On a poll conducted on www.ibnlive.com CNN-IBN asked respondents to vote the jodi no1 in Bollywood. And the nominees are:

Guru Dutt and Waheed Rehman

Dharmendra and Hema Malini

Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol

Shahid Kapur and Kareena Kapoor

From the swarm of responses, it was evident that if there's one jodi that has melted hearts across the board, it's Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol who sizzled on screen in such films as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kabhie Khushie Kabhie Gham and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

They're the couple we have most enjoyed seeing on screen, they're the couple that has most often made our eyes moist, they're the couple who have immortalized romance on 70mm.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, CNN-IBN's Jodi No. 1 is Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.

Watch the video : Click Here

IBN Live

"I'm directing for Shah Rukh" - Anubav Sinha

Shah Rukh Khan has entrusted Anubhav Sinha (of Dus and Tum Bin fame) with the responsibility of directing a Red Chillies production. Though earlier there were speculations around the authenticity of the news piece, the man at the helm of affairs comes out in open.

"Yes, this is true. I am indeed going to direct this film which would be heavy on CGI and VFX. At this moment no decision has been taken on whether Shah Rukh Khan would be acting in the film or not as the script is still being finalized", says Anubhav Sinha whose last release was Cash.

Budget of this yet untitled film has been pegged at $25 million (Rs. 100 crores) which automatically makes it India's most expensive film ever. What does Anubhav feel about this transition to the super league? "With big power comes bigger responsibilities", chuckles Anubhav while obviously quoting superhero Spiderman.

He continues, "The film is obviously huge and there would be extensive pre-production required for it. Shah Rukh is getting some of the best technicians from the world to work on the project. When he makes a statement that the film has to match the standards set by Spiderman, I have to be continuously on my toes."

Since the film is CGI and VFX laden, is it mainly an animation/special effects film, as reported in some sections of media. "What rubbish", says an amused Anubhav, "You don't spend 100 crores on a core animation film. This is very much going to be a live action film with real people. But yes, it would have high dose of VFX."

It was two years back that Anubhav Sinha had got into a first round discussion with Shah Rukh Khan around the project. Khan went on to do Om Shanti Om in the interim and recently gave a nod to his dream project. Was he overtly bothered about the Cash imbroglio?

"He hasn't spoken to me about it", replies Anubhav, "I don't know whether he has seen Cash or not. In any case, he has been in the entertainment business for long and fully understands what goes behind the scenes for the success or failure of a project."

While work is still on for the production and financing of the film, Shah Rukh Khan is already said to be in talks with Eros Entertainment and visual effects guru Charles Darby who has worked on films like The Matrix and Minority Report. Most of the year 2008 would go into getting the base ready for the film to come on floors.

As per Khan, the film is going to be over the top and a madcap with a feel that would be as beautiful as Spider Man when it comes to special effects. Though Anubhav Sinha refuses to divulge much about the plot of the film, there are indications that the film with a feel of videogame would be centered on a bunch of children who wish for bad things but get a reality check when they come true.

"Let the suspense stay on about what the film is all about. In any case, I don't wish to reveal much about the film since it is at least a year away. Let me get my act in place till then", signs off Anubhav.

Screen India

Shah Rukh to host 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?'

English is the official language of India. True or False?

Do all adult kangaroos have pouches? Yes or No?
Which of the following - ligaments, tendons, or marrow, attach muscles to bones?.

After reading the above questions, most of you will feign dyslexia, some of you will promptly want to take help from 10-years olds in the neighborhood and still, many will refuse to say, "I'm not smarter than the Fifth grader."

If you have trouble remembering the formula for the area of a triangle or figures of speech that you learnt in primary school, its definitely time to go back to school with none other than Bollywood Ka Badshah - Shah Rukh Khan.

Shah Rukh Khan is back on TV to host television's biggest entertainer ever, 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?' It is a show, which has adult contestants testing their wits with a group of sprightly 10-year-olds.

Excited about hosting 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?', Shah Rukh Khan says, "I was very keen to do this show because of the educational aspect attached to it, which has been an integral part our culture. Once the decision was made, Star Plus was the only television platform I could think, that could take me to every single television home in this country."

Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? is a television game show based on the international Mark Burnett format 'Are you smarter than a 5th grader?' where grade school level questions are put to adults from all walks of life, who are well heeled and confident and who attempt to relive school with success. The format originated in the United States, has launched successfully in 50 countries, and will now hit Indian television, courtesy Bulldog Media & Entertainment.

The essence of the show is the test that adults will be put to answer primary school questions, the pressure of going back to school and keeping their reputations intact. Even the likes of 2008 presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Rudy Guiliani have turned down the offer to be the on show as contestants. Such is the pressure!
First time on Indian television, viewers will witness contestants win this whopping sum - Five Crores to answer up to Fifth Standard questions, just imagine…

Speaking on the launch of 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass se Tez Hain?', Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India Pvt Ltd., said, "We are fortunate that the country has always given us the mandate of taking television to the next level. We have done it time and again by launching a show like 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', by introducing a whole new time band in the afternoon and by bringing people back to television on the weekends. With a show like 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?', its time to redefine Indian television yet again."

The show promises quality entertainment and high production value to its viewers; and a production of such magnitude warrants only the best in the industry to make it happen. Star Plus once again collaborates with one of the country's leading production houses- Synergy Adlabs. Their expertise in producing successful, top quality format shows including the super-hit Kaun Banega Crorepati ( series 1,2,&3), Heartbeat, Kamzor Kadi Kaun will ensure that Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? becomes yet another hit on Indian television.

Bollywood Hungama

SRK absent at Paanchvi Paas

King Khan Shahrukh who just returned from his spell at the Berlin film festival and his quick media interaction at Delhi , was to attend the press conference of Star Plus’ “Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain?” at ITC, Parel last afternoon. But, unfortunately was absent at the launch of the much hyped show.

Shahrukh who has always shared a great rapport with the media failed to appear at the conference due to the rising political situation within the state of Maharashtra. The arrest of MNS leader Raj Thackeray last noon put the state on high alert as activists blocked roads to protest against the arrest.

The team at Star Plus didn’t want to put their guest at any sort of danger and thus decided not to have Shahrukh at the conference. The conference did see the unveiling of the logo and Siddhart Basu director of the show, did interact with the media and spoke on Shahrukh’s behalf.

But Shahrukh’s persona was deeply missed at the conference. The Star team was heavily apologetic and thus promised greater moments of interaction with Shahrukh in the days to come. So till then, just hang-in.

IndiaGlitz

V-Day is beyond me:SRK

He is the eternal Rahul of Indian cinema, the lover who always gets the heroine in the end.
But call him that and Shah Rukh Khan just throws up his hands and says resignedly, “People call me a lot of names; I don’t mind being called any!

Then on a serious note, the King of Romance adds, “I have reached the giving stage of my Bollywood love affair. I want to give more and more love to my audience through my work. If you want to call it love... please go ahead!”

But SRK is not the kind to straitjacket love in the confines of Valentine’s Day. “I have never really understood this day. According to me, love has so many facets. For instance, if you asked Don Juan, he would have said that loving 1700 women was the nicest thing in his life.

And I think I would respect that also.

The beauty of love is that it has no boundaries. For me, love means my children. I am in love with the undiplomatic and innocent stage of life that they are in,” he says.

And isn’t it a little kid, Darsheel Safary, who is competing with Mr Khan for the Filmfare best actor award too? “Every year the competition keeps getting younger. Very soon, I will be nominated with an unborn baby,” he smiles.

Times Of India