'Shah Rukh Khan not acting in Dhoom 3'

The grapevine has been abuzz with news that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will play the villain in Yash Raj Films' (YRF) action-adventure series “Dhoom 3” but a source from the production company has denied any such development.

"This story is completely untrue and baseless. We have no idea where this rubbish originated but like all wildfires has spread rapidly,” Rafiq Gangjee, vice president (marketing and communications) of YRF, told IANS over e-mail from Mumbai.

The rumours that Shah Rukh would soon follow in the footsteps of Hrithik Roshan by playing a villain opposite actor Abhishek Bachchan in the “Dhoom” series began when British news website femalefirst.co.uk first reported it.

According to the article which was published May 26, a source was quoted as saying: "Shah Rukh had been approached by the banner to play the main villain in the most successful franchise of Bollywood - the 'Dhoom' series - and he has immediately given the nod. Last few days there has been a lot of buzz that Saif Ali Khan has signed the dotted line for the same role but it seems they were just plain rumours.”

However, as per Gangjee, there is no truth in any part of the report.

SRK patches up with Vidhu Vinod Chopra

The war between producers distributors and multiplex owners has come to an end and it has also put an end to many a cold war in Bollywood.

For instance, the animosity between Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan came to an end when they addressed a press conference to explain the stalemate between producers-distributors and multiplex owners. Now, we hear Shah Rukh Khan and Vidhu Vinod Chopra also resolved their differences during a meeting held at a Bandra five-star hotel on Wednesday.

A source said, “SRK and Vidhu were talking cordially with each other during the meeting. Even while waiting for their cars after the meeting ended, the two were seen chatting at length. All seemed to be well between them and they definitely looked like good friends.

The SRK-Vidhu war started after Vidhu faced flak for his Eklavya being nominated as India’s official entry to the Oscars. As an explanation, the filmmaker had said that if the SRK starrer Paheli could be India’s official entry to the Oscars previously, then why not Eklavya. The filmmaker and actor completely stopped talking after that incident. Things further worsened when SRK opted out of Vidhu’s 3 Idiots and asked the Munnabhai director Raju Hirani (a Chopra loyalist) to direct a film for his banner.

Despite repeated attempts, SRK and Vidhu Vinod Chopra remained unavailable for comment.

Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan brainstorm

Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan brainstormed with other producers at a Producers Guild Meeting convened to resolve the spat with multiplex owners on Wednesday, May 27 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai.

Shah Rukh and Aamir looked Mumbai cool in their Tees and jeans. Shah Rukh wore a white V-neck tee, blue distressed jeans and grey sports shoes. Aamir was dressed in a heather grey crew neck Tee, faded blue loose fit jeans and a brown baseball cap.

The meeting started at midnight and ended three hours later on a positive note, with indications that the spat could be resolved over the next couple of days.

Perceived more as actors than producers, Aamir and Shah Rukh are leaders and major stake holders in the industry.

Attentive and observant, Aamir spoke little during the meeting, occasionally chipping in to make a point; Shah Rukh came through as more involved and animated.

The Producers Guild and multiplex owners in India have locked horns over profit sharing, with the producers demanding a 50% share of profits. No Bollywood films have been released since early April.

SRK and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan patch up at KJo's b'day bash

Karan Johar's birthday party on Monday night was a night of patch-ups. Especially for the Bachchan boy. Vivek Oberoi and he hugged each other, he exchanged hellos with Karisma Kapoor and chatted at length with SRK.

But the surprise patch-up of the evening was between Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Says a source present at the party, "After Shah Rukh dropped Aishwarya unceremoniously from his home production Chalte Chalte, she never forgave or forgot that. Things between them got worse when SRK and Gauri were not invited to the AbhiAsh wedding.

But the final straw was reports of Shah Rukh having said unflattering things about Ash during a verbal war with Salman, last year. While Salman maintained that SRK had made debasing comments about Ash, SRK swore that he had too much respect for women to demean them.

At the time, Shah Rukh had called the Bachchans' family friend Amar Singh and had explained to him that he hadn't said anything demeaning about the Bachchan bahu, but the damage was done. Battle lines were drawn.

But on Monday night, when Karan brought them together, both sides decided to put aside their differences and make a fresh start. Says a source, "A few minutes into the conversation with Ash, SRK apologised to her." He said, 'I think I owe you an apology because in some way I have wronged you." Ash gracefully accepted the olive branch offered.

After that, Abhishek, Ash, Shah Rukh and Gauri stuck together dancing, chatting and laughing. As the party wound up, Gauri asked her usual group of friends back home to continue the party there. She also invited Ash and Abhishek to come along, and they all piled into one car and headed for Mannat.

Other couples like Hrithik and Sussanne Roshan, Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, Kajaal Anand and Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jesia joined them later. The group partied at SRK's home till 6 am and left after having breakfast." Happy endings are so much fun.

Shah Rukh unhappy with My Name is Khan

We are told SRK was in the US trying to beat the blues of his IPL team’s dismal showing. He was on a holiday with his wife and kids and keeping away from everything related to Bollywood and cricket. Now that’s the official word.

But that’s not actually the case and SRK away from movies is like a fish without water. We have it from confirmed sources that while in the US, Shah Rukh was re-shooting some portions of Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan, which haven’t worked out according to the director’s vision. We had told you earlier how Karan was hoping to re-shoot the scenes on a set in Mumbai with Kajol and SRK, but she flatly refused to give him extra dates for the film. The whole idea of shooting in Mumbai was to accommodate Kajol, but since she wasn’t going to be a part of it, it didn’t make any sense.

So the schedule was planned with SRK when he was there on his holiday. We are told SRK is also not particularly happy with the rumblings from the US unit from the previous schedule and has asked Karan to look into the matters himself, because it’s never happened with his films before. And he also didn’t want to have a bad reputation in New York, which according to him is like his second home.

Nobody has the passion to buy a stake in KKR: SRK

Nobody has the passion and heart to buy a stake in Kolkata Knight Riders,” declares Shah Rukh Khan, defying the claim made by mystery blogger Fake IPL Player that the star had found investors for the team. To HT City’s request to comment on Fake IPL Player, SRK simply replies, “I don’t do fake.”

When he returned from South Africa almost two weeks ago, Shah Rukh had sounded dejected over KKR’s performance. But his passion for his team and the game seems to have become even stronger. “You don’t need just money to run KKR — we have our wonderful sponsors for that — what you need is love, and in that department I am the king,” he states.

Rumours that he wants to wash his hands of cricket are just that, he contends. “The pressure to perform is greater now, but when you see Deccan and Bangalore turn it around in a year… I’m sure so can we.” UK-based brand valuation firm Intangible Business, in collaboration with MTI Consulting, has declared KKR the richest IPL team valued at $22 million.

“The valuation makes me smile a bit, [but] it will make me happy when our team provides value to our supporters on the field and makes them proud to be with KKR,” says Shah Rukh. He has a special promise for kids: “I want to promise them again this year… that the KKR shirts will be smaller for them in 2010, but they will never feel small wearing them as supporters.”

As for the performance, he takes the entire responsibility upon himself. “We don’t hate failure enough,” says the man who has seldom failed as a star. “The blame should completely rest on my shoulders. It’s my duty to overcome this year’s performance… how, when, who… too many details for an interview... I don’t like being a loser and I’ll pragmatically and passionately turn this around. Inshallah.”

As of now, it’s back to being Rizwan Khan in Karan Johar’s My Name is Khan, and SRK calls it one of his most intricate roles so far. “It is an exercise in bringing technique and emotions together.”

SRK - Aamir meet up

All those who think that after their high profile meet to resolve the producers-distributors’ ongoing strike against the multiplex lobby Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan haven’t come together again; here’s a piece of news.

The two actors who sent flashbulbs into a tizzy on April 7 at a hotel in Mumbai, met again at a suburban studio a few days ago to catch up with the producers and check what exactly is the status on the strike.

However, this time the media was deliberately kept away because both the Bollywood biggies didn’t wish to take away the focus from the main issue.

A producer said, “The last time, the papers, the news channels and internet sites focussed only on the Aamir-SRK grand union, they completely ignored the cause.

The stars themselves realised this and made it a point to keep their second meeting a completely low-key affair. The multiplex strike still continues despite efforts from every big name in Bollywood to put an end to it. And, Aamir and SRK are very concerned.”

Shahrukh Khan in talks to play an anti-hero in Dhoom 3

After the super-success of the villain (John Abraham in Dhoom, and Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2), the part of the anti- hero has become the most coveted role in B-Town.

Every now and then, big names are being tossed around as being nearly signed for this role and now the latest rumour is that Shah Rukh Khan will feature in the role in this action thriller.

A source who claims to be in the know swears, "Yash Raj Films have been going through a lull period as none of their on-the-floor movies or their completed ones are generating any curiosity from the buyers as well as the audiences. SRK has always been a quick-fix solution for the Chopras.

When- ever their mega boat is rocked, good friend Adi Chopra calls on SRK and the actor steps in to bail out his dost." This last happened with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Now an insider claims claim that SRK has been approached by the banner to play the main villain in Dhoom 3, "Last week, SRK was called in for a tentative one-line narration; he was impressed and agreed to be part of the film."

Although one wonders when SRK will find the time to finish this film, which reportedly starts some time next year. SRK is very charged about his superhero flick and Don 2, which he wants to finish in 2010, along with his home production Happy New Year, to be directed by Farah Khan, so where is the time to fit in Dhoom 3? It is also not clear who will direct D:3 as Sanjay Gadhvi has had a fallout with YRF."

The curtain to come down sans SRK

The finals for the IPL season 2009 happened at Wanderers’ stadium in Johannesburg. Like last time this time too there was festivities and artists from across the globe perform. But this time Indians has missed the presence of King Khan who did attending the function.

The reason for King Khan’s absence has been pointed on him not having free dates to attend the event. But there are also a few people who are suggesting that SRK’s absence would be because for the below-the-average performance of his team Kolkata Knight Riders.

Though sources close to King Khan reveal that his absence is related to his shoulder injury, there are a lot of comparisons being made when the Khan performed in a wedding recently, during the end of April. Yet a few other sources close to SRK reveal that he is busy completing his film and hence not having time for events.

Whatever be the reason the fans of Shah Rukh Khan will miss him terribly this year, with just a few celebrities of Bollywood making their appearances felt.

Yesterday witnessed the semifinals of Deccan Chargers and Delhi Dare Devils, with Deccan Chargers winning the match. Today sees the match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers. So which ever team wins today’s match will clash with Deccan Chargers tomorrow.

King Khan's upcoming schedule

Shah Rukh Khan is off to work again, leaving wife Gauri home with the kids during their vacation.

The star is leaving for the United States on June 3, to shoot for My Name Is Khan. He had planned an extended vacation with family but it will be interrupted by the shoot.

Sources close to him said that he had wanted to take the family along but this was not possible, though it might happen later.

My Name Is Khan is being made by Karan Johar and also stars Kajol, a regular with SRK and KJo. SRK hasn’t gone to London this year with his family, as he does usually. His summer was spent in South Africa, at the IPL.
And what is SRK doing next week?

If the director of Kal Kissne Dekha, Vivek Sharma, is to be believed, the star will promote his movie, which stars Jackky Bhagnani and Vaishali Desai.

Kareena Kapoor has done stage shows with Jackky to boost the movie, but Sharma said that while SRK would not do stage shows, he would do his bit. "When I met him last week he said I will ask audiences to go to the single screens and watch the movie," Sharma said, referring to the limited release the film is likely to get because of the strike against multiplexes.