Pakistan Information & News

King Of Bollywood

By now its common knowledge that after doing all the publicity and promotional drive for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Shah Rukh Khan has embarked along with good friend Karan Johar to Los Angeles for the shooting of his next film My Name Is Khan. The film re-unites the super-hit jodi of SRK and Kajol after a hiatus of nearly 7 years (they were last seen in Karan Johar’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham in 2001)

However, even before shooting could commence in full swing, the unit of My Name Is Khan has been hit by a roadblock. Some Muslim members from the cast and crew of the film have been denied US visas. Among these include SRK’s personal staff and also actor Aamir Bashir (who was last seen in A Wednesday).

Post the Mumbai terror attacks, the US consulate has become extremely cautious of issuing visas and reports say that despite telling them that they were going for a shoot, the authorities didn’t budge.

Now the rejected members, left with no option, have submitted fresh applications and are praying for better luck this time around.

Shah Rukh Khan

It couldn’t get better than this. After conquering Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan has now been ranked at the 41st spot among the 50 most powerful people in the world by the prestigious Newsweek magazine, with Barack Obama topping the list. The other Indian besides the King Khan in the list happens to be the Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who’s at the 17th spot.

The magazine describes SRK as ‘King of Bollywood’, a title that every cinegoer is aware of, like they know their A-B-C. The magazine also stated that ‘It’s not just that his (Shah Rukh Khan’s) romantic flicks make gazillions, it’s where those gazillions come from. Khan is huge in the Muslim world, even in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where the mullahs ban his films. (The movies thrive on the black market). Their main appeal is certainly the song-and-dance numbers, but Khan (a Muslim married to a Hindu) makes devoutly secular films where love trounces bigotry.’

Now with even the Newsweek in his kitty, one is simply left wondering as to what will be the King’s next conquest.

Aamir Khan With Shahrukh Khan

A day after proclaiming himself the biggest brand in the country, Shah Rukh, in an apparent change of heart, said at a press conference: “I appeal to all to watch ‘Ghajini’.”

He was speaking late Thursday at a press conference to introduce to the media the lead actress of his latest release “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi”, Anoushka Sharma.

 Shah Rukh said: “I want all the people to watch ‘Ghajini’. We as people from the industry know how much pain it takes to make a film. We wait anxiously every Friday to see the result of our hard work that we put in to make a film.”

 “So my best wishes are with every film be it ‘Ghajini’ or ‘Chandni Chowk To China’ or any other movie. I want every film to do well,” he added.

Shah Rukh said: “During the time when we talk of unity and wish to stay united, we should pray good for everyone.”

 Rubbishing reports of his rivalry with Aamir, Shah Rukh said, “We share an extremely cordial relationship.”

 Citing an example, he said when they met at a party recently they were discussing doing a film showing their six-pack abs.

 “I was scared as I lost my six packs and wanted Aamir to say no. Luckily, he said he has lost his packs too, so let’s give a chance to some other actor,” Shah Rukh quipped.

About Aamir, he said, “I think he has changed himself well over the recent period of time. Previously, he did not like to interact much with the public and the media, but now he interacts well and has also developed a sense of humour.”

 On the inclusion of “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi..”’s script in the Oscar library, he said, “It feels good as now Indian film scripts are getting recognition in the West.”

He said Indian films suffer from lack of good screenplay writing. “The main reason is that we do not have good schools to teach it,” he said.

 “Screenplay is a science, which needs to be taught where one needs to say many things in least possible words,” he explained.

Shah Rukh pointed out the need to change the style of writing screenplays in order to get recognition in the international market.

 “Our stories are too lengthy, full of songs and dances which makes it unacceptable for the international audience. So if we change the style and be more compact in story telling our work will be more accepted internationally,” he added.

 Shah Rukh also lauded the media for their efforts of covering news and being the bridge between stars and the audience.

 He said “Initially, I used to be quite embarrassed by the questions being asked by the media as a few were very personal. But later, I realised those questions were not to embarrass me but they really wanted to clarify certain things, which was in good taste.”

“Media guys are true to their work as I am to acting,” he remarked.

On Wednesday, he said “Rab Ne Bana De Jodi” is doing well and there is no threat to his film from “Ghajini”.

 “There cannot be any competition with me. I’m the biggest brand in the country. I am always there to endorse for everyone, but the saddest part is that no one is there to endorse for me as there is no brand bigger than me,” Shah Rukh said at the launch function of Filmfare magazine’s latest issue.

 Reacting to Shah Rukh’s statement, Aamir said: “He has been speaking about himself for last 20 years so there is nothing new about it.”

 Aamir is aggressively campaigning for “Ghajini”, which will release Dec 25, and the ushers of the multiplexes, where Shah Rukh’s film is running, have adopted Aamir’s Ghajini-hair style to promote the action-thriller.

Shahrukh and Salman Khan

The two celebrities Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan will be once again clashing opposite each other one day before Valentine’s Day in the year 2009. Even Abhishek Bachchan is not far behind.

Shah Rukh’s Billoo Barber, Salman’s Main Aur Mrs Khanna and Abhishek’s Delli-6 are all set to release on the same Friday - February 13.

Shah Rukh wants to gift his wife Gauri Billoo Barber; Salman wants to gift his girlfriend Katrina Kaif Main Aur Mrs Khanna and Abhi wants to dedicate Delli-6 to his wife Ash. Last year Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Jodhaa Akbar was released one day after the Valentine’s Day but the premier was held on the V-Day itself and Abhishek Bachchan gave a surprise to wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan by coming back to Mumbai and attending the premiere.

Main Aur Mrs Khanna brings Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor together after the disastrous Kyon Ki…. The film is being directed by debutant Prem Soni and produced by Sohail Khan Productions. MAMK also stars Preity Zinta, Deepika Padukone and Govinda in important roles.

Shah Rukh’s Billoo Barber is a Red Chillies Entertainment film, being directed by Priyadarshan and has Irrfan in an important role along with Lara Dutta. Deepika Padukone and Kareena make special appearances in the film.

Abhishek’s Delli 6 has an ensemble cast and is being directed by Rakeysh Mehra. It also stars Sonam Kapoor and Waheeda Rahman and the music is by AR Rahman.

Anushka Sharma

She used to be softspoken, bright and studious, but model Anushka Sharma also has what it takes to reach the top in showbiz, say people in this city as she makes her dream debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ Friday.

While her mentor and fashion guru Prasad Bidappa says Bangalore girl Anushka was always a good learner and he had an inkling that she would do well in the glamour and entertainment industry, her friends say she has always “stood out in the crowd”.

“Anushka showed her zeal in learning things fast. She started walking the ramp perfectly just after a few days of guidance. She was agile and had a perfect body language. She was a good learner and worked hard to reach the top. It did not surprise me when she got such a good opportunity in Bollywood,” Bidappa, who also groomed Deepika Padukone.

Rodricks spotted Anushka at an event in Bangalore and saw her potential. He brought her to Mumbai and made her the showstopper in his Les Vamps show at the Lakme India Fashion Week.

After making a mark as a model, Anushka did big assignments for products like Fiat Palio and Silk and Shine products.

A trained bharatanatyam dancer, Anushka is playing a dancer who gets married to a nerd in “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi”.

Former model and Kannada actress Andrita Ray says Anushka’s entry into filmdom brings hope for others who are trying to make it big in filmdom.

“Certainly this was the most encouraging news for many models in the city who are trying for a foot hold in the film industry,” said Andrita, who forayed into the Kannada film industry with director Mahesh Babu’s “Meravanige”.

Andrita remembers Anushka as a softspoken girl.

“More than me, some of my best known friends who describe her as one girl who could be noticed even in a big crowd.

“Though I did not have too many interactions with her, I was very happy to see her getting such a big break. And what makes it more exciting is the fact that she was chosen after more than a hundred girls were interviewed,” said Andrita.

Some of Anushka’s friends who studied in Mount Carmel College with her say they were not at all surprised that she chose a film career.

“Working in films was her first ambition,” said a friend.

One of her teachers on request of anonymity said she was surprised when she saw Anushka’s photograph in a newspaper with Shah Rukh. “She was very studious and I thought she would complete her post graduation in economics,” said the teacher.

Amir Khan

MUMBAI: Aamir Khan has reacted to the terror strikes on Mumbai and its aftermath. Aamir feels one shouldn’t react in haste but should hit back in some way

“A terrorist is someone with a sick mind. Who thinks he’s doing it for the religion but he’s not. We must not have knee jerk reactions. We must not react in haste. Everybody is being affected by terror attacks even Pakistan. We have to hit out at terror camps and bases,” he said.

The actor condemed the horrific terror attack on Mumbai and said we need to fight back terrorism as a community. “We have to react not only as Indians but as an international community. And if need arises then we should go on war,” he said.

It is not only Aamir who has expressed his concern over the Mumbai terror attacks but also Shahrukh Khan. The terror attacks of 26/11 were meant to shatter the great Mumbai dream. No one has exemplified that dreams better than the reigning superstar of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan.

In an exclusive interview, the actor lashed out against religious fundamentalism and stressed on the importance of the youngsters being delivered the correct interpretation of religious text.

Irfan Khan

Irrfan Khan is extremely selective when it comes to films. “The script has to excite me. I should feel elated as I leave for the shoot every morning. In the past, I’ve accepted films that didn’t excite me, but I took them up because they’re vital for your career. Of course, I wouldn’t like to name those films,” Irrfan admits.

So what was it about DIL KABADDI that got him charged? “My role. It’s an extension of what I did in METRO. When I heard the script, I knew I had to do this role. It mirrors the life of a man living in a metropolis,” pat comes the reply.

Not many are aware that director Anil Senior had offered Irrfan the role that Rahul is now portraying in the film. “Rahul and I decided to swap roles,” he smiles. But will the pairing with Soha Ali Khan work? “That’s the beauty of this film. It’s so unconventional. In fact, I’d go to the extent of saying that the chemistry is one of the USPs of this film,” Irrfan says.

Irrfan now looks forward to Priyadarshan’s BILLOO BARBER and Jennifer Lynch’s HISSS. How was it working with SRK in BILLOO BARBER? “Tremendous! I feel enriched. I always knew of him as a super-star, but he’s an equally terrific producer. As an actor, he’s just not insecure. I’ve started respecting him all the more,” Irrfan’s eyes glow as he talks of SRK.

He’s enjoying working with Jennifer Lynch too. “I’ve seen her films and was keen to work with her some day. HISSS is a different kind of a movie. Sure, it’s about a snake woman [ichhadhaari nagin], but I bet, you haven’t seen something like HISSS on the Indian screen before,” he states confidently. Incidentally, Mallika Sherawat, who plays the role of a snake woman, has no dialogues in the film. All she does in the film is hiss!