Arjun plays the bad robot in "Ra.One", Rivew

If Shah Rukh Khan fans are under the impression that the King Khan plays the title role in his most awaited multi-crore extravaganza, here is a bit of a surprise.

Contrary to the popular belief, Arjun Rampal and not Shah Rukh essays the character named RA.One in the film of the same name, to be directed by Anubhav Sinha.

A reliable source reveals, "Shah Rukh Khan will be seen in a double role in the film. One of his characters is that of a scientist who creates two robots-the good robot is G.One.

And the bad one is RA.One, While Shah Rukh plays the good robot, G.One, it's Arjun Rampal who is playing the bad robot, RA.One."

When contacted, director Anubhav Sinha promptly says, "Let others decide who is Ra.One and G.One. There are no robots in the film." But he later did confirm, "Shah Rukh does play G.One."

Sounds exciting to us!

SRK's New Year bash in Dubai!

Shah Rukh Khan has reason enough to celebrate. 2010 wasn't such a bad year for the man whose film My Name Is Khan - hailed India's first global film - hit the theatres.

Then there was the shooting of his ambitious 'Ra.One' that kept him busy all year. SRK, now has a host of new things to look forward to as well - his small screen reality show 'Zor ka Jhatka' and the release of 'Ra.One'. And so, our dear Khan is celebrating, the end of good things and the begining of better ones, hopefully.

Dubai - the City of Gold, that's where our Bollywood heroes seem to be headed this New Year's. It's a well-known fact that Shah Rukh Khan has some hot property in Dubai. And will be celebrating hard with family and friends over there. His guest list includes the likes of Karan Johar (obviously), Hrithik and Susanne Roshan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Arjun Rampal, Vivek Oberoi and a few more who's who. As per reports, even Salman is headed to Dubai! Will the two rival Khans kiss and make up?

Anyway, Shah Rukh, it is heard, will be throwing a mega-bash in his Dubai house. The actors who are visiting Dubai and celebrating New year's will put up at a 5-star luxury hotel nearby.

SRK, also took the opportunity to wish his fans, a witty New Year wish, via a micro-blogging site. He tweeted: "To new beginnings. Have a healthy, happy & fulfilling new chapter. May all your troubles be as shortlived as your New Year resolutions. Love."

SRK's "MNIK" all time Top Lifetime Grossers OVERSEAS (IND Rs)

Rank Film Year UK (Rs Crore) N America (Rs Crore) R O W (Rs Crore) Overseas Total Verdict
1 My Name Is Khan 2010 18.04 18.01 49.95 86,00,00,000 All Time Blockbuster
2 Three Idiots 2009 12.60 29.81 27.57 69,98,00,000 All Time Blockbuster
3 Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna 2006 17.95 15.12 16.57 49,64,00,000 All Time Blockbuster
4 Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi 2008 10.85 10.14 19.90 40,89,00,000 Blockbuster
5 Om Shanti Om 2007 10.90 14.20 14.18 39,28,00,000 All Time Blockbuster
6 Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham 2001 17.50 15.00 6.29 38,79,00,000 All Time Blockbuster
7 Dhoom 2 2006 10.17 11.86 15.99 38,02,00,000 Blockbuster
8 Veer Zaara 2004 17.10 12.95 6.17 36,22,00,000 All Time Blockbuster
9 Ghajini 2008 5.00 11.90 17.55 34,45,00,000 Super Hit
10 Don 2006 12.20 10.00 11.21 33,41,00,000 Blockbuster
11 Singh Is Kinng 2008 10.90 10.55 11.69 33,14,00,000 Blockbuster
12 Fanaa 2006 9.88 9.75 12.01 31,64,00,000 Blockbuster
13 Devdas 2002 12.60 13.35 4.85 30,80,00,000 All Time Blockbuster
14 Love Aaj Kal 2009 8.52 11.98 10.22 30,61,00,000 Super Hit
15 Jodhaa Akbar 2008 8.15 13.78 7.99 29,92,00,000 Blockbuster
16 Kal Ho Naa Ho 2003 13.55 9.10 4.55 27,20,00,000 Blockbuster
17 Kuch Kuch Hota Hai 1998 12.40 10.41 3.82 26,63,00,000 All Time Blockbuster
18 Dostana 2008 7.33 6.32 12.54 26,19,00,000 Hit
19 Lage Raho Munnabhai 2006 7.10 10.10 6.37 23,57,00,000 Super Hit
20 Kites 2010 4.17 7.64 11.11 22,92,00,000 Average
21 Salaam - E - Ishq 2007 7.15 8.58 6.16 21,89,00,000 Hit
22 Rang De Basanti 2006 6.43 9.80 5.34 21,57,00,000 Super Hit
23 Welcome 2007 7.10 4.94 9.09 21,13,00,000 Super Hit
24 Kambakkht Ishq 2009 5.68 7.05 7.73 20,46,00,000 Semi Hit
25 Krrish 2006 5.95 8.64 5.60 20,19,00,000 Hit
26 Race 2008 7.03 5.50 7.57 20,10,00,000 Hit
27 Salaam Namaste 2005 6.42 6.28 7.30 20,00,00,000 Blockbuster
28 Mohabbatein 2000 7.65 8.45 3.76 19,86,00,000 Blockbuster
29 Main Hoon Na 2004 7.80 7.92 4.10 19,82,00,000 Blockbuster
30 Guru 2007 4.34 9.24 6.16 19,74,00,000 Hit
31 Housefull 2010 4.81 5.70 8.48 18,99,00,000 Above Average
32 Raajneeti 2010 3.80 7.11 7.95 18,86,00,000 Semi Hit
33 Namastey London 2007 7.00 5.18 5.64 17,82,00,000 Hit
34 Heyy Babyy 2007 5.64 6.20 5.60 17,44,00,000 Hit
35 Partner 2007 6.80 4.40 5.91 17,11,00,000 Hit
36 Baabul 2006 8.12 3.92 4.45 16,49,00,000 Hit
37 New York 2009 3.17 4.93 8.22 16,32,00,000 Hit
38 Chak De India 2007 3.50 4.54 8.11 16,15,00,000 Hit
39 De Dana Dan 2009 4.15 4.49 7.48 16,12,00,000 Average
40 Ta Ra Rum Pum 2007 6.22 3.63 6.05 15,89,00,000 Hit
41 Paheli 2005 4.27 6.52 5.00 15,79,00,000 Hit
42 Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge 1995 7.56 5.67 2.83 15,76,00,000 All Time Blockbuster
43 Hum Saath Saath Hain 1999 4.17 8.75 2.61 15,53,00,000 Super Hit
44 Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2007 5.42 4.41 5.46 15,29,00,000 Hit
45 Taal 1999 4.00 8.81 2.39 15,20,00,000 Super Hit
46 Kaminey 2009 2.20 6.47 6.08 14,75,00,000 Semi Hit
47 Chandni Chowk To China 2009 3.50 4.45 6.77 14,72,00,000 Below Average
48 Mangal Pandey 2005 5.00 4.25 5.26 14,51,00,000 Hit
49 Billu 2009 3.90 3.90 6.41 14,21,00,000 Average
47 Waqt 2005 7.02 3.69 3.47 14,18,00,000 Hit
48 Dil Bole Hadippa 2009 4.13 3.01 6.71 13,85,00,000 Above Average
49 Jhoom Barabar Jhoom 2007 5.25 3.11 5.46 13,82,00,000 Semi Hit
50 I Hate Luv Storys 2010 3.85 3.92 6.00 13,77,00,000 Semi Hit
51 Garam Masala 2005 4.77 4.65 4.14 13,56,00,000 Hit
52 Mujhse Shaadi Karogi 2004 5.46 4.31 3.71 13,48,00,000 Hit
53 Taare Zameen Par 2007 2.75 4.86 5.86 13,47,00,000 Hit
54 Mujhse Dosti Karoge 2002 6.28 4.00 3.13 13,41,00,000 Hit
55 Baghban 2003 5.70 5.00 2.70 13,40,00,000 Hit
56 Chalte Chalte 2003 5.78 4.60 2.99 13,37,00,000 Hit
57 Laaga Chunari Mein Daag 2007 5.62 2.70 4.89 13,21,00,000 Semi Hit
58 Dil To Pagal Hai 1997 6.60 3.80 2.71 13,11,00,000 Blockbuster
59 Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani 2009 3.35 3.98 5.55 12,88,00,000 Above Average
60 Bhagam Bhag 2006 4.30 3.70 4.77 12,77,00,000 Semi Hit
61 Bunty Aur Babli 2005 4.28 4.10 4.32 12,70,00,000 Hit
62 Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon 2003 4.08 5,85 2.76 12,69,00,000 Hit
63 Phir Hera Pheri 2006 4.16 3.65 4.67 12,48,00,000 Semi Hit
64 Bachna Ae Haseeno 2008 2.65 3.40 6.36 12,41,00,000 Semi Hit
65 Swades 2004 3.05 5.35 3.86 12,26,00,000 Semi Hit
66 Dosti 2005 7.00 2.34 2.86 12,20,00,000 Hit
67 Jaan - E - Mann 2007 4.30 3.41 4.48 12,19,00,000 Average
68 Omkara 2006 2.50 5.93 3.70 12,13,00,000 Average
69 Hum Tum 2005 5.40 3.72 2.99 12,11,00,000 Hit
70 Hum Aapke Hain Kaun 1994 5.31 4.40 2.20 11,91,00,000 All Time Blockbuster
71 Sarkar Raj 2008 3.27 4.41 3.85 11,53,00,000 Average
72 Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya 2005 4.16 3.37 3.94 11,47,00,000 Semi Hit
73 Koi Mil Gaya 2003 4.78 3.21 3.21 11,20,00,000 Hit
74 Tashan 2008 3.00 2.00 6.17 11,17,00,000 Below Average
75 U Me Aur Hum 2008 3.60 4.37 2.88 10,85,00,000 Average
76 Lagaan 2001 3.98 4.25 2.57 10,80,00,000 Super Hit
77 Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam 1999 2.38 5.83 2.37 10,58,00,000 Hit
78 Saawariya 2007 2.47 3.59 4.32 10,38,00,000 Below Average

Girls throng at SRK's office

Shah Rukh Khan is busy simultaneously shooting for his upcoming films ‘RA: One’ and ‘Don-2’. But he is elatedly looking for his other project ‘2 States’ that are at initial levels of preproduction phase. The film is based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel ‘2 States’ that is inspired from the novelist’s love story. With buzzes rounding upon airs that it would Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra or Asin considered for the female lead role, closer sources throws a surprise.

According to their reports, both Shah Rukh Khan and ‘Kaminey’ director Vishal Bharadwaj are looking out for a newbie.

The duo has already embarked their journey of pursuit on new faces and their office tables are studded with photo albums of models and wannabe actresses.

'If Salman is upset with me, it's my fault' SRK

Is Bollywood's biggest cold war about to thaw? SRK's comments on buddy KJo's show certainly makes it seem so

Karan Johar broke down when best buddy Shah Rukh spoke about his former friends Farah Khan and Salman Khan. The episode airs this week (January 2).

Says a source from the Koffee sets, "SRK's episode with KJo is emotional where Shah Rukh has been caught in a mellow, introspective mood. He's emotionally vulnerable, revealing things that have hurt him in the last year."

The source adds, "When Karan pointed out that people feel that old friends Farah and Salman have a problem with Shah Rukh, SRK says, 'I don't know how to make friends and if I do, I don't know how to keep them....

If Salman and Farah are upset with me it's 100 per cent my fault but I can't pick up the phone and say sorry.... I can't apologise because of ego but because I can't just get myself to ask people to come back to me... I had asked my parents to come back and they didn't...' "King Khan spoke highly of his former friends. "SRK spoke very honestly about Sallu and FK.

He admits that the biggest problem in his life is his cell phone as many of his friends accuse him of not taking or ignoring their calls and messages."

Karan was moved to tears when SRK said that he can't constantly tell people that he loves them. "He says, 'I feel it's understood that I love them if I have told them once... I can't keep repeating it... I have a problem saying 'I love you' twice and thrice and keep repeating the words... Even in my films I can't keep saying 'I love you!' "

Says KJo, "It was a totally different cup of coffee this time. It's awkward to discuss and recreate such intimate scenes normally again.

I have never become emotional on Koffee With Karan because that's never been the tone of the show (it's usually spicy and controversial)."

About his buddy's appearance on the show KJo, "Shah Rukh is warm and heartfelt as he naturally is. He has spoken on all his relationships, family and friendships.

There's certain strength in what he had to say. He is beyond any kind of issues. You feel he has risen above every situation and comes through beautifully on the show.

This coffee on the couch episode with SRK was emotionally unplugged more than humor unplugged. It's a new impact!"

SRK turns writer for "Ra.One"

The King Khan plays a superhero in Anubhav Sinha's next RA.One and it seems like the role is rubbing off on him in real life too.

Shah Rukh Khan is multi-tasking off the screen and apart from playing the lead role in the film, he has also written a part of the screenplay.

For evidence of this literary spark, look closely at the closing credits of the film where he will be credited for writing the screenplay along with Hollywood writer David Benullo.

An industry insider said, "Since RA.One is not a run-of-the-mill film, it requires unique treatment. It has loads of special effects, which is why Shah Rukh wanted Benullo to work on the script, along with Kanika Dhillon, to make sure it stands out from the usual commercial Hindi films."

Benullo has Around the World in 80 Days, Hallowed Ground, Cupid and Shadow Man which won the International Fantasy Film Award in 2006 to his credit.

"While sitting for screenplays with Benullo and Dhillon, Shah Rukh too gave his inputs for the film," says the source "and ended up penning a few pages of the screenplay.

Benullo and Dhillon were both impressed at SRK's talent as a writer and decided to retain the scenes. It is just a part of the entire screenplay, but very beautifully done."

SRK offered role in the Hrithik Roshans' superhero sequel "Krrish 2"

Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan have been bonding big time for a while now. Their personal rapport is likely to extend to a professional level as well. King Khan has been offered a role in the Roshans' home production Krrish 2.

Says a source, "Shah Rukh and Hrithik are the best of pals in the industry today. It was but natural for Roshan Sr to etch a role in his son's flick for his buddy as well. SRK's character in the film will have shades of gray to it."

Adds the source, "The Roshans have already sounded Khan off about having him in their project. And he has told them that he can be available only after the release of his production Ra.One."

The sequel to Rakesh Roshan's 2006 flick has been in the pipeline for a while. After the debacle of Kites and Guzaarish, papa Roshan has taken it upon himself to ensure that his son's career gets back on track.

And considering that Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish did well at the B-O, it is time Duggu wore his superhero cape to create magic again on screen.

Buzz is that Deepika Padukone has been finalised for Krissh 2.

Roshan Sr however maintains, "We have not yet finalised the cast for Krrish 2. We are still working on the script after which I will begin casting. Presently I am out of the country."

The last time SRK and Hrithik came together on screen was in Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001).

Gehri Dosti
If there was any animosity between Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan (during Koi Mila Gaya and later during the Krazzy 4 song controversy), it is ancient history now. Roshan Jr has now become a permanent name on that exclusive list of invitees to Mannat. He and wife Sussanne have been at all parties at King Khan's home and vice versa. Both stars have been catching up on each other often despite their busy schedules. The friendship between wives Gauri and Sussanne also brought them more closer.

FACT
When Krrish had released, Hrithik had a special screening for Shah Rukh so he could get a frank opinion from him.

Gauri fly to Dubai with Aryan & Suhana on Monday afternoon,

Gauri Khan was spotted taking the flight to Dubai on Monday afternoon with her two children Aryan and Suhana. We hear that SRK, who will wrap up his shooting schedule for Ra.One today (Wednesday) will fly out to join his family to bring in the New Year.

Karan Johar is also flying out today to Dubai. Their friends Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Roshan have already reached there. We hear they will celebrate together at SRK's plush and envious residence in the city that is treated on par with the Royalty in the United Arab Emirates. It's going to be a hell of a party there!

SRK, Sallu & Amir keep controversies alive

Things may have been dull at the box office with big budget films like Kites, Raavan and Guzaarish falling flat one after the other but Bollywood stars and their 'politically incorrect' ways more than made up for the lack of spice onscreen in 2010.

The major film controversies revolved around the three Khans —Aamir, Shah Rukh and Salman— and their releases. Aamir's Rancho act in Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots brought audience affection but the film's box office triumph saw the producers and writer Chetan Bhagat fighting over credits. Chetan was upset that his name was given in the last credits while Hirani said the film was partially inspired from the book and the writer had approved everything. Aamir jumped in the ring by calling Bhagat a liar while producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra locked horns with media telling the journalists to 'shut up' when questioned on the controversy only to apologise later. As if 3 Idiots was not enough, Aamir's production Peepli Live was also embroiled in a similar row.

Director Anusha Rizvi and her husband separated themselves from the project over differences with Aamir on credit and promotions. Aamir, who has a reputation of being too interfering as a producer, had also famously fallen out with Amol Gupte during the making of Taare Zameen Par. After his airport detention incident in the US, Shah Rukh continued to dominate headlines. He earned the ire of the Shiv Sena, which threatened to stall the release of the movie after the actor refused to apologise for his comments supporting the inclusion of Pakistani players in IPL.

The issue had the whole industry divided. Many stars including SRK's arch rival Salman came out in the actor's support and commended him for not bowing down to the illogical political pressure but Amitabh Bachchan drew a flak for keeping mum. Salman was another star who was caught with the 'foot- in-the-mouth syndrome' during the release of Dabangg by saying that Pakistan should not be blamed for 26/11 attacks. Salman reportedly told a Pakistani news channel the attacks were a security failure and Pakistan should not be blamed for it but after political parties raised a storm, he apologised.

"Tees Maar Khan" makes Shahrukh smile

Amongst all hype, all the great promotional campaigns from the choreographer turned director Farah Khan, her latest film Tees Maar Khan starring Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif released on the 24th of December. The film was received with great response on day 1 at the box office but saw week fan following afterwards, besides the critics also slammed the movie. Recently Shahrukh was at a launch of an energy drink at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai where he was asked about the movie's response.

He smiled and responded that he was so busy shooting non-stop for Ra. one that he would fall asleep at such questions. The response might be a diplomatic one but the smile on his face was enough to raise a few eye-brows.

In another incident relating to the movie, a place where film's photos were being printed to be on the covers of Tees Maar Khan was found and the people were caught with charges of piracy against them. The matter was reported to the producers also.

Toll free number, 1800-103-1919 has also been installed to report piracy.

SRK the highest paid host ever?

Looks like Shah Rukh Khan is proving that he is the 'Badshah' even of Tellyland. TOI has learned that King Khan is apparently charging Rs 2.5 crore per episode for his forthcoming reality show Zor Ka Jhatka on TV.

Top industry sources claim that with this astronomical amount, SRK certainly becomes the costliest B-town A-lister to be signed on for a reality show. Whenever Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan have hosted TV shows, the industry debated whether they were the highest paid actors. However, this time it looks like the figures are on SRK's side. A source from the show reveals, "No one will speak openly about how much he is earning, but SRK charging Rs.2.5 crore certainly seems a believable figure.

As of now what can be revealed is that Shah Rukh is on for four weeks, Monday to Thursday, and if you calculate it, he is getting Rs 40 crore for 16 episodes. Bring on the superstar who can charge so much even after his last stint on TV (Kya Hum Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain) was panned and did not get the TRP that he got during Kaun Banega Crorepati."

SRK to celebrate New Year in Dubai

King Khan and his close friends including Karan Johar and Kaajal Anand will also be in the desert Emirate,

Shah Rukh Khan and his friends will not bring in 2011 in Goa, but along with his family and friends in Dubai.
The entourage includes Karan Johar, Hrithik-Sussanne, and several other friends of the couple.

Says a source, "The Khans and their friends will ring in the new year at the couple's palatial home on The Palm in Jumeirah."

The B-Town brigade leaves on December 30.

Gauri's close friend Kaajal Anand (Putlu) is also part of the group. Arjun Rampal is not going but Chunky Panday with his family might join the gang later.

Some people are waiting their visas to get cleared today and will finalise their plans accordingly. Last year SRK had brought in New Year at his Mumbai home, Mannat.

Ghar ki kahani

The Palm forms part of The Palm Islands, along with Jebel Ali and The Palm, Deira, the world's three largest manmade islands by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government.

They are located off the coast of The United Arab Emirates in the Persian Gulf and each is created in the shape of a palm tree, topped with a crescent.

The residents of the island are rumoured to include Hollywood actor Brad Pitt England footballers David Beckham and Michael Owen.

Shah Rukh, who was handed over the keys to his house on the The Palm Islands in 2007 became a resident of Dubai on November 1, 2008.

Shah Rukh: 'Why should I say sorry to Salman'? interview for Emirates247.com,

On his 20th anniversary in Bollywood, the superstar opens up in an exclusive interivew about "Ra.One", "Wipeout" and all those rumours..

Shah Rukh Khan has upped the ante in Bollywood by signing on to host a new television show, "Zor Ka Jhatka", the Indian version of "Wipeout", promising to give his contemporaries a run for their money.

In an interview for Emirates247.com, King Khan, as the box-office superstar is called, shares some inside information about his next film, "Ra.One" and talks about his upcoming stint on the small screen. Excerpts:

Being at the top, you must have made some rivals in the journey. Would you apologise to Salman Khan and others to improve your relationship with them?

I have no rival in this industry. Salman Khan too is not my enemy so why should I say sorry to him? Everything is well between us and hence apologising makes no sense here.

I am a very shy and silent person in reality. I cannot propose or apologise to anyone, it is not because of ego, but that is my nature. This is how I am. I have no objection as to how people typecast me.

Did your approach Farah Khan to choreograph a song for "Ra.One"?

Ganesh Hegde has choreographed the songs for "Ra.One". Personally I think he is a very good choreographer. We are almost done with the shooting of it.

Are you ready to face the television camera once more?

Yes absolutely, I am feeling very healthy and relaxed. Earlier I was very depressed for several reasons. First of all I was injured during the shoot of "Ra.One" and my back was hurting a lot. I couldn’t focus on my work much because mentally also I was very much stressed. But now I am feeling much at ease and hence have started working on more and more projects. Now I feel I am back to where I had started from, fresh and relaxed.

Recently, the Bangladesh media expressed its displeasure about your visit to the country. How do you respond to that?

Well, I don’t think I behaved in a vulgar manner in Bangaldesh. Wearing a top on pants is not vulgar. Also it is obvious that while doing comedy, you speak about someone or do something unusual. Everybody has a different culture and perception and so in their country, those things were not acceptable like ours. I had no intentions of hurting anyone’s culture or sentiment.

How do you cope with the busy work schedule?

Presently I have loads of work at hand. I feel creatively, physically and mentally prepared for all my projects. In Berlin I took a long break to rest and healed myself. Now I am boosted with great energy. And now when I am working all day round, Gauri often tells me to reduce my work.

What about your physique?

I have regained my six packs and now I am trying for two new packs.

How do you manage to spend time with your kids?

At the dining table I play games and quizzes with my children. I try and teach them good habits. I always tell them to be honest and hard working. Also recently I did IQ test of my children.

What you enjoy apart from acting?

I am totally addicted to acting. Every now and then I try to improve my acting skills. I even act in the bathroom. I think people like the way I host shows and also like me for what I am. I try to entertain people in different form.

I enjoy all types of shows, if today anybody came and ask me to do theatre, I will do that too. I dance in stage shows and do many more things because I think I am born only for this purpose. I know the only thing that I can do well is acting and that I do with my full heart.

What would you like to say about your acting?

It has been 20 years in this field and today also I think I have lots to learn. I don’t know how I act but I do give my 100 percent efforts. I do my work honestly and give the performance with all my heart hence I think audience loves my work. I think it is a very good medium to reach the audience. I am an actor and it is my duty to entertain my fans.

Who do you think is your biggest competitor in the industry?

I don’t think I am in competition with anyone. Everybody is on their own position so why should I pick someone as my rival. All of us just try and do our jobs well. I think I am on the green side so why should I do silly things. Honestly speaking I am very much humble. I don’t try to underestimate others; I just try to be as good as I can be.

So you think it's the media that creates all the controversies?

I know some controversies are created but I don’t think the media creates all of these because 50 per cent of them are true also. You have good ears or bad mouths which creates the distinction. So some things are created by the person themselves also at times. I truly believe I am here to do a good job and hence concentrate only on my performance.

Karan wants 'K3G' sequel: Big B

He brought together the three biggies of Hindi cinema - Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan - in his blockbuster hit 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' in 2001 and filmmaker Karan Johar is now pitching for a sequel to the family saga, reveals Big B.

'Karan Johar and we talk of cinema and other lighter moments. His visit to Goa and the sudden impulse to do a sequel to 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', for he felt that all the relevant characters were still around and 'how',' Big B posted on his blog.

'It would be a story on the growth of the brothers and the problems that arise because of their independent understanding and working of the business empire of the father, a split within them and so on,' he added.

Also starring Jaya Bachchan, Kajol and Kareena Kapoor, the movie was the highest grossing Indian film in the overseas market.

An active blogger, Amitabh has now left his decision for the Part II on the fans' discretion.

'I tell him I shall run a reaction to this on my blog and seek information on its feasibility. So what does everyone feel? Yes or no? (sic)... Tel me tell me tell me...no,' he wrote.

Filmfare Awards 2011 Nominations,

The Bollywood movie awards season should be in full swing from January-February 2011. So you will have Filmfare Awards 2010, Screen Awards 2010, Stardust Awards, IIFA Awards, Sansui Awards etc. Here is a calculated prediction of the Filmfare Awards 2011 and many other awards that will precede or follow suit. You are free to debate, argue and come up with your choice of winners for Filmfare Awards 2011 and other Bollywood awards for 2010-11

BEST FILM :

1. Dabangg
2. Raajneeti
3. My Name is Khan
4. Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
5. Tees Maar Khan
6. Golmaal 3

BEST ACTOR (MALE) IN LEADING ROLE :

1. Akshay Kumar – Tees Maar Khan & Action Replayy
2. Hrithik Roshan – Guzaarish
3. Salman Khan – Dabangg
4. Ajay Devgan – Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
5. Ranbir Kapoor – Raajneeti
6. Shahrukh Khan – My Name Is Khan

BEST ACTOR (FEMALE) IN LEADING ROLE :

1. Kajol – My Name Is Khan & We are Family
2. Vidya Balan – Ishqiya
3. Katrina Kaif – Raajneeti & Tees maar Khan
4. Aishwarya Rai – Guzaarish & Action Replayy
5. Anushka Sharma – Band Baaja Barat
6. Sonam Kapoor – I Hate Luv Storys & Aisha

BEST DIRECTION :

1. Prakash Jha – Raajneeti
2. Karan Johar – My Name Is Khan
3. Abhinav Kashyap – Dabangg
4. Sanjay Leela Bhansali – Guzaarish
5. Milan Luthria – Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
6. Farah Khan – Tees Maar Khan

BEST MUSIC :

1. Sajid-Wajid – Dabangg
2. Pritam – Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
3. Pritam – Golmaal 3
4. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy – Karthik Calling Karthik
5. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy – Housefull
6. Vishal-Shekhar – Tees Maar Khan

BEST SINGER (MALE) :

1. Sonu Nigam – “Tees Maar Khan” – Tees Maar Khan
2. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan – “Tere Mast” – Dabangg
3. Mohit Chauhan – “Pee Loon” – Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
4. Shafqat Amanat Ali – “Bin Tere” – I Hate Luv Storys
5. Daler Mehndi – “Zor Ka Jhatka” – Action Replayy
6. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan – “Sajda”- MNIK

BEST SINGER (FEMALE) :

1. Mamta Sharma -”Munni Badnaam” – Dabangg
2. Tulsi Kumar – “Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein” – OUTIM
3. Sunidhi Chauhan – “Shiela ki jawani” – Tees Maar Khan
4. Antara Mitra – “Bheegi Si Bhaagi Si” – Raajneeti
5. Richa Sharma – “Zor Ka Jhatka” – Action Replayy
6. Shreya Ghoshal – “Chori Kiya re” – Dabangg

Best Lyrics:

1. Faiz Anwar – “Tere Mast” – Dabangg
2. Irshad Kamil – “Pee Loon” – OUTIM
3. Niranjan Iyengar – “Sajda” – My Name Is Khan
4. Irshad Kamil – “Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein” – OUTIM
5. Vishal Dadlani – “Shiela ki jawani” – Tees Maar Khan
6. Sameer – “Mora Piya” – Raajneeti

BEST DEBUT (MALE) :

1. Ali Zafar – Tere Bin Laden
2. Aditya Narayan – Shaapit
3. Luv Sinha – Sadiyaan
4. Meiyang Chang – Badmaash Company
5. Vir Das – Badmaash Company
6. Ranveer Singh – Band Baaja Barat

BEST DEBUT (FEMALE) :

1. Barbara Mori – Kites
2. Trisha Krishnan – Khatta Meetha
3. Zarine Khan – Veer
4. Monikangana Dutta – Guzaarish
5. Ferena Wazeir – Sadiyaan
6. Sonakshi Sinha – Dabangg

BEST SUPPORTING ROLE (MALE) :

1. Naseeruddin Shah – Ishqiya
2. Mithun Chakrabothy – Golmaal 3
3. Arbaaz Khan – Dabangg
4. Nana Patekar – Raajneeti
5. Emraan Hashmi – Once Up On Times in Mumbai
6. Akshaye Khanna – Tees Maar Khan

BEST SUPPORTING ROLE (FEMALE) :

1. Kangna Ranaut – Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
2. Lara Dutta – HouseFull
3. Prachi Desai – Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
4. Kareena Kapoor – We Are Family
5. Dimple Kapadia – Dabangg
6. Ratna Pathak – Golmaal 3

BEST COMIC ROLE (MALE & FEMALE) :

1. Shreyas Talpade – Golmaal 3
2. Paresh Rawal – Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge
3. Ritesh Deshmukh – HouseFull
4. Pradhuman Singh Mall – Tere Bin Laden
5. Omkar Das Manikpuri – Peepli Live
6. Johny Lever – Golmaal 3
7. Tusshar Kapoor – Golmaal 3

BEST VILLION ROLE (MALE & FEMALE) :

1. Abhimanyu Singh – Rakht Charitra
2. Sonu Sood – Dabangg
3. Manoj Bajpai – Raajneeti
4. Paresh Rawal – Aakrosh
5. Abhishekh Bhachchan – Raavan
6. Salman Shahid – Ishqiya

BEST STORY :

1. Karan Johar / Shibani Bathija – MNIK
2. Rajat Arora – OUTIM
3. Sanjay Chauhan / Piyush Mishra – Lahore
4. Maneesh Sharma – Band Baaja Baaraat
5. Prakash Jha – Raajneeti
6. Dileep Shukla / Abhinav Kashyap – Dabangg
7. Ashutosh Gowariker – Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey

BEST DEBUT DIRECTION :

1. Abhishek Chaubey – Ishqiya
2. Parmeet Sethi – Badmaash Company
3. Punit Malhotra – I Hate Luv Storys
4. Siddharth Malhotra – We Are Family
5. Abhinav Kashyap – Dabangg
6. Maneesh Sharma – Band Baaja Baaraat

Best Jodi :

1. Salman Khan – Sonakshi Sinha
2. Akshay Kumar – Katrina Kaif
3. Ranbir Kapoor – Katrina Kaif
4. Ranbir Kapoor – Priyanka Chopada
5. Shahrukh khan – Kajol
6. Akshay Kumar – Aishwarya Rai

Best Cinematography :

1. Mahesh Limaye – Dabangg
2. Ravi K. Chandran – MNIK
3. Sachin Kumar Krishnan – Raajneeti
4. Aseem Mishra – OUTIM
5. P. S. Vinod – Tees Maar Khan

Best Editing :

1. Deepa Bhatia – MNIK
2. Pranav V Dhiwar – Dabangg
3. Santosh Mandal – Raajneeti
4. Akiv Ali – OUTIM
5. Shirish Kunder – Tees Maal Khan

Best Song of the Year :

1. “Tere Mast” – Dabangg
2. “Shiela ki jawani” – Tees Maar Khan
3. “Munni Badnaam” – Dabangg
4. “Pee Loon” – Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
5. “Aap Ka Kya Hoga (Dhanno)” – HouseFull

Critics Awards :

1. Best Film : – Raajneeti
2. Best Direction : – Prakash Jha – Raajneeti
3. Best Actress : – Vidya Balan – Ishqiya
4. Best Actor : – Ajay Devgan – Once Upon a Time in Mumbai

R.D. Berman Award :

‘Mamta Sharma

Karan Johar's on top of the world

As 2010 draws to an end, Karan Johar — whose February release My Name Is Khan has been Bollywood's first global blockbuster, is sitting op top of the world and says proudly, "I am overwhelmed, the film was made by Dharma Productions with a global perspective to connect with audiences in India and overseas in a way that no film has ever done before.

And it has exceeded expectations and broken box office records in most markets."

Of this, there is no doubt; not after MNIK released in 70 countries over nine months and across 2,600 screens, to also become the first Indian film to make inroads in China and Italy. In China, its theatrical release in over 350 screens in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Dalian since its launch on November 30, is a landmark achievement. And Shah Rukh Khan as Rizvaan Khan – a man affected by Asperger's syndrome, made his way into the hearts of the Chinese.

Of Fox Star Studios' phased distribution strategy, its CEO Vijay Singh explains, "This is in unique contrast to existing Bollywood practices where the theatrical life of a film is limited to four weeks. MNIK has opened many new territories for Bollywood. This success would not have been possible without the amazing connect of global audiences with SRK and Karan, coupled with our worldwide distribution strength."

It is true, MNIK is the first Bollywood film to have a theatrical release in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Puerto Rico, Russia, Dominican Republic, Syria, Taiwan and South Korea. Apart from doing film festival circuits in Berlin and Rome. Veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh says, "I think the universal theme connected with audiences across the world and then you have Shah Rukh's enviable international fan following. But credit must also go to the distributors who pushed it into new markets.

The film was dubbed in several foreign languages (Spanish, German, Russian, Italian and Chinese) too, which meant that people across the globe were watching it in their own mother tongue. That's quite an advantage for any film."

"My competition is with myself, not with any celebrity" SRK

SRK reveals all about his comeback to the small screen with 'Zor Ka Jhatka'

The TV industry today might be inundated with regular notifications, criticisms and controversies for its reality show content but Shah Rukh Khan, who is making his comeback on the small screen as the host of 'Zor Ka Jhatka' on Imagine TV, says his will be a dignified show, just like the superstar himself.

"I might joke around, fool around with my loved ones, entertain people at length. Sometimes they misinterpret it but I believe I am a dignified person. I am a dignified husband, a father, a brother, a son-in-law," Shah Rukh said.

"I will never want my show to stoop down to a level where I feel ashamed of it. I will never do or let any kind of misbehaviour rule my show just for TRP ratings as people say."

The 45-year-old has earlier hosted shows like 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (2007) and 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?' (2008) and people loved him for his natural wit and humour that had audiences in splits.

Last month, the information and broadcasting ministry cracked down on two shows - 'Bigg Boss' and 'Rakhi Ka Insaaf' - by issuing directives to change their telecast timings following viewers' complaints about vulgar content being proliferated through them.

Shah Rukh's new show is the Indian edition of the internationally popular 'Wipeout'.

'Zor Ka Jhatka' will see 28 TV stars battling it out in an obstacle course set in Argentina and the superstar also claimed he will stand as an apostle of love and peace to curb eventual male egoes on the show.

"Fights on my show are a little dicey to see. I am a love maker and not a fight maker. And if they do, I will stand as a peacemaker then," he said with his trademark dimpled smile with visible ripples around his cheeks.

Asked about his competitive strategy to tackle other celebrity hosts on the small screen, he said: "Till the time competition is healthy everything works perfect. Everybody is doing their job and are giving it their best shot."

"My competition is with myself and not any celebrity. I truly believe that I do a good job, I work very hard and I will keep working hard. And that is what is of concern to me," he added.

So will the host perform any adventure sports too?

"The first thing that I made clear to the channel was that please don't make me go there and do any of those sports. They want me to do a promo where I need to do some of the activities, but I'm not looking forward to it. Getting dipped in mud, drenched out in dirty water - I can't take that humiliation. But lets see," he quipped.

The show will go on air in January next year.

SRK to be brand ambassador of XXX Energy Drinks by next year

MJ Group firm XXX Energy Drinks Limited today said it plans to rope in Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan as the brand ambassador of its products as it embarks on a Rs 100 crore expansion plan by next year.
The company, which is looking to garner a sales of Rs 100 crore from the brand by 2015, said it is looking to set up its first production facility for which it is scouting for location.
"We are in talks to get Shah Rukh Khan as brand ambassador... We will officially announce in March or April next year," JMJ Group Vice Chairman Sachin Joshi told PTI.
Earlier this year, the brand has been associated with Khan''s IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as its principal sponsor.
He, however, did not give further financial details on the contract and the time frame of it.
The company said it is looking at setting up its first facility, planning to introduce more brands in the near future, besides expanding its presence in the overseas markets by next year.
"To set up a manufacturing facility, we need to do a substantial business first. By 2012, hopefully we would start setting up a plant, which could entail an investment of USD 10 million (Rs 45 crore)," he said, adding that the capacity of the plant will be around three million cans a month.
It could be either in Pune or Dubai, where it currently manufactures its products through third party, he added.
Besides, the company is also introducing products at price points between Rs 25-30 as part of its plan to tap into the mass market and expand its presence into the smaller cities.
"We will be launching one more brand soon. One of the main reason for the slow growth of energy drinks in India is the high price. So we are looking at introducing an brand which could cost around Rs 25-30," he said.
At present, the firm sells four brands -- XXX, Rejuve, Nicofix and Minus in India and abroad.
On expanding its international presence the company said it is looking at taking to products to around 14 countries across the globe, including UK, African countries and Singapore by the end of 2010.
"We will also be increasing our marketing spend to USD 10 million (Rs 45 crore) from USD 8 (Rs 36 crore) million by next year. We are tying up with a lot of events as part of our marketing activities," he said.

Hrithik wants SRK to quit smoking

After kicking his smoking habit for his children and wife, Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan has set his eyes on making sure that his friends too, chuck the butt .

TOI has already learned that his pal Arjun Rampal isn't lighting up his cigarettes anymore thanks to Hrithik and Duggu now wants to achieve the impossible - make Shah Rukh Khan, who is addicted to the cigarette and always seen puffing away almost more than a pack of it every single day, leave the habit.

When contacted Hrithik says, "Arjun Rampal has teamed up with me and given up. SRK is next!" A close friend of Duggu informs that Hrithik has kept his promise that he would quit smoking the day his last film Guzaarish released. And he has stuck on to the plan. He almost became addicted to it during filming the movie as he had to smoke to get into the skin of his character. At present whenever someone offers him cigarettes, he takes them and crushes them before throwing them away.

A close friend of the star says, "Now that he is living a healthy life and can feel it, he wants to tell his friends about the change that he is actually feeling. Hrithik has been able to make one chain smoker, Arjun Rampal to leave the habit. Let's see if SRK would give in to his friend's request. Hrithik is very motivated to see SRK quit cigarettes but understands that it will be a difficult proposition given SRK's habit of smoking so many of them in one day. He has to cut down very slowly. Hrithik will give him the company and support he needs and explain why he needs to do that."

Ask Hrithik how one can have so much will power and he shoots, "I started with the excuse of it being a part of the character two years ago with the idea that I'll stop after the film. I've always loved exploring with different experiences but a true adventurer needs courage and a will of iron. I love throwing challenges at myself and this was tough, but I've conquered it and grown stronger in the process. It's empowering."

Big B awaits SRK’s reply

If Koffee With Karan has been bitchy, catty and controversial so far, this episode is sure to bring some good-old warmth and love back as Karan Johar hosts the father-daughter duo

Amitabh Bachchan and Shweta Bachchan-Nanda. This is the first time that the duo decided to do an interview together and they sure made it was a treat of a show. One look at Amitabh and Shweta and you can totally understand that she is a daddy's girl.

Bachchan did not hesitate to pamper his daughter and it was evident that Shweta is a super caring daughter. The two even engaged in some friendly banter and also showed rivalry in the rapid fire round trying to out-do each other to win the hamper. The suave Karan made sure that he wasn't partial to either, thus making the round a really interesting one.

During the shooting of the show, when Shweta could not guess an answer Bachchan was seen sulking which was adorable and humourous, much liked by the host as well as Shweta.

One of the highlights of the show was when Amitabh disclosed that he is yet to receive a reply from Shah Rukh Khan, whom he had wished on his birthday (November 2). It's been more than one-and-a-half months that SRK hasn't reverted and he asked Karan to tell SRK that.

Hope this small thing won't hamper the good relationship that SRK and Amitabh currently share. There was a rumour, in the not so distant past, that they don't bond all that well until it was finally reported that they had patched up. Catch all this and much more when the show is aired tonight at 9 pm on Star World.

SRK's next heroine - Priyanka, Deepika or Katrina?

Shah Rukh Khan's next film, a screen adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's TWO STATES to be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, has been announced and the field is wide open for a leading lady to be signed opposite him. Now that makes for an interesting pairing as it wasn't too many weeks ago when names like Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone were thrown around.

"This would indeed be an interesting development for sure due to many reasons", says an industry insider, "First and foremost Vishal has already worked with Priyanka in two back to back films - KAMINEY and 7 KHOON MAAF. While there is a pro in the form of a comfort factor that has set in between the two, the con comes from the fact that Vishal too may want to work with a new face now."

"Similarily, Shah Rukh is already working with Priyanka in DON 2 and hence the pro and the con is on similar lines as Vishal", she continues, "On the other hand he and Deepika haven't worked together since OM SHANTI OM and if the duo comes together, it would be one reunion that would be much talked about."

This is not all as Sonakshi Sinha and Katrina Kaif too haven't worked with Shah Rukh Khan till date and together, they may well give Bollywood a new pairing.

While the round of speculation continues, the insider says, "Whether it would be Priyanka, Deepika, some other leading lady or a newcomer would be known in a few days from now. Just wait and watch."

Well, we are waiting for sure.

Shah Rukh Khan’s life is more interesting than Bigg Boss

Shah Rukh Khan soon will start shooting for ‘Zor Ka Jhatka’ the Indian version of ‘Wipeout’ and make his entry to the Indian Television again with the game show. While he does watch serials and other shows on the television, the man is not interested in the show Bigg Boss.

SRK feels that his life is more interesting than what goes on in Bigg Boss and moreover, the actor is not too keen on watching someone else’s lives voyeuristically. Rather he enjoyed all the three seasons of ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ and still loves to watch the shows like ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Dexter’. Shah Rukh had revealed earlier that he and his kids are avid fans of the original ‘Wipeout’ and hence is looking forward to host the Indian version of this water based game show.

So have Shah Rukh watched an entire episode of Bigg Boss 4, that’s being hosted by friend turned foe Salman Khan? Well, the King Khan tells that he is so not interested in seeing the program after getting to watch bits and pieces of the show while flipping channels and in the news channels.

While SRK abhors the fact of voyeurism in Bigg Boss and doesn’t watch it, it’s the same reason that people love to watch it and not everyone’s life is as interesting as SRK.

SRK gets Yash Chopra to direct him a part of song in "Ra.One"

The steel grey canvas of Shah Rukh Khan's sci-fi flick RA.One will have a touch of Yash Chopra in it. On the actor's request, Yash Chopra directed a part of a song in the film.

Apparently, while shooting for this particular song at the YRF Studios recently, King Khan asked the filmmaker if he could direct the first half of the song. Yash Chopra agreed. Our source from the sets said, "SRK is working on his next schedule at YRF currently.

A song sequence is being shot there under the supervision of Anubhav Sinha, the director of RA.One. While shooting on Thursday afternoon SRK learnt that Yashji was present in the studios. SRK went to him and brought him to the sets of his film.

SRK felt it needed that 'YRF touch'. Yashji was happy and he did the needful. In fact, the song sequence apparently had Kareena Kapoor in it as well; Chopra directed her for the first time." It's quite sporting of Anubhav, really.

Interestingly, cameo directors have been occasionally populating the production of RA.One. The source added, "Earlier, during the shooting of RA.One in London, Karan Johar had stepped in to direct a couple of emotional scenes. So, even KJo has been a part of the film."

In the past Yash Chopra has directed SRK in Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai and Veer Zaara and, if rumours are to be believed, his next, which will go on floors in March 2011, is likely to have King Khan in the lead role. How romantic.

Payal misses meeting SRK every morning!

Payal Rohatgi has been smitten recently by none other than the King Khan SRK, who is hosting the new reality show - Zor Ka Jhatka, of which she is a part. She was very excited from the moment she heard that he will be in Argentina and she will get to be around him. She even informed everyone in her friends circle of the news with a lot of excitement & mentioned how charming & a gentleman he is. But unfortunately she had a freak accident on the set where she fractured her hand, she still went on the sets with equal fervour as he would be there and his encouragement was enough for her to keep going.

Nevertheless life is not a fairy tale & since her pain was just increasing, SRK asked the production house not to eliminate her as a failed contestant but to have her go from the show with respect. She is now headed back to Mumbai but with a heavy heart not only to have left the show mid-way but also that she would not be meeting SRK every morning.

Priyanka is not SRK's choice for Vishal's next

Priyanka Chopra may have declared herself as SRK's biggest fan, but it seems Bollywood's King Khan dosen't believe in favoritism. Rumor has it that SRK has insisted Vishal Bhardwaj to drop PC and hunt for a fresh face for his adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's '2 States'.

The actor who has previously acted in 'Don' (2006), and is currently shooting for 'Don 2' with SRK, was finalized for the lead role in Vishal's film until Shahrukh suggested the director that she might not suit the role.

Priyanka axed from Vishal's next?
Recently, multiple tabloids had reported that SRK replaced Saif in Vishal Bhardwaj's adaptation of '2 States.' Now, the industry insiders reveal that PC, too, might get axed from the film.

Earlier the film was to be made by 'Anjaana Anjaani' director Siddharth Anand with Saif and Priyanka in lead roles. Although, Saif and Siddharth are no longer a part of the project, Priyanka was always the first choice for the female lead.

SRK and Sajid Nadiadwala are co-producers of the film. A source said, “Initially when the film was solely produced by Nadiadwala, it was Siddharth Anand who was directing the film and Saif Ali Khan and Priyanka were to play the lead roles.

“Although Saif and Siddharth are no longer in the project, Priyanka still continued to be the choice for the leading lady. Until now that is,” the source added.

Explaining the whole matter, the source revealed, “Vishal flew down to Berlin, where SRK and Piggy were shooting for Don 2. He narrated the revised script to both the actors in the same room; sure enough they liked it. This was the second narration Piggy Chops was hearing, after the one from Siddharth.”

Scuttlebutt has it that after listening the script, Shah Rukh insisted Vishal, who has already worked with Priyanka in 'Kaminey' and 'Saat Khoon Maaf', to drop Piggy Chops out of the project and search for a new face instead.

“He told Vishal that he knew Priyanka was one of his favourite heroines, but the demands of the script could not be ignored,” the source said.

Hope Priyanka knows that!

I will never want my show to stoop down, SRK

The TV industry today might be inundated with regular notifications, criticisms and controversies for its reality show content but Shah Rukh Khan , who is making his comeback on the small screen as the host of Zor Ka Jhatka " on Imagine TV, says his will be a dignified show, just like the superstar himself.

"I might joke around, fool around with my loved ones, entertain people at length. Sometimes they misinterpret it but I believe I am a dignified person. I am a dignified husband, a father, a brother, a son-in-law," Shah Rukh told IANS in an interview here.

"I will never want my show to stoop down to a level where I feel ashamed of it. I will never do or let any kind of misbehaviour rule my show just for TRP ratings as people say."

The 45-year-old has earlier hosted shows like "Kaun Banega Crorepati" (2007) and "Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?" (2008) and people loved him for his natural wit and humour that had audiences in splits.

Last month, the information and broadcasting ministry cracked down on two shows - "Bigg Boss" and "Rakhi Ka Insaaf" - by issuing directives to change their telecast timings following viewers' complaints about vulgar content being proliferated through them.

Shah Rukh's new show is the Indian edition of the internationally popular "Wipeout".

"Zor Ka Jhatka" will see 28 TV stars battling it out in an obstacle course set in Argentina and the superstar also claimed he will stand as an apostle of love and peace to curb eventual male egoes on the show.

"Fights on my show are a little dicey to see. I am a love maker and not a fight maker. And if they do, I will stand as a peacemaker then," he said in his trademark dimpled smile with visible ripples around his cheeks.

Asked about his competitive strategy to tackle other celebrity hosts on the small screen, he said: "Till the time competition is healthy everything works perfect. Everybody is doing their job and are giving it their best shot."

"My competition is with myself and not any celebrity. I truly believe that I do a good job, I work very hard and I will keep working hard. And that is what is of concern to me," he added in his nonchalant King Khan manner.

So will the host perform any adventure sports too?

"The first thing that I made clear to the channel was that please don't make me go there and do any of those sports. They want me to do a promo where I need to do some of the activities, but I'm not looking forward to it. Getting dipped in mud, drenched out in dirty water - I can't take that humiliation. But lets see," he quipped.

The show will go on air in January next year.

Dr. Mahathir Has Date With Shah Rukh On Christmas Day

When former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrives in Mumbai on Christmas Eve, he will be a special guest of Bollywood hearthrob Shah Rukh Khan.

Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, both on a private visit to India, will be arriving in the Indian financial capital on Friday, where the famous actor will play host to the elder statesman.

"When he heard I was coming to India, he said I must go to Bombay (Mumbai).

"Well, he is more a friend than fan. I have known him for quite some time. His last movie I watched was 'My Name is Khan'," said Dr Mahathir.

Khan is expected to host a special high tea for the couple at his Mumbai residence on Christmas Day.

During his two-day visit to Mumbai, Dr Mahathir is slated to visit the Yash Raj Film Studio, India's premier film studio.

Dr Mahathir is the second luminary to meet Khan in less than a week, after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met the actor in Mumbai last Wednesday.

Medvedev was on an official visit to India last week.

Malaysian Consul-General in Mumbai Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah will also host a special dinner for the visiting dignitaries.

Dr Mahathir will conclude his Indian tour with a visit to Kerala after Mumbai.

On Thursday, he met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi.

'Where's the ticket Shah Rukh'

Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan's presence at the Sunburn Goa electronic music festival has not been confirmed yet but the festival organisers maintain that the superstar will have to buy a ticket to attend the event.

Harindra Singh, managing director of Percept - the organiser of arguably India's biggest electronic music festival to be held in Goa next week - said Shah Rukh will have to shell out money, if he wants to attend the three-day festival.

"If Shah Rukh buys a ticket, he is welcome. There is no guest list for the event," Singh said, adding that only the sponsors were allowed to bring a limited number of guests.

Sunburn Goa, which will be held Dec 27-29, is expected to host some of the top names in the world of electronic music like Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten and Dave Seaman who will showcase their music at the picturesque Candolim beach.

The festival over the last few years has attracted several celebrities and, according to Singh, bookings for this year's event started happening as early as January.

"We had the first bookings from January. This is one of the most sought after events in India's events calendar and we have people from all over the world coming in to attend it," Singh said, adding that such festivals will give Goa tourism a big fillip.

"I have been told that the season in Goa over the last few years has not been good and events like this help the local business because of the thousands of tourists who come in," Singh said.

SRK does not like Bigg Boss!

Shah Rukh Khan, who will soon be back on television, loves foreign shows like Desperate Housewives and Dexter.

He agrees that all three seasons of Khatron Ke Khiladi were fantastic, but the one show that he is not keen on is Bigg Boss, currently hosted by his rival Salman Khan.

When quizzed about whether he has watched the show, he is quick to reply, "I've caught bits of it when they are aired on news channels, but I haven't really watched an entire episode.

I don't like voyeuristically looking at other people's lives. I think my life is much more interesting."

Meanwhile..

SRK recently saw Vishal Bhardwaj's Saat Khoon Maaf. And was completely bowled over by the film and most performances in it.

The ones that he really loved were that of Naseeruddin Shah, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Annu Kapoor. Neil essays the youngest husband, while Annu is the fifth husband.

SRK, Kareena dance for Russian prez

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has Bollywood on his agenda. During the course of his visit to Mumbai, he met a delegation of filmmakers at Yash Raj Films Studio in Andheri on Wednesday. The meeting organised by the Russian Embassy was to encourage and improve cultural relations with Bollywood.
Apart from Yash Chopra, Amit Khanna, chairman of Reliance Big Entertainment, Ramesh Sippy, Rakesh Roshan, Mukesh Bhatt, Randhir Kapoor, Manmohan Shetty, Puneet Goenka of Zee were also present.

During the relatively short meeting, the Russian delegation managed to strike a chord with Bollywood's big guns. According to Amit Khanna, "The idea was to explore co-productions, shooting in each other's countries, furthering cultural ties with entertainment. It's good to see the Russian President himself initiating this consolidation of cultural relationships."

Rakesh Roshan said, "The Russian president committed a one-window facility for us to visit his country for shooting, promoting and marketing our films," he enthused.

Medvedev also dropped in at the sets of Shah Rukh Khan's superhero fantasy, RA.One. The actor did a little jig with Kareena Kapoor for the President. "It was a nice and amicable meeting. He also complimented on the important role music plays in our films," Kapoor said.

SRK keeps away from rude tweeters

Shah Rukh Khan prefers to lay low instead of hitting back at rude tweeters,

Shah Rukh Khan has vamoosed from his micro-blogging site for over a month and a half. He last tweeted on his birthday November 2 stating "Birthday with the babies at the shoot in Berlin."

And then strangely, went quiet. Considering that the eloquent star was pretty active, his long silence has led to all types of speculation as SRK did not announce that he is taking a sabbatical from Twitter as others do.

Withdrawn?

Certain sections also feel that he has gone off to avoid any questions pertaining to Tees Maar Khan and Farah Khan.

However a source close to the actor pooh-poohs the rumour, "Shah Rukh had been receiving a lot of negative comments lately. He was upset and hurt as a result.

And that is why he has withdrawn. He preferred to lie low instead of hitting back through the micro blogging site.

Also, he doesn't believe in blocking people who post negative comments but he is in a headspace where he doesn't want any kind of negativity."

That's rude!

In an upcoming episode of Koffee With Karan, the actor has confessed to the reason behind his disappearance from Twitter.

He said, "I feel love from lakhs of people but there are lots of people who say rude things about my family and friends and that hurts me. I don't want to read those things, so I am staying away from Twitter."

An insider who was present while filming adds, "SRK's show is totally non-controversial. It is like no other episode of KWK. He spoke about love, friends, family and it got really emotional.

Most people on the set were dewy-eyed while filming, including the host." The episode airs on January 1, 2011.

SRK learns gymnastics!

Even after being in the industry for 22 long years, Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan is keen to learn new things, a quality which he has possessed when he started his acting career.

TOI has learned that SRK, who starts shooting a high energy song-and-dance number today for "Ra1", has learned gymnastics to pull off some awe-inspiring steps and stunts in it.

Sources working on the sets confirm that SRK has trained to shoot this number for Anubhav Sinha. The last time the superstar had put in so much effort for a song was during the shooting of Chaiyan Chaiyan for Mani Ratnam's Dil Se in which he grooved with Malaika Arora on a moving train.

The special song for Ra1 will have trapeze artists and many elements from the circus embedded into it. However, SRK is not going to go shirtless, as reported earlier, or flaunt the six pack that he showcased in Om Shanti Om. It is said that 200 firang beauties have been hired just to shoot this song. "SRK will show the world that his injury and persistent back problems are a thing of the past. He has learnt gymnastics for the song and will also do trapeze stunts," said the source.

SRK has been simultaneously working out and doing cardio, weight training and functional training because he wants to carry forward the same fitness and agility for Don 2 whose next schedule will also start in sometime. His physiotherapist, Dr Ali Irani, has been taking care of SRK and the actor is now raring to go in this song. When contacted, Anubhav confirms, "We had specially trained people flown in for the song. SRK will definitely be seen doing a new form of dance which has many elements to it."

SRK makes heads turn (away from Farah)

It seems SRK still holds a grudge against Farah Khan. Why else would he at the recent Mumbai Police Mela, try and divert the crowd’s attention away from Tees Maar Khan’s publicity campaign?

While Shah Rukh’s patch ups with Vishal Bhardwaj, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Sunil Gavaskar and Aishwarya Rai have been the talk of town for a while, it seems the actor is in no mood to mend his differences with ex-best friend Farah Khan.

It appears as though King Khan is still upset with Farah for choosing Akshay Kumar in Tees Maar Khan over him. On Sunday, at the Mumbai Police Mela in Andheri, Shah Rukh tried to sabotage Farah’s Tees Maar Khan publicity campaign by diverting the crowd’s attention.

Apparently, SRK, who was backstage at the time when Farah, Akshay and Katrina began the Tees Maar Khan act on stage, suddenly walked out into the audience, accompanied by his entourage of 8-10 bodyguards.

An eyewitness told Mumbai Mirror, “SRK and his bodyguards started walking towards the audience. Sab logon ka dhyaan SRK par chala gaya. And though they glanced at Farah, Akshay and Katrina, their attention was divided.”

You wonder if Farah or Akshay noticed this. Says the eyewitness, “What could they do? Farah and Akshay just shrugged their shoulders and smiled.”

All three Farah, Akshay and Katrina completed their act but Shah Rukh had definitely managed to steal the limelight away from them to a great extent.

Added the eyewitness, “Surely, SRK knew what he was doing. If a person of his stature walks into the audience, whose head wouldn’t turn?”

Grapevine has it that SRK too is waiting with bated breath for Tees Maar Khan to release in theatres, to see if his absence in the film has any effect on its collections. But that’s something only time will tell.

Marina Bay Sands: $100,000 Donation For Singapore Indian Development Association From ICICI´s SRK

THE King of Bollywood was in town - not to make a new blockbuster movie, but to present a $100,000 donation to local self-help group Singapore Indian Development Association (Sinda).

The sum was given by ICICI Bank, India's largest private bank.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, the bank's global brand ambassador, was on hand to pass the cheque to Sinda's president, Ms Indranee Rajah at a gala event last week at Marina Bay Sands.

The money will go towards helping financially disadvantaged Indian children in their studies, said Ms Indranee.

'This will greatly facilitate our upcoming plans to provide greater depth and breadth in our tuition and education assistance to these children,' said the Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC.

The move comes on the heels of ICICI Bank's first retail branch in Singapore, which opened in September.

SRK to romance Tamil girl in Chetan Bhagat's Novel "2 States"

Chetan Bhagat is known for his popular novels. After the adaptation of his novel ‘One night at a Call Centre, made as Hello, fans are inquisitive about what to expect next. If his novel ‘3 Mistakes of my life’ is in the pre-production stages of an upcoming Bollywood movie, his recent novel ‘2 states’ is already grabbing attention.

The reason for the attention is because Shah Rukh Khan has been roped in to play the lead role of the movie. 2 States is supposed to be an inspiration from Chetan Bhagat’s life that revolves around a Punjabi guy falling in love with a Tamil girl. The movie will be directed by Vishal Bharadwaj, known for his movies like Omkara and Kaminey, and will be produced by renowned producer Sajid Nadiadwala. The female lead opposite SRK will be a newcomer, sources say. We will keep you posted on latest developments!

SRK to act in Paul Schrader’s film "Xtrme City" Produced by Anubhav Sinha

Raging Bull writer Paul Schrader, who will direct SRK-starrer Xtreme City, learnt some hard truths about India from producer Anubhav Sinha during his first scripting session, including why you can't woo your friend's sister and get away with it easily

When Hollywood writer-director Paul Schrader met director Anubhav Sinha two years ago through a common friend and expressed interest in working on a cross-cultural film, Sinha responded with enthusiasm. "Paul is so modest. He sent me DVDs of all the films he had directed. He assumed that I may not have seen his work. Who does something like this?" says Sinha of the writer of films such as Taxi Driver and Raging Bull and director of noteworthy films such as American Gigolo. And that's how Xtreme City, an action drama based on the underworld in Mumbai was born.

Schrader promptly flew down to India for an "orientation trip" to visit Dharavi, Sion and Koliwada besides other parts of Mumbai, "The idea was to develop the story -- in India, we don't have a concept of developing a film story." The Ra.One director also recalls how the story graph developed. "The day Paul narrated the story to me, he said he was stressed. I was like 'What!' I was so taken aback but I realised this is why they are who they are. He had written the entire graph of the story on a paper; I took that piece of paper from him, asked him to autograph it and have framed it on my wall now."

When things progressed to scripting, the first draft did not take off instantly admits Sinha. "The Indian context was a little weak. Paul didn't know India that well; whatever he knew of India was largely by watching Hindi films. So I asked Mushtaq Sheikh to help him. Mushtaq and I spent a weeks in the US. We talked about differing cultures."

Sinha also remembers teaching Schrader some Indianisms. "Paul had written a scene in where the hero tries to woo his friend's sister. We told Paul that this doesn't happen in India often. A friend's sister is like a sister. Paul was shocked. I told him that here, even if I want to marry my friend's sister, I have to inform my friend before telling the girl. The friend may react saying: 'How could you see my sister in that light?' I believe Sanjay Dutt had a tiff with Kumar Gaurav when he got to know that he was seeing his sister Namrata."

Buzz has it that Aamir Khan too will work with internationally-renowned directors. Aamir Khan's name has been linked to a Danny (Slumdog Millionaire) Boyle project based on Suketu Mehta's bestselling book. As for the crucial question of casting Shah Rukh Khan in Xtreme City, Sinha hedges: "The film will happen when Paul and I agree that we are on the same page. Only then will we decide whom to cast in the film. Shah Rukh just knows that I'm working on these lines with Paul. I had introduced both of them even before I had signed Paul."

For now, the project is in the development stage. Sinha updates us: "Yesterday, Paul sent me a mail detailing how he was thinking of moving the story forward." Sinha, who is known for his towering ambition, says, "The script is not ready yet. Paul is currently directing another film and I am busy with Ra.One. After we finish our respective films, we will start talking again in earnest."