Fans miss Bollywood at IPL opening

Where was the Bollywood entertainment or "taste of India" that the Indian Premier League had promised repeatedly in the run-up to the official opening of the tournament in Cape Town on Saturday (April 18) night?

That was the question on the lips of many Bollywood fans at the colourful ceremony at a packed Sahara Newlands Stadium here, as a host of artists entertained the crowd with items as diverse as traditional drums from both countries and circus acts from Europe entertained them.

But the closest sign of anything Bollywood or Indian on the field, besides the teams, was a tabla being played by a South African artist accompanying the traditional African dancers on their drums.

Even the music featured in all the entertainment items did not have any Bollywood music in it.

Fans did get repeated glimpses of Bollywood stars and team owners Shah Rukh Khan and Shilpa Shetty on the big screens during the two matches, including the disappointment on Shilpa's face as she watched, together with her mother and sister from the suites, how the chances of her Rajasthani Royals team defending its title slipped away from the Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Shah Rukh was shown with his wife Gauri and their two children, at times Shah Rukh doting over his son as the latter made comments about the game.

But that was the closest that the fans got to see of Bollywood.

Off the field, there were very short interviews on television with the first two winners in the search to find the next new face of Bollywood from among South African girls.

The young women, identified by the interviewer only as Raeesa and Tasneem, both from Cape Town, just gave monosyllabic answers to the questions posed by him as they admitted to being Shah Rukh Khan fans and being "nervous" or "wow" about the possibility of starring in a movie with him.

A total of 50 winners will be chosen from the crowds at every one of the eight venues around the country that are to host IPL matches.

One finalist from each venue will be chosen, leaving eight winners to be hosted and feted at The Wanderers in Johannesburg at the final of the IPL 2009 tournament on May 24. The ultimate winner will be announced during the final.

IPL fans worldwide will also be able to cast their votes for the winner via the IPL website.

Shah Rukh Khan: The 12th man for Kolkata Knight Riders

Shah Rukh Khan is in Bloemfontein in South Africa and the City of Roses is now home for his IPL franchisee, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The actor who left from Mumbai on 14 April will be in South Africa for at least two weeks. Prior to his departure, the actor spoke at length to Businessofcinema.com about his plans for KKR.

Not many know that SRK is a registered player in the KKR team. He confirms, "Yes, I am a registered player and had it not been for the injury on my shoulder this year, I would have definitely volunteered to be a part of the team."

SRK's electrifying presence happens to be that catalyst, which team KKR needs. Players like Sourav Ganguly, Murali Kartik and Ajit Agarkar all swear by the actor's energy and what it translates for the team.

SRK adds, "If need be, I will be the 12th man for my team and carry drinks to the ground. I am here in any capacity that my team needs me to be. I am the grand daddy of my company and I help out in marketing decisions, administrative rulings and of course, all entertainment related dealings."

With SRK in their midst, much of the mis-communication amongst the team members and the press will be ironed out, because if there is one man who can smoothen ruffled feathers, it is the King Khan himself.

Stripping captaincy from Ganguly 'cricketing decision': Shah Rukh

Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan termed stripping of captaincy from Sourav Ganguly as a "cricketing decision taken for the betterment of the team" and the former India captain was also involved in the decision making.

"It was a cricketing decision. People who have cricketing head and mind -- Dada (Ganguly), (John) Buchanan and team management -- had taken the decision. I hope it is for the betterment of the team," Shah Rukh said.

New Zealander Brendon McCullum was appointed captain in place last season skipper Ganguly on Friday, which set to rest weeks of speculation after KKR Director of Cricket Buchanan kicked up a controversy with his multiple captaincy idea.

Ganguly, on his part, said he "would not mind" with the decision and now the focus should be on every team member performing well.

"It was a team decision. I don't mind with that. Now everybody will have to perform if the team wants to do well in the tournament," he said.

Knight Riders - Wallpaper

SRK eyes an Oscar now

Shah Rukh Khan had earlier claimed to the media that he did not feel bad about rejecting “Slumdog Millionaire”, which later went to Anil Kapoor, but he is dejected about the Oscar glory that came the film’s way.

Now it seems that he has changed his mind for the better and wants to do cinema which potential to make it big internationally.

And good friend Preity Zinta has got a good advice for him. It seems Preity told SRK that she will be teaming up with Indian-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta for her next film.

SRK immediately told Preity to invite her to South Africa for the IPL matches, as he could not meet her when Deepa was in Mumbai. He wants to make up for it and also wants to discuss movies that will reach him to the Oscars!

If we win, I'll fly: SRK

Shah Rukh Khan is indefatigable.

He’s in South Africa to cheer the ‘boys’; injured shoulder notwithstanding. But he spoke to BT minutes before departure, not without his usual brand of positivity and humour. And he intends to hold the IPL trophy aloft with his Knightriders this time — but that’s something he’s not telling ‘how’!

So SRK, all set for South Africa? India will miss you!

Hey. Don’t make it sound so bad. I will miss India. Especially Kolkata. It was intended this way. But I’m so emotional about this that I intend to dash back in May, assuming we’re doing well, Inshallah, and doing something special in Kolkata with the people.

Still, a tournament that’s primarily ‘Indian-owned’, will it fly in Arica?

Look, it may be a foreign country, but the passion for cricket is common. And cricket is an international passion. The cricketers are international, too. So they’re recognisable faces. And though no one can match the craze that Indians have for the game, which is something I’ll miss and something that makes the Indian board the best in the world, it’s still cricket. Also, I think that people in South Africa love me, my films and my shows there, so I should have an advantage.

African beats seem to be pulsating through your new music video too?

Yes. We took Vishal Shekhar’s composition and infused some wildness into it. At first, I thought I wouldn’t be part of it with my injured shoulder, but I couldn’t resist. This one has some naughty, nasty, wicked lyrics and beats added. It’s ‘cool’ like the youngsters say.

How confident are you about your team this time? Last time you were disappointed...

Not disappointed, I was sad. I wished success for the boys who stuck it out with us. It wasn’t as much SRK’s team as it was their own. I was sad because my son was sad about it. We hope to raise the standard this time. Now that the venue has shifted, losing is NOT an option. But NOT learning to be losers is an option that’s always with us.

Today IPL season is considered ‘no release’ zone for movies. Do you feel a sense of guilt when movies don’t fare well or do not release at all?

You know, I’ve always been passionate about sports. I want to promote it in every which way. And I’m an entertainer. I love the big stage. I do movies, TV, stage-shows, sports – whatever it takes. Yes, IPL did affect some last year, it hit my TV show too. But we’ve tried to work around exams, holidays and made it easier. It’s just another entertainment platform and more and more like Bollywood what with Preity, Juhi, Shilpa and many more joining in.

Last year, you wrapped your legs around Shoaib Akhtar in excitement? This year?

This year, post surgery, I can’t even raise my hand to signal ‘sixes’. I can only signal ‘fours’. No leg wrapping around this time. I will refrain. But if we win, then leave alone jumping, I’ll fly.

And now that you’ve shaken hands with Aamir, will another Khan be next?

Like I’ve said before, I don’t plan so far ahead as to how my day will unfold, or who I have to shake hands with. I don’t strategize about those things. I simply strategize about how to win on the field and in the movie theatres.”

SRK will pick heroine at IPL

If you are South African with an undeniable star quality, then Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty are looking for you. The Miss Bollywood SA competition has been launched to find a new South African starlet for Bollywood.

THE winner of the contest will get 50,000 Rands in cash, a business class trip to India and even a Bollywood movie role, among other prizes. This announcement was made by IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi and the Bollywood band of stakeholders comprising SRK, Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty.

Shah Rukh said, “Star searches like this are a really great way to find people who may never even have thought that they have what it takes to really make it big. The heart of our idea is to search the crowd at IPL matches for someone who has the attitude and appearance that automatically draws the eye. It will be the kind of person who is not necessarily showing off for the camera, but who can mesmerize even total strangers.”

The IPL matches are being played in Cape Town, East London, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Johannesburg and Pretoria. A total of 50 winners will be chosen from the crowds at each of the eight venues. Winners will be shown on the big screen at every match during the second five-minute break.

There will be one finalist per match, identified with the help of TV producers who will have cameras scanning the crowds. One finalist from each venue will be chosen, leaving eight winners to be hosted and feted at The Wanderers in Johannesburg at the final of the IPL 2009 tournament on 24 May. The ultimate winner will be announced during the final. Even IPL fans worldwide can choose the winner by voting for her on the official IPL website.

This is not the first time Shah Rukh is looking for pretty girls. He launched a reality show called Knights and Angels through which six cheerleaders were chosen for his Kolkata Knight Riders team. Sanna, Sanyukta, Ritika, Rupali, Ananya and Sunanda were chosen from 24 participants and are now in South Africa.

The five-week Twenty20 extravaganza kicks off on Saturday, April 18.

SRK takes an important call

SRK was at the receiving end when a bunch of Jesuit priests objected to the noise emanating from Mannat. Work on his bungalow was disturbing their meditating sessions.

Being the man that he is, SRK decided to sit down with the priests and come to a middle-ground.

He is said to have sat with them discussing the timings of his construction work. He supposedly gave the priests a written schedule of the same. His workers are expected to share details of the construction going on.

SRK is constructing an underground parking lot next to his bungalow.

The Retreat House, where the Jesuit Priests pray, is a centre for yoga and meditation.

SRK-Ash will work together

After a souring of relations between the two stars, things have reportedly become better.

While our much-loved Ash was always meant to play the female lead role, Mani Ratnam wanted to cast SRK as his Ram in Raavan.

Owing to the fight between Salman Khan and SRK, relations between Ash and King Khan had soured. Keeping this in mind, Mani Ratnam approached Ash and confessed to her his original choice for Ram. She politely agreed to star opposite him.

However, while SRK agreed to play the part, he realized his dates were taken for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Oh at least fans can be assured of seeing the duo sharing screen space again!

It’s raining calls for SRK!

Ever since King Khan’s personal number flashed on the screens of UAE TV viewers, he has been receiving phone calls and personal messages non-stop!

The local telecom service provider, Du, confirmed an increase of calls and messages by over 200 per cent. The company reported around 8000 calls and 1000 messages recorded for Shah Rukh Khan.

A TV commercial displayed SRK’s mobile number on the screen along with the endorsement of a product brand.

Callers were greeted in Hindi with “Hi this is Shahrukh Khan. I cannot take your call right now. Please leave your message and love.”