King Khan is all set to co-produce a film with Aditya Chopra

SRK has decided to take one step ahead as a producer. This time around the actor-producer has decided to revise the terms and conditions in his deliberations with Yash Raj Films. Earlier, SRK used to quote his remuneration as any other actor would do after signing a film for the production house. But after the grand success of Chak De India, SRK has approached Aditya Chopra with an idea to co-produce Adi’s third directorial venture Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, wherein he wouldn’t charge anything as an actor. The film will also see SRK cast opposite a new girl.

A source in the Yash Raj's camp reveals, "It’s true. Both Chak De… and Om Shanti Om did wonders for Shah Rukh and the Yash Raj. He has given one of the biggest hits of the year. So, Aditya had no reason to disapproved of SRK’s proposal."

Johnny Vaz, Buzz18

Is Shah Rukh Khan jinxed for critics ?

One look at Shah Rukh Khan’s filmography and you will notice that most of his films have received the best of reviews. Another look at the films made by critics and you will notice the common element in most of them is the Shah Rukh Khan factor. So while it is a fact that Shah Rukh has received much critical acclaim, there’s also no denying to the fact that critics have exploited enough of SRK’s fame.

The most recent example of this could be Samar Khan’s film Shaurya starring Kay Kay Menon, Rahul Bose and Minissha Lamba. Shah Rukh will make a special appearance in the film towards the end, reciting poems. Popular television film critic turned filmmaker Samar Khan says, “ Shaurya didn’t have any role for Shah Rukh. But when the film was complete, I felt there was something missing. Something special was absent. Hence for this film I knew that I just wanted SRK to be in it. Then came the poem part and I approached him to recite it."

Samar continues, "SRK can never say no to anyone. Besides when he heard the lines of the poem he was so taken by it that he just agreed to do it on the spot”. So a small offbeat film like Shaurya gets that extra star value even when Shah Rukh comes in for a 2 minute recital.

Samar Khan’s previous film Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye too had Shah Rukh Khan in a cameo. King Khan couldn’t help that film much with his presence since much harm was done by the time he arrived in the picture. Samar can only pray that history doesn’t repeat itself now.

When another popular film critic Khalid Mohammed turned towards filmmaking, Shah Rukh Khan featured in his wish list too. Shah Rukh was supposed to do an item number in Khalid’s debut film Fiza , on the track Gaya Gaya Dil when male item numbers were still not recognized. Unfortunately since the length of the film went over 3 hours 15 minutes, his song was chopped off at the last moment.

However that didn’t discourage Khalid from approaching Shah Rukh for a second time in his third film Silsiilay where he finally played the sutradhar. Silsiilay was about three parallel stories that were connected together by Shah Rukh who played a host to the film introducing and interlinking the characters. Unfortunately this time too his presence didn’t help the film which bombed badly at the box-office. Which makes us ponder whether SRK is jinxed for the critics?

Is that the reason another popular film critic turned filmmaker Kunal Kohli never had Shah Rukh Khan in his films. And if you come to think of it, all his films from Hum Tum to Fanaa have worked well. Even Mujhse Shaadi Karogi worked well in the overseas market.

Of course we know that the script and direction is what matters in the end, but in an industry ruled by myths, superstitions and fallacy, the fate of Shaurya will decide if Shah Rukh Khan is jinxed for film critics turned filmmakers.

Gaurav Malani, Indiatimes Movies

The SRK-Prez Connection

When the country's highest office-bearer nurses a passion for the lowest common denominator, Hindi cinema, what better bridge than technology?

The Rashtrapati Bhavan theatre has just gone digital so that President Pratibha Patil, an avid Bollywood buff, can catch all the latest movies first day, first show.

The gizmo that brings the magic of the silver screen to the President's house is a fancy satellite system worth Rs 15 lakh that was installed three weeks ago.

This system, which has done away with physical prints of films, allows movies to be beamed directly to 1,000 theatres across the country and the few luxury private homes which can afford to install it.

"With this technology, a man in Jharkhand can go to a local theatre and enjoy a movie for Rs 3.50 and the First Citizen can enjoy the premiere at her mansion," said a trade source.

It all started when the President expressed a desire to see Chak De! India, and the film was aired for her via a digital recorder. Sources said that actor Shah Rukh Khan, who stars in the film, was present on the occasion.

The President was reportedly so taken with her tryst with technology that her office placed an order for the system to be permanently installed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan theatre which boasts a 41-feet-wide screen.

The only hitch is that the President's office will have to get copyright permission for each screening through the local distributor or producer.

"Since we don't have the copyright of the movies, this will have to be done by Rashtrapati Bhavan officials," says Rajesh Mishra, India CEO of UFO Moviez which installed the system.

Sources said the Prez is yet to inaugurate the theatre but keen on catching the controversial Jodhaa-Akbar .

Times Of India

Shah Rukh, Kareena hailed Best Actors

He may be Bollywood's Best Bubbly Male, but tonight actor Shah Rukh Khan was acknowledged for his new serious avatar in Chak De India ! The man won the Filmfare Best Actor in a leading role (male) Award leaving behind his co-nominees - Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan and Shahid Kapur. Having achieved two nominations this year ( Chak De and Om Shanti Om ), SRK stated that every role is close to his heart, and if asked to choose between the two flicks, he really had no preferences. "We're not here to win awards. I only like to entertain, and when I make someone smile I feel happy." Though at his rudest best as host and MC, Shah Rukh was kind in his winning speech and generously thanked the people behind his 'success'.

The Best Actor Award in a leading role (Female) went to Jab We Met 's bubbly Geet, Kareena Kapoor, who today sang the geet of success. The girl looked lovely in her Manish Malhotra creation – off white sari and orange blouse. In her thank you speech, she said: I have three people to thank. They are responsible for this. The first is my director Imtiaz Ali, then the producers Ashtavinayak Cine Vision, and third is my co-star Shahid Kapoor. Interestingly, the Best Actor award was presented to her by none other than beau Saif, whom she thanked for presenting her with the award and making her night special.

Now, these are what we call timeless Filmfare moments.

Shah Rukh will Host the Filmfare Awards tonight

A black tie-and-gown evening where the glitz and gloss will be provided by Bollywood’s top stars as they walk down the red carpet of the Yash Raj Studios in Andheri from 7 pm onwards.

Inside, and leading a selected and invited audience through the awards ceremony, will be Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan and Chhote Nawab Saif Ali Khan. Emcee entertainment, naturally, is guaranteed to take on a whole new bold and exciting meaning with these two gentlemen on stage.

The lovely Vidya Balan is the third emcee of the evening. Then, of course, the show belongs to the stars who have been nominated for the prestigious black statuette. What names of winners the envelope reveals, who takes home the prestigious award, will be known only later tonight.

Meanwhile, to give you a peep behind the curtain, the awards ceremony this year has some real winners entertaining on stage. Like the sexy Kareena Kapoor and dazzling Deepika Padukone, watch them dance, and Khiladi Akshay Kumar, who turns out an outstanding performance, while there’s also Himesh Reshammiya, Vivek Oberoi and Neil Nitin Mukesh, all taking the razzmatazz a notch higher.

Bombay Times was privy to the rehearsals over the past few days at Yash Raj Studios. So was Karisma Kapoor who sat with Saif and watched kid sis Kareena swish through numbers like It’s Rocking and Mauja Re Mauja.

Watching also from the wings, and staying back till a late hour, was young Ranbir Kapoor. His whole attention was on the ravishing Deepika Padukone who will dance to Dhun Tana Nana Dhun and Aankho Mein Teri from her debut film Om Shanti Om.

Akshay Kumar, a veteran at such things, will perform to the superhit numbers of 2007 Hey Babby, Hare Ram, Hare Ram and the title track from Welcome.

Neil Nitin Mukesh, excited to be at his first Filmfare Awards function, is doing the title track of his Johnny Gaddar and Move The Body from the same film. "I have always watched the Filmfare Awards from afar, to be a part of it now is an honour for me," he said. And, finally, Vivek Oberoi, who will remind the audience of Aye Ganpat from Shootout at Lokhandwala. "I’m excited, the song’s one of my favourites, but it’s done here in a very different and fantastic way," he revealed. As for Himeshbhai, he will say Aasalum Waleum, so be sure to reply Walekaum Salam!

The dances have been choreographed by Shiamak Davar while Manish Malhotra has designed the costumes worn by Kareena and Deepika and Narendra Kumar those for Neil and Vivek. Sabina Khan has dressed up Akshay.

Times Of India

SRK Will Quit Smoking, Soon...

Much Ado About Something...
...waiting for Shah Rukh Khan to make chewing on neem-twigs sexy!

Well, here's the world and its wife's take on SmoKing SRK...

Actor Shah Rukh Khan, said in an interview that the thing he hated most about himself was his inability to stop smoking. "I know I have to. I know as a role model I shouldn't be sending that message," he said. "It's a horrible habit. I have to work harder to stop."

Emily Wax, The Washington Post - Seattle Times

King Khan’s item number in Krazzy 4

Shah Rukh Khan is not flaunting his six-pack abs (that was for buddy Farah Khan, remember?) in the item number for Rakesh Roshan’s Krazzy 4, directed by Jaideep Sen.

The actor features in the song in a buttoned-up shirt though he does flaunt his ponytail.

Choreographed by Ahmed Khan, the track is Break Free Gotta Get Some Chutti sung by Vishal Dadlani and composed by Rajesh Roshan.

The promos of the song go on air this week.

Mid-Day

Shah Rukh Khan launches Zee Radio UK

KING of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan officially launched the UK’s first Bollywood radio station from ZEE Network.

It was launched at the sold-out ZEE Carnival 2008 last weekend to a rapturous response.

Shah Rukh Khan, who was the face of the sold-out, three-day extravaganza at the Olympia, London, congratulated ZEE on its new initiative.

He said: "I would take this opportunity to congratulate Zee for the launch of their new radio, Zee Radio 558 AM (and DAB). All the best Zee!! I hope you all listen to it."

He was also joined on stage by UK Top 10 sensation Jay Sean who added to the celebrations encouraging listeners to tune in.

A specially choreographed dance sequence representing the flavour of the station was presented on stage as a part of the launch.

The Asia News, UK

King Khan to play Superman

Shahrukh Khan’s son Aryan is a superhero flick lover. He always wants his father to star in a feature film where he will get to see him doing some unimaginable stunts and action. So, to fulfill his son’s dream Shahrukh will very soon shed off his lover boy image and play the role of Superman.

In this flick, SRK will be seen donning a cape and flying across the sky at super-speed. Another important protagonist will be a 12 year old boy. The hunt is going for the lucky charm that will get to share screen space with SRK. The film will be produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and will be directed by Anubhav Sinha. Since, the film will include different types of computer graphics; it will be an expensive offering from the Red Chillies Entertainment.

Shahrukh is working very closely with Anubhav Sinha on the dream project of his son. Anubhav is also very excited as he will get to work with King Khan for the first time. This supernatural film is surely going to be matter of great interest among the children. Both Shahrukh and Anubhav have decided to incorporate all those things that appeal to children. The shooting of the film will start very soon and it is expected to hit the theatres before the end of 2008.

Bollywood Mantra

Lets talk VFX , baby!

It’s been Shah Rukh Khan’s long-cherished dream to do an Indian Spiderman, a gift to his son Aryan who’s a big FX/SRK fan. He has chosen Anubhav Sinha to direct what will unarguably be the most expensive film ever produced in India.

It will not be an animation film, as reported earlier, but a feature film starring King Khan and a 12-year-old protagonist and will be produced by Red Chillies Entertainment.
A hunt is on for the boy who will get the dream opportunity of being part of Shah Rukh’s fantasy of donning a cape and flying across the sky at super-speed.

Actively there

Shah Rukh is actively collaborating with director Sinha in the writing of the script. The idea given by the director to SRK is based on gizmos, computer games and a super-hero on the lines of Spiderman, and is being worked on by SRK.

Whether he’ll finally take credit for the screenplay or not remains to be seen. At the moment, all systems are geared to start work on his most expensive project before 2008 ends.

SRK surprises

Sinha says, “I’m surprised at how accessible Shah Rukh is to me. I was always given the impression that he likes to work with directors with whom he already has a certain comfort level. Shah Rukh didn’t know me at all. But he’s all there for our film together.”

A year’s work

Anubhav says that talks between Shah Rukh and him have been on for nearly a year. “But in the last three months, we’ve been meeting very seriously, thanks to a common friend (journalist Mustaq Sheikh).”

“Yes, it’s an FX–driven fantasy for children and the child within every person, on the lines of Spiderman. It’s definitely NOT an animation film, as wrongly reported”, reveals the director of the Dus and Cash as he gears up for the biggest challenge of his career.

Mid-Day