Ajay & SRK’s Movie Connection

 

Shah Rukh Khan’s recent announcement in Variety magazine about producing an animated kiddie flick has stirred a hornet’s nest. According to the Ajay Devgan camp, the stories of SRK’s and Kumar Mangat’s animation film, Toonpur Ka Super Hero, are the same!

A source reveals that Ajay’s camp is miffed that Khan is going ahead with a project that is very similar to theirs in terms of ideation and plot. The similarity isn’t just about who the film is catering to, but also the treatment. Both the movies are using state-of-the-art effects and will have a video game feel.

Ajay’s angry

Apparently, Devgan was infuriated when Shah Rukh roped in Anubhav Sinha for the project. “Ajay has been conceiving Toonour Ka Super Hero even before he started work on U Me Aur Hum. In fact, during Cash, Ajay had discussed the project with Anubhav and now Anubhav is working with Shah Rukh on a suspiciously similar project.”

Kumar Mangat says, “I have heard that the stories of Anubhav’s film and Toonpur being similar. Some people in the trade have informed me but when I checked, I found out that Anubhav Sinha’s story is different. I know that he’s making an animation film but I am not sure if Shah Rukh has said yes to the film.”

Both Anubhav Sinha and Kumar Mangat are working at breakneck speed to complete their films they want to release their film first.

It’s a race

Mangat says, “I don’t know about Anubhav’s film but 80 per cent of our animation work has already been done. We will complete shooting by June and definitely plan to have a Diwali or Christmas release.

Doing an animation film is no child’s play. It takes months to work on a character — extensive knowledge and research.”

Crowded space

He continues, “Kirit is an experienced ad filmmaker with his own animation company. One wrong frame and the entire shooting gets wasted. We have been working on Toonpur since last 15 months and now only two songs including one with Ajay and Kajol need to be shot. Ajay and Kajol’s song is called Chal baliye chal Toonpur chaliye and will be shot with 5000 animated characters.”

Mangat is roping in noted animation specialist Charles Darby for TKSH. Kumar Mangat says, “We are in talks with a Hollywood technician who has worked with Steven Spielberg in his films. Everything will get finalised in a few days.”

When asked if his film is similar to TKSH Shah Rukh says, “No.”

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Shah Rukh on Postage Stamps?

 

Celebrities and national icons can now find immortality through postage stamps during their living years, if the government decides to end the decades long custom of honouring people only posthumously ( Watch ).

“We are considering a proposal to issue stamps on young achievers in various fields, who have made the nation proud. These personalities include Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Sania Mirza, Harbhajan Singh and Remo Fernandes among others,” Shakeel Ahmad, Minister of State for Communication and IT, said.

These people have achieved a lot in their life and this needs to be conveyed to the youth to encourage them, as well as promote philately.

“Stamp collection is not merely a hobby. It teaches about our culture, civilisation and important happenings within our country and outside,” the minister said, adding that this would also give the much required revenue to the postal department.

He, however, said that there was no custom hitherto to issue stamps on living persons. “It is very rare and exceptional… we are debating on this in the ministry and we expect to take a decision on this soon,” he said.

Asked if any amendment was required in the Postal Act to issue stamps on living personalities, he replied in the negative.

“No amendment is required in the Postal Act. We just need to take a decision. I have written a note to (Communication and IT) Minister A Raja suggesting this,” he said.

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SRK’s Animated Film

 

Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, who is all set to make a children’s film in the VFX medium, using computer-generated special effects, says he is overwhelmed by the response he gets from children and wants to cater to them. “I love kids and I am overwhelmed by the response I get from children. Adults like me by chance,” Shah Rukh Khan told IANS.

“I have maintained my love for kids since long and want to cater to them because they have the shortest attention span. I want to make a place in the hearts of the little ones and then I will automatically reach the families. As children handle the remote control these days, everyone has to watch what they like.

“Theatre director Barry John, my acting teacher at Delhi Theatre, used to say: ‘if you can capture the interest of kids, you will be always successful’ and I stick to that,” he added.

Shah Rukh was recently in Berlin to promote “Om Shanti Om” and was interviewed by Hollywood trade magazine Variety. The magazine reported that the proposed children’s film would be made at a budget of $25 million (Rs.1 billion), the highest budget in India.

But commenting here about the money to be spent on making the film, Shah Rukh said: “Media is speculating about the budget. We are still working on the script.”

The actor, also the owner of the Kolkata team franchisee Red Chillies Entertainment, said through all these initiatives – investment in sports and VFX film – he wants to do something for the country which has given him so much.

“My dream is to invest money and bring better technology in our country that has given me money, love, respect… everything one can ask for! Not only cricket, we want to invest in all kind of games.

“I think if children are allowed to play all the time along with little bit of studies, ‘creative’ aggression would develop in them. It would prevent them from indulging in vices like smoking, drinking or drugs.”

And when is the superstar planning to kick the butt!

“I have been trying to kick the butt since long. But it is very difficult to give up bad habits. And I can’t be dishonest in saying I will quit smoking and then don’t do it.”

“However, I would appeal to children that they must not pick up this habit from me, as fans have a tendency to imitate their favourite stars. This is a bad habit and is injurious to health. They must never do it,” he stressed.

King Khan is now set to host a television quiz show “Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tez Hain” and says the medium doesn’t matter because he is an entertainer.

“I started my career with television and with time the small screen is becoming better. However, being a jester, my idea is to entertain by films, by stage shows… by all possible formats.”

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Someone Stole SRK’s Credit Card!

 

Bollywood superstar, Shahrukh Khan is in the news yet again though this time for an off-screen mystery that has left the Mulund (Mumbai) police baffled.

It involves his credit card which came into the possession of three people who took a big chance to splurge away merrily but were nabbed by an alert department store executive.

On February 10, Vinay Vijay Tambe (22), James Paul Peremal (28), and Shekar Jadhav (44), went to Shopper’s Stop at Nirmal Lifestyle in Mulund and bought trousers and t-shirts worth Rs.25000.

So far, so good till it was time to pay up and out came an ICICI credit card. The sales executive was stunned when he saw that the name on the transaction slip was none other than SRK. He knew something was terribly wrong especially when the credit card holder signed it as Vinay Vijay Tambe.

The executive made a call to ICICI Bank to verify the card’s authenticity and also informed the police about the transaction. They wasted little time in reaching the spot and arrested the trio under Indian Penal Code sections 34 (common intention) and 420 (cheating). They have been remanded to police custody till February 18.

Shahrukh confirmed the story through an SMS to this newspaper.

The Mulund police says the card was not forged. “ICICI Bank has confirmed that the card belonged to Khan. We are trying to find out whether it was stolen or if he lost it. And, of course, the big question is how did it come into Tambe’s hands,” senior police inspector Prakash Landge, Mulund police station, told DNA.

The trio’s version, according to him, was that they found the card lying on a road in SantaCruz a few days prior to their arrest.

The Mulund police got in touch with their counterparts at Bandra to check if SRK had registered any complaint on a lost credit card. “They told us that he had lodged a complaint on his passport being lost. We are now investigating the exact source of the credit card,” Landge said.

The police might soon contact SRK on the matter.

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SRK’s Next Home Production

 

It’s confirmed.
Shah Rukh Khan has entrusted Anubhav Sinha (of Dus and Tum Bin fame) with the responsibility of directing a Red Chillies production. Though earlier there were speculations around the authenticity of the news piece, the man at the helm of affairs comes out in open.

“Yes, this is true. I am indeed going to direct this film which would be heavy on CGI and VFX. At this moment no decision has been taken on whether Shah Rukh Khan would be acting in the film or not as the script is still being finalized”, says Anubhav Sinha whose last release was Cash.

Budget of this yet untitled film has been pegged at $25 million (Rs. 100 crores) which automatically makes it India’s most expensive film ever. What does Anubhav feel about this transition to the super league? “With big power comes bigger responsibilities”, chuckles Anubhav while obviously quoting superhero Spiderman.

He continues, “The film is obviously huge and there would be extensive pre-production required for it. Shah Rukh is getting some of the best technicians from the world to work on the project. When he makes a statement that the film has to match the standards set by Spiderman, I have to be continuously on my toes.”

Since the film is CGI and VFX laden, is it mainly an animation/special effects film, as reported in some sections of media. “What rubbish”, says an amused Anubhav, “You don’t spend 100 crores on a core animation film. This is very much going to be a live action film with real people. But yes, it would have high dose of VFX.”

It was two years back that Anubhav Sinha had got into a first round discussion with Shah Rukh Khan around the project. Khan went on to do Om Shanti Om in the interim and recently gave a nod to his dream project. Was he overtly bothered about the Cash imbroglio?

“He hasn’t spoken to me about it”, replies Anubhav, “I don’t know whether he has seen Cash or not. In any case, he has been in the entertainment business for long and fully understands what goes behind the scenes for the success or failure of a project.”

While work is still on for the production and financing of the film, Shah Rukh Khan is already said to be in talks with Eros Entertainment and visual effects guru Charles Darby who has worked on films like The Matrix and Minority Report. Most of the year 2008 would go into getting the base ready for the film to come on floors.

As per Khan, the film is going to be over the top and a madcap with a feel that would be as beautiful as Spider Man when it comes to special effects. Though Anubhav Sinha refuses to divulge much about the plot of the film, there are indications that the film with a feel of videogame would be centered on a bunch of children who wish for bad things but get a reality check when they come true.

“Let the suspense stay on about what the film is all about. In any case, I don’t wish to reveal much about the film since it is at least a year away. Let me get my act in place till then”, signs off Anubhav.

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Quizmaster Shah Rukh

 

Not that King Khan had gone anywhere, but he’s making a comeback on the telly with another show, which comes after the super successful Kaun Banega Crorepati. This time, Shah Rukh Khan will be the host for Star Plus’ new game show Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain, which will be on air later this year. An Indian adaptation of a hit Fox TV quiz show, that’s doing well in over 50 countries, Khan explained the concept with some witty repertoire at the launch in Delhi. “Main dil say khud baccha hi hoon (At heart, I am a also a child),” said Khan, who rode a bicycle to the podium for the press conference.

The movie icon will be seen in Aditya Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan, apart from three home productions from Red Chillies Entertainment. “Since I’m not shooting at the moment, I can devote my time to this show. Finally, I have work,” joked Khan. “At Red Chillies we are also planning an animation film. Barry John taught me that if I can hold a child’s attention, I can be an actor,” said Khan.

Khan watched the original show , Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, with his kids and their friends before deciding on whether he wanted to be part of this venture. “My kids found it fascinating,” he said, and that eventually convinced him to don the quizmaster’s hat yet again. With a self-imposed break from films, Khan has his plate full with cricket and television. “I think I never left television. I began my career with TV and I owe my life to this medium,” he said. He’ll host this show in a classroom environment.

Regarding his recent exploits with cricket, he is smitten with cricketer Sourav Ganguly and has set his heart at getting him on board his most recent purchase — the Kolkata Cricket League. “Sourav will captain my team. Since our team is Kolkata, we must have a signature player and who better than Sourav? Had he not been from Kolkata, even then I would have bid for him just because he is a great player,” he insisted.

Prone to self-congratulation, Khan is disarmingly modest at the same time. “With all humility, I think I am the ambassador of the Indian film industry. Those international awards might have been conferred on me, but they are a reflection of the fact that the world has woken up to Indian cinema,” said a triumphant Khan. Here we go again!

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Shah Rukh & Kajol: Jodi #1

 

It’s valentine season and romance is in the air. And romance has been the staple for Bollywood for many years.

So which onscreen couple charmed the hearts of the audience? Which lead pair is the jodi no 1? We here at CNN-IBN decided to find out.

Bollywood has had some memorable onscreen couples who lit up the silver screen with their sparkling chemistry.

While the spotlight has shifted from reel life to real life couples off late, the magic that the male and female leads created on celluloid is definitely a source of inspiration for many.

So this Valetine’s week we decided to check out who’s the best of them all…the couple that has reigned in the hearts of the audience as the hero and heroine who made their ticket money worth every penny.

On a poll conducted on http://www.ibnlive.com CNN-IBN asked respondents to vote the jodi no1 in Bollywood. And the nominees are:

Guru Dutt and Waheed Rehman

Dharmendra and Hema Malini

Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol

Shahid Kapur and Kareena Kapoor

From the swarm of responses, it was evident that if there’s one jodi that has melted hearts across the board, it’s Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol who sizzled on screen in such films as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kabhie Khushie Kabhie Gham and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

They’re the couple we have most enjoyed seeing on screen, they’re the couple that has most often made our eyes moist, they’re the couple who have immortalized romance on 70mm.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, CNN-IBN’s Jodi No. 1 is Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.

Watch the video here :
http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/58985/cnnibns-jodi-no-1-shah-rukh-khan-and-kajol.html

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SRK-Kajol Movie Based on Real Life??

 

Despite having the stellar cast comprising Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol , director Karan Johar describes his next film as the “biggest risk” of his life.

The reason for such an admission is not that Johar isn’t confident about his starcast. Rather, he thinks he has got the perfect cast to play the leading roles. The reason why Johar thinks the movie is his biggest risk is because it is based on a real story that deals with many other sensitive issues like terrorism and racial and religious labeling.

In the film, tentatively titled ‘Khan’ (or My Name Is Khan), SRK and Kajol play a married couple living in the US. SRK plays a Muslim. The story unravels against the backdrop of the twin tower attacks in New York.

The first half of the story is inspired from the true tale of a couple who, Karan says, are based outside India. Karan has bought the rights to the story from the couple.

The story is being penned by Shibani Bhatija. The first half of the plot is based on the true story. But Shibani has fictionalized the second half to make it a gripping emotional drama. Karan is learnt to have approved of the fictionalized part.

“We have fictionalised the second half but the first half is based on a completely true story,” Johar is quoted as saying by a Mumbai newspaper.

But now, the director faces the mammoth task of directing such a sensitive subject.

In Karan’s words, he is “petrified and mortified” at the thought of directing this film.

But then, that’s the fun of direction. Isn’t it, Karan?

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Shah Rukh’s Love Affair

 

He is the eternal Rahul of Indian cinema, the lover who always gets the heroine in the end.
But call him that and Shah Rukh Khan just throws up his hands and says resignedly, “People call me a lot of names; I don’t mind being called any!

Then on a serious note, the King of Romance adds, “I have reached the giving stage of my Bollywood love affair. I want to give more and more love to my audience through my work. If you want to call it love… please go ahead!”

But SRK is not the kind to straitjacket love in the confines of Valentine’s Day. “I have never really understood this day. According to me, love has so many facets. For instance, if you asked Don Juan, he would have said that loving 1700 women was the nicest thing in his life.

And I think I would respect that also.

The beauty of love is that it has no boundaries. For me, love means my children. I am in love with the undiplomatic and innocent stage of life that they are in,” he says.

And isn’t it a little kid, Darsheel Safary, who is competing with Mr Khan for the Filmfare best actor award too? “Every year the competition keeps getting younger. Very soon, I will be nominated with an unborn baby,” he smiles.

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Does the Politician Hate SRK?

 

So Shah Rukh Khan wants to smoke. While I don’t think it’s entirely correct that he does, I think it’s absolutely wrong that anyone can tell him to stop. Anyone, except his wife and kids, that is. That list can be extended to include his immediate family (which means Karan Johar), but that’s it. Just them.

Certainly no health minister, who dilly dallies on putting scary pictures on cigarette packets, but loves to pipe up against King Khan every time his cook burns his toast at breakfast. The minister’s not Shah Rukh’s. What Shah Rukh’s cook does is strictly his business. Shah Rukh’s, not the cooks.

All great cities in the world are melting pots of culture. Walk the streets of London, New York, Hong Kong and you’ll understand in a second, that even though the influences of cultures of the world is present, it’s the local culture that’s all pervasive. It’s because the local governments take the initiative to highlight local architecture, local foods, and the local feel to every touristy street. So you know where you are, and you know that no matter where you come from, you’ll find something that suits your sentimentality and your tastebuds. Now, by that I mean, the country’s culture, the country’s, NOT the city’s.

What I’m trying to get at is: there is really no point in segregating the country on the basis of regions, or on any basis actually. We’re a superpower now. And the only thing that can damage us is what damaged us many centuries ago. Infighting. I live in Bombay, I also live in Delhi. Many weeks ago I wrote about, how I keep getting drawn into this Bombay versus Delhi debate. I always stop further probing with a very simple answer — ‘I like Bombay, I like Delhi. I love India, that’s where I stay.’

Here’s another point. If Mr B and King Khan were to move back to where they came from, the entire film industry would move with them too. And then what happens to the thousands of Mumbai boys who lose livelihood, thousands of families of those unseen unsung lightboys, spotboys who would be left high and dry?

Anyway, back to the smoking. Mister minister is insulting the intelligence of millions of Indian youth if he thinks that they’ll get drawn to smoking because they see Shah Rukh smoking on screen. If that was the case, they’d all be raving lunatics running after married women shouting k-k-k-k-Kiran. If he’s smoking at a cricket match, instruct the media crews not to swivel their cameras toward him. He’s probably the most known movie star in the world. Heck, my German friends make me get them a bag full of DVDs every time I visit. But let’s stop trying to piggyback on him, let’s all try and be as ballsy as him, and make it on our own. To be as hard working, as sincere, as self-assured and as fearless, as him. That’s the only thing that the youth of India will be influenced into copying from him. The bad stuff, that’ll all go up in smoke.

GauravKapur of Mid-Day.com

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