Sunday, February 19, 2006

SRK flickers to swamp Kenya

People of the West African nation of Kenya are all set to savour the histrionic skills of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan when a retrospective of his films will be screened here from next week.

The retrospective, being held under the aegis of the Indian High Commission here will feature the actor's 12 critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.

Deewana, Darr, Baazigar, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dil Se, Yes Boss, Pardes, Dil To Pagal Hai and Mohabbatein are among the major attractions in the retrospective.

A spokesperson for the Indian High Commission said India was the largest producer of films in the world, churning out nearly 1000 films in more than a dozen languages.

I`d never do film without SRK


Karan Johar, master of mushy romances and one of the most successful directors in Bollywood, says he is now trying to gather the courage to make films in other genres as well.

Karan, 33, already has more than a half dozen hits to his credit and is set to release his next, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, about marriage and other relationships.

"I make films I believe in. Today my strength is emotional drama. I know I lack courage to do a variety of films but I am getting better," Karan said in an interview.

"I am dealing with topics that I might have not thought of earlier." He started in the movie industry when he was 23, producing major hits that starred the biggest names in the industry, including Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.

"I don't run down people who make so-called 'intellectual' films'... but I also know that I am not capable of making these kinds of films. So I choose not to even attempt them," he said.

"If that makes me limited, then maybe I am ... I've never claimed to be an all-round filmmaker." All of his films have featured Shah Rukh Khan. The two are close friends as well, and Karan said he couldn't imagine doing a film without SRK. "I would never want to go on a film set, where he's not there. Right now, I can't think about it and I hope I don't have to. He's a part of me and he gives me a lot of strength, emotionally and professionally."

Shah Rukh set to woo Kenya

People of the west African nation of Kenya are all set to savour the histrionic skills of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan when a retrospective of his films will be held here from next week.

The retrospective, being held under the aegis of the Indian High Commission in Kenya, will feature the actor's 12 critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.

Deewana, Darr, Baazigar, Dil to Pagal Hai, Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dil Se, Yes Boss, Pardes, Dil to Pagal Hai and Mohabbatein are among the major attractions in the retrospective.


A spokesperson for the Indian High Commission said India was the largest producer of films in the world, churning out nearly 1000 films in more than a dozen languages.

"The entertainment sector of India directly and indirectly employs over seven million people and earns foreign exchange worth $1.6 billion per year. More than 43 million Indians go to see films every day on an average," he said.

"The retrospective is expected to further promote friendship between the peoples of India and Kenya," he said.

Shah Rukh says yes to Ramu

Shah Rukh Khan and Ram Gopal Varma will finally come together for a film. And it's definitely not going to be Ram Gopal Varma Ka Sholay.

The filmmaker met Shah Rukh Khan recently on the sets of Karan Johar's film to discuss the project. Varma, who was reluctant to divulge any details, revealed, "We are planning to do a film together, but it is not going to be Sholay."

Varma and Shah Rukh Khan have in fact, been talking to each other about doing a film together for a while now, but the two never really got down to doing so.

Incidentally, this is not the first time that Varma has thought of Shah Rukh for his film. The director wanted him to play Gabbar in his Sholay. And years ago, he also had SRK in mind for his film, Company.

When contacted, Shah Rukh told us, "Ramu and I have been wanting to work together for a long time. Now it's working out."

Shah Rukh, incidentally, is also acting in Shimit Amin's film. The latter has worked as Varma's assistant and has directed Ab Tak Chhappan for him.

Showcase INDIA!

Aishwarya Rai & Shahrukh Khan to showcase India.

Aishwarya Rai and Shahrukh Khan will invite the world to be a part of the 2010 commonwealth games at Delhi. Both Aishwarya and Shahrukh Khan would be part of an 11-minute musical extravaganza presented at the closing ceremony of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006 on March 26.

A presentation of the plan for the cultural show was made before chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday. The presentation will focus on highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Delhi and the entire country and what awaits delegates, participants and tourists at the 2010 Games in Delhi.

The Lyrics for the theme song has been penned by the eminent lyricist Gulzar and its music has been composed by the composer trio of Shankar, Ehsan and Loy. The theme song, “Dilli chalein, chalna hai, chal chal, chalna hai.” is in keeping with the theme for the 2010 Games, “new frontiers and new friendships.”

India would be organising the Commonwealth Games for the first time and Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan are surely among the faces of the modern resurgent India.

SRK to endorse talcum powder

Shahrukh Khan will soon be seen in a TV commercial for a talcum powder brand. Shahrukh has finished shooting for the commercial directed by Prahlad Kakkar.

Says Prahlad Kakkar, director of the ad film, “It’s a very middle-class product and it got Shah Rukh Khan in it. It’s a day in his life with talcum powder and how he feels cool and efficient with it.”

Shahrukh Khan was only recently seen in a Lux commercial bathing in a tub full of roses, surrounded by actresses from yesteryear and the present. Now he could be seen pampering himself with talcum powder.

The commercial shows Shahrukh Khan looking out for his heroine and chasing the bad guys. The actor is then seen to be caressing himself in the bathroom with talcum powder telling us how he feels cool and efficient with its use.

Shahrukh Khan has done the stunts himself in the commercial. The actor is back doing action sequences after a long layoff. His back ailment prevented him from performing his own stunts until recently but now Shahrukh seems to have perfectly recovered and is back in shape.

ICICI Bank's global brand ambassador

ICICI Bank Limited, India’s second largest Bank, today signed leading actor Shahrukh Khan as its global brand ambassador. Shahrukh Khan is a truly global Indian who embodies the Indian winning spirit.

The energy and innovation which Shahrukh Khan represents coupled with his popularity both in India and abroad make him the ideal choice for ICICI Bank, particularly as the Bank makes its global forays.

Speaking on this occasion at the Bank’s headquarters here, K.V. Kamath, Managing Director & CEO, ICICI Bank said, “We are proud to have Shahrukh Khan as our global brand ambassador. Having established our leadership in the retail business over the last five years, the bank is now poised to scale new heights in the global arena.”

Lalita D. Gupte, Joint Managing Director, ICICI Bank, said, “ICICI Bank is happy to be associated with Shahrukh Khan whose increasing global popularity brings synergy to our growing global presence.”

Within a short span of four years, ICICI Bank has established its presence in 12 countries including UK, Canada, US and the Middle East. Shahrukh Khan’s image and popularity with the Non Resident Indian (NRI) segment will further reinforce ICICI Bank’s global identity.