SRK and Akki to teams up

Now, it is heard that the superstar duo would be producing a film together and star in it. That would be something to watch out for! Two of the most energetic performers in Bollywood coming together in a film would send the boxoffice into a tizzy, for sure!

The bond between Akki and SRK grew stronger when the latter openly praised the former’s ’Tees Maar Khan’, being directed by none other than Farah Khan. As we know, Farah and SRK had moved away from each other recently as she had signed on Akki for her ’TMK’.

Now, if reports are to be believed, Shah Rukh is using the good offices of Akki to mend fences with Farah, who had been King Khan’s very close friend for long.

“I have a huge amount of respect for Aamir and Salman:SRK

Shahrukh Khan was shockingly self effacing and expectedly generous in his comment about his perceived arch foe Salman Khan and good friend Aamir Khan at a promotional do of Karan Johar’s film We Are Family recently.

In case, you are wondering why SRK - who doesn’t even feature in the movie - cared to give his sound byte, don’t forget he, K-Jo and Arjun Rampal are like a family.

So no surprises that SRK butted in during the promotional interview of the film with the film’s lead stars Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal. But what was shocking was SRK’s self-effacing comment in which he said he hoped to become a big star like Aamir and Salman.

Here’s what SRK said.

“I have a huge amount of respect for Aamir and Salman...I think they’re wonderful. I think they’re great stars, I know them personally and they’re great human beings. And they’re much bigger stars than I can ever be. I hope one day I can be like them in terms of work.”

'Ra.One' release date is not fixed

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has clarified that the release date of his superhero film ’Ra.One’ has not yet been decided, unlike what has been reported.

According to certain media reports Tuesday, the actor-producer is planning to release the film June 3, next year. But Shah Rukh has denied it.

’Nice to know that the release date for ’Ra.One’ has been fixed by someone... somewhere. Maybe they can now come and finish it as well,’ Shah Rukh posted on his Twitter page.

’Will work backwards in terms of post-production and announce the release date in tandem with office guys. Should be around June,’ he added.

In another message that seemed like an indirect dig at the recent alleged involvement of Pakistani cricketers in match-fixing, Shah Rukh wrote: ’It seems everything is being fixed everywhere. For a change let’s unfix a few things, get unhooked, unhinged... free from set plans and float a bit.’

SRK cleared the doubt

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has cleared the air over a reported rift with choreographer-director Farah Khan, saying that just because he wasn’t on her next project didn’t mean that they weren’t friends.

He wished her luck for her next film "Tees Maar Khan", for which she signed on Akshay Kumar instead of Shah Rukh.

"My friendship with all is as it was before, love them the same way. Many times if we are not working with each other doesn’t mean that I hate her or end of friendship. I don’t take my wife’s decision, how could I take others. I want to see everyone doing well.

"When I am shooting with someone, I am more in touch with him. This time I am not in touch with Farah but wish her all the success and hope this film (’Tees Maar Khan’) becomes a bigger hit than ’Om Shanti Om’, which was her last film. I just hope she become even a bigger producer. Yes, she is a friend of mine. I am not doing a film with her, which doesn’t mean I don’t love her," said Shah Rukh.

Shah Rukh played the lead role in Farah’s last film "Om Shanti Om".

SRK has one more Problem

The shooting of Shah Rukh Khan’s Ra.One seems to be on in full swing in London. However, the presence of Karan Johar on the sets is raising doubts that all is not well between SRK and his director Anubhav Sinha.

Our source said, “SRK had asked Karan to be on the sets and shoot a couple of scenes as he believes Karan is his lucky mascot. Karan obliged and left for London and even shot for the film. According to media reports, Karan was to shoot some emotional sequences as those are his forte. But he has been shooting for the film for several days now.

No prizes for guessing that Anubhav Sinha is obviously not very thrilled with the fact that Karan is constantly on the sets shooting with SRK and Kareena, while he is shooting montages and other scenes.
Earlier too, there were rumours that SRK and Anubhav were not getting along and with Karan directing some scenes, the rumours have gained momentum. Ra.One is one of the most talked about films this year and Anubhav is feeling let down that SRK will walk away with the credit and Karan’s presence is affecting him.”

It remains to be seen if there are major problems between the director and the King Khan but unless either of them decide to talk about it, no one will know the intensity of their problems.

My Name Is Khan has roped in its first award at Los Angeles

After all the hype and the hoopla surrounding ’My Name Is Khan’ and it’s resounding success amid prickly controversies, Karan Johar is simply beaming away.

Reason: ’MNIK’ has roped in its first award! The MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Council) handed out the honour at the 19th Annual Voices of Courage and Conscience Media Awards in Los Angeles.

Currently in US, K Jo is over the moon with happiness.

"It’s a matter of special pride," exults Johar in a tabloid talk. "The MPAC is a body which addresses Muslim causes especially from the Western perspective. I feel great that they’ve chosen to honour ’MNIK’ because its clear that the film has appealed to a common sentiment cutting across the barriers of age, sex and religion."

Apart from this, there’s more news to gladden K Jo’s heart. ’MNIK’ will be illumined at a screening at the famed art house ’The Angelika’ at New York.

"I’ve prepared a two hour version of the film especially for North American audiences," he says. "Many of those who’ve watched ’MNIK’ have come up to me and told me how various images from the film have made them draw a parallel with their own lives. It’s a great moment of pride for Shah Rukh and me."

The long awaited coming together of Shah Rukh and Vidhu Vinod Chopra

It was touted as the long awaited coming together of Shah Rukh Khan and Vidhu Vinod Chopra. They had a number of false starts, the last being 3 Idiots.

But the film in question, Ferrari Ki Sawaari, after being offered to Shah Rukh, found its way to Aamir Khan. And even before this Ferrari could be green signalled, an altogether new man seems to be settling behind the wheels - Sharman Joshi.

While he’s a talented actor, Sharman hasn’t quite made the big league in Bollywood yet. Most of his appearances have been in multi-star projects. But after 3 Idiots, where he convincingly held his own against Aamir, the scales have tipped in his favour. And now Ferrari Ki Sawaari could be Sharman’s big break.

Our source says, “SRK was offered Ferrari Ki Sawaari but talks fizzled out. Then Vidhu wanted Aamir . However, the team at Vidhu Vinod Chopra Productions voiced their opinion - that only Sharman Joshi could do justice to the character. Talks are finally on between Vidhu and Sharman.

They have apparently already had a couple of meetings. Vidhu though still wants Aamir to do the film, but Aamir has been extremely busy with his three films, so actually there’s only an outside chance that he will do the film.

It seems Sharman will, after all, get the major break he’s been waiting for, and he’s pretty excited by the prospect.”

Meanwhile, the official spokesperson of the film said, “We have just finalised our script and are still in the process of casting.” Sharman will just have to keep his finger crossed and hope Aamir and SRK’s loss turns out to be his gain.

SRK and Farah Khan no longer exist in each others guest-list

SRK and Farah Khan no longer exist in each others guest-list. The assertion seemed truer yesterday when Farah was seen conspicuously absent from a bash hosted by SRK at JW Marriot for Akon. The super-rapper is currently in town to record a song for composers Vishal-Shekhar in Anubhav Sinha’s Ra.1.

According to the buzz, the Morani brothers organised the party and they were specifically told to leave out Farah’s and her husband Shirish Kunder’s names.

However Farah’s brother Sajid Khan’s name was on the list and he was aware a week earlier about the bash being held to celebrate the launch of an energy drink and also a meet-and-greet with Akon.When asked, Farah seemed completely unaware of such event.

We hear that it’s not SRK but Gauri Khan who approves the guest list. But as soon as King Khan got the news he told Moranis to invite Farah, but it was too late by then.

Meanwhile, Farah is busy with her third film, ’Tees Maar Khan’ with Akshay Kumar. Ending her years old cold war with Anu Malik she has asked the versatile music director compose a special song for her upcoming film.

The song will introduce the cast and crew of the film and will come in the end. The duo had worked together on Farah’s directorial debut Main Hoon Na.

Akon will perform live at Shah Rukh Khan's third season of IPL

Shah Rukh Khan, global iconic star and IPL team owner, is readying to unveil a night which ’Kolkata Night Riders’ will be proud of.

In keeping with the jubilation theme centred around the third season of the Twenty20 tournament, SRK, showman par excellence, has a trump card stashed away. A musical ace: Akon, the international Rand B singer who will perform live at his swanky do!

Topline business head honchos, B town stars, international cricketers and an assortment of celebs are expected to show up all coiffed and coutured in vulgarly priced wear.

Futhermore, Akon will be lending his voice for a song number in Khan’s forthcoming flick ’RA 1’. Reportedly, Khan and the singer, songwriter and record producer have become thick pals and Akon has gleefully agreed to fly down on Khan’s request for this "special appearance." And while he’s hosted in Mumbai megapolis, he reportedly intends wrapping up his chartbuster for ’RA 1’ too.

On the anvil: Akon is slated to soar the party spirit with his evergreen hits: ’Beautiful’, ’Right Now (Na Na Na)’ and ’Smack That’.

Guess, Akon’s premier performance in Mumbai is simply loaded!

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Shah Rukh Khan's KKR team putting on hold their association with Lux Cozi

Buckling under pressure from Muslim religious groups and other sections, the Shah Rukh Khan-owned Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders Monday announced they were putting on hold their association with innerware brand Lux Cozi.

KKR had drawn flak from various sections for associating with the innerware brand owned by Ashok Todi, an accused in the suicide case of Rizwanur Rahman - a Muslim computer teacher who had married Todi`s daughter Priyanka.

"Respecting the sentiments of Kolkata and people of Bengal, both Lux Industries and KKR have decided to put their association on hold until issues are resolved and the sensitivities of the aggrieved group are adequately addressed," the team said in a release.

A KKR official said with the deal off, the players` jerseys will not sport the logo of the innerware brand.

"In terms of advertisement, merchandising, and branding of uniform, which were the outcome of the tie-up, none of them will now happen," the official said.

"Shah Rukh Khan`s endorsements of the company`s products will also stop. And the advertisements will be taken off the media," he said.

"As for merchandising, some pants, cricketing gear and T-shirts have already been sold out. We will put a stop to all orders which were supposed to hit the market in the coming days," he said.

As per the contract, the innerwear brand was to be associated with KKR`s apparel merchandising, while the company had also roped in Shah Rukh as its brand ambassador.

Earlier this month, a Muslim cleric issued a fatwa seeking a boycott of SRK`s latest film "My Name is Khan" for KKR`s tie-up with Lux Cozi.

"He has lots of money. Why is he becoming the brand ambassador of a company owned by such a controversial man? I am issuing a fatwa to all Hindus and Muslims to boycott the movie," said Syed Noor-ur-Rehman Barkati, the Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque in Kolkata.

However, Barkati welcomed SRK`s decision Monday. "I appreciate his gesture of parting ways with the Todis."

Some thinkers had also called a meeting in the city Monday to protest KKR`S tie-up with the brand.

The death of Rizwanur, whose body was found Sep 21, 2007, along the railway tracks at Patipukur near the city`s suburb of Dum Dum, sparked outrage following allegations that Todi had influenced several police officers to bring pressure on the youth to opt out of the marriage with his daughter.

Several police officers, including the city police commissioner, were later removed from their posts for their alleged role in Rizwanur`s death. Todi, two of his relatives and four senior city police officers were among those later chargesheeted for allegedly abetting Rizwan`s suicide.

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Maharashtra CM Shri Ashok Chauhan to catch the first show of 'MNIK'

Sense prevailed in the B-town as 10 multiplex owners in Mumbai decided to go ahead with the screening while the single screen theatres decided against showing the movie for the time being as they are not in a position to meet the requirements for extra security.

Giving a positive signal to the people of Mumbai, Maharashtra CM Shri Ashok Chauhan amid unprecedented security for the film’s release, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil drove to multiplex INOX to catch the first show of ’MNIK’.

There was some protest at Fame Andheri but police came in and arrested the protesters and the show went on peacefully. King Khan who is in Berlin, tweeted early on Friday morning, "good m’ing mumbai. wotever the fate of the film, never wished this upon the city that made my dreams come true & gave me all. i belong to u (sic)."

The film opened to full houses in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai and several other cities.

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