S Shankar director of sivaji signs Shah Rukh Khan

After the success of Sivaji, director S Shankar work with Shah Rukh Khan.

Shankar and SRK will work together for an action thriller. Though the actor has yet to sign on the dotted line, the duo has discussed the script and other details of the film.

SRK has agreed to begin shooting for Shankar's film only after as he completes untitled Shirish Kunder's film.

Interestingly, Shankar had considered Hrithik Roshan for the project. It is learnt that Hrithik has opted out because he would commence shooting for Krissh 2.

Shankar has won tremendous accolades for his recent release, Sivaji, prompting the makers to dub the film in Hindi and other foreign languages. A popular director from Tamil Nadu, Shankar has made many commercial Tamil movies based on social themes.

SRK is such a Hot property!

Distribution rights for Shah Rukh Khan’s films are selling hotter like hot cakes The bid for the distribution rights of his home production, Om Shanti Om, directed by Farah Khan, has touched Rs 55 crore, an unprecedented amount in B-Town.

And this one is a triangular contest between Studio18, Sony and Adlabs, who are doing their best to top this amount.These corporate bodies have approached Shah Rukh for all rights to OSO, including India and overseas distribution along with satellite, audio and home video rights for 10 years.

The amount they are offering him is higher than what Nikhil Advani’s Salaam-E-Ishq was paid last year. That was a first of its kind deal at Rs 42 crore. The bid has apparently already touched Rs 55 crore. So even if OSO has been made on a budget of Rs 15 crore, Shah Rukh will make a cool profit of Rs 40 crore. It will be interesting to see whether SRK will choose price over credibility or vice versa.

So why is OSO such hot property? Other than Yash Raj (Chopras) and Dharma (Karan Johar), no other production houses has the power or the moolah to sign Shah Rukh Khan, which is why he rarely works with other banners.

But when a corporate entity that can’t sign Shah Rukh gets a readymade SRK film with everything in place, it’s like a dream come true. Hence they’re more than willing to cough up such extravagant amounts. A Shah Rukh Khan film gives them terrific branding and also makes their stock soar.”

I want everyone to win from KBC: Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan , the new superstar host of quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), says his prime concern is not so much TV ratings but to keep contestants happy.

SRK, who faced a lot of skepticism after taking over from mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan as the host of KBC, also says he knows from the audience reaction that he is doing a good job.

"I want everyone to win from here. Apart from being a superstar here, I feel they should win some money and they should feel proud of their achievements," Shah Rukh said in an interview about the show on STAR Plus.

"They are hungry, as some of them have tried for years to make it here. I would like them to go back with the feeling that having the hunger for knowledge and success has its benefits when you come to KBC.

"I should go out of here thinking - life well spent because I got to meet so may people and I am very emotional about that part. I have been tough all my life, but yes, I am a softie when it comes to KBC."

SRK refused to comment on the ratings of KBC saying he didn't understand the business aspect of either his films or his television show.

"To be really honest I am not from this business. As close as TV business is to my film business, genuinely, for the past 17 years, I have never looked at the collections of my films. These are things that are not in my control and I don't think I have a right to comment on them because I am not a trade analyst.

"I wouldn't like to talk about television because I have even less knowledge about it. I've been told that the TRPs are awful, I've been told that the TRPs are picking up, I've been told that they are steady now and I've even been told that we are the leading show on television right now."

The King Khan said the numbers can get bad again, but he, producer Siddharth Basu and Sameer Nair, who conceptualized KBC, were making sure that the entertainment aspect of the show remained intact.

"We'll see through making sure that we don't slip on the entertainment aspect. I have a great time, which I think is quite apparent in the way I conduct the show."

SRK also added that he didn't have to look at the figures to understand the performance on his show.

"I can feel it for I have worked long enough in the business of entertainment to know when something works. I can see it on the faces of 500 people who come here, I can see it on the faces of the contestants and I can even see it on the faces of the people who are watching television at home."

But, SRK added, screaming headlines made it difficult to ignore anything about KBC.

"It's difficult not knowing the numbers because all the news channels are showing it. The whole day and night they are telling you about it. KBC was even in the newspapers and their headlines, which is amazing because if it makes it to the headlines, it means it is an important show."

He admitted that he didn't mind leading his contestants on when they were unsure of the answer.

"I believe in telepathy and I think it really works. There was a guy who I really liked and who was very intelligent. He was doing very well on the show and he came to a question where he thought it was not going to happen. I started thinking and I putting it to his mind that this is the answer. I wanted him to get the right answer."

Amitabh Bachchan way ahead of Shah Rukh Khan: Survey

A survey by an independent media agency says that mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan way ahead of Shah Rukh Khan as 'a choice of host' for Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Optimum Media Solutions (OMS), Mudra's independent media agency, conducted a study titled EAR (Estimation of Audience Response) by taking the 'Junta's Vote' on their perception of the much talked about third season of KBC.

Interestingly, the 'junta' has vouched for Bachchan in terms of 'a choice of host'. The study points out that "Big B is clearly way ahead of King Khan, across generations, cities, gender and SECs. Nothing, or no one, beats the on-screen presence and charisma of Amitabh Bachchan."

The highly anticipated show has raised multiple questions regarding King Khan's competency as a quizmaster with obvious comparisons to the Big B. In this respect, OMS has attempted to fore tell the fate of KBC and has outlined the core objective of the survey, to estimate the response level of the viewers towards watching KBC with SRK as its anchor.

With a sample size of 200 men and women in each city among SECs A, B and C and age bracket of 25 - 44 years, the study was conducted across the three metros of the Hindi viewership belt (Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata).

Even though the study suggests that among all categories of viewers Bachchan remains the original choice as a host for the show, a large section of the sample (71 per cent) are willing to give SRK a chance before writing him off. Coupled with 21 per cent who will definitely continue watching KBC , a very high 92 per cent of viewers polled are going to 'try' the first few episodes of KBC.

This poses a scary thought for Star Plus, which has thrown in big monies (an estimated Rs 130 crores solely on sponsorships) for the revamped KBC.

Expectedly, a major chunk of the SRK loyalists consist of females, Delhiites, and the up-market segment, which bodes well for the advertisers aiming at women and higher SECs. Although 20 per cent of viewers polled are likely to remain loyal viewers, there are still 50 per cent of viewers who are ready to flirt with other options. This can be seen generally as the fallout of initial skepticism about the change in host for a 'host-centric' program like KBC.

What clearly emerges from this study is that, though compared unfavourably vis-à-vis Bachchan by all audience groups, the new host is definitely worth a bet for advertisers for the first few episodes, when the audience will 'check-out' SRK on the 'Hot Seat'. Which is why this 'sampling' phase will be so crucial to the show.

It also appears to be a long-term win-win situation for advertisers targeting Women and the Up-market segment of the population.

Optimum Media Solutions president Chandradeep Mitra said, "Given that the day of reckoning for Star Plus is drawing nearer with the impending launch of KBC-3, advertisers and the media fraternity is waiting with bated breath for the final verdict of the Indian viewers. Will they accept the 'Badshah' as the successor to the 'Shahenshah' in the 'Hot Seat'? Will they still be as loyal as they had been in the previous seasons of KBC? Will it be another successful venture for the Star Plus and be viable enough to rake in the advertising 'moolah'? Will it redefine Indian television viewing yet again by its star-glitz? All these can only be speculated upon as of now, and for an improved prediction, one needs to go to the viewers to feel the initial pulse and receptivity of the Indian audience."

Source: Apunkachoice

Shah Rukh Khan wants to do it his own way

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan insists on doing his own thing as the host of the super-duper game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' than ape its illustrious former anchor mega superstar Amitabh Bachchan .

"With all humility, I will do it my way. Please allow me a chance to be me and respect me for that." This is what SRK had to say on being the chosen one to succeed Bachchan, while talking to the media in New Delhi.

Asked whether he would be able to match Bachchan in style and poise, rather "fit into his shoes," SRK said: "They are too big for me. I am too small for them."

But he was quick to add that it was the show's concept that made it so popular in as many as 106 countries. "Obviously, as time goes by, anchors change. I am not a permanent person, may be."

SRK said he will bring in his personality to the show but "maintain the beauty of Amitabh."

SRK, who has been signed on for two series or roughly 100 episodes for an undisclosed sum, is set to don the mantle of the quizmaster from January 2007.

"Shah Rukh is undoubtedly our reigning King of Indian cinema. His wit, charm, energy and style, coupled with the rock solid foundation of the show, will come together to give audiences an extraordinary TV viewing experience," Star Entertainment CEO Sameer Nair said.

Siddhartha Basu of Synergy Communication, the production house for the show, said SRK was "never the second choice to Bachchan but the next alternative."

Bachchan, for whom KBC served as the much-required catalyst to boost sagging professional fortunes in 2000, called it quits due to poor health and the TV network said it supported and respected his decision.

KBC will offer a mega prize money of Rs 2 crore to a contestant who answers 15 correct questions, and Star and Synergy said they add "some new things" to the format of the show in the new season with SRK.

Asked whether the re-entry into television would be at the cost of films, SRK said he was equally conscious to his career in cinema. "I do three films in a year and each film takes about 80-90 days. I still have a lot many days for this show," he said, adding: "I never went away from the small screen."

SRK said the "intelligence of the show" as well as its people-centric format were reasons that prompted him to take it up. "Through this, I can be interactive and will be able to meet people. I can come a lot closer to my audiences," he said, adding that he would make an effort to be a "loving friend" of the participants to make them comfortable.

SRK has had a sneak preview of KBC when he was invited as a guest on the show. Asked whether he would like to invite Bachchan to his show, he said: "I will go on bended knees to invite him."

Source: Apunkachoice

Facts you never knew about SRK

Shahrukh Khan celebrates his 41st birthday today. We decided to do something special. We will tell you facts about Shahrukh that everyone might not know. Here is a sneak peak into Shahrukh’s life.

2nd November 1965. In New Delhi's Talwar Nursing Home, to parents Mir Taj Muhammad and Lateef Fatima, was born a young boy. For the family, that lived in Rajinder Nagar, a middle class locality in the national capital, it was time to rejoice and celebrate the newly born.

When he was just four years of age, Shah Rukh happened to throw a rock at a neighborhood boy because of which the latter's teeth broke. Late at night that day, the child's father came to the house in an inebriated state while wielding a knife. Shah Rukh's father coolly opened the door and when this man threatened to kill his son for what he had done, he crosschecked with Shah Rukh as to whether or not he had committed the act of mischief. When the child confessed, the dad asked him to go out and explain himself to the man who was not only drunk but also armed. Shah Rukh had to go outside and apologize for his deed.

Shah Rukh had won the Raman Subramanyam Award in Class X (1982-83) for character, all round performance in studies, sports and extra curricular activities and the Sword of Honour in Class XII (1984-85) for the Best all round performance, loyalty, obedience, integrity and sportsmanship.

The college where he studied was Delhi University's Hans Raj College, and Shah Rukh did his Economics Honours from the institution between 1985-88. When Hans Raj celebrated its Golden Jubilee, the college gave away 17 shields to its alumni who had excelled in their lives and professions and Shah Rukh was one of them.

After graduating from Hans Raj, he went on to join Jamia Milia Islamia's Mass Communications Research Centre to do his masters in filmmaking and journalism.

Shah Rukh had a solid theatre background and had worked with an institution like Barry John in New Delhi.

Shah Rukh was, in fact uncomfortably possessive about his lady love (Gauri), whom he lovingly calls Gaurima. So much so that he would pick up a quarrel with her even if she let her hair down…literally. Finally, Gauri lost her cool and without informing Shah Rukh, came down to Bombay. Shah Rukh followed her to the huge city and kept looking for her around the beaches because of his awareness that she was attracted to them in a big way. Later, a cab guy advised him to go to Aksa Beach and Gorai Beach. After searching frantically, he managed to track her down when she was standing in the water! Isn’t that filmi?

One of the reasons why Shah Rukh bought Mannat, his palatial bungalow, was since he wanted to have an exclusive prayer room. Shah Rukh says that if he were broke, he will sell everything except Mannat

Both the children, Aryan (13th November 1997) and Suhana (23rd May 2000) have been taught to revere the co-existence of Ganpati and Allah in the Khan household. How wonderfully they are being brought up manifests itself in the story that when Shah Rukh was having a critical neck surgery, Aryan went to the temple and said an Islamic prayer so that his father could get well soon.

Shahrukh Khan is a Muslim but celebrates Diwali and Christmas along with Eid every year. He keeps a Lakshmi Pooja every year in his office and at home. He even has a Christmas tree at home. From all the festivals Shahrukh’s kids love Christmas the most.

Shahrukh Khan has the holy Quran Bismillah kept along with the idols of Indian Gods at his place. His kids pray to both the God’s simultaneously.

Shahrukh Khan can be managed best only by his wife as she understands him the most. She is the only person who can command Shahrukh to do things. Infact Shahrukhs’s daughter Suhana imitates Gauri Khan very well by saying in a strict voice, “Shahrukh, eat your food.”

Shahrukh never asks anything for himself from God. It is always his family and his close people he asks for. But whenever he wants to ask for himself, he never goes to a temple but goes to his parent’s grave. He believes that whatever he will ask there will be fulfilled and yes most of them have come true which makes Shahrukh’s belief all the more strong.

Shahrukh requires a lot of his own space for himself and his near and dear ones understand that. Whenever Shahrukh is angry, he needs to be left alone or you will only make him angrier.

Shahrukh loves watching movies in the darkness of his car. He loves watching movies alone and peacefully.

Shahrukh is a complete game freak. In fact he turns everyone around him into a gaming freak. The latest game that Shahrukh is playing is Smackdown versus Raw which is a wrestling game. Shahrukh can’t wait to get his hands on the new Play Station 3 as he is not an XBOX fan.

Shahrukh studied at St. Columbus School and he believes that it is the best school in the whole world not because he studied in it, but because he feels they are very disciplined.

Shahrukh still remembers his first fan who is a lady. She was his fan even before he became a film star or a famous televison star. She remembers him since his theater days. She shouted Shahrukh’s name on the middle of the road when she spotted him. Shahrukh still cannot forget that moment.

For Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Shah Rukh had taken a signing amount of Rs 5,000 and did the entire film for Rs. 25,000.

Shah Rukh had signed a movie called Jadoo co-starring Raveena Tandon, Anupam Kher & Navneet Nishan to be directed by Pavan Kaul. But Shah Rukh refused to kiss Navneet who was playing a vampish role. Shah Rukh had promised himself that he would never kiss any actress on-screen. And, he has stuck to this till today.

Calcutta has a unique Shah Rukh Khan club that was founded by a Khan admirer Arnab Roy on 13th December 1995 after the release of DDLJ. The club established its own SRK museum in January 2002 and its members were thrilled when Shah Rukh himself visited them on 7th August 20.

SRK says...

On Marriage
It’s nice to be married. You know you come back home from twenty thousand people who are screaming and shouting for you and than you come back to your wife… I think is a great leveler.

On Gauri
I was eighteen and she was fourteen when we met. What I liked about her was that I didn’t find it as difficult as I thought talking to a girl.

On Religion
Children should know about the value of God. Whether is a Hindu god or other Muslim god. So next to Ganeshji Laxmiji we have the Holy Kuran in our house.

On Parents
My Father was very sweet, soft spoken man.
He was the youngest freedom fighter for India actually. My mother was the opposite. She was outgoing and had a very attractive personality. She said I was like Dilip Kumar.

At Home
There are some unsaid rules. I will not make a phone call once I'm in the house. So you'll always see me making a phone call from the bathroom….. I close the door and then talk

On Mumbai
I think it's the greatest city in the world. It’s very important to my life and to me. I'll always be thankful that Mumbai has given me a family, and actually Mumbai has given me a life.

On Acting
For me, acting is very spiritual. It combines as sorts of soulful, religious and spiritual things that people do.

On time off
I don’t get excited going out but all my friends make fun that I keep saying that but I shop the most. I keep buying gadgets and stuff and I call them my “utterly useless shopping”.

On fans photographing
The only time I find people invasive is when I am eating. When I’m eating I don’t like people looking at me.

On time
I think time passes by very, very fast. I don’t ever have time to grow old. It’s so fast. I have this feeling that I am running a few days late in life.

Public persona
There has to be now a public face very clearly. And that public face is always smiling. And I’m tired. And I’m sometimes in a bad mood. But I cannot pass that onto people.

People think I am a gay: SRK

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who likes to sprinkle his sentences with 'InshaAllah' (god willing), says he likes to fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

"I make it a point to fast at least three to four times during Ramadan," told Shah Rukh, who was recently in the capital to promote his film "Don".

But his hectic schedule does not permit him to fast the entire month.

"Because of my hectic schedule, I cannot fast the entire month. I do a lot of travelling, so it is tough. Besides, of late I have been on medication, so I have not been fasting," added Shah Rukh.

In an another candid interview, Shahrukh Khan talked about the gossips he hears about him. In this episode of Bollywood quotes, lets hear what the King Khan has to say.

King Khan reveals : “People think that I’m a gay. Recently somebody asked me if I’m still in touch with my feminine side. They ask me why did I do the Lux ad and things like that. They are very sweet about it but I know where they are heading. I think there is a feminine side to me, as people like to assume.”

So what else gossips did SRK hear about him. Shahrukh Khan spoke of the “gossip that I love fair women. And that’s why I don’t cheat on my family at home. I go abroad and am seen with fair ladies. Then there was this about my house that I have no windows at home because I want to make sure that nobody sees me.”

Source: Behindwoods