Sunday, October 22, 2006

Shah Rukh Khan’s mighty hearted gesture

People who work with Shah Rukh Khan speak of the superstar’s humility, kindness and compassion.
SRK is often described as a selfless person who cares a great deal about the people he works with. So was once again seen on the last day of the shooting of Don .
On the day when the film’s shooting was wrapped up, SRK presented gifts and hand-written notes to the film’s crew. The director, co-stars, choreographer, soundman, light man, technicians and even security guards received gifts from SRK.
And the gifts were not randomly chosen. They were in keeping with the individual tastes of the persons to whom they were given.
Besides these gifts, SRK also wrote notes and letters to some unit-members. In those letters SRK recounted his interaction with them and shared some of his personal thoughts.
For some crewmembers it was an emotional moment receiving gifts from SRK.
As one guy from the unit puts it: “It was a perfect closing for the shooting of Don.”
Source :Apunkachoice

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Suave Shah Rukh floors the media

Public relations (PR) agencies should take a tip or two from Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on how to turn the charm on the media.
The suave and sharp Shah Rukh, who has also been blessed with the gift of the gab, subtly bailed
out a high-profile PR agency that was managing an event for Pepsi, the cola giant, on Sunday.
The Pepsi train ferried Shah Rukh, his "Don" co-star Priyanka Chopra, journalists and others from
Delhi to Jaipur for the India-England match.
When some members of the camera-toting brigade refused to budge after they had had their fill of
shots of King Khan and Priyanka at a press conference, the already hyper media manager of the PR
company became even more edgy.
"Aap ne apna vaada tod diya (you have broken your promise)," she shrieked into the mike time and
again. "Bhaisahab mere saath co-operate kariye (co-operate with me)," she pleaded.
But the camera-toting brigade, who were perched on chairs, refused to "cooperate" because she was
behaving like a "schoolteacher".
Shah Rukh patiently watched her struggle for a few minutes and then took the mike. "I am sorry if
you are being inconvenienced," he told the reporters. "But I think it is mostly because of your
own selves," he chuckled.
He had driven home the point most charmingly and no one seemed to object.
Before the media could bowl their questions, he pre-empted their first query: "I know you all
will be dying to ask me when was the last time I travelled on a train. Seven years ago..."
He fielded questions from all sides - on cricket, his son, his movies, his endorsements - and
rephrased nervous questions and put everything into perspective for the media.
He even explained the shift in the focus of Pepsi's new campaign, of which he is an ambassador,
more articulately than the Pepsi marketing head herself.
The media manager, who was keeping tabs on the time, screamed into the mike again. "Last two
questions." Shah Rukh cut her midway and smiled into the mike, "No. Last four questions."
The media cheered him.
Four questions over, the media manager asked the print media to leave and make way for more of
the camera-toting brigade, who also wield mikes.
She asked the journalists to hand her their mikes, to which they objected. With a scramble over
who would do a one-on-one with Shah Rukh-Priyanka first, Shah Rukh decided to play the
star-cum-media manager.
"Let me coordinate with them," he said loud and clear to the media manager.
The media was, of course, happy that he had taken over and they would not have to hear more about
"broken promises".
The one-on-ones over, which seemed more like cattle grazing on the same patch of green, the media
were asked to leave.
Although Shah Rukh had no problems spending more time with the media, the manager didn't seem
game.
Even as the security shooed away the media persons "to the left" as if they were "untouchables",
Shah Rukh was very gracious - still stopping to sign autographs and answer questions.
Without being rude he put the journalists, who overstepped their limits, in place.
A cub reporter asked him for an autograph and he willingly obliged. Next she asked him for his
number he rattled, "601...". She said she wanted his cellphone number. "My personal numbers are
not for you, sweetheart!" he said, patting her shoulder and walked away.
It was amazing to see him multi-task - answering questions, signing autographs, humouring Pepsi
honchos - even as others looked bleary-eyed at the early morning event.
At an awards ceremony some years ago, Shah Rukh was interrupted by the hostess because the time
allotted to him to speak was over. Few minutes later we saw the hostess melt into the darkness of
the backstage and Shah Rukh hosting the show impromptu.
He did a pretty good job - being at his wittiest best, all along taking pot shots at the hostess,
who was never seen in films again.
Source:Newkerala

Sunday, October 15, 2006

I'm living a dream, says Shah Rukh Khan

At the launch of the Tag Heur Shah Rukh Khan limited edition watch, The Monaco Sixty Nine Chronograph, SRK looked tired, but was in his element. He fielded questions with confidence and his trademark retorts. He oscillated between being slightly arrogant, "I know of only two Khans, Genghis Khan and Shah Rukh Khan!" to a more modest, "I am just an actor who happened to be at the right time and right place. I am living a dream."
Later, reaching him was quite an experience. After passing through a posse of formidable bodyguards and a bunch of extra-cautious, quick to panic people, we felt like we were actually being ushered into the 'Don's den. 'Don' himself, however looked relaxed and in control.
He's indeed living a dream life, so is there anything that he desires any more? He smiles, "The grass always seems greener on the other side. I have the same simple desires that any man on the street has. I want to be happy, I want to be with my kids and I want to continue doing good work. I have little desires like not getting stuck in traffic while commuting to work, going back to a happy family, watching TV, and going to sleep. I want to go on a holiday, now and then. My desires genuinely don't go beyond that. The only difference between me and any other person is that when I go on a holiday, I have to take my bodyguards along and I have to stay in a hotel which is more exclusive than a regular one, though I don't like the expenses."
Are these the liabilities of being a superstar? "Absolutely not. I know there are moments when certain stories disturb me. The most outrageous one I recently heard is that I tried sabotaging Mr Bachchan's birthday by having my book launch on the same day. You cannot do anything about these things. I would rather keep quiet. I can't keep picking on people who say bad things, good things or irrelevant things about me."
Coming to his next release, is there anything about the old 'Don' that he was tempted to imitate? "We didn't want to make a photocopy. We wanted to make a film which is relevant for the youth of today. I watched 'Don' when I was about 13 or 14 years old. So this is for those who are in the age bracket of 15 to 24 now. Farhan (Akhtar) has clearly added newness to the script and story. I would have liked to act like Mr (Amitabh) Bachchan...everyone wants to act like him, but one is not able to."
You are almost there, we tell him and he nods in agreement with a smile, "Yes, almost!"

Friday, October 13, 2006

SRK's magnanimous gesture

Shah Rukh Khan On the last day of shooting for Farhan Akhtar's 'Don', Shah Rukh Khan surprised the film's cast and crew by giving them presents and hand-written notes. So much so, that his King-sized gesture has left them all overwhelmed.
Says producer Ritesh Sidhwani, "Shah Rukh is one of the most large-hearted human beings I've come across. Each day after we packed up, he would hug and thank the crewmembers. On the last day of shooting, he presented the members of the unit with gifts. He even wrote letters for us, recounting all the experiences he had during those three months of shooting. He actually remembered his encounters with all of us individually and wrote them down in personalized letters to each one of us. It's wonderful the way he remembered those incidents!"
Source :Bollyvista

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Shirish Kunder´s Second Film With Shah Rukh Khan ?

We have heard the story that Farah's husband Shrish Kunder , was keen to work with Shah Rukh Khan in his debut film . But King Khan could not accommodate him . Shirish and Farah went to producer Sajid Nadiadwala , who agreed to give Shrish his break . Nadiadwala cajoled Salman to work in the film . Once Salman agreed , Akshay Kumar and Preity Zinta came on board too and 'Jaan-E-Mann' was born .
During the making of the film , Salman was impressed with Shirish and promised that he would do his second film too . So far so good . But when 'Jaan-E-Mann' promos came on air , SRK liked what he saw and he too made an offer to Shirish that he would be happy to do his second film .
The buzz is that Shirish has decided in favour of Shah Rukh Khan . Obviously , the Salman camp has not taken this news well .
Source:Planetbollywood

Sunday, October 08, 2006

SRK or Salman?

The Big Friday 20th October is approaching fast and furious. And the plans have already started filling in. so, what’s your pick this festive season! SRK’s stylish ‘Don’ or Salman-Akshay’s paint-my-love ‘Jaaneman’… Both the pictures are looking extremely positive and Big Bollywood money is riding on them.
Ritesh Dishwani and Sajid Nadiadwala, the respective producers of ‘Don’ and ‘Jaaneman’ are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring a huge opening for their films.
They are determined to milk the Diwali Holidays from October 20th followed by Eid on 25th. It’s a well known fact that a sizable Muslim population stops watching films in the Ramzan and that’s one of the reasons why no big releases take place during the Ramzan month. With Diwali and Eid coming back to back, both ‘Don’ as well as ‘Jaaneman’ would surely try-n-cash-in on the long holiday period.
Bollywood is upbeat about the two releases and is hoping for an encore at the Box Office. This year has been phenomenal for the Hindi Film Industry and ‘Don’ and ‘Jaaneman’ may well carry that trend and create real history in the world of illusions. The commercial fate of these two movies will also decide who’s the bigger Khan…SRK or Sallu…Or will Akshay steal the thunder?
Source : Indiaglitz

Top Scoop : SRK to coach girls

In what seems like a tongue-in-cheek homage to the spirit of sportsmanship, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been cast as the coach of a girls' hockey team in a film by "Ab Tak Chhappan" fame director Shimit Amin.
We have seen films about cricket and football, so a film on hockey comes as no surprise. In fact, Vivek Agnihotri is currently scripting a film on football.
Amin is seriously enthused about the film.
"It's a dying art form. While we continue to go into ecstasy over cricket we hardly seem to realise that hockey is a true-blue Indian game and we need to give it the respect it deserves," he told.
The reticent moviemaker admits he doesn't play any sport.
"But I watch a lot of them. I've never played any sport. And I knew nothing about hockey until I researched for my film. I feel a detachment from the subject always provides added insights into the film. If you look at Hollywood they invite directors from the outside to make films about their themes and culture.
"Sam Mendes, who made the very American 'American Beauty' is British. Likewise, when I came to India from the US to make 'Ab Tak Chhappan' for Ram Gopal Varma, I knew as much about the workings of the Indian police force and 'encounter' killings as I did about hockey. The challenge to me is making a film that allows me to go into unexplored territory."
The director has cast girls as hockey players in the team.
"The girls have to be sporty and swift hockey players. It isn't easy. The game is no longer that popular. It requires physically fit players. And it looks like a struggle ahead to get girl players in place before we go into production."
Jaideep Sahni has scripted this very unusual film.
"This is a very exciting time to be a film director in Hindi cinema. Last year we had several films that broke the mould. Once in a while something comes along to push the envelope. After 'Ab Tak Chhappan' I wanted to make a film that was completely Indian in spirit."
Amin is all praise for his producers.
"I'm so glad I came to Yash Raj Films for my second film. After Ram Gopal Varma, I needed a producer who would provide me with complete creative freedom. I'm not the least surprised if I withdraw into my own work-shell and not react to such stories. I'd rather be seen than heard."
The director says he loves the portrayal of families in films.
"I love the idea of families staying together, interacting through crisis and drama. In fact, the film is also about family ties."
Source :Santabanta

Saturday, October 07, 2006

DON takes heads on with KANK

DON has been in the news for a multitude of reasons and this one is amongst the biggest that adds to the enormous hype around the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer.
Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar's magnum opus will be the biggest theatrical release for a Bollywood movie in North America, if sources are to go by. With almost 110 prints, the number is said to be 15 more than SRK's previous release, KANK, which has been the widest so far, say industry sources.
UTV US plans to open up new territories in North America with DON. Even UTV UK is planning a unique cinema strategy and the final list of cinemas for DON in the UK & US will be officially released on the corporate website soon.
Source :Indiaglitz

Monday, October 02, 2006

I am desperately trying to quit smoking.. Shah Rukh

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan says he is desperately trying to quit smoking.
"I am desperately trying to kick the habit", he said as he launched a cancer drug developed by city-based Biocon.
Shah Rukh admitted that it's a "shameful thing" that while he supported the fight against cancer -- he lost his father to cancer in 1981 and mother to "somehow related to the same disease" ten years later, as he puts it -- he continues to smoke.
"I am trying my best (to quit smoking). But it's difficult. I am trying to reduce it. I have reduced it (smoking) a lot", he said, adding it (smoking) is a weakness and it would take while for him to succeed in kicking the habit.
When a reporter said there is a move to give "A" certificate for his new movie "Don" because there is a smoking scene, Shah Rukh had a dig at it. He said sarcastically "Rule is a rule". If there is a rule that from tomorrow, we don't stop at red (traffic) signal, we stop at green signal".
Then, he added that "it's a good thinking by legal system.....Who makes the rule".
On a more serious note, he said "We are believers in democracy...In terms of freedom. (But) when it comes to culture, we suddenly are quite undemocratic. Creativity is not democratic in our country at times".
Source : BollywoodCity