Home is where the heart is! SRK

The King of bollywood, Shahrukh Khan, who is almost on the run 24x 7, has always tried to keep up some time for his family. The busy star has always tried to pack in his busy schedule some significant time slots to devote to his family.

His most precious time spent with his family has been for the public to see when he would inevitably have his wife Gauri and kids Suhana and Aryan right by his side, enjoying the IPL matches of the ‘Kolkata Knight Riders’ a team of which he is a co- owner, with full fervor!

Recently, SRK had made a special plan to take his family for a summer holiday, and even managed to catch up with the FIFA World Cup finals with them.

However, all good things do come to end, and now SRK is back to work with a vengeance. Thus, after the relaxed phase, he is on a tight shooting schedule, trying to finish off his shooting schedule of his home production ‘RA. ONE’, right on time.

His wife and kids have gone back due to the kid’s school and all that. But, does SRK miss that entire home sweet home syndrome?

Surpringly, it is a big Yes! Shahrukh Khan, the super star, has admittedly been quoted by tabloids as agreeing to the fact that he is a full on family man. He just loves to spend time with his wife and kids. He also is said to be very thankful to Gauri, for imparting some very great values in his kids.

SRK is well aware that, had it not been for his wife, he would never have made it to the top of the league of stars. This super star is all humble and gracious, he does agree that even for a super star like him – ‘Home is where the heart is’!

S R K filming at Hotel Rafayel

"Ra.One" (also called Ra.1) is an upcoming Bollywood science-fiction superhero film directed by Anubhav Sinha. The film features Shahrukh Khan, who is today considered to be the world's most successful movie star, with an estimated wealth of over US$ 540 million. Being shot in Mumbai and London,

Ra.One is being scheduled for release in early 2011. The Hotel Rafayel, situated at Falcon Wharf on the south bank of the River Thames near Battersea has been chosen as the London base for the filming.

Utilising property developer Iqbal Latif’s own green principles and partnering with global electronics giant Philips, Hotel Rafayel has become one of the first hotels to adopt a strategy to minimize its environmental impact through the proactive use of low emissions technology, setting a high “green” benchmark for future luxury hotels, and so it isn't difficult to see why the Hotel has been specifically chosen as the London base for the shooting of Ra.One.

Chunks of the movie will be shot in London near Battersea Power station, as well as actually on Hotel Rafayel's Japanese terrace and Banyan Restaurant too although the Hotel is relatively young, it is difficult to think of a more prestigious testimony than being the London base for the world's biggest film star's latest production.

Aamir invites Shahrukh to Peepli Live premiere

Tell it coincidence or luck, Shahrukh Khan is becoming the friendship Khan of Bollywood. Earlier he was in news for extending hand of friendship to Shiv Sena by wishing Uddav Thackeray on his birthday, in a unique style. Now, it is about his friendship with his long time competitor Aamir Khan.

Aamir and Shahrukh were seen having dinner together in London, which is one of the biggest surprises ever. All thanks to Karan Johar who recently become friends with Aamir. The master mind behind the plan for a combine dinner with both Aamir and Shahrukh was Karan. Well, chemistry has to workout when KJo's mind is at work.


Now, Aamir without missing the chance informed to the media in an interview that he is planning to invite Shahrukh Khan to the premiere of his upcoming film Peepli Live. Looks like Shahrukh is also quiet in friendship mood, hopefully he will accept the offer.

Whether their friendship lasts or not is something still to be unfold, till then wishing them happy friendship day in advance.

British PM plays up Shah Rukh connection

As he began his maiden Indian visit Wednesday, British Prime Minister David Cameron singled out Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, food and cricket as among the cultural bonds that tie Indians and Britons.

'We share so much culturally, whether it's watching Shah Rukh Khan, eating the same food or watching cricket,' Cameron said in an article entitled 'A stronger, wider and deeper relationship' in The Hindu, an Indian daily.

Setting a perfect pitch for his two-day India visit, Cameron underlined that he has come to India with the biggest and most diverse delegation to 'renew the relationship between India and Britain, to re-launch a relationship that is stronger, wider and deeper'.

Lauding India's growing economy and emergence on the global stage, Cameron wrote: 'In the U.S., they used to say: 'Go West, young man' to find opportunity and fortune. For today's entrepreneurs, the real promise is in the East.'

'I believe that to spread opportunity for all our people, from Delhi to Dundee, Bangalore to Birmingham, we would benefit from a common strategy for economic growth,' he wrote.

"Ra.One" crashes in London

SRK's "Ra.One" is making news for more reasons than one. Recently, the film crew was shooting an action sequence in London. The sequence has a jeep smash through the red double-decker bus. Reportedly, Shah Rukh Khan opted to do the death-defying stunt himself. We all know that "Ra.One" is going to be one of the costliest movies ever made. What about the costliest action scene ever made? Spare a thought!


Also, Karan Johar visited SRK on the movie set. It seems both of them along with Kareena Kapoor had an awesome time together.

I can't imagine one day without Gauri: SRK

For actor Shah Rukh Khan, family is his greatest wealth and the constant factor that made him single-mindedly focus on reaching the top. He pours his heart out how his family is his secret behind his wellness and determination.

“I think God has been really kind to me. I treasure my family without whom I would not be who I am today. They have sacrificed for me and they are the reason why I love going back home. For me, success is very important but being successful along with having a great family is necessary. You need to share your success with your family because it is not just for you that you are working,” Khan tells.

“I want to see my family happy all the time as when I see them happy, I am at peace. As humans we crave love and it is very important to love and be loved. I’m thankful that I have people who have loved me and supported me through things that might have broken me as a person. It is because of them that I have always found strength,” he adds.

For the Deewana of India, wife Gauri Khan is his pillar of strength. “I can’t imagine one day without Gauri. I have crazy working schedules through the year and I know how much effort she puts in to look after our home, our kids and even me. I rely on her for everything. She is the reason why we have a good, happy and healthy family. Gauri is a fine mother as I can see her imparting crucial values to my children,” Khan says.

King Khan adds, “I believe parenting is the toughest job in the world as it is parents who shape how their children will grow up to be. A mother’s role is very important as she is the closest to the child. When I look at my children, I feel safe that Gauri pays so much attention to them. I’m surprised how she has everything planned and how she knows what we need all the time. When I’m all over the place, I fall back upon Gauri. She touches everything about my life,” he ends.

S R K wears a lungi for special scene in "Ra.One"

Shahrukh Khan recently wore lungi. Yes, you heard it right, King Khan for one of his scenes in Ra. One has worn lungi. This is second time SRK has worn lungi; it was on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati 3 when SRK experimented with the attire. But the super star was quite apprehensive about the whole idea of wearing the attire. And why, read on.

"I wore lungi for a scene. It kind of gets windy and cool inside after a while coupled with the fear that it may open. Tense and relaxed coexistence," revealed SRK on the micro-blogging site.

Looks like, SRK is leaving no stones unturned to make a picture perfect out of "Ra.One".

S R K & Amir to star together in Karan Johar’s flick?

Just about a day after Bollywood’s Khan superstars Aamir and Shah Rukh dined together in London, defying the endless speculations about their supposed rivalry, buzz has it that the two might also be sharing screen space very soon. And believe it or not, but it’s none other than filmmaker Karan Johar, who’s planning to get Aamir and SRK together for one of his upcoming biggies, according to sources.

The two icons were recently seen bonding at an upscale Japanese restaurant in London, called Hakkasan, along with SRK’s wife Gauri and good pal KJo, who’s become very friendly with Aamir too, of late. And according to the latest buzz, Karan has actually managed to convince both the actors to star in one of his upcoming flicks.

While Aamir’s in London to promote his forthcoming film ‘Peepli Live’, Shah Rukh is there with his family shooting for his futuristic ‘Ra.One’ with Kareena Kapoor.

A few days back, there were reports claming that SRK and Aamir will share screen space in Danny Boyle’s joint venture with Anurag Kashyap, ‘Bombay Velvet’. However, the news was later refuted by Kashyap, who also clarified that only Aamir has been roped in for the same.

SRK wants mushy KJo

Karan Johar is currently in London and shooting for Shah Rukh Khan’s film Ra.One. Karan is directing a couple of scenes for best friend Shah Rukh Khan’s magnum opus since SRK feels that Karan is the lucky mascot. He wants all the luck possible for this film.

Our source said, “Shah Rukh is extremely close to Karan and some days back he had tweeted, inviting Karan to come and direct a couple of scenes for him. SRK wrote that Karan is his lucky mascot and that’s why he wants Karan to do it.

Karan accepted the invitation and so Karan is currently in London shooting a couple of emotional scenes which are his forte, with SRK and Kareena. The schedule of the film has been split into two units for a couple of days. The original director, Anubhav Sinha, will continue to shoot the primary montages and action-packed sequences of the feature. Karan, in the meanwhile, will be shooting the mushier bits.

“Karan left for London on Friday night and has also begun shooting from Monday. He is going to shoot for two days and after that Anubhav Sinha will once again take over as the director of the film,” said a source.

Incidentally the combination of SRK and Karan has not failed at the box-office so far, starting with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai up to the recently-released My Name Is Khan. Let’s hope that this superstitious arrangement doesn’t cause any tears for King Khan.

KJo in the meanwhile was too busy shooting to comment.

SRK wishes Thackeray!

Of all the greetings that Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray received on his 50th birthday Tuesday, one stood out - "best compliments" from none other than Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan who had been targeted by the party this year.

The birthday wishes were conveyed not through a traditional greeting card, but in a half-page advertisement released in Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamna. It said, "With Best Compliments From...Red Chillies Entertainment", the film company owned by Shah Rukh.

Coming as it did just a few months after the Sena had launched an all-out campaign against the superstar, the impact of the ad was not lost on either readers or Uddhav.

"I am accepting best wishes from everybody," is all that Uddhav chose to say when asked about the ad this afternoon.

The olive branch extended by Shah Rukh - in the form of the advertisement - comes nearly six months after the Sena had launched an all-out campaign against the superstar following the release of his blockbuster, "My Name Is Khan", in February this year. The party was angry with him for speaking in favour of Pakistani cricketers for the Indian Premier League.

The issue had pitted the state government and the Shiv Sena against each other in a controversy that raged for nearly 10 days and prompted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to make a visit to Mumbai Feb 5 and thumb the saffron party in its bastion.

Conversation with King's wife Gauri Khan

Her husband has the nation wrapped around his little finger while she has him eating out of her palm, she is a television and a film producer, a famous interior decorator, IPL team owner, and the wife of one of the most influential man in India – the biggest superstar in bollywood meet Shahrukh Khan’s wife Gauri Khan. Paras Sharma of FilmiTadka got the opportunity to meet the queen. Gauri thanks a lot for sparing time for this interview with FilmiTadka.

Gauri so tell us, you and Shahrukh are totally self-made; it must be an incredible high to achieve so much at such a young age? Absolutely, I mean we thank god every day for whatever we have but I think Shahrukh is extremely hard working so he deserves every bit of it. (But you have stood like a rock all this while?) Well actually that is not true because I was not too happy about him coming to bombay, and I didn’t even know when he became a star, it was very shocking for me to be here in mumbai, films, etc, it was very difficult, and I actually didn’t want his films to do well, I always thought that if his films flop then I will go back to Delhi. Because when you are so young, you don’t know anything (Gauri and SRK married at the age of 21), I didn’t know anything about films, how the whole thing works.

So Gauri when was it that Shahrukh told you that he wants to conquer the bollywood? Well I don’t think that he has conquered it, there is more to conquer; besides I don’t think that there ever was a thought behind, actually from his very childhood Shahrukh was very ambitious in his school in his college whether academics, football, hockey, drama whatever ever he touched it turned out to be gold, so I think I chose the right guy, and that was smartness.

Gauri I am quite sure that you guys go to various parties, so just imagine that there is this busty blonde bimbette with whom Shahrukh is dancing and also there is a hunk with whom you are dancing, so what happens, who reacts, who gets possessive, who feels jealous? Well I would say Shahrukh dancing with someone.... well done! And I dancing ummm.....well it depend with whom I am dancing, however Shahrukh is not comfortable with it, and the reaction comes always immediately.

So Gauri tell me, Shahrukh is this huge media figure, he is in news every hour, and you are always media shy, always in the background, why so? Well it is not about being media shy, first of all I am not a media figure, second thing is that whenever you are in media you should have something to say, after a time you are out of issues to discuss, and I don’t like sticking to media just for the heck of it, after you should have something to talk with them.

Shahrukh has everything in bollywood, what do you think about him performing in Hollywood? I am happy with whatever he wants, and if you ask me, then even if Shahrukh tells me that I am retiring as an actor and I will just be a producer or director, I am fine with it, and rather I would have him home just with me and kids.

Gauri tell me more about your marriage, It has been written in past as well that it was against your parents? Yes of course, I mean we were hardly 21, first of all marrying at such an early age then he was Muslim and I was Hindu, other thing was that he was joining the film line, which not considered good in our family. My parents even changed his name to “Abhinav” while marrying me, so that they think that it is a Hindu boy to whom they marrying their daughter.

How was it initially in the Mumbai? Well as I told you I was not happy with being in Mumbai, rather I wished every day that his film should flop and we get to go back to Delhi, but pulled it through, we lived in Mr. Aziz Mirza’s house for six months and then we rented an apartment to ourselves. I still remember that once my mother came to see us, and she was shocked as there was not even a bed, no chairs, nothing, and she asked me that how are you living? This is ridiculous you can at least get a bed, so I said this is the gadda sleep on it, I told her that we are shifting to a new flat in a month and then we will do our shopping, but then that one month stretched to another year, but we moved into our own apartment.

So how does your mother react now as you own one of the biggest and most spectacular bungalows in Bombay with beautiful panoramic view? See it definitely feels great but it all happened so gradually that there was no point of a reaction, my family members saw us evolve from a rented apartment without furniture, then our own apartment then the one with furniture and then “Mannat”, it was nothing overnight.

How does your children react to their father, tell me something about them? Well Aryan is 12 years old and Suhana is 9, so they don’t watch news on the TV or read newspapers so that they can know that their father is in news every moment, but yes, they are well aware of who Shahrukh is.

Shahrukh lost his parents at such an early age that he spoils them rotten, I am often known as the complaint box in home.

Gauri thanks a lot for sharing your time with us, and it was wonderful having you here. So guys please tell us how did you like the interview? also don't miss to check out Gauri Khan's picture on.

In Conversation with Shahrukh Khan

He was born a Muslim, went to a Christian school and has a Hindu wife and two secular kids and did I forget to mention he also happens to be the most famous Indian. Shahrukh Khan is the true son of India and his story from the humble beginnings to super mega stardom is one full of will, determination, and sheer belief in oneself.

Paras Sharma at FilmiTadka had the opportunity to interview the super mega star of Bollywood, none other than Shahrukh Khan, the king of bollywood; following are the excerpts:

Shahrukh you are looking fabulous and thanks for coming to FilmiTadka office for this interview.
Shahrukh: Thank you very much for inviting me Paras.

Well although you are looking fabulous, but we hear that you aren’t in well shape, and also I can see you aren’t feeling well at the moment.
Shahrukh: Yeah I have hurt myself I keep hurting myself I need to understand that I am cut off only for romantic films and not meant for action films (also interesting is that this the man who has the ultimate six pack abs), well this six pack is only exterior but inside I am hurt, there used to be a movie of Eddie Murphy, where used to say, you know I am a Karate man I bleed from the inside.

Shahrukh you worked really hard to get that six pack thing, and which is no easy thing at the age of 42, so doesn’t it feels bad when people often say mean things like it is not real it is Photoshop, silicon, camera work, etc?
Shahrukh: People can say what they wish to, and I respect that. My advice to people would be to go ahead with Photoshop, with liposuction, and if they get six packs like mine, god bless them, and tell me also how achieved that, write to me, enlighten me; I will also love to follow an easier regimen to get six pack abs.

You have got everything Shahrukh; you have all the money, a great family, huge fan following, what still drives? Because you seem driven today than ever before?
Shahrukh: No I really do not have anything, I often tell this to people who are young or who as old me also, see success is very subjective, when I decided to become an actor, my logic was that I am going to give it the best shot, make lot of people smile along the way what started happening was that I made too many people smile, and I don’t deserve this, so I don’t know how long am I going to last, but at the end of it all I want to say is that I don’t owe it to anyone, including audience, because I am going to say listen I deserve it because I gave you back enough. People say I am King Khan, which I think is a clever journalist eclectic, I truly believe a king is not how much he earns, how much he takes, a king is how much he gives, I don’t think success as the finishing line, so I don’t think I have anything.

People often say that as high as you go that is how low you have to fall in the way and all stars eventually decline, have you prepared yourself for that?
Shahrukh: Yeah about 72 years from now, when I am 117 years old, I am very disturbed by the thought that at the age of 117 I’ll be a failure star, I feel really sad thinking that.

All your life you have worked towards being recognized and then spend the rest of your life wearing the dark glasses to hide yourself, I love being recognized, I love the fact that people love me, I love the fact that people think that I am a star, I love the fact that on Fridays I make people smile, when it is taken away from me for whatever reason, lack of my talent, lack of my hard work, or just the fact that nobody is interested in me anymore which will happen, I am not preparing myself for it, but I can tell you that I will be shattered, I will feel very sorry, but then I’ll start directing the films.

Shahrukh we just now talked about being a super star and then hiding the rest of your life wearing dark glasses and all, don’t you think it is hard to play your own big brother, you get a minute for yourself, even you are free or having rest, media comes up and says – SRK is having rest, etc.
Shahrukh: The line is blurring between real me and the actor me, but I am always acting, whenever there is a camera I start acting, whenever there are more than two people in front of me I start acting, so my friends also ask how do you rest, every second of yours is being scrutinized, so people from the outside is only seeing the actor side of me and never the real side of me, so I can give a lot, as an actor I can give my 100%, but the real self of me is never out in the media so people are not taking a single second of my life out of me.

People think that you are one of the luckiest and most liberal thinking Muslim in India and normally Muslims are unhappy and that is why all these communal things happen, what is your take on this?
Shahrukh: Most of the Indians are liberal thinking; we have only four agendas – security, education, economic development, removal of poverty, there is no fifth agenda.

But people who throw bombs or all of these things they don’t even know what they are doing and why they are doing it.

I mean look at this guy, what is his name, Ajmal Kasab, just hear him, where is ideology, where is any logic, where is any sensibility, where is any education, where is the one sentence which he said so that one can at least say – Oh! Ok so this was the reason why he did that, but why killing, is it because you are poor, so? every poor person should start killing, or is it because you are uneducated, so? Should every uneducated should start killing? There is no logic with these people, you connect this with the unhappy Muslim of India.

Shahrukh your love affair with Gauri Khan, which is a childhood love affair, is a Yash Raj Film in itself, can you please share something with us about how it started?
Shahrukh: Actually I am in awe of women, when I am in awe that means I am a little shy of women, yes I do a lot of romantic films, but in actual I am shy of women, so earlier I used to go to these parties, in our parties boys used to sit on one side and girls used to sit on the other side, when some George Michaels song comes in we used to go over and ask them can I have this dance with you? But I never could do this in my whole life.

So in one party Gauri was there and I sent a friend of mine to ask her that will she dance with a friend of his? And in which she got confused and said no, she said that she is waiting for her boyfriend to come and she will dance with him, which later turned on that the guy who came was her brother, she lied because just didn’t want to dance with any of the boys, so I went over to her and asked can I be your brother, to which she said no I’ll marry you.
Shahrukh you are a unique actor who has been linked with men and women, so how do you deal with all of it? Or have you ever crossed the line in terms of really having a relation with the stars or directors?
Shahrukh: I am not only metro sexual, bi sexual or tri sexual, I am all sexual, and Yes I have relations with all of them, I had sex with all the directors, actresses, actors, I have been linked with, see I really find it strange that people reduce the relations to just sex, I am not linked with all of them but Karan Johar, and I love him, but that doesn’t mean that I have hot and sweaty sex with him, actually when at home we laugh at it, I mean I remember once I was at home Gauri and Karan were lying in the bed, they were chatting, and there was a lady who used to work in the house, so when I came home, she came to me and told me – “sahib aap jab ghar mein nahin hote ............................” so I told her that yes I am really jealous because Karan is really supposed to be lying in bed with me.

Do you worry that your kids might not grow up in an atmosphere which is real, will they have a sort of upbringing you had?
Shahrukh: The biggest fear I have is that whatever my kids (Aryan and Suhana) do in their lives in terms of work, they should just over come this image of being the kids of this big movie star, and for which I try to never tell them that their father is this super star, I attend their school functions, I teach them, I play with them.
I am also happy about them because I got to travel out of India at the age of 26 or 27 for the first time, but for them I think it is a gift that they are seeing the world first hand at such an early stage, and when they arrive they will be well informed and confident.

Shahrukh Khan has faced accident while shoting for "Ra.One",

Shahrukh Khan is busy filming for his upcoming home production movie Ra.One (Random Access Version One) in London. The movie is said to be one of its kind super hero action film of bollywood, as Shahrukh told us in a press conference that Ra.One will have breathtaking stunts and the kind of special effects and cinematography which Indian audience has never seen before.

Reportedly Shahrukh is performing all his stunts himself, and some of the scenes require him to blow a couple of cars, bikes (Ducati), etc. During last Friday’s shooting Sharukh was filming a scene in which he was driving a Super Bike, and suddenly when things went out of control, and Shahrukh crashed the bike, though he escaped the whole without even a single scratch but it brought whole thing to a standstill.

Shahrukh Khan spoke with a national daily of London and said that it is a god’s grace, and the spontaneous response of my teams.

We all wish Shahrukh safe journey ahead.

Will Prince Aryan follow King's footsteps???

A prominent film producer has recently approached actor Shah Rukh Khan to let his son Aryan star in his movie. According to sources, Shah Rukh has also been offered the role of a father in the film which centres around ‘the problems of growing up’ among teens.

“A prominent producer had thought about a movie role with Aryan and Shah Rukh together. The film centres around the romantic world of a teenager. At the same time, the same incidents and situations seem very practical and mundane in the eyes of the father,” says a source.

The contrast between the two perceptions is the basis of the film, sources say. “The filmmakers are very confident that Shah Rukh will like it but there has been no response from SRK yet. The filmmaker is keeping his fingers crossed,” the source adds.

Technically, though Aryan has already made his big screen debut, this will be his first full-fledged character role of the teenager if Shah Rukh says yes to the project.

Shah Rukh’s staff could neither confirm nor deny the fact that Aryan has been approached by a leading production house. “Aryan is only 12 now. I don’t think Shah Rukh will green-light any project like that. However, we cannot confirm any information at the moment,” says one of Shah Rukh’s staff members.

This excited the shopkeeper so much because India happens to be Shah Rukh Khan’s country.

Shah Rukh Khan is hot property in India, we all know that. His popularity has reached foreign shores we know that too. But it altogether went to a different level in Morocco recently. We were there shooting with Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. It so happened that we accompanied Bebo’s trainer to the local market, where she espied a pair of glares. The shopkeeper stated the price as 200 Morocco dirhams. The trainer tried to bargain for 100 dirhams but it was no go. She started talking to the shopkeeper, and while talking she let in the fact that she was from India. This excited the shopkeeper so much because India happens to be Shah Rukh Khan’s country. And guess what? The trainer got her glares for 100 dirhams. After that wherever she went, she would unfailingly mention Shah Rukh’s name. And that unfailingly got her the desired results.

SRK & Amir bond over dinner

Look who was spotted flashing hashis (Japanese chopsticks) at the Hakkasan restaurant in London on Friday night over sushi and sashimi...

Bollywood superstars Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. And, with them, the film industry’s most celebrated filmmaker, Karan Johar, and the Bollywood Badshah’s stylish wife, Gauri Khan. The foursome gave Indians dining at this Japanese restaurant paisa vasool for their meals.

Aamir is in London (then LA, NY, Dubai...) to promote Peepli Live, Shah Rukh is there shooting for his futuristic RA One with Kareena Kapoor, and Karan flew to the UK to spend 20 days with SRK and Gauri and also work on his own script.

What is interesting is that in the midst of all their independent work activities, the superstars found time to break bread together. Aamir invited Karan, SRK and Gauri to a private screening of Peepli Live. SRK didn’t make it but Karan saw the film. After pack-up SRK and Aamir went for dinner, though. Accompanied by Gauri and Karan. A fan of both Khans said, “There were some jokes being cracked over which SRK and Aamir were laughing a lot. Gauri seemed to enjoy herself watching these guys cracking up.”

SRK refuses Bigg Boss 4, Channel offered him a larger remuneration than Big B.

Though the fourth season of Bigg Boss is around the corner the host for the show is far from being finalised. After hosting season 3 of Bigg Boss, Amitabh Bachchan will not be able to anchor the show again because the channel does not repeat hosts on this show.
Says a source, "Unfortunately the channel has a weird policy not to repeat hosts on Bigg Boss. Moreover, by the time the channel officials realised that it was difficult to get a replacement it was too late.

Big B had already committed himself to hosting season 4 of Kaun Banega Crorepati. So they consciously decided to look for another host."

The channel then started wooing Shah Rukh Khan since he is viewed as one of the very few people who can fill Big B's shoes.

But despite all their efforts, the channel's deal with King Khan has now fallen through.

Says the source, "The channel went all out to get Shah Rukh to host Bigg Boss 4. They even offered him a larger remuneration than Big B. But SRK could not agree to play host because of lack of time.

The dates for Bigg Boss 4 clashed with Shah Rukh's shooting schedule for Farhan Akhtar's Don 2 with Priyanka Chopra in Bali."

Channel sources confirm that SRK won't do Bigg Boss, as he will be shooting in Bali at that time.

The latest buzz is that the channel is now trying to get Akshay Kumar to play host on Bigg Boss 4. If he doesn't agree, the channel will opt for a non-film celebrity to host the show.

Our wedding "S R K".

Gauri's parents were dead against the marriage. Her mother had threatened to commit suicide. Her father called me over and said it wouldn't work out. For six years, we carried on our relationship clandestinely. Once I even went to her birthday party incognito. I used the name I was falled in Fauji - Abhimanyu. Her parents innocently remarked that I looked like a distant relative of Mr Dilip Kumar. But when they got to know my identity later, all hell broke loose.

The're a typical Punjabi family. I was told that one of her uncle are very aggro. He kept a sword hidden in his underclothes. But when I got to know him he turned out to be a lamb. I managed to patao all her relatives one by one. I would take Gauri's cousins to the disco. Gradually everyone liked me and all her mamas and mamis kept assuring me that her parents would come around.

Things weren't working out, Gauri was locked up at home, she would keep on telling me, "Shah Rukh, you don't know my parents.. you take things so lightly" and I would tell her that things would be allright. I'd tell her that 10 years down the line, we'd be laughing about all the trying times. And that's just what we do today. Sometimes in the nights, we sit and think about all that had happened and have a good laught. But at one point, the pressure did get to Gauri. She felt that I was stifling her with my possessiveness..

At one point of time, I was extremely possessive about Gauri. I would fight with her if she wore a swimsuit to the pool or even if she left her hair loose. She looked very pretty when she opened her hair and I didn't want other boys to look at her. It was basically insecurity because we couldn't talk about our relationship. We didn't meet so often. But I was extremely insanely possessive.

Eventually she could not take it. She needed a break. So in 89, she just came down to Mumbai with her friend without telling me. When I got to know I was frantic. The day before she left, she came to meet me. It was her birthday and I had decorated my room with balloons and bought her a lot of presents. When she came to meet me she cried and I thought maybe she was overwrought because of all the tension. I confided in my friends Ashish and Benny. I told my mother about it.. she told me to go and bring back the girl I loved. She gave me Rs.10,000 and we all came to Mumbai. We spent the first two days at a friend's house. The rest of the time we slept on the footpath near Oberoi. I still remember we used to wash up in the Taj, the bathroom behind 1900's was being done up at that time and we used to sneak in early mornings for a wash.

Shahrukh Khan’s Better Half Gauri Khan To Plunge Into Acting?

For the very first time in so many years, Gauri Khan, the wife of the evergreen Khan of the Bollywood industry, Shahrukh Khan, will be seen on the screen endorsing a product. If the sources are to be believed then the product will be endorsed by the Khan couple.

It is stated that the couple would be endorsing a well known furnishing house and the shoot will take place in Mumbai itself.

A source informed, "Gauri has been approached for commercials earlier but somehow things never worked out. This commercial with Shah Rukh will be her first full-fledged assignment in front of the camera."

Gauri has been maintaining a very low profile since her marriage to Shahrukh. She has done some off camera stuff like designing costumes for hubby for his filmacting. This will be her first dive in this field. Baazigar in 1993, then producing Main Hoon Na in 2004 and Om Shanti Om in 2007 another Shahrukh flicks but has never attempted

POEM for SRK & GOURI KHANS's 18th Wedding Anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Shah Rukh and Gauri,

Best anniversary wishes
for the special ones like you
to make a loving pair.
The joy just being surround you,
A feeling I love to share.

With stars in yours eyes and the moon up above,
remember the magic of falling in love.
That glorious day when you both said "I do"
and the showers of wishes from others, for you.

Now the years come and go
and you've watched your love grow.
Bringing more joy than you thought you could know,
So give thanks to the moon and stars up above and
to God in His Heaven for blessing your love.

May you have many more years,
in which you may savor a love that is filled
with such richness and flavor.

It's just a littel wish that your Anniversary
will be a wonderful one.
Happiness Always!

Christopher Nolan’s ´Inception´ Impresses Shah Rukh Khan!

Looks like Christopher Nolan’s 'Inception' has found its dedicated fan following in Bollywood as well! After Ram Gopal Varma, it was Shah Rukh Khan’s turn to be impressed with the Christopher Nolan sci-fi thriller. He tweeted, “Saw Inception…is this a dream we are all in? Can my dream sharer give us more holidays…or can I just take them & it will be ok.”

Shah Rukh wasn’t holding back any praise for the film and even tweeted the 'Inception' star, Leonardo DiCaprio, saying, “Saw Inception…really enjoyed it. Wish the film & you all the best. Lots of love Shah Rukh Khan.”

The superstar Khan is currently in London for the shooting of his superhero film 'Ra.One' and has already been making news for the action sequences in the film. He even posted a picture of a recent stunt, where of a jeep crashes into a London bus. Shah Rukh’s film is touted to be one of the most expensive films made and the Bollywood star has hired Hollywood technicians for the special effects in the film.

SRK to make "Ra.One" toys

Shah Rukh Khan has big dreams for his home production Ra.One. Apparently he’s planning to publicise the film on a very large scale and has modeled the publicity on the lines of Rakesh Roshan’s Krrish. Like Krrish, he plans to market Ra.One toys including those based on Arjun Rampal’s character.

SRK ropes in Tom Wu for "Ra.One"

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has roped in Chinese-American actor Tom Wu for his home production "Ra.One".

"...a big welcome to Tom Wu in the film cast. He is so humble and such a sport... really nice to have him on board," Shah Rukh, 44, posted on his Twitter page.

Tom Wu, a martial arts expert, was earlier seen in films like "Revolver", "Shanghai Knights", "Batman Begins" and "Tomb Raider II".

According to earlier reports, action legend Jackie Chan was approached for a role in the action flick.

"Ra.One" will also see Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor. American singer Akon too is part of the crew as he recorded a song for the movie.

The film is expected to release in 2011.

Shah Rukh, who is currently shooting for the film in London, is a little unwell.

"Antibiotics have sucked all energy out of me. Throat feeling better now... can go on the sets and make some noise to feel important hopefully," he wrote on his Twitter.

SRK gets best techies for "Ra.One"

The shooting of Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One is progressing in full swing in London. And the Bollywood superstar is taking care not to leave any stone unturned to ensure that the film has a crew that is the best in the business.

A unit source revealed, "Khan, along with Anubhav Sinha, has roped in the creme de la creme of Hollywood technicians. The stunts are to be seen to be believed. Whether it is an action shot or a car chase sequence,
the scenes are impressive."

Besides, Shah Rukh spells clout in London. "It's a well known fact that Shah Rukh owns a home in the UK. In fact on knowing that Khan was to shoot a major schedule there, the UK government has taken care to see that the shooting progresses without a hitch. It has made all the necessary arrangements so that Shah Rukh Khan does not face any hurdles or obstacles. His fans have been cooperative too and they do not disturb the star while the shooting is in progress." Well, now we know why Shah Rukh is called Badshah Khan.

SRK gets best techies for "Ra.One"

The shooting of Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One is progressing in full swing in London. And the Bollywood superstar is taking care not to leave any stone unturned to ensure that the film has a crew that is the best in the business.

A unit source revealed, "Khan, along with Anubhav Sinha, has roped in the creme de la creme of Hollywood technicians. The stunts are to be seen to be believed. Whether it is an action shot or a car chase sequence,
the scenes are impressive."

Besides, Shah Rukh spells clout in London. "It's a well known fact that Shah Rukh owns a home in the UK. In fact on knowing that Khan was to shoot a major schedule there, the UK government has taken care to see that the shooting progresses without a hitch. It has made all the necessary arrangements so that Shah Rukh Khan does not face any hurdles or obstacles. His fans have been cooperative too and they do not disturb the star while the shooting is in progress." Well, now we know why Shah Rukh is called Badshah Khan.

Who's bringing Hrithik and SRK close?

Well as Hrithik is shooting in Spain, Sussanne is having a good time with her shopping. And guess who is giving company to Sussanne? It’s none other than Gauri Khan. The two superstars wives were dressed in their designer best and each of them were carrying the most expensive stuff in London.

The Khans and Roshans are also expected to party hard. Cool, that’s the way the rich and the famous bonds through shopping! So Sussanne and Gauri is bringing both Hrithik and SRK close.

Hopefully the bonding continues and so is the shopping!

Who's taking care of Shahrukh's "Ra.One" ?

Latest buzz doing the rounds is that discontentment among the makers of one of the most expensive films "Ra.One" over the flow of the script. Thus, Hollywood’s screenplay writer David Benullo has been roped to make the script at par with Hollywood standards.

David was introduced to the film soon after SRK and his team felt the need of a Hollywood style to fill the loopholes in the script. In fact, screenplay writer has taken a few rounds in the Mumbai to ink upon the locations to become the backdrop of film.

David will give new dimensions to the script written by trio Shahrukh, director Anubhav Sinha and Mushtaq. Hope, all hard work pays off fruitfully for Ra.One which is releasing later this year.

Priyanka turns daredevil for Don 2

If Akshay Kumar were reading this, he would be impressed. Priyanka Chopra has decided to perform her daredevil stunts in Don 2 all by herself. These would include high-speed summersault jumps and plunges without the help of any body doubles.

Calling the stunts she is performing in Fear Factor, a “teaser trailer”, Priyanka confirms that her stunts in Don 2 will make the action scenes in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Don, seem like “minor rehearsals”.

And the gritty actress is rehearsing for her role with all her might. Apparently while discussing the details of her character’s physicality with director Farhan Akhtar, Priyanka told him not to keep her gender in mind and let her stunts be as tough as the ones her co-star Shah Rukh Khan is performing.

“I’m not revealing details,” Priyanka said (we suppose she wants to let her action do the talking), “But yes, Don 2 would have far more complicated stunts than the first Don or anything else I’ve ever done.”

All charged about this venture (and with her newly reformed diet in place, as we reported recently) Priyanka said, “The whole idea of doing action scenes is to make them look convincing. Today’s audience doesn’t fall for body doubles. Leading men or women do their stunts themselves in cinema all over the world. What’s the point of being coy about stunts? If I’m doing them then I go the whole hog.”

Apparently when Farhan first heard about Priyanka’s decision to perform stunts herself, he was extremely worried about her ability to carry them out. But Priyanka assured him that she had been practicing her stunts for Don 2. “You better watch out. I’m going to kick serious butt in Don 2,” she said.

RA.ONE: Benullo looking after the superhero part of the script!

There is a lot of confusion about the contribution and role of David Benullo, a Hollywood screenwriter, in Shah Rukh Khan's under-production Anubhav Sinha directed RA.ONE.

There were rumours that not satisfied with the original script (by SRK himself, Anubhav and Mushtaq) Shah Rukh Khan had handed over the entire work to David, to get that Hollywoodish touch to the superhero flick.

However, that is not the case. What is true is that David Benullo did visit the various sites (in Mumbai) which would be part of the backdrop of RA.ONE to visualize it. Actually, Benullo is writing the superhero part of the collaborative script by SRK, Sinha and Sheikh and they are working as a team.

The much awaited RA.ONE is expected to release sometimes during the first quarter of 2011.

Anil Kapoor impressed with SRK's son Aryan.

What does he have to say about Aryan Khan?

Anil Kapoor recently met Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan for the first time, and he reveals that he was properly impressed by the young boy. "It was great meeting Shah Rukh and Gauri. What I really enjoyed was meeting Shah Rukh's son Aryan for the first time. What a bright goodlooking boy. He sure is a chip off the old block."

The meeting happened at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa where Anil was also bowled over by Shakira, just like SRK had been. "What a presence! What a performance! Shakira just took everyone's collective breath away and set the right mood for the match."

But Anil's greatest moment of the match was when Nelson Mandela arrived.

He explains, "I first met Mandela for my film 'Gandhi My Father'. But I can never get over my awe and admiration for the man. The elaborate and elegant way he arrived for the match just bowled me over. Because of his grand-daughter's accident Mandela had not come for any of the other matches. But he made it a point to come for this one because his country hosting something so spectacular was matter of great pride for him. I just kept looking at him wondering how vindicated Mandela must be feeling to see a country he had brought to freedom, celebrating its freedom with such a wonderful event."

Back in India now, Anil is waiting for the release of his home production 'Aisha' on August 6. "After that I'm taking a month-long holiday in LA. I think I've earned myself a break."

Anil Kapoor impressed with SRK's son

What does he have to say about Aryan Khan?

Anil Kapoor recently met Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan for the first time, and he reveals that he was properly impressed by the young boy. "It was great meeting Shah Rukh and Gauri. What I really enjoyed was meeting Shah Rukh's son Aryan for the first time. What a bright goodlooking boy. He sure is a chip off the old block."

The meeting happened at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa where Anil was also bowled over by Shakira, just like SRK had been. "What a presence! What a performance! Shakira just took everyone's collective breath away and set the right mood for the match."

But Anil's greatest moment of the match was when Nelson Mandela arrived.

He explains, "I first met Mandela for my film 'Gandhi My Father'. But I can never get over my awe and admiration for the man. The elaborate and elegant way he arrived for the match just bowled me over. Because of his grand-daughter's accident Mandela had not come for any of the other matches. But he made it a point to come for this one because his country hosting something so spectacular was matter of great pride for him. I just kept looking at him wondering how vindicated Mandela must be feeling to see a country he had brought to freedom, celebrating its freedom with such a wonderful event."

Back in India now, Anil is waiting for the release of his home production 'Aisha' on August 6. "After that I'm taking a month-long holiday in LA. I think I've earned myself a break."

No one can replace Shahrukh Khan, Juhi

Shahrukh Khan has always been there for his close friends in tinsel town. Juhi Chawla is one such friend who can rely on SRK in her thick and thin. Off late, SRK like a good friend has been taking care of stress-stricken Juhi post brain hemorrhage of brother Bobby Chawla.

Depressed Juhi recently was advised to flow off to London for a break. The pretty actress joined her husband Jai Mehta and kids for rejuvenation. Shahrukh too joined Mehtas and gave a good company to Juhi to relieve her stress. SRK also accompanied Juhi while consulting specialists for the betterment of Bobby.

Well, a friend in need is a friend indeed seems to be SRK’s mantra. Listening to this, Juhi surely must have realized that no one can replace a friend like Shahrukh.

Shah Rukh to host Bigg Boss 4?

If rumours are to be believed, badshaah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan will soon be roped in as the host of Bigg Boss 4.

According to reports, SRK has to simply sign on the dotted line, as all other formalities for the next season of the popular reality show has been fulfilled.

The network, Endemol India, and the channel, Colors, are currently preoccupied with the production of Fear Factor, and aren't ready to talk about Bigg Boss as of now.

With Amitabh Bachchan having hosted the last season of Bigg Boss, there are questions being raised as to the need for Shah Rukh to follow so closely at his heels.

Star Plus Bags TV Rights Of "My Name Is Khan" worth approximately Rs 15 crore.

Star Plus shells out Rs 15 cr for TV rights of My Name is Khan

The channel is said to have paid approximately Rs15 crore for the satellite television rights of the film, co-produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Dharma Productions.

Star Plus, the flagship Hindi entertainment channel from Star India Pvt. Ltd, will soon bring Shah Rukh Khan’s latest film My Name is Khan to the small screen. The channel is said to have paid approximately Rs 15 crore for the satellite television rights of the film, co-produced by actor Shah Rukh Khan’s company Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt. Ltd and Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions Pvt. Ltd.

Anupam Vasudev, executive vice-president (marketing) at Star, confirmed that the channel had acquired television broadcast rights for the film, but he refused to comment on the price paid for the rights.

However, according to a senior executive at a rival channel who specializes in buying films for the small screen, Star forked out Rs15 crore for My Name is Khan. Incidentally, Star’s sister company Fox Star Studios had bought the marketing and distribution rights of My Name is Khan, reportedly for Rs100 crore.

According to L.S. Krishnan, president of media specialist agency Radar at the Mudra Group, My Name is Khan is a good acquisition for Star, and should get enough traction. “An average film gets a rating of 2 and 3, which is considered good. I would expect a rating of 4-5 for My Name is Khan,” he said.

SRK King Family with POP Queen SHAKIRA

gorgeous gracious & absolutely heartwarming shakira. was so nice to the kids we r fans for life. http://tweetphoto.com/32430115

will upload family pic with her. she was so humble & so real. thats why she is such a rockstar. said my name with a beautiful accent too.

have never been more excited to meet a rockstar. the wif...e & daughter ...adore her...so do the father & son. http://tweetphoto.com/32430843

@shakira thank you so much for ur graciousness. you are a fabulous star. the kids think of me as a big hero now. may God bless you. love srk

now off to some shooting. have to jump and hang...still a bit tired with the fever..but u gotta do wot u gotta do. love u all bye...later.

SRK’s aping Tom Cruise

Blame it on the number of Asians in the world. A while ago, The Economic Times reported that 3.2 billion people knew Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan while only 2.7 billion across the world knew the Hollywood supremo Tom Cruise.

There is also concrete evidence that many of SRK’s films open better than those of Tom’s in the UK market. It is also a fact that both these superstars have a common passion for gizmos and bikes. If you’ve noticed, SRK is riding a bike in RA One and it is absolutely similar to the one Tom is riding in his recent release. Once again this is just a happy coincidence, but people are wondering whether it is a Bollywood star aping the Hollywood one or the other way around.

SRK has 300 crores under his belt

In present Bollywood where movies are flopping like autumn leaves, SRK stands out. He is one of the few actors who can assurance a good box-office return. And that seems to be one of the reasons why his movies are selling at a high cost. Now we hear that the combined worth of his two movies, RA.ONE and DON 2 is around Rs 300 crores if the industry buzz is to be believed.
In a position where movies with big stars have flopped at the box-office, SRK’s fortunes continue to soar.Reportedly SRK’s upcoming film DON 2 has been bought in advance by a film corporate for Rs 125 crores and his other film RA.ONE has a price tag of Rs 150 crore upwards.

SRK has Theron, Freeman for company

It’s going to be an interesting day for Shah Rukh Khan, Rahul Gandhi, Lalit Modi, Praful Patel as they plan to make it to the FIFA finals. All set to be a part of the VIP enclosure, these personalities will be rubbing shoulder with the likes of Morgan Freeman, Charlize Theron and maybe even Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela's attendance at the World Cup final in Johannesburg is uncertain but his double, US actor Morgan Freeman, will be ther, so will South African-born actress Charlize Theron and a host of other celebrities and VIPs.

Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg's Soweto township is sold out for the final between Spain and the Netherlands, which kicks off at 8:30 p.m. (1830 GMT).

Fifteen African heads of state, including Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, are expected to join President Jacob Zuma at the game and preceding closing ceremony.
Colombian popstar Shakira has been called on to sing out the World Cup with her tournament anthem "Waka Waka." Hundreds of South African and African musicians and dancers will also draw the curtain on the first World Cup in Africa.

Celebrities flocked to the World Cup in the latter stages, attracted by the scenes of celebration across South Africa and the continent.

Morgan Freeman, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of former president Mandela in the rugby movie Invictus last year, is returning to South Africa for the final.

It is unclear whether the 91-year-old anti-apartheid icon would himself be present.

Joseph Blatter, president of world football governing body FIFA, said Thursday that he hoped the frail statesman, who missed the opening ceremony to mourn the death of his great-granddaughter in a car crash, would make at least part of the event.

S R K lunch with South African Soccer Chairman,

we r ready for the world cup...our finals jo'bulani balls..bring it on. http://tweetphoto.com/31928649

chairman soccer in south africa was so kind to me at lunch & even made me make a speech..warmth of s africa very touching. having a blast.

had gone in city got surrounded by ppl here. so much love didnt have place to walk.so will celebrate in hotel with toffee ice cream & kids,

Aryan the rhino from our safari predicts holland will win...lets see if 8 arms or thick skin is right..ha ha.

now off to party with the beautiful kids...beautiful country..beautiful game...beautiful holiday. see u all later...love u.

Shahrukh Khan: King Khan again with "Ra.One"

The Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan, who is currently in South Africa at the World Cup with his two sweet children is residing, and probably between the Netherlands and the Spanish national football team does not miss out on finals which will come, is truly the "King Khan" of Bollywood.

This is the sympathetic Shahrukh Khan was not only familiar with his film "My Name Is Khan" demonstrate, but also with his new superhero movie "Ra.One", to which many fans of Bollywood films with SRK and looking forward celebrated Bollywood superstar already having a huge success.


While the superhero film "Ra.One is to be" almost shot and Shahrukh Khan allegedly on his return not many scenes in this modern, technically advanced film must turn, has now announced that Eros International is a rather impressive sum for the rights to "Ra.One have paid."

Thus, "is Ra.One" by and with Shahrukh Khan, as it were already spoken for and no later than early next year you can count on the superhero movie from Bollywood. This year, the new SRK movie not be published - at least the latest information on "Ra.One.

But Reliance Big Pictures to beat enormously and are now owned by Reche, so to speak of "Don 2" - for an equally impressive sum, Big Pictures allegedly had paid even more than with Reliance for the currently ongoing movie "Kites". In addition, the shooting for 'Don 2' Farhan Akhtar launched soon under the director already.

We love you Bollywood, says Deutschland

Thousands of Germans queued up for hours in sub-zero temperatures to watch My Name is Khan at the recently held Berlinale, the Berlin International Film Festival and broke into thunderous applause inside the theatre as soon as they saw, 'Dharma Production' on screen!

A sight which caught festival delegate Dorothee Wenner by surprise. "I have never seen a German audience express themselves like that over the name of a production company!"

When Germans, known for their reserve, go berserk inside a movie theatre for a Bollywood film, it is time to sit up and take notice. Wenner, in fact, finds many German movie buffs, reacting in a whole new way, 'a typical Indian way' as a result of a Bollywood craze that has taken the German cinemaspace by storm over the past six years.

Today, Hindi films are all over Germany, from theatres to TV which are giving them primetime slots, to a flood of home videos which are readily available in the market.

The star or the centre of all focus is of course none other than SRK. When My Name is Khan (MNIK) was screened at the Berlinale in February, thousands of enthusiasts from all over Germany, converged at Berlin, throwing traffic out of gear. The more than 3,000 tickets for all screenings of MNIK, were sold within minutes. In fact, tickets were reportedly auctioned on e-Bay for e1,000 (around Rs 60,000) each.

"Bollywood is no more a niche choice, it is becoming mainstream and MNIK marks the beginning of the conquest of world popular cinema by Bollywood." says Hanns-Goerg Rodek, the film editor at Die Welt, a German daily.

Shah Rukh Khan remains the biggest craze, though Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan, too, have their following. "I like Aamir more," says Antje Glück, a research scholar at Freie Universität, Berlin. Cricket-lover Antje has watched Aamir's Lagaan (thrice), Rang de Basanti and The Rising with friends in Germany. But it was after watching Main Hoon Naa that she decided to learn Hindi.

"I want to watch the Bollywood movies in the original. Dubbed SRK is really funny!" says the 30-year-old. The leading lady for the moment is Kajol with MNIK, but Rani Mukherjee and Aishwarya Rai are also much loved with their films like Chalte Chalte and Dil Ka Rishta.

Although still hooked on to Hollywood, German audiences are getting more aware of Indian cinema and want more. Berlin-based Arsenal Institute for Film and Video Art has lined up a series of Indian films to be screened at an ongoing event, 'Moving Politics: Cinemas from India' (June 27-Sept 29, 2010).

"This is an effort to bring all kinds of Indian cinema, including regional and modern, to the German audience," says Wenner, who is also a film curator. Cashing in on all things filmi, is Naseem Khan, publisher of Ishq, a Bollywood lifestyle magazine which the 31-year-old NRI launched four years ago and which sells 30,000 copies not just in Germany, but also in Austria, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium, as well as online.

"The unique thing is that the local, German-speaking people have caught the Bollywood fever and its not just films, it's the Indian lifestyle as reflected in Bollywood, including food, clothes and travel, " says Khan.

Bollywood theme parties and special events — like the 'Ladies Night' special screening of MNIK at a Cinemax theatre a day before its release — are common. "Even learning Hindi and Bollywood dance moves is a craze," adds Wenner. While the cinema of Ray to Raj Kapoor was known, it was not until entertainment channel, RTL II, started telecasting Hindi films dubbed in German in primetime slots that Bollywood became a mass phenomenon.

The overwhelming response to Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, the first film to be screened in 2004 set off a trend which just caught on big time. "We picked films sensing the factors responsible for that success: a love story, a colourful and feel-good-decor, opulent dance scenes and SRK," says Ronja Witt, spokesperson for RTL II.

The channel's programming is a mix of a lot of SRK films along with others like Roshan and Rai, saw it capture a sensational market share, especially with the female audience and what was dismissed as kitschy two decades ago became very 'in', says critic Rodek.

"There is a naiveté which is missing in Hollywood films which are still calculative, whereas these films are still very naïve in their emotions, besides being exotic," adds Rodex who also attributes the experimentation, time edits and entry of the Hollywood studios and their distributor strength too growing the phenomena.

"MNIK was 165 minutes in Berlinale and in cinemas it is 130 minutes long. They are cutting out the portions in a manner that the films retain the distinct their 'Bollywoodness' yet adapt to Western tastes. Kites, released in both in the short and long versions across global markets is another example of how Bollywood is trying to woo different kind of audiences," ends Rodek.

Shah Rukh says daughters are precious

Joins other celebs in supporting cause of girl child!!
From Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan to cricketer Sourav Ganguly and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi - they all love their daughters and say the girl child is precious. They are urging parents not to see daughters as a bane but bring them up with care and make them independent.

"Not everybody is blessed with a daughter; only lucky people are blessed with this bundle of joy. Every daughter is a 'laadli' (adorable) and she is very special," said Shah Rukh, who dotes on his eight-year-old daughter Suhana.

Even Sourav, the captain of Shah Rukh's Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), says he shares the most beautiful moments of his life with his daughter Sana.

"Everybody questions me about my most memorable moment - is it making a century in my Test debut or winning a series in England or getting into the World Cup finals? But the most memorable time is the time that I spend playing hide and seek with my seven-year-old daughter," said Ganguly.

"Her smile is priceless - no trophy and no award come closer to matching it," he added.

The two share their views about their daughters in a press statement released on the sidelines of Laadli Week, starting on Monday (April 13).

'Laadli Week' - is a joint initiative by entertainment channel STAR Plus and KC Mahindra Educational Trust. Under this programme, they will educate 600 underprivileged young girls in Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan.

These girls are a part of Project Nanhi Kali, an initiative by the KC Mahindra Educational Trust.

Starting this year, Laadli Week would be an annual affair.

"We have always stood for the empowerment of women and our women viewers have endorsed it by making it one of the leading Hindi entertainment channel in India," said Anupam Vasudev, executive vice president, marketing, STAR Plus.

"Our show 'Sabki Laadli Bebo' is a tribute to the families of today who respect, adore and educate their daughters and this is now translating into the tie-up with Project Nanhi Kali to educate a larger number of girls in India and also involve and educate audiences through the medium of the 'Laadli Week'. We will support approximately 600 Nanhi Kali's in the first year," he added.

The channel will raise fund for these girls through various contests on its show.

According to 17-year-old Shivshakti, the lead actress of "Sabki Laadli Bebo", the effort to educate young girls is "very nice" and says she too wants to contribute to it in her own little ways.

"I think it is a very nice thought to teach so many girls. I myself like studying a lot and I feel the least education one needs to have is graduation. I will be very happy if I can teach them something and contribute some money towards their education," Shivshakti, who recently appeared for her Class 10 board examinations, told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

Even India's first woman IPS officer is for the cause and says it is the parent's responsibility to educate their child.

"I was my parent's 'laadli'. It's because of my parent's upbringing that I am what I am today. It entirely depends upon the parents on how they bring up their girl child, educate them, make them financially self-reliant and get them the self respect they deserve.

"The number of girl children in India is decreasing. And this is not happening because of poverty, but mentality. If you think that girls are weak, it's not their fault - its their parents' upbringing which is weak," she said.

In a message to parents, Bedi said: "Had my parents been weak, I wouldn't be who I am today. Their thinking was strong and therefore I grew up to be a strong individual. You can also do the same.

"Bring up your girl child with care, make her self reliant - self reliance will come with education and self reliance is power. If you do this, your girl children will respect you more and will care for you for life. Make your faith in your girl child strong."

SRK’s designs on Gauri

Actor Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri Khan is known for her impeccable style and flaunting designer wear, but that has incidentally become a dilemma for the actor. SRK, who is in South Africa with his family for the final of the FIFA World Cup, is supporting Germany and tweeted, "Gotta go now & find german t shirts on the roadside...wife refusing to wear football jerseys...do they do designer stuff for world cup? (sic)"

The actor, who was earlier supporting Brazil, further wrote, "would love to see germany in the final..they have been so good. holland is there already, me going there on 18th so wish them well too..."

Here's why the star had to adopt this look

Shah Rukh Khan has just reached South Africa for the FIFA World Cup, and while he's excited about the big match ahead, the weather is something else. And the reason that SRK is all covered up is because he's cold!

The star just posted on his Twitter page, "In South Africa jo'berg..kids excited." He then posted the picture you see and added, "As you notice it is a bit cold here in jo'berg. My undercover extreme cold look."

When Konkona Sen Sharma saw the pic, she tweeted, "Haha! You look like a super hero :-)"

To which SRK replied, "Should have told me before spent so much on the suit I made for Ra.one...."

The cold that made him cover up hasn't affected his excitement about the game he loves though. And here's who SRK would like to see playing. "Would love to see Germany in the final..they have been so good. Holland is there already, me going there on 18th so wish them well too..."

Well, we'll know later today if SRK's wish comes true, meanwhile we hope he got warmer with his 'undercover' look.

S R K Charlize Theron have a date

Actor Shah Rukh Khan, who is travelling to South Africa to watch the FIFA World Cup finals with his children Aryan and Suhana, will be joined by the likes of Hollywood bombshell Charlize Theron in the VIP enclosure. There is a dinner and after-party post the finals between Netherlands and Spain where all the dignitaries are expected to meet up and sources say SRK has been specially invited to attend the event.

A highly placed insider reveals, “All the celebs have special protection and security cover and have got tickets to be seated in exclusive areas at the finals. What’s really interesting to hear is that SRK has got tickets in the same pavilion as South African diva Charlize Theron and a couple of other international celebs. However, complete plans about who’s sitting where will only be seen when the match begins.”

The informer adds, “Post the match there would an invite only get-together and party where the actors and other high profile celebs present in the stadium will be invited. Naturally, SRK will also be extended an invitation. The who’s who of the world will be present at this success party as it will be a celebration for South Africa for successfully hosting the world cup. Along with Hollywood celebrities and other stars from across the world, the party is also expected to see heavy political presence. Officials from South Africa, Netherlands and even Spain are expected to be there at the dinner.”