Friday, July 31, 2009

Shah Rukh Khan to play super hero

Mumbai: Ra.one is title of the film in which Shah Rukh would play a super hero and do a lot of action movements.

shah-rukh-khan-to-play-super-hero

King Khan has injured his left shoulder while shooting for Dulha Mil Gaya and went for a surgery in February 09.

King Khan's physiotherapist Ali Irani states that it would be few more months that he can perform action scenes.

Shah Rukh has also started the shoot for My Name is Khan, directed by Karan Johar. Shah Rukh was busy shooting for this film in San Francisco. His other films include Farah Khan's Happy New Year.

Currently, Shah Rukh is doing fitness exercise to get back his shoulder in full action.

He has been following Dr. Irani's advice and has been practicing with theraband.

Source: duniyalive

My Name is Khan signed for record deal


Shah Rukh Khan's My Name is Khan has been sold for a record deal of Rs 100 crores for distribution.


Directed by Karan Johar it sees the return of Karan Johar- Shah Rukh Khan- Kajol team after the super successful Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham.

My Name Is Khan has been bought by Fox Star Studios for a whopping Rs 100 Crore. The is the biggest deal ever for a Bollywood outstripping Rs 90 crore for Aamir Khan starer Ghajini and Rs 70 Crore for Om Shanti Om bagged. The film is being co-produced by Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan with a budget of Rs 55 Crore. The movie is set against the 9/11 terror attacks and its impact on an Indian Muslim living in the US.

My Name is Khan is being touted as the most awaited releases of the year. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol will return to the screen together after a gap of eight long years.

This deal will serve as a personal satisfaction for Shah Rukh has not only has his movie bagged a huge deal it has superseded the previous one held by Aamir Khan

. It may be recalled that Shah Rukh's Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Aamir's Ghajini has clashed at the box office last year. On that occasion Aamir had emerged as the clear winner.
Source: Newsline365

SRK-Ash jodi back together!

Time heals all wounds, especially in the entertainment business, and none would vouch for this truism of life more than super icons Shah Rukh
Shah Rukh Khan

Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.



Remember, they parted on a sour note after her hasty departure from his home production Chalte Chalte six years ago?

She had already canned a portion of the film when Salman Khan reportedly landed on the sets... and, well, the rest as they say is history.

Post that scene, SRK let Ash off the hook and took Rani Mukerji as his leading lady. And, since then, many big banners including Yashraj and Dharma failed to reunite the pair that created such magic in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas.

Subsequently, though the Bollywood Badshah wasn't invited to the Ash-Abhishek wedding, King Khan and wife Gauri posed with the Bachchans for the shutterbugs at the Drona premiere last year. And more recently, at Karan Johar's birthday party on May 25, the two couples — SRK and Gauri, Ash and Abhi — spent quality time together.

In the light of this thawing of relations, comes the news of cinematographer-director Rajiv Menon (whose Kandukonden Kandukonden in Tamil had Tabu and Ash) reuniting the SRK-Ash jodi. Menon is said to have flown to London to narrate a dramatic script (with Ash in mind) to Shah Rukh, which the actor liked.

At this point of his career, SRK is looking to do films that explore his dramatic intensity as in Devdas. He has no problems working with Ash and she with him. At Karan's birthday, the Bachchans and Khans got along famously. Rajiv Menon's film is being seen as a natural progression towards mending the bridges between two of the most powerful families of Bollywood.
Source: TimesofIndia

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Shah Rukh is still unfit

Shah Rukh is still not completely fit.
Shah Rukh Khan



On Wednesday evening, physiotherapist Dr Ali Irani examined Shah Rukh and asked him not to start doing any action scenes for a couple of months.

Shah Rukh had injured his left shoulder on the sets of Dulha Mil Gaya. The 43-year-old actor had to undergo an arthroscopy surgery on his left shoulder in February 2009 at the Breach Candy Hospital.

A source said, "Shah Rukh is keen that he goes for all his shootings without bothering to look after his shoulder all the time. But he will have to wait before he goes all out and does action scenes. His shoulder is healing slowly but surely."

Dr Irani confirmed that he had examined Shah Rukh on Wednesday. "Shah Rukh has got back 90 per cent of his movement but may need another month or two to get back his strength before he is ready to do stunt scenes," said Dr Irani.

"SRK's fitness regimen to heal his shoulder includes special type of exercises with a theraband, which will help in strengthening the shoulder muscles," added Dr Irani.

Soon after his surgery, SRK had started shooting for Karan Johar's My Name is Khan, which he will complete in August. Last week, SRK returned from San Francisco after a gruelling shoot schedule of the film. He continued doing the theraband exercises even when he was there.

Buzz is, Ra.one, which will have SRK playing a superhero, has also been put on hold not only because Eros International wanted to back Farah Khan's Happy New Year before Ra.one but also because Shah Rukh will have to do some intense action sequences in the film, which he can ill afford to right now.
Source: Timeofindia

Wanna view the private world of Shah Rukh Khan?

A television series on a science and lifestyle channel is all set to take you there soon.

For six months, cameras will shadow the actor in India and across the globe, to present viewers a rare peek into the life of the superstar. Says SRK, "The idea of the series is both exhilarating and unique as it showcases aspects of my life that have seldom been seen in the public domain. I look forward to welcoming you all into my life."




Source: Midday

Will My Name Is Khan to do a Slumdog?

Karan Johar will be going global with his movie My Name Is Khan very soon. There had been speculations abound whether Karan would be selling the world rights of the film to either Yash Raj Films or to his new business associate UTV (they have tied up for Qurbaan and Wake Up Sid). But it is now learnt that Karan is tying up with a big international distribution company for the movie. This company is none other than Fox Studios. Apparently, they have already bought Karan's My Name Is Khan for a whopping Rs 100 Crore.
Multiple Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire was a Fox product and the aggressive manner by which the studio is known to promote their films worldwide; one is sure My Name Is Khan will definitely be on everyone's lips the world over, during the time of its release. With its topical theme and world's most popular actor Shah Rukh Khan in it, we won't be surprised if the movie shatters box-office records worldwide, apart from generating critical acclaim just like Fox's Slumdog Millionaire.
However, Karan Johar states that he is still working that out! My Name Is Khan is releasing either end of January or in February. A month of shoot is still left. Karan's film is set against the 9-11 terror attacks and its impact on an Indian Muslim living in the US. It is being touted as the most awaited releases of the year. The film also stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in the lead after a gap of eight long years.
- Sampurn Media

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

'My name is Khan' picked for 100 crore


Being touted as one of the biggest blockbusters of the year even before its release, Shahrukh-kajol starrer 'My Name is Khan' recently touched upon another landmark.

Being touted as one of the biggest blockbusters of the year even before its release, Shahrukh-kajol starrer 'My Name is Khan' recently touched upon another landmark.
 
Fox Star Studios, who distributed oscar winner 'Slumdog Millionare' in India have reportedly picked up the rights of the Karan Johar biggie for a whopping Rs. 100 crore.
 
The movie has been receiving rave reviews from the critics who have managed to catch rushes of the movie. 'My name is Khan' has been receiving a lot of audience attention as it brings back the legendary pairing of the Raj and Simran of Bollywood aka Shahrukh-Kajol.
The critics who managed to hear some of music from the movie composed by trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy were overwhelmed and consider the album to be potential chartbuster.
 
Wiritten by Shibani Bhatija, the movie deals with a Muslim (Shah Rukh) who suffers from the Asperger syndrome, a form of autism that impacts social interaction abilities, who is arrested as a suspected terrorist in post-9/11 Los Angeles after authorities mistake his disability for suspicious behaviour.
Just as it is said, nothing sells better in Bollywood than Shahrukh Khan.. all of us await the arrival of 'Khan'.
source: India-forums

Friday, July 24, 2009

Lover boy Shah Rukh comes to age; plays dad to teenagers on-screen



Mumbai: Talk about ageing gracefully and Shah Rukh Khan seems to be doing it extremely well both on-screen and off-screen. The over 40 actor who plays the role of a loving father in real life will be seen essaying the role of a dad with special powers to teenage kids on reel in his two forthcoming films Karan Johar`s 'My Name Is Khan' and Anubhav Sinha`s 'Ra1'.
While many B-town big daddies are still vying to bag young lover-boy roles and doing everything in their capacity from Botox to pumping iron to play the college lad, Shah Rukh seems to have made peace with his age.

What's more is that the actor is making no qualms about doing such roles and is quiet open-minded about evolving his screen image from a cute-boy to a matured father.

Confirming the news filmmaker Karan Johar told a news daily, " Yes, Shah Rukh is playing father to a teenager in 'MNIK'. It was never an issue for either Shah Rukh or me. But then why should it be? His son Aryan is almost 11. In my first film, 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', when Shah Rukh was 30, he played a college student! Actors should not worry about these things. I don`t think they should allow these aspects to interfere in accepting roles based on such things."

Shah Rukh who essays the role of Rizwan Khan in 'My Name Is Khan' is suspected to be a terrorist after authorities mistake his disability for `suspicious` behaviour post 9/11. The film has the actor-playing father to Kajol's teenage son after he marries her.

Source:
Spicezee Bureau

Thursday, July 23, 2009

SUNA HAI KI



That Fox Studio has acquired the worldwide rights for My Name is Khan for Rs 100 crore supposedly the highest price for a Hindi film.


KJo's Tweet (http://twitter.com/kjohar25) on July 19 read "signing an important deal for My Name Is Khan today." Is this what he was referring to? Priyanka Chopra has requested Madhur Bhandarkar not to release his film Jail on September 25 as she doesn't want any film to clash with her flick, What's Your Raashee?

Says a source, "Priyanka has worked with Madhur in Fashion and shares a good rapport with him, so she decided to give it a shot and request him to postpone Jail's release date!" Let's see if he obliges PC.
 
Her Raashee co-star Harman Baweja's dad Harry had earlier made the same request.

Source: mid-day

Monday, July 20, 2009

Karan Johar takes a break in London

MUMBAI: Karan Johar is a hugely relieved man. The American portion of the shooting for his film, My Name is Khan wrapped up a week back. The director has been shooting in San Francisco for the better part of 5 weeks.

Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, My Name is Khan started its shooting schedule in December, last year. Due to the shoulder injury of SRK, the shooting was stalled for some time. And with the IPL moving to South Africa, SRK's dates for the film had to be shuffled and Karan shot a large portion of his film in the Filmistan studio of Mumbai.

A close friend of the director spilled the beans, "My Name is Khan has taken a lot from Karan as he feels that there is a lot of expectation riding on his shoulders. People expect him to make a blockbuster film and with a cast as successful as SRK and Kajol, nothing but the best is what they want. And so after he wrapped up the American schedule, Karan went to London for a 4 day holiday."

A holiday for Karan means a lot of shopping, a lot of fine dining and a lot of good conversation. And with the Khan family, also holidaying in the Queen's Land, Karan must have certainly let his hair down.

Source: BusinessCinema

SRK's hot getaway

We all know King Khan loves living life king-size. Recently after wrapping up the  shoot for Karan Johar's My Name is Khan, Shah Rukh Khan set off for London with his family to enjoy a much deserved vacation.

Unlike other stars who would probably check into a hotel when they're in London, Shah Rukh Khan stayed at a house he bought in one of London's most expensive localities (Park Lane, Central London).

"The actor has always said that London is one of his most favourite places to relax and unwind. Every year, during the kids' vacation, the family of four heads off to the Queen's country. He has been spotted spending evenings with Aryan and Suhana at Hyde Park, a stone's throw away from Park Lane," a source was quoted by Mid-Day as having said.

The source further told the paper that a regular apartment in the area costs anywhere between '2 million pounds and 8 million pounds.'

Apparently Shah Rukh Khan bought himself a house with five bedrooms, which cost him close to 7 million pounds."

We're not quite sure how often Shah Rukh visits this place. But we're quite certain it must be a helluva room... with a whew!
Source: Buzz18

For me, there's no going back say Karan Johar

Karan Johar, on moving ahead, moving films and moving towards making remakes and reducing extravagance

Karan Johar has just returned from a fifty-day schedule of My Name is Khan from San Francisco, followed by a short break in London. He left right after his birthday bash in May, and now, has returned to oversee the release of two Dharma films Wake Up Sid and Kurban. He will shortly embark on the final schedule of My Name Is Khan (MNIK) in Mumbai. Over coffee and sandwiches, the coolest director in town talks about his films, his shopping indulgences and why he hates hats. Read on...

You must be bummed about MNIK not releasing this year.
Both Shah Rukh and I were keen to release it this year. But there were some factors that were beyond our control. Now, because of this delay, Shah Rukh doesn't have a release this year and that is unfortunate. But the circumstances were beyond our control.

Some of the delay was caused by his surgery?
Not really. Yes, the surgery did push us ahead but also the fact that this is a very tough film to film. Other factors have delayed it. A lot of scheduling had to be done... also there was a lot of computer graphic work. So, we just took a call that we won't be rushing for no rhyme or reason. Let's not push it.

So early next year?
Hopefully. We are looking at a Jan or Feb release.

But you have Kurban and Wake Up Sid ready for release. How involved are you as a producer?
Up to a point, really. I need to have faith in the director, which I obviously do, because that's why he is directing a film for me. Once we go through the process of greenlighting the script, scheduling, and structuring the cast and list of technicians, I step out. Because I feel like every filmmaker has to find his or her voice. And there is no point in me sitting there and confusing them. I think that every individual whether it is Tarun or Aayan, or Rensil everyone has his own voice and it has nothing to do with me.

But in the end, it's your call on the final product...
They really come as creative suggestions. And I think, sometimes, if I feel very strongly about something, I might try and convince the director, rather than enforce my opinion. But, by large, it's the director's voice, and being a filmmaker, I know the importance of making a film based on your convictions. In fact, my deciding factor to work with a filmmaker is how original he is. I like that the fact that they combat what I say. That they are so convinced about what they feel that no matter what I am saying, they are not buying it.

The climax of Dostana was changed. Whose idea was that?
That was entirely Tarun's call. He came to me and said, 'Look, I have shot it and I don't think it works.' I looked at it and I said, 'Ya, you may be right.' Initially, I made him opt for the safe climax. Tarun kept saying, 'It's an edgy film, lets push the envelope.' And finally, he came to me and said, 'Look, I have shot it the way you wanted, but it is not working with the narrative.' So I told him to come up with something that worked. He came back to me in two days. Tarun works like that. He is very spontaneous. He can write an entire script in a week. He can lock himself in a room and sit and finish it. He came back and said, 'It has two of the protagonists kissing.' And I said, 'WHAT???' Tarun said he would write it and show it to me, he did and we all thought it worked. Again, that reiterates that, eventually, it is the conviction of the director that is paramount, and not mine.

True. Dostana didn't look like a film directed by you, Kal Ho Na Ho did.
(Pauses) Dostana is definitely all Tarun. Of course, it has the prerequisites of a Dharma film, like the glamour, the costuming and the whole look and feel but it's otherwise the performances, the way he moves the story ahead. It's Tarun's baby.

And is the sequel happening?
It's definitely happening,

Abhishek and John are in?
We can't do Dostana 2 without Abhishek and John. They are indispensable.

John has been quoted as saying that this time, he wants "an acting" part.
I don't know what is not an acting part, ever. I mean every role is an acting part. Everyone had to act, it's what actors do. I thought John was great in Dostana and I am sure that Abhishek and John's chemistry the film's USP shines again in the sequel.

And Katrina is on for the sequel?
We haven't decided any other cast of Dostana 2.

Is there any chance of Kareena coming in the film, now that she and Abhishek are on speaking terms again รข€" it was one of the many patch-ups that happened at your birthday party.
There's much ado about these breaks-ups and patch-ups. I think, internally, what equation they share is something for them to comment on, but I am sure Abhishek and Kareena are more than open to working with each other, whenever they have a chance. Right now, I don't have a film for which I am considering this cast. I think everyone is over and above whatever issues they've had in the past.

Your birthday turned into a UN peace convention, didn't it? So many people put aside their differences and became friends again.
It was meant to be a fun party to celebrate my 37th birthday. I try and have a party a year, because I have decided that I may not get married and I may not have a series of functions related to big weddings. So I thought, what I can do for myself is have a birthday party every year. I absolutely love my birthday and I love receiving calls, text messages, gifts and global importance on that one day. I love every bit of it. I am glad some good things happen at the party. I thought it was a great fun party,  it had great energy, and there was an air of positivity all around and I think that may have translated into some fantastic conversations between people. I did not intend for it to become this alleged peace convention it was projected as. It was a fun party of people I know and love, and if they felt the love, for each other, God bless them.

They were some people who felt offended because you left them out, will they be in your next guest list?
Everyone who is important to me, was there.

Why did you change the title from Jihaad (now Kurban). Also, any worries about your film being similar to New York?
Rensil was never keen on this title because he wanted the title to resonate the love story much more than the terror angle. Both Rensil and I feel that the love story is the basic moving point of this film. Comparisons to New York are inevitable because they revolve around global terrorism but there are no similarities except maybe atmospheric one, that's bound to happen because they are both about a certain issue. Otherwise, story-wise and narrative-wise, they are totally different films.

There were reports of tension between you and Adi because of the similar subjects.
I would be really stupid to be best friends with Aditya Chopra and make the same film. Both Adi and I were completely in the loop of it. What saddens me is that, now, for no reason there will be a comparison whereas it could've been avoided. Kurban is entirely different from New York. And I hope that like New York got accepted, this one will too.

Dharma was known for certain kind of films..but now that's changing. Even the film you are making is different. Would you want to revisit what you are best known for?
For me, there is never going back, there is always going forward. I think that films I produced and directed were my sensibility at the time. I feel like doing things that make a difference to me today. Whatever I am producing and directing are films I feel like doing today. I don't think I can write a Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or a Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham ever again.

Not even if people expect that from you?
I get a lot of people coming and telling me, 'Make another KKHH.' I can't. I don't have that innocence, I don't have that rawness and I don't have that love for love anymore. And so it doesn't come to me naturally. It would be me, trying to be me in 1998, and I am not interested. I want to do films that move me today. Some times they are subjects that have social relevance and sometimes they are subjects that are simple and sweet. Like Wake-up Sid.  I am so excited because Dharma is producing so many films and we are working with new energies and talent, and they are bringing their own ideas. A lot of these films I am incapable of making on my own, so I am happy to produce them.

But it's easier to direct now?
I mean, ya, now when I read my scene, I know when to break it up. I know how to shoot it, I know I can place it, and take all kinds of shots and I know I will shoot the scene but sometimes it's mechanical but sometimes the content is different, and it excites you in a different way, and it pushes you out of that space.  But in KKHH, every shot I took was unsure. Every moment I created was insecure. Also what happens is that with expectations, you feel you have to deliver. And in the process of trying to deliver, you exact yourself a lot. Which takes away from spontaneity, and what is not spontaneous, is never really great.

What's with the remakes: Stepmom and Agneepath?
Siddharth (Malhotra) developed Stepmom and he came to me with it. Ironically, it is also one of my favourite emotional films. I love a good cry and I remember watching it in London in 1998, with my friend Sheena and 80 people in that tiny hall, and I remember we wept our guts out. I cried so much, that I had a cold after that. And I thought it was a great film idea for India. Ten years later, Siddharth comes with a developed idea and I decided to make it but through the official route. We went and got the rights. And we said we will do it if we get the best possible cast for it, and that we did.

What about Agneepath
Agneepath is a very important film for me. My father's biggest disappointment in life was the failure of Agneepath. Because it was so respected, so revered and had a huge cult following but commercially, it didn't appreciate. Also I think it was one of Amit uncle's finest performances. I remember that it broke my father's heart at that point that they didn't refer to it as a commercial success, and he always brought it up. And I decided to do this remake for him, and hopefully, it will work this time.

One hears that you are considering Hrithik for the role. Wouldn't Abhishek be a natural choice for it?
We haven't cast it as yet. That will come when the scripting is ready. We are changing the film. It will be more modern; set in present time. It will be more like a biopic of an underworld don.

Will you ever shoot a film entirely in India?
I would love to. Unfortunately, my last two films have subjects that I had to shoot abroad. I could not made KANK here, because you can't have an extramarital affair here, without a mausi, chachi or neighbour finding out. And Khan, because of its subject..

Khan is your most expensive film yet?
Yes, it is. We always knew it was going to be a big film, but with recession, and changes in the dollar price, it became more expensive, and now Shah Rukh has stepped in as co-producer to help me.

Are you capable of making a small-budget film? Or at least, an economical one like Adi Chopra?
My CEO, Apurva and my Sindhi mother, are constantly trying to get me to control my expenses. But yes, I am learning to do away with the extravagance.

Including your shopping?
That's my mom's nightmare. I tell her I find everything on sale. (laughs) I think in her heart of hearts, she knows I am bluffing. I just bought a trench coat. I don't know when and where I will wear it, but I love spending on clothes, shoes, belts etc.

Which hat do you wear best, producer, director, TV host...
I don't knowรข€¦ I hate hats. I tried buying a few, but they didn't look good on me. I think I am happiest as a director, the others are just extensions of my personality and my work.

Why have you stopped blogging?
I know, I started off with a bang but then, it fizzled out. I know that I should go back to it, but I don't have the drive or the time. Eventually, I will start blogging again. Till then, I am very happy Facebook-ing.

Source: Mid-day

Thursday, July 16, 2009

My Name Is Khan set being constructed at Film City

MUMBAI:.The cast and crew of Karan Johar's My Name is Khan is back from San Francisco and according to sources, the next schedule of the film is most likely to take place at Film City.
 
A huge set is being constructed at Josh Maidain, Film City. A dam, which measures around three feet in depth and 135 x 240 meter in size, is being constructed inside which a church and some small houses are going to be constructed.
 
According to the source, plans are to shoot a hurricane scene where they will be showing the church n houses submerged in water.

The movie stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol and is slated to release early next year.


Source: Business India

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

“My Name is Khan” is based on post 9/11



Mumbai: Karan Johar's next coming movie "My Name Is Khan" is based on post 9/11 situation in US.

e2809cmy-name-is-khane2809d-is-based-on-post-9-11

It's all about a Muslim who suffers from the Asperger syndrome, a form of autism that impacts social interaction abilities.

The guy is arrested as a suspected terrorist in post-9/11 Los Angeles after authorities mistake his disability for suspicious behaviour.

Talking about the movie Karan Johar says, Shah Rukh has played really well in the movie.

Johar says, "Time and again I'm blown away by Shah Rukh. How can he think of so many things about his character when he has so much on his plate?"

"He has done monumental research on his autistic character. I was zapped by how much he knew on the subject. And he brought all the knowledge on the sets." Johar added.






Tuesday, July 7, 2009

My Name Is Khan is my most controversial film to date: Karan Johar


You could make a film on the things that happened during your Los Angeles schedule of My Name Is Khan.
Tell me about it. Besides normal problems, there were unforesen problems. Thank God for my fabulous technical team. Without them I could never make my film the way I want to. Yes, there was stress.

There were visa problems for some Muslim members of your cast?
Yes there were problems.We has certain legal issues. We had to make some changes to accommodate the developments. They were sorted out. I believe in completely going by the law of every land. That's what we did in LA when troubles arose.

Was Aamir Bashir replaced by Jimmy Sheirgil after a great deal of deliberation and pain?
I wouldn't say it was painful. Yes, we did have to do some serious re-thinking. I spoke to my casting director Shanu Sharma for immediate release. I was very happy to have Jimmy Sheirgil on board.

I had done his clothes for Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein. So I know him from his debut. It was unfortunate that things didn't work out with Aamir Bashir. Like Jimmy he was terrific in A Wednesday. I look forward to working with him some other time.

Were you pissed off with Bashir for going to press about the visa problem?
I don't blame anyone for the situation. I don't see why the issue had to be reported so prominently in the Indian media. It complicated things for me. If creating hurdles for a filmmaker on a difficult foreign location makes news, so be it. It constantly kept creating stress for me.

Was it a painful experience to shoot in LA?
In all my 11 years as a filmmaker I've never felt the experience to be so different.Content- wise My Name Is Khan is diametrically opposite to whatever I've done in the past. You know, on the very first day of shooting my cameraman Ravi Chandran looked at me and said, 'I don't think you've ever shot something like this.'

This is the first time I'm directing a screenplay I haven't written myself. This gives me a level of detachment from the proceedings and yet a lot of attachment. It has released a whole plethora of unexplored emotions in my head.

This time I'm being creative in a different way. And Shah Rukh plays a completely different humanbeing I've never directed that person before. It took a few days for all of us to get into the groove. How this exploration of a new territory will turn out, no one knows.

My Name Is Khan has no lip-sync songs.
No none. The songs are all in the background. Even Rakeysh Mehra's Rang De Basanti didn't have lip-sync songs. But did we ever feel any loss? In LA we had fans coming to us to ask if there was any track like Suraj hua madhyam in My Name Is Khan.

Little did they know. Music is an integral but seamless part of My Name Is Khan, like Rang De Basanti.This time there's no It's the time to disco and Where's the party tonight. But there's guts soul and heart in the music. I've a huge comfort zone with my composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

That's the only way good work can be done. I wish more filmmakers would learn to have fun on the job. The day you start taking yourself too serious is the beginning of the end.

Apparently Javed Saab refused to share lyrical credits with Niranjan Iyer?
Javed Saab is a father figure. And our rapport goes way beyond work. Niranjan has written the dialogues. Niranjan wrote two songs in My Name Is Khan. Javed Saab was gracious enough to offer to let Nirajan write the rest of the songs.

And when I insisted Javed Saab had to write one song that only he could he very kindly agreed. He's also written the lyrics of my production Wake Up, Sid.

You're very generous about other people's work?
I come from a space where I believe the only way to be brilliant is to acknowledge brilliance. Of course I suffer from normal human failings like jealousy, insecurity and anxiety. But that doesn't stop me from acknowledging other people's good work. Of course you feel great sometimes when someone fails.

How was it directing Shah Rukh and Kajol again?
I am blessed to have them in my film. I don't know what it's about them. It's just magic. They build an inexplicable energy on screen. They instinctively understand each other's acting. When I direct a scene with Shah Rukh and Kajol I know I'm doing my best work. These two characters in My Name Is Khan HAD to be SRK and Kajol

You almost didn't get Kajol?
She had to read the script. That was it. She said yes. I wouldn't want any actor to say yes to my film just because he or she is a friend. I want my actors to really do the role.I've great friendships. But I don't want any actor to compromise on his or her basic tenets on cinema.

Was Kajol weighed down on location by her motherly duties?
Not at all. I've worked with Kajol in various stages of her life. I'm working her again eight years later. When we worked the last time she didn't have a daughter. So of course she's a different person.

Today I find her calmer more focused on her work than ever before. Of course she has a really cute daughter to look after. But Kajol manages to be fantastic wife-mother and actress. I find Shah Rukh and Kajol alike in their attitude to work and family.

They're both so much into their spouses and kids. When the shot is over they rush to their respective family. On location in LA between shots they spoke to each other about their respective families.

How was Shah Rukh?
Time and again I'm blown away by Shah Rukh. How can he think of so many things about his character when he has so much on his plate?

He has done monumental research on his autistic character. I was zapped by how much he knew on the subject.

And he brought all the knowledge on the sets without any strain. He had written reams of notes on how he wanted to interpret his character. And to him it was no big deal for him.

He's ready to direct a film any time. He will be outstanding at it. His understanding of human nature and emotions can never be matched by me.

Are you satisfied with what you've shot so far?
I can't be satisfied. I just need to get the job done. I'm just anxious to move on to the next schedule.
Source: Santabanta

SRK is ready to direct: Karan

After a tumultuous stint of shooting for what promises to be his most controversial film to date, Karan Johar lets
Karan Johar
Karan Johar More Pics
off steam.


You could make a film on the things that happened during your Los Angeles schedule of My Name Is Khan.
Tell me about it. Besides normal problems, there were unforeseen problems. Thank God for my fabulous technical team. Without them I could never make my film the way I want to. Yes, there was stress.

There were visa problems for some Muslim members of your cast?
Yes, there were problems. We had certain legal issues. We had to make some changes to accommodate the developments. They were sorted out. I believe in completely going by the law of every land. That's what we did in LA when troubles arose.

Was Aamir Bashir replaced by Jimmy Sheirgil after a great deal of deliberation and pain?
I wouldn't say it was painful. Yes, we did have to do some serious re-thinking. I spoke to my casting director Shanu Sharma for immediate release. I was very happy to have Jimmy Sheirgil on board. I had done his clothes for Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein. So I know him from his debut. It was unfortunate that things didn't work out with Aamir Bashir. Like Jimmy he was terrific in A Wednesday. I look forward to working with him some other time.

Were you pissed off with Bashir for going to press about the visa problem?
I don't blame anyone for the situation. I don't see why the issue had to be reported so prominently in the Indian media. It complicated things for me. If creating hurdles for a filmmaker on a difficult foreign location makes news, so be it. It constantly kept creating stress for me.

Was it a painful experience to shoot in LA?
In all my 11 years as a filmmaker I've never felt the experience to be so different. Content- wise My Name Is Khan is diametrically opposite to whatever I've done in the past. You know, on the very first day of shooting my cameraman Ravi Chandran looked at me and said, 'I don't think you've ever shot something like this.' This is the first time I'm directing a screenplay I haven't written myself. This gives me a level of detachment from the proceedings and yet a lot of attachment. It has released a whole plethora of unexplored emotions in my head. This time I'm being creative in a different way. And Shah Rukh plays a completely different human being I've never directed that person before. It took a few days for all of us to get into the groove. How this exploration of a new territory will turn out, no one knows.

My Name Is Khan has no lip-sync songs.
No, none. The songs are all in the background. Even Rakeysh Mehra's Rang De Basanti didn't have lip-sync songs. But did we ever feel any loss? In LA we had fans coming to us to ask if there was any track like Suraj hua madhyam in My Name Is Khan. Little did they know. Music is an integral but seamless part of My Name Is Khan, like Rang De Basanti. This time there's no It's the time to disco and Where's the party tonight. But there's guts, soul and heart in the music. I've a huge comfort zone with my composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. That's the only way good work can be done. I wish more filmmakers would learn to have fun on the job. The day you start taking yourself too seriously is the beginning of the end.

Apparently Javed Saab refused to share lyrical credits with Niranjan Iyer?
Javed Saab is a father figure. And our rapport goes way beyond work. Niranjan has written the dialogues. Niranjan wrote two songs in My Name Is Khan. Javed Saab was gracious enough to offer to let Nirajan write the rest of the songs. And when I insisted Javed Saab had to write one song that only he could he very kindly agreed. He's also written the lyrics of my production Wake Up, Sid.

You're very generous about other people's work?
I come from a space where I believe the only way to be brilliant is to acknowledge brilliance. Of course I suffer from normal human failings like jealousy, insecurity and anxiety. But that doesn't stop me from acknowledging other people's good work. Of course you feel great sometimes when someone fails.

How was it directing Shah Rukh and Kajol again?
I am blessed to have them in my film. I don't know what it's about them. It's just magic. They build an inexplicable energy on screen. They instinctively understand each other's acting. When I direct a scene with Shah Rukh and Kajol I know I'm doing my best work. These two characters in My Name Is Khan HAD to be SRK and Kajol.
You almost didn't get Kajol?
She had to read the script. That was it. She said yes. I wouldn't want any actor to say yes to my film just because he or she is a friend. I want my actors to really do the role. I've great friendships. But I don't want any actor to compromise on his or her basic tenets on cinema.

Was Kajol weighed down on location by her motherly duties?
Not at all. I've worked with Kajol in various stages of her life. I'm working her again eight years later. When we worked the last time she didn't have a daughter. So of course she's a different person. Today I find her calmer, more focused on her work than ever before. Of course she has a really cute daughter to look after. But Kajol manages to be fantastic wife-mother and actress. I find Shah Rukh and Kajol alike in their attitude to work and family. They're both so much into their spouses and kids. When the shot is over they rush to their respective family. On location in LA between shots they spoke to each other about their respective families.

How was Shah Rukh?
Time and again I'm blown away by Shah Rukh. How can he think of so many things about his character when he has so much on his plate? He has done monumental research on his autistic character. I was zapped by how much he knew on the subject. And he brought all the knowledge on the sets without any strain. He had written reams of notes on how he wanted to interpret his character. And to him it was no big deal for him. He's ready to direct a film any time. He will be outstanding at it. His understanding of human nature and emotions can never be matched by me.

How was it shooting with Ravi Chandran for the first time?
I told him very frankly that I'm not technically savvy. I left it all to him. I've only contributed to the emotional energy of the film.

Are you satisfied with what you've shot so far?
I can't be satisfied. I just need to get the job done. I'm just anxious to move on to the next schedule.
Source: TOI

Friday, July 3, 2009

Eat your heart out

Imagine you're director Karan Johar. It's around dusk. You've got some free time before a long night shoot from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Healdsburg plaza. What are you gonna do?

Read the Press Democrat story about the Bollywood invasion of Wine Country.

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Wait, did this crackpot writer really just say the neighbors on Greens Drive seemed like they could care less about a Bollywood shoot?

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Surely, there's something else worth reading around here….

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Now imagine you're madly in love with the film's star - Shahrukh Khan. How long would you wait for a photo with the one and only King Khan?

Here's a keeper sent to me by Ridhi Goswami who waited with her friends all day for this shot.

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p.s. thanks to PD photographer Crista Jeremiason (working overtime) for the Johar pics…check out her photo gallery here….


Thursday, July 2, 2009

Intruders on SRK's MNIK sets

It must be nothing new for Shahrukh Khan to have intruders on his sets while shooting. But, this one visit he had while shooting for MY NAME IS KHAN in San Francisco was unique! 

Shahrukh Khan is presently shooting in San Francisco. The city of Golden Gate, Heritage homes & Cable cars. These unique aspects make SF a popular tourist destination. Seeing people from across the world roaming about in the city is an every day sight.. 

But what happened a few days ago in San Francisco, was something unimaginable. San Francisco was witness to two most unique looking tourists - ever.

The people in the city noticed two green colour, flubber-like characters roaming around the city streets. Some people were amused, some excited and some awestruck. But surprisingly, some people ventured to click snaps with them because they found them to be very cute & cuddly. But what was clear was that they were in SF searching for someone. 

Finally, after a long search across the city, these characters found what they were looking for. Straightaway, they barged into a Bollywood shoot location and reached up to a vanity van, which had a signage saying 'Rizvan'. 

The two characters named Chouw and Mouw just barged into SRK's van and when they were stopped by the security, they started screaming for Shahrukh. It was all quite a commotion till SRK stepped out of the van and surprised the entire unit by identifying them as his friends from India.

That's not all, Chouw & Mouw also got him a gift, which was confiscated by the security guys thinking it was some suspicious object. As soon as SRK opened the gift box, guess what he saw - a switch. And, SRK, obviously had to hit it. That was it. Something blew out of the box over Golden Gate Bridge and reached the sky! It was the green lava-like brand new logo of Videocon! 

Speaking on the occasion, Shahrukh said, ''I am delighted to receive such a wonderful gift from my friends Chouw and Mouw in the form of NEW VIDEOCON LOGO. My best wishes to Chouw and Mouw!'' 

''As an actor in popular cinema, I continuously improve and reinvent myself to stay totally connected with my audience. I am extremely delighted to be associated with Videocon, a thinking company that is taking this next step forward to underline and further strengthen its enviable relationship with a vast and continuously expanding fan-following,'' he added.


Chouw and Mouw spent a few days in San Francisco with SRK. Shahrukh took special care of Chouw and Mouw and introduced them to the entire crew on the sets of the movie MY NAME IS KHAN. Infact, Chouw and Mouw had free access to the entire set. The entire crew took an instant liking for Chouw and Mouw for their lovable and gregarious nature. Chouw and Mouw were seen mingling with everyone and helping out in the various tasks on the sets of the movie. 

Chouw & Mouw are the central characters of a new ad campaign, depicting the positive dimension of change when they come together. They are shown in different situations transforming life's of others. Chouw is the bigger, giant looking character but at heart he is kind and empathetic. But Mouw, who is tiny and small, is a clever and street smart. When they come together they create magic, bringing about change and delight in everyone's life. 

SRK concluded ''I am confident, my best friends Chouw and Mouw will be loved by all and they are sure to capture millions of hearts and create smiles across the world''


Source: Glamsham