MNIK: After record opening comes the slump

My Name is Khan opened with a bang at the box office, earning a whopping Rs 85 crores (US $18m), but it saw a drop in business from Monday as the word of the mouth was not good enough to sustain the film.

Though many critics loved it and so did the classes, the masses overall seem to be in a rejection mode.

Says Komal Nahta, Bollywood trade analyst, "On the whole, My Name Is Khan is far from entertaining and also too boring for the general masses. For the heavy budget at which it has been made, it will keep its worldwide distributors (Fox Searchlight) in the red. Business in big cities, especially in South India [ Images ], Muslim centres and overseas will be better but it will be below the mark in North India as also in smaller centres and single-screen cinemas. It may be appreciated by the class audience but the masses will reject the film."

The buzz for the film was huge ever since the controversy between Shah Rukh Khan [ Images ] and Shiv Sena [ Images ] broke out.

Sena supremo Bal Thackeray [ Images ] demanded that Shah Rukh Khan apologise to the nation after he said in a press conference that he wished if Pakistani players could play in IPL 3.

This created a furore and Thackeray ordered Shiv Sainiks to see that the film was not released in Mumbai [ Images ] and Maharashtra [ Images ].

The police gave extra protection to almost every theatre and multiplex for a peaceful screening and amidst tension people came out in hordes to watch the film in Mumbai as well as other parts of the country.

"The curiosity value is over, it seems. The picture has suffered a considerable drop in collections on Monday," said Vinod Mirani, another Bollywood trade analyst.

Added Amod Mehra, another trade analyst, "At this moment, it appears the film will not be able to recover the cost because it has been sold at a high price."

Asked about critics loving the film and some of them even giving five stars rating, Mehra said, "Earlier there were paid previews of the film, now there is paid review of the film."

Why SRK wears clean socks all the time!

Six months after he was detained for two hours for questioning at the Newark Liberty International Airport, Shah Rukh Khan returned to the New York-tristate area on Monday to ring the opening bell at NASDAQ, the world's largest exchange company that delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across the globe.

Shah Rukh and his co-star and Kajol in the film, My Name Is Khan, became the first Indian actors to ring the bell. The movie's director Karan Johar, who Shah Rukh said is spending sleepless nights in Mumbai giving the final touches to the film, could not be there for the historic occasion.

"It was an honour to India and not just to us but we are nevertheless very happy that Fox Searchlight (which is distributing My Name Is Khan worldwide) made it happen," Shah Rukh said.

Dozens of movie fans turned up for the event, waiting outside the Times Square NASDAQ area to catch a glimpse of Kajol and Shah Rukh.

The stock exchange bell is rung in the morning and the evening. Busness leaders across the world, statesmen, head of governments and leaders of organisations fighting cancer or any other life-threatening disease are invited for the honour. India's Consul General in New York Prabhu Dayal, for instance, has rung the closing bell at the exchange, which lists seven Indian companies with a market capitalisation of $35 billion.

Arjun Rampal joins twitter

New Delhi, Jan 30 (PTI) After Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar has brought another actor on Twitter, which is fast becoming a favourting haunt for for Bollywood celebrities. Rampal, who recently won the first national award for his role in 'Rock On', joined the micro blogging website today.

"Hello everyone, yes I am finally here thanks to Mr Kjo.....so lets discover what twitter is all about...right now on the sets of Stepmom (sic)," Rampal wrote. Johar had earlier encouraged Ranbir Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan to join the website.

Rampal is playing the male lead in Johar's Hindi adaptation of 'Stepmom'. Kajol and Kareena Kapoor are the two other stars in the movie. The actor managed to have 1,625 fans follow his posts within minutes of his first tweet.

Other Bollywood celebrities, who are an avid user of twitter are Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Mallika Sherawat, Riteish Deshmukh, Preity Zinta, Shahid Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor and Anupam Kher.

Learn from Amitabh Bachchan, Shiv Sena tells Shah Rukh Khan

Mumbai, Jan 30(ANI): Shiv Sena chief Bala Sahab Thackeray has asked Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan to emulate the iconic actor Amitabh Bachchan, as Khan recently expressed his support to Pakistani cricketers' inclusion in the Indian Premier League's season 3.

Khan owns an IPL (Indian Premier League) franchise team, the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Sharing Bal Thackeray's views in appreciation of Bachchan, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said: "Amitabh Bachchan had declined to accept the award of Brisbane University because it was nation's sentiment in the wake of unending violence against Indian students in Australia. People should learn something."

Thackeray's opnion were expressed through an article in his party's mouthpiece "Saamna."

In 2009, Amitabh Bachhan refused to accept an honorary Doctorate being conferred by Queen's Land University of Technology Brisbane as a mark of protest against the attacks on members of the Indian community. (ANI)

Dulha Mil Gaya... and then what went wrong?

CommentMudassar Aziz's maiden venture Dulha Mil Gaya has finally been completed. It's always important to give first-time directors a little leeway for errors. Direction may not be rocket science but debut projects often has some raw edges.

Mudassar was lucky enough to cast Sushmita Sen and Shah Rukh Khan together. These two nearly set the screen on fire with their sizzling chemistry in Main Hoon Na .

DMG also stars Fardeen Khan and veterans like Johnny Lever and Parikshit Sahni. With such a talented cast the least one expected was a fun, watchable film. Unfortunately, DMG reminded me of a film which keeps taxiing down the runway but never really takes off.

The film opens in Trinidad with a spoilt brat son, who hopes to inherit millions from his deceased father's estate. But Tej Dhanraj, also known as Donsai (Fardeen Khan), is in for a rude shock. He has just a few days time to marry Samarpreet Kapoor (Ishitta Sharrma), a girl from rural Punjab .

This is a theme which was hugely popular in romance novels and movies in the 1960s and 1970s. The director could have kept us engrossed by taking the story to a new level. But Mudassar Aziz sticks to the tried-and-tested. Samarpreet remains the 'sati savitri' type, who will go to any lengths to woo her husband.

But this Herculean task cannot be managed single-handedly. So Samarpreet receives help from Shimmer (Sushmita Sen) and Pawan Raj Gandhi (SRK ). Shimmer is ashamed of Donsai's behaviour. She hopes to reform him but fails to realise that she is equally commitment phobic. Mudassar in text-book fashion introduces his characters in the first 30 minutes and then for the next two hours, the film keeps plodding its way towards a dreary, predictable end.

'I feel 25,' says Shah Rukh on his 44th birthday

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan turned 44 Monday, but said he still feels just 25 - barring the physical problems he has had in the past year. The heartthrob also said he wants to work for youngsters and underprivileged girls.

"I have been in my 40s since a few years now and I gracefully accept the age. But honestly, I feel like I am just 25 or 26 except for the physical problems I've had in my past year," Shah Rukh told reporters here.

"Maybe I look older, but then when I look younger, people say I get plastic surgeries done to my face. When I look old, they say I am over and done with. But the fact is that when I sleep well, I look young and when I don't get enough sleep, I look old," he quipped.

The actor underwent an arthroscopic surgery for acute pain in his left shoulder here in February and was on a forced break to recuperate completely. But he promises to make up for his absence.

"I am a workaholic, but in the last year I couldn't do much due to my shoulder problem, my team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) didn't do too well and I shot for just one film 'My Name Is Khan'. My injury also pulled me down in terms of my endorsements but I had time to introspect and spend a quieter time at home and with my children.

"I feel more energetic and happy now and totally ready for a comeback with many projects in the next two years after this one year break," added Shah Rukh.

Apart from work, he wants to do good to society by "doing something for youngsters, underprivileged girls and talk to 16- 17-year-old children who are on the threshold of voting for the government and lead the world forward".

"I don't know whether I want to join an NGO or something of the likes, but in my heart, I have this strong feeling that I want to give something back to society," he said.

'My Name Is Khan' set for Valentine's week release

"My Name Is Khan" -- Bollywood's favourite on-screen couple Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol's first film together in eight years -- is set to release Feb 12 next year.

Directed by Karan Johar, the film will open in theatres in India and over 40 countries including the US, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East, said a press release from Johar's Dharma Productions.

"My Name is Khan" features Shah Rukh as Rizvan Khan, an unconventional hero who embarks on a journey across America to win back the love of his life. It shows how, along the way, his unique personality touches the lives of many and inspires a nation.

"I keep setting out to do something different with my films, but the one constant that remains is my desire to continue to explore the many ways in which two people can fall in love and stay in love regardless of any or every challenge against them," said Karan.

The film also marks a re-teaming of Johar and Shah Rukh after three years -- their last outing together was "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna".

Johar has made his film in association with Fox STAR Studios, 20th Century Fox International and Fox Searchlight Pictures.

While Fox STAR Studios will market and distribute the film in India, Fox Searchlight Pictures will release it in the US. The distribution of the movie outside India and the US will be taken care of by Twentieth Century Fox International.

According to Vijay Singh, CEO Fox Star Studios, the film is drawing a "hugely positive response from exhibitors across the world" for the "coming together of Shah Rukh, Karan and Kajol".

"It is a big event for Bollywood audiences across the world and their fan base is eagerly awaiting the release. But what makes 'My Name is Khan' a special film is that it brings together the finest Indian talent with a powerful story that has relevance for audiences everywhere," added Singh.

Shah Rukh names his sci-fi thriller

It was widely reported by the media that Shah Rukh Khan will don the greasepaint for a super hero role in his next film. Incidentally, this film is to be directed by the King Khan’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment.

The creative actor has named this science fiction film as RA-1. Sources close to the actor-producer say that it means - The Egyptian Sun God. RA-1 will be directed by Anubhav Sinha. Shah Rukh has also roped in cameraman Manikandan to handle the camera. The man behind the camera, Manikandan said that he will do a thorough research before starting this venture as he wants to bring out the best for this sci-fi thriller.

Three Khans in a movie?

Shahrukh Khan's work wrapped on My Name Is Khan

It all began as a rumor that Shahrukh Khan, Kajol and Karan Johar would be working together again. Then we got word that this dream team was indeed working on a project called My Name is Khan. We learned that it was not your average masala film and that it was set in the after math of 9/11. In December of 2008, the film went to the floor and though we know a bit more about it, the story is still very much under wraps.

Shahrukh said in an interview with TOI that, "My Name Is Khan is the most special film for both Karan Johar and me. And unlike the rumors, it's not about terrorism, or 9/11. It's about a relationship between two people, between an individual and the State, and between an individual and the country. In short, there the three important components: love story, Islam and a mild form of autism, which forms the core of MNIK."

In what is said to be one of his most challenging roles, Shahrukh plays a man with Asperger syndrome, which is a mild form of autism. According to autism.about.com, "People with AS develop language normally, but often have difficulty with social interactions, fine and gross motor coordination, and eye contact. They may be extremely passionate about just one or two topics, with little patience for small talk. They also may struggle to handle normal daily activities, such as organizing time, managing conflict, or even facing the sensory overload presented by malls and grocery stores." In the film, Shahrukh is suspected of being a terrorists after the 9/11 attacks not only because of his disease but also because of his name. Kajol plays his wife in the film.

In an earlier interview with Subhash K Jha, Karan Johar said of SRK's performance, "Time and again I'm blown away by Shahrukh. At times I wonder how can he bring so many variations in his character when he already has so much on his plate. He has done monumental research on his autistic character in the film. I was zapped by how much he knew about the subject. And he brought all the knowledge on the sets without any strain. He had written reams of notes on how he wanted to interpret his character. And for him it was no big deal. I think he's ready to direct a film. He will be outstanding at it. His understanding of human nature and emotions can never be matched by me."

We can now report that after months of long and hard work Shahrukh Khan has finished his shooting schedule for My Name is Khan and the director still has nothing but praise for the actors performance. KJo wrote on the social site Twitter, "Shahrukh just wrapped on MNIK... He has been so amazing through the shoot... He deserves every bit of his legendary status!!"

After SRK episode, Salman Khan cancels trip to US

Learning lessons from Shah Rukh Khan episode, Bollywood star Salman Khan has cancelled his upcoming trip to New York to promote his latest movie Wanted, besides participating in the auction of his personal paintings to raise funds for his charity.

Organisers and promoters associated with the event cited Shah Rukh Khan's episode at Newark Airport early this month, where he was questioned by immigration officials and taken for a second screening, as a major reason for Salman to cancel his New York trip scheduled in early September.

The event was scheduled for September 3 in New York. The promoters were also in talks with local organisers in cities like Chicago, Houston and Dallas for his other events.

"However, after the Shah Rukh Khan event, Salman informed us that he would not like to take the risk of coming to the US at this point," an informed source involved with the planning and organising the September 3 event told PTI.

It is understood that Salman's decision was also propelled by what his aid alleged "the hard time" being given by the US Consulate in Mumbai in approving the visa of his close associates, including one of his family members, whom Salman wanted to bring along with on this promotional trip.

Shahrukh was questioned for so long because he is a Muslim: Farah

New Delhi, Aug 18 : Bollywood choreographer and director Farah Khan today said the reason Shahrukh Khan was questioned for so long by the US authorities was because he is a Muslim.

''For me the only reason for his being questioned for so long was because he is a Muslim,''Farah said at an event in the capital to promote 'Tere Mere Beach Mein', her new chat show on Star Plus.

While admitting that the questioning of Shahrukh was part of the routine procedure by the US airport authorities to enhance security in the wake of 9/11, the filmmaker, who is a close friend of the 'King Khan', said,''there was nothing wrong in questioning as manitaining security in the post 9/11 scenario is the top priority area. But why did the authorities at Newark airport took so long to question the actor. After all, he has so many work permits in his passport. Also, if the airport officials who questioned the actor had searched the word 'Shahrukh' in Google, they would have come to know in five minutes who he was.'' She said that by questioning the actor for two to three hours, the officials wasted the actor's precious time as well as that of the US administration.

''In the amount of time, energy and resources spent by the airport officials in questioning the actor, two to three terrorists could have escaped from behind their back,''Farah said.

Bollywood Khans react to SRK's ordeal

After Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was detained at Newark airport for a security check, many others like Zayed Khan and Irrfan Khan have come out with the ordeals they faced in the US because of their last names. Click on, to know what they have to say...

Shilpa Shetty takes up for Shah Rukh Khan

Shilpa Shetty, who suffered racial discrimination during the British reality television show Celebrity Big Brother, claimed that Shah Rukh Khan's detention by US immigration officers at Newark Airport was 'a very unfortunate incident.'

"I have been through this whole thing of racial discrimination," she said during a press conference organised by the Federation of Indian Associations held before the India Day Parade in New York on Sunday, where Shilpa was the grand marshal. "I think everyone has the right to live with dignity, and if something like that [SRK's detention] has happened, and if it is because of his race, it is unfortunate."

'They were angry because My Name Is Khan'

While some thousand fans were en route from Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey heading to the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Friday evening for an event advertised as 'Dinner with Shah Rukh Khan', little did they know that the object of their affections was lagging behind them, through no fault of his own.

Shiney missed the chance to work with SRK

While he is right now in the news for being a real life villain accused of raping his maid servant and languishing in Mumbai's infamous Arthur Road jail, Shiney Ahuja, it is learnt had missed a golden opportunity to play the villain onscreen opposite none other than Bollywood Baadshah Shah Rukh Khan.
Reveals a source from SRK's production house, "The first actor approached to play the role of the villainous producer Mukesh Mehra in OM SHANTI OM was Vivek Oberoi but Vivek declined the role, since he didn't want to be seen in a negative role, in the mega film starring King Khan. Then the next actor approached was Shiney Ahuja. His GANGSTER back then had just released, and he had been winning accolades for his acting skills in HAZAARON KHAWAISHEN AISI and GANGSTER. In fact, Shah Rukh even had a few meetings with Shiney over the role. But Shiney finally opted out of playing the part, since, perhaps, he thought this villain's part may slot him as a negative role specialist actor and it would become a dead end for his solo hero aspirations."

Well Shiney's loss went on to become Arjun Rampal's gain as his non-happening acting career suddenly flourished after SRK took him under his wing. But for Shiney as they say rest is history.

Want a six-pack? Just exercise regularly

Many youngsters dream of a sculpted body, especially after watching Bollywood’s romance icon Shah Rukh Khan flaunt six-pack-abs in 'Om Shanti Om' and versatile actor Aamir Khan in 'Ghajini'. But experts have a word of advice -- exercise regularly and avoid steroids to maintain the look.

"To get six-pack abs is easy but to maintain a chiselled body is the most difficult task. As always, achieving anything is easy but maintaining that is difficult," Bollywood actor-producer Suniel Shetty told us.

"I see a mad rush of people who want to get six-pack abs, but the bottom line is that one should aim to be fit. If you are fit, then you live a healthy life, your confidence level doubles and you feel younger," said the 47-year-old actor.

Suniel, who made his debut with 'Balwaan' in 1992, has a well-toned body and makes it a point to hit the gym every day.

"There are days when I don't feel like working out. But I still go to gym and once I am there, I just can't sit and start gymming. This happens with everyone, but one should not skip the gym," he added.

Among the stars, it was Salman Khan who first got a chiselled body and often flaunted it on screen. Then Shah Rukh got six-pack-abs for 'Om Shanti Om' and Aamir too jumped on to the bandwagon and revealed his well-toned body in 'Ghajini'.

Recently John Abraham further popularised the trend by stripping down to his boxers to flaunt his sculpted body in 'Dostana' without any guilt.

Supermodel-turned-actor Milind Soman, who sports a lean look, says it's not necessary to work out in gyms to have a fit body.

"I'm not a gym person, but I eat well and go for long jogs and that works for me," said Soman, who is also a marathon runner and owns gym-cum-fitness centre Breathe.

"Always do something that you enjoy. To achieve fitness one need not hit the gym. One can always opt for any sport, yoga, jog, swimming and much more. The idea is to do something that not only burns calories but relieves stress as well," said Soman.

Fitness instructor Aamit, who owns Fx Zone gym in Noida, said: "Every day I get queries from young boys about how to achieve six-pack abs and my only answer is that it takes dedication to get them first and after that loads of maintenance in terms of diet and regular exercise to retain it.

"If you stop exercising, within a few days you will lose what you have achieved after working so hard."

Suniel, who is known as a fitness freak among his friends, says that other than regular exercise, people should also concentrate on their diet.

"For me it's breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper. I don't avoid any food and I eat as much as I like without stuffing myself. Everyone should follow this rule.

"You don't have to shun junk food completely as one can always cheat on his diet on a weekend. Body too needs change and small good habits help one in the long run."

He also advises people to stay away from steroids because he feels they could have a bad effect.

"One should always stay away from steroids because they don't do any good to your body. To achieve a sculpted body, one has to live a disciplined lifestyle that includes eating right meals, proper sleep and cutting down on carbohydrates and sweets," he said.

Fatwa against Shahrukh

Following his alleged controversial remarks about the Prophet Mohammed, Shahrukh is issued with two separate fatwas by religions centers in Bareilly. Protests were also held against the actor with the protestors burning the actor’s effigies in Mumbai.

The fatwas were issued to him to condemn his remarks about Prophet Mohammed in the July issue of the ‘Time and Style’ magazine, it is learnt.

The clerics also announced that his nikah and his relationship with his wife would be considered illegal.

A public apology was also demanded from the actor failing which, the clerics noted, the author would not be provided a place in the graveyard.

FIR against Shah Rukh for comments against Islam

Mumbai: A complaint was today lodged against Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan for allegedly making statements against Islam in a magazine.

“We have registered an FIR against Shah Rukh Khan after we received an application from an advocate who alleged that the actor made some statements hurting the sentiments of Muslims,” senior police inspector of Bandra police station, Prakash George, told PTI.

The complaint was registered against Shah Rukh and the publisher of the magazine and the writer, he said.

“Complainant Khalid Babu Querishi alleged that in the July issue of the Time and Style magazine, Shah Rukh had used unparliamentary language against the Prophet which is unacceptable,” George said.

The case was registered under section 295-a (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religion feelings or any class by insulting its religion beliefs) and 34 (acts done by several persons with common interest

Frist Photo Shots of Billo Barber With Shahrukh Khan & Kareena Kapoor.

Kareena Kapoor and Shahrukh Khan are doing a song together in Billoo Barber. Kareena Kapoor has danced a song with Shahrukh Khan for Priyadarshan's movie Billoo Barbar. And its composer Pritam Chakraborty is sure that it will be a smash hit like Kareena's other item songs . This song called 'Theek Hai Theek Hai' is sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Sukhwinder. Pritam Chakraborty, who's composed two songs 'Don't Stop' and 'Jai Jai Shiv Shankar' for Shahrukh's Knight Riders thinks Bebo to be his lady luck "It's more than that actually. I just feel I'm linked by a creative satellite to her. It started with the 'Its Rocking' from Kya Love Story Hai. Then I did Jab We Met which I think is a turning point in my career. And no matter what some people say 'Yeh Ishq Haye' is an original composition"