My first income was just fifty rupees: Shah Rukh Khan

All time hot item for news, Shah Rukh Khan, has recently started hitting news for his television appearance for Paanchvi Pass, too.

Starting his career with 1988 Doordarshan serial Fauji, Shah Rukh Khan has traversed a long to reach his status of King Khan. Here he has taken out few moments to have a bird’s eye view at his past life, his true colour and bit more…
http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=20654

Shah Rukh Khan versus Bollywood!

Shah Rukh Khan versus Bollywood!


No one can deny the fact that Shah Rukh Khan is the biggest global superstar in the Hindi film industry. As is well known, King Khan has taken up another TV quiz show (after Kaun Banega Crorepati), which will run during prime time on the country's number 1 channel, across March end, April and May. It is given that the show, 'Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain? ' will command record eyeballs for sure, especially during the initial episodes.

As is known, Shah Rukh Khan also owns a cricket team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkota Knight Riders, which will play Twenty20 competitions in which a record 59 matches will be played and telecast in April-May. Knowing the involvement of SRK and some of the other high profile members in IPL, it is naturally going to be a huge event that will command undivided attention of the cricket crazy nation.

So it is but obvious that both Shah Rukh's television show and the IPL cricket tournament will have an adverse effect on the films releasing during those times. And will take away the audience that might otherwise have bought tickets for entertainment purposes.

Well, on a serious note, its only the makers (who have cinematically inferior products) and media hyped stars who need to worry and will crib about these factors for the failure of their projects. There have been countless instances when audiences have thronged to the theatres despite the most hyped events. But then on many of those occasions, King Khan was on the right side of the fence for Bollywood!

Rani, Bipasha to do Shah Rukh's IPL music video

Rani, Bipasha to do Shah Rukh's IPL music video



Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has roped in Rani Mukherjee and Bipasha Basu to participate in his music video for his Kolkata Knight Riders.

Shah Rukh had bought the Kolkata franchise of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for $85 million last month. The Twenty20 competition of the IPL begins April 18.

Preity Zinta who owns the Mohali franchise of the IPL has apparently no intention of competing with Shah Rukh as far as star line up in the IPL music video is concerned.

A source close to Preity Zinta, who's currently in London, set aside the rumours that she intends to get Sunny and Bobby Deol and their dad Dharmendra to do a music video for the Mohali team.

"The playing field when the matches start in April will be filled with star-cricketers. That takes care of the glam-element," said the source.

"As for the music video we feel it should represent the earthy feel of Punjab and Chandigarh. Hence the robust song that Preity and Ness have recorded for their team, as opposed to the poetic lyrical mood of Kolkata and Shah Rukh's team.

"We feel we can't capture the flamboyant and vigorous flavour if we bring film stars into the video. Preity wants the video to be very Punjabi. That's why she got Daler Mehndi to sing their theme song," the source said.

Shah Rukh Khan and Vijay Mallya on the other hand seem to believe star-line up to be the best way to attract big crowds to their cricket matches.

Shah Rukh Khan to celebrate Holi with friends

Shah Rukh Khan to celebrate Holi with friends


Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will celebrate Holi with family and friends at his bungalow on Saturday.

The King Khan himself is holidaying in Europe with his kids. He would fly back just in time for the Holi festivities. But he has reportedly been supervising the preparations for a Holi bash at his Mannat bungalow.

It would be a lavish party with colours, music, drinks, and food ordered from a nearby five-star hotel. On the guest list are the usual suspects like Karan Johar , Farah Khan and her hubby Shirish Kunder , Juhi Chawla and her hubby Jai Mehta, Arjun Rampal and wife Mehr Jessia, and Chunky Pandey and his wife.

Reports go on to say that invites have also been sent to Aamir Khan , Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan . However, we can’t confirm this.

While Mann

Hrithik can't thank Shah Rukh enough

Shah Rukh Khan went out of his way to accommodate Rakesh Roshan and his banner by shooting an item song for their production Krazzzy 4. And Hrithik Roshan cannot thank him enough READ MORE

Khan vs Khan at Filmfare Awards

Khan vs Khan at Filmfare Awards




Welcome to the 53rd Fair One Filmfare Awards. They are being brought into your living room tonight courtesy Sony Entertainment Television, 8 pm, Black Lady, red carpet and all.

With Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan playing masters of ceremony and chief pranksters, the lovely Vidya Balan a valiant foil to their masti. It’s a Khan vs Khan show as SRK matches wit and audacity with rockstar Saif in gags that will have you cracking up with their bawdy irreverence to Bollywood.

What didn’t the Bollywood Badshah and Chhote Nawab do! They ran a spoof on debutant award winner Ranbir Kapoor’s towel dropping act from Saawariya , holding onto their own towels, thankfully. And another one saw them, well, rip co-host Vidya Balan of the bizarre costumes she wore in Heyy Babby. Celina Jaitley, they did not spare for her makeup. In this delightful manner, the duo kept the show alive, fresh and moving, making sure even their hapless victims seated below enjoyed a chuckle at their own expense.

The event, held at the Yash Raj Studios on February 23, was as fine a tribute to the world of Hindi cinema as it was a platform for the industry’s talented top stars to show what high energy they are capable of when unleashed outside of a camera. In the audience, there were black tie and velvet gown moments of suspense before the award envelopes were opened.

On stage, there was dhoom and dhamaka provided by Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Vivek Oberoi and Neil Nitin Mukesh.And then there was drama, too, as in when Rishi Kapoor accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award from his first co-star, Dimple Kapadia, and shared the honour with wife Neetu Singh.

In the midst of their tears and laughter, Rishi was overheard calling up his mother Krishna Kapoor who could not make it to the function. Tonight’s telecast of the 53rd Fair One Filmfare Awards is for Mrs Kapoor and others like her who could not be at Yash Raj to witness the spectacular show unfold live on stage.

Take your seat at 8 pm and watch the stars as they accept their awards.

Hrithik can’t thank Shah Rukh enough

Hrithik can’t thank Shah Rukh enough




Shah Rukh Khan went out of his way to accommodate the Roshans by shooting an item song for their production Krazzy 4, and Hrithik can’t thank the busy Khan enough. “I’m doing the song for my own home production. But Shah Rukh has gone out of his way to accommodate the project because he respects dad. His gesture has touched all of us. It’s very kind of him. He didn’t need to dance.”

Hrithik can’t stop raving about the item song. “It’s the best dance track I’ve ever performed. My uncle Rajesh Roshan has outdone himself. And Vishal Dadlani who has sung the number has also been extremely gracious. He didn’t accept the cheque that my dad gave him after the song. He did it for my dad and uncle. As a family, we Roshans are overwhelmed by the respect that has been shown by everyone associated with the item song.”

Tell him it’s because of the respect his dad’s banner commands, and Hrithik corrects. “No, I think it’s more to do with the kind of person my father is. If he wasn’t the person he is, Shah Rukh, Vishal and everyone else wouldn’t have gone out of their way to accommodate us, no matter how successful we may be. I think my dad has earned the respect he gets. He doesn’t command it.” Hrithik further informs, “Shah Rukh’s version of the song will be part of the main movie, while mine will be used in the end titles, also on MTV, Channel V and other promotional campaigns for television.”

With Jodhaa Akbar behind him, Hrithik is now looking forward to starting his next film with Anurag Basu. “That’s one film I’m really looking forward to. I’m a big fan of Anurag’s cinema. I think he’s a very sensitive director. He’s really going to be doing something different with me. I can’t say much about the subject. But it will be a different experience for me, though something right up his alley.” The industry was abuzz about Sonam Kapoor being Hrithik’s leading lady in Anurag’s film. “Both Dad and I think Sonam is wonderful. But she was never considered for Anurag’s film. The role requires someone from abroad. So yeah, I’ll have an international costar in Anurag’s film.”

Hrithik and Aishwarya Rai looked pretty international in Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa Akbar. “I can’t dispute that. It’s so true. Ash and I share a fabulous rapport. It’s always fun to work with a costar who isn’t selfish. We both gave so much of ourselves to Jodhaa Akbar. Aishwarya has been one of my most helpful costars. I really cherish working with her. She an incredible actor and an even better costar. And since all three of us — Abhishek, Aishwarya and I — are friends, we’ have great fun even when not shooting.”

Hrithik craves for the perfect chemistry with his costars. “I don’t think it’s possible for me to give my best if my costar isn’t doing the same. I try to surround myself with like-minded people. And I think I’ve found the right people operating at my frequency to work it, be it Ashutosh Gowarikar, Sanjay Gadhvi, Aditya Chopra or my dad. I’m fortunate, I guess.”

We need to make money from Cricket: Shah Rukh Khan

We need to make money from Cricket: Shah Rukh Khan


Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan , who owns the Kolkata team of the Indian Premier League (IPL), says he opted for cricket because it was commercially viable for him and not because he favoured the popular sport over other disciplines.

"Commerce and business are very important in today's world. Cricket is commercially viable and we need to make money from this sport," SRK said in Pune on Thursday.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President and MP Suresh Kalmadi appealed to the superstar to share his celebrity status with other sports also.

"I am very happy with Chak De India and the work you did for hockey. But I'm disappointed you went back to cricket. I want you to be made the ambassador of the Commonwealth Games and Olympic sports in India," said Kalmadi at the inauguration of the Abhijit Kadam Memorial Football Cup.

"There are around 10 nations playing cricket at the moment and over 200 countries competing in Olympic sports. Cricket has many fathers and I would love to have you as the brand ambassador for the Commonwealth Games," he added.

However, the comments did not go well with the King Khan, who took a jibe at the IOA President.

"Please don't feel bad that I am backing only one sport. Sports should be part of our second nature and I am a sportsperson by heart."

"I have played hockey and a bit of cricket. I have something to clarify to Kalmadi also ... Please don't feel bad that I am backing the cricket team. I need to make money from this sport and then move to other sports," added SRK.

SRK said he believed that the next step for sports- loving persons like him was to take the money he earns from IPL to other sports.

"(My) next step would be to take it (money earned in IPL) to hockey, football, kho kho, also kabaddi and gulli danda," he remarked.

SRK said one should not look down upon any sport and added he wanted to see the football team playing in the World Cup.

"We should not look down upon any sport. We need to use this sport (cricket) to uplift other sports."

Only he can ‘beat it’!

Only he can ‘beat it’!
There’s no Dard, only Disco for SRK! The crazy hysteria surrounding his six-pack abs and Om Shanti Om have only just subdued, that the Khan has plunged into some ‘krazzy’ stuff all over again. SRK will be seen in an ‘item number’ in Rakesh Roshan’s Krazzy 4 .

“Hrithik was to do the song, but due to his knee injury, we were in a dilemma of sorts. I approached Shah Rukh and he very kindly agreed to bail us out,” explains Rakesh. “The song required energy, and that’s what Shah Rukh has in abundance.”

Dancing to the tunes of Rajesh Roshan on an English song titled Break Free, rendered by Vishal, Shah Rukh it seems is set to impress as usual. Director Jaideep Sen tells us, “Shah Rukh plays a superstar performing at an award function. The situation required a larger than life stage and a larger than life personality. Shah Rukh has taken it to another level altogether.” read more

Only he can ‘beat it’!

There’s no Dard, only Disco for SRK! The crazy hysteria surrounding his six-pack abs and Om Shanti Om have only just subdued, that the Khan has plunged into some ‘krazzy’ stuff all over again. SRK will be seen in an ‘item number’ in Rakesh Roshan’s Krazzy 4 .

“Hrithik was to do the song, but due to his knee injury, we were in a dilemma of sorts. I approached Shah Rukh and he very kindly agreed to bail us out,” explains Rakesh. “The song required energy, and that’s what Shah Rukh has in abundance.”

Dancing to the tunes of Rajesh Roshan on an English song titled Break Free, rendered by Vishal, Shah Rukh it seems is set to impress as usual. Director Jaideep Sen tells us, “Shah Rukh plays a superstar performing at an award function. The situation required a larger than life stage and a larger than life personality. Shah Rukh has taken it to another level altogether.”

Yeh hi hai right choice Shah Rukh!

Yeh hi hai right choice Shah Rukh!


He doesn’t understand the word defeat, therefore he always believes in giving his best. Now he has ventured into a different zone — cricket, a game he has always loved.

And yes, he isn’t perturbed or distracted by the cynics who are cribbing about his choice of game — cricket, over soccer and hockey.

“A lot of talks have been going around that I’ve entered this field because of the financial aspect. That’s rubbish. It’s my choice. I am as passionate about cricket as any other sport. And what’s the problem if I involve myself with cricket? All sports thrill me,” SRK was heard venting it out.

And why not? Life is all about the choices we make. Chak De! SRK. Cricket is certainly the flavour of the season.

Superstars might star together

Superstars might star together

Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan may just answer the prayers of millions of their fans. The superstars may feature together in a potboiler, which is a remake of the Tom Cruise starrer Jerry Maguire.

If sources are to be believed, the Khans cemented their plans at Amrita Arora’s birthday bash, held recently. The actors danced all night and even rambled about their filmy plans.

Interestingly, Salman’s younger brother Sohail Khan was seen pitching the project to a major film studio a few days back, and sources indicate that he has a ready, bound script of the Jerry Maguire remake.

Salman will essay the role of Cuba Gooding Junior (who won an Oscar for the Best Actor in a supporting role), and Sohail wants to cast Shah Rukh as the ambitious sports agent, originally played by Cruise.

Shah Rukh Khan: The Return of the London King

Shah Rukh Khan: The Return of the London King

“I don’t like America; I love London as I feel at home there,” Shah Rukh Khan gushed when I asked him why he visits the British capital so frequently. “People say English people are very cold and not friendly but I find them amazingly warm,” Khan added. His British fans will get a chance to meet the superstar yet again when he attends the Zee TV Carnival in London next week. Khan is excited about his return: “I love walking in London and meeting the people.”

“To me London is the hub of the world and anyone doing well there is a top notch achiever to me,” Khan stated. “I am not talking about Mr Mittal or Monty Panesar but about every Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan who is there. I love the fact that another country like England has opened its arms and invited us with so much love.” Is he planning on moving to his beloved city? There are rumours that he has bought a house in the trendy Primrose Hill suburb. “We are not allowed to buy a house in London but I am planning to open an office there to start making films with English technicians,” Khan revealed.

The King Khan remains in the news. After dominating the big screen for over a decade, Khan has decided to further conquer the small screen. After hosting the Indian version of Who wants to be a Millionaire, he has just signed up to a new TV show. Khan will host the Indian version of the US reality show Are you smarter than a 5th grader, in which adult contestants will be grilled on subjects by bright kids.

The Big B: out in the cold

“Shoebite is a working title, the story of which is unique and challenging,” Amitabh Bachchan states. The mega god of Bollywood is currently shooting the film in the wintry hill station of Shimla. Bachchan and his co-star Sarika play an ageing married couple who go to the resort to rekindle their relationship. How is the Big B coping with the freezing temperatures? Director Shoojit Sircar states: “We’re frozen to our bones but Amitji rehearses rigorously in the freezing temperatures.” Local fans are excited about the superstar’s presence in the area but some accused his security this week of manhandling eager autograph hunters and photographers.

Bachchan’s first English language film The Last Lear looks set for a 2008 release. Is he excited? “Yes, the first English language film and Shakespeare to top it. It is heavy stuff!” he exclaimed. His upcoming Hollywood project, Mira Nair’s Shantaram, with Johnny Depp appears to be on hold. “It has had to be postponed due to the writer’s strike in Hollywood,” the busy B sighed.

Peaceful protest

The wait is almost over! The anticipated and much delayed film Jodhaa Akbar is set for a Valentines Day release. The historical romance features the kissing couple Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai as the lovers of the films’ title. The unseen film has angered the self appointed moral police: a Rajput organisation this week organised a Gandhi style non-violent protest against the screening of the film claiming that it distorts history. Maybe they should see the three and a half hour epic first?

No kissing please!

“I just cannot kiss and I do not mind losing out on roles,” Ayesha Takia declares. The top heavy actress, last seen in the recent Sunday, refuses to smooch or wear revealing clothes on screen as she has “a family and boyfriend”. It remains to be seen whether this coy stance will last as Takia’s films have consistently crashed at the box-office.

Are they worth it?

The battle of the beauty queens continues on the small screen. Two former Miss Worlds, Aishwarya Rai and Priyakana Chopra, are currently featuring in television ads for L’Oreal eyeliner and Sunsilk shampoo respectively. Whilst Chopra profoundly declares that “life can’t wait”, Mrs Bachchan is content as she is indeed “worth it”.

SRK to join the Mahatma in Paris

SRK to join the Mahatma in Paris



The renowned Grevin Museum prepares to unveil the actor’s wax replica this April — he’ll become the only other Indian besides Gandhi in the museum, reports Shilpa Jamkhandikar.

One wax statue at London’s Madam Tussauds isn’t enough for Shah Rukh Khan. The superstar is now set to be moulded in wax for the second time - this time at the famed Grevin Wax Museum in Paris this April.

What’s even more interesting is that King Khan will become the only living Indian to have his statue installed at this museum. The only other Indian whose statue graces Grevin’s is none other than Mahatma Gandhi. The Grevin Museum is a well known international museum of wax statues and boasts an impressive collection of wax figures, including Michael Jackson and Celine Dion.

Shah Rukh has spent hours for the ‘sittings’ for the making of the statue during his frequent visits to London. “Shah Rukh is very popular in France, and the unveiling of the wax statue is scheduled to be a huge event in Paris. Shah Rukh, of course, has already promised that he would be present for it,” said a source.

In fact, compared to the replica at Madame Tussaud’s, this one is supposed to have more of a likeness to the star and Shah Rukh himself is said to be impressed with the handiwork of the artisans. Shah Rukh is expected to unveil the statue at a grand function which may also be attended by a few of his close Bollywood friends.

Well, it sure seems like France is as besotted with Shah Rukh as India is, what with the government there having just honoured him with the Insignia of Officer in the Order Arts and Letters and is extremely keen that he visit Paris to promote Indian cinema there. Good going!

NEWSMAKER: Shah Rukh Khan

NEWSMAKER: Shah Rukh Khan



King Khan can be back at the cricket crease — without any controversies — this time round. Last year, the Bollywood badshah made headlines when he hugged the Men in Blue under the full glare of TV cameras after India had won the ICC Twenty20 World Cup.

There were murmurs that he was doing it for some free publicity for his mega-budget movie Om Shanti Om. The superstar had vowed then that he would no longer watch a cricket match.

But Shah Rukh Khan need not be apologetic any longer to go to a cricket match. For, he has, what some say, paid an obscene sum to buy the Kolkata team franchisee rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) — promoted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). His co-promoters in the $75.09-million deal were his long-time friends — actor Juhi Chawla and filmmaker Jay Mehta.

The BCCI’s first shot with the Twenty20 format in India is an uncharted territory for Shah Rukh, who has been dabbling with a few roles in the Bollywood space — from being a theatre artist to TV actor, filmstar to producer, TV host, and now the owner of an IPL cricket team.

King Khan started his career with theatre and made his first broadcast appearance through a television soap Fauji, and later with Circus, both aired on Doordarshan.

While he is often rated as the best actor in the Indian film industry, his stint as a producer has been disappointing with just three hits of the seven films he has produced.

In 2000, he produced his first Hindi movie Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani with Juhi Chawla under their production banner Dreamz Unlimited.

The film bombed at the box office, followed by another flop Asoka, a big-budget period film based on the emperor, in 2001. The only hit Dreamz Unlimited delivered was in 2003, Chalte Chalte, which featured Rani Mukherjee opposite Khan.

Shah Rukh formed yet another film production house — Red Chillies Entertainment —and the film company churned Main Hoon Na in 2004, which was an instant hit. However, the two films that followed — Kaal and Paheli — in 2005 weren’t crowd pullers.

Two years later, King Khan struck gold by being the first Bollywood producer to have recovered and made profit even before the release of his film Om Shanti Om.

The film, with a budget of Rs 35 crore, starred Khan and newcomer Deepika Padukone, and was sold to Eros International for a whopping Rs 74 crore, according to industry sources.

This apart, Shah Rukh earned another Rs 10 crore approximately from the sale of music rights to T-Series. If that wasn’t enough, Om Shanti Om was the first film to have released its entire music album digitally across platforms for full song downloads (mobile, online and digital media including i-Tunes) across 23 countries.

SRK commands No. 1 position in Bollywood

SRK commands No. 1 position in Bollywood


IR Summary - A big question always hangs on Shah Rukh Khan’s head, whether his interest of watching cricket is linked to promoting his movie. It happened when Bollywood Superstar hugged the Indian Cricket Players under the glare of TV camera when they had won the Twenty20 World Cup under Dhoni’s captaincy.

Does this question still persist when he talks of cricket, perhaps not. SRK vowed that he would not watch nay cricket match, his vow proved otherwise.

SRK has so much love the cricket that he decided to play a big game of his prestige and status. He won the bid and bought the Kolkata team franchisee rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL) promoted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

It is believed that Juhi Chawla and filmmaker Jay Mehta, lent their close cooperation to achieve this goal.

The BCCI’s first shot with the Twenty20 format in India is an uncharted territory for Shah Rukh, who has been dabbling with a few roles in the Bollywood space — from being a theatre artist to TV actor, filmstar to producer, TV host, and now the owner of an IPL cricket team.

Shah Rukh started his career with theatre and made his first broadcast appearance through a television soap Fauji, and later with Circus, both aired on Doordarshan.

Today SRK is undoubedly the top bollywood star, irrespective of what Rajnikant told him. Abitabh Bachchan is no doubt the best star of his time, but now his popularity has declined from the young generation and shifted to SRK

I don't like being told what to do: Shah Rukh Khan

I don't like being told what to do: Shah Rukh Khan


Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has taken another dig at Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss for the latter's quit-smoking-on-screen appeal to him, saying he does not like anyone telling him what to do and what not to.

"I do not endorse smoking and I do not like anyone telling me personally what to do and what not to do," Khan said in an interview to NDTV news channel.

"You cannot tell me how to earn a packet, you cannot tell me what to eat and what to wear, what not to say to my wife, these are personal things. So, I guard that very jealously," he said.

Ramadoss had, earlier this week, said Khan should not have smoked in the stands while watching a cricket match in Mumbai and that he and Amitabh Bachchan can learn a thing or two from superstar Rajinikant regarding smoking on screen.

But Khan had this piece of advice for everyone. "I tell children all the time, please do not smoke because it is the worst. If I do not smoke, I would be a big movie star for many, many years to come or maybe I won't be because I smoke that is such a bad thing to do. Do not do it," he pleaded.

Khan (42) has earned the ire of anti-smoking groups on different occasions for lighting up in public in violation of a 2004 ban.

In October, the National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication slapped a legal notice on him asking him to explain his actions after he was spotted smoking at

Shah Rukh honoured by French government

Shah Rukh honoured by French government


Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was Sunday night conferred the prestigious "Insignia of Officer in the Order of Arts and Letters" by the French government.

"Entertainment is something where one cannot be selfish, as it is purely for others," the actor said after receiving the award.

He said he was in this field only to entertain the audience. He jokingly said he loves the manner in which romance is depicted in French movies.

The French ambassador to India, Jerome Bonnafont, conferred the title on Shah Rukh after the inauguration of the first 'Rendezvous with French Cinema' festival at Andheri, a northwestern suburb of Mumbai.

The film festival organised by the French Embassy along with Unifrance, an organisation that promotes French cinema worldwide, kicked off with the premiere of "Asterix at the Olympic Games".

The Order of Arts et Lettres created in 1957 is one of the four Ministerial Honours of the French Republic. It was established to reward artists who have contributed to promote the field of arts and literature.

Some well-known recipients of the award are Arundhati Roy, David Bowie, George Clooney, Tony Curtis, Celine Dion, Leonardo Di Caprio, Bob Dylan, Clint Eastwood, Jude Law and Bruce Willis.

The late evening function was attended by film personalities from both countries. Jerome Seydoux, chairman of Pathe, the biggest and oldest film studio in the

Shah Rukh earns more from ads than movies

Shah Rukh earns more from ads than movies


Shah Rukh Khan, the Badshah of Bollywood, is an even bigger king of the advertising world, according to his tax figures.

The superstar has paid an advance tax of Rs.270 million ($6.8 million) on his estimated income during the current financial year of 2007-08, but a major share of it has gone into paying for his income from endorsing a slew of products and other sources.

Sources in the advertising agency for which the superstar has worked reveal that his income from endorsements fetches him Rs.1.5 billion ($38 million) a year, the highest for any Indian advertising "model".

In comparison, though Amitabh Bachchan endorses more products than Khan, earnings from his annual endorsements do not cross Rs.1.2 billion.

Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, two other Bollywood stars who source a good part of their incomes from endorsements, earn a little less than Rs.1 billion each from advertising assignments annually. The rest of the Bollywood "models" are all in the Rs.50- million income bracket.

Industry observers believe that apart from the top chair he occupies in Bollywood, Shah Rukh is going to maintain his prominent position in the advertising world as well for some more years as there is no one yet who can rival his charisma.

In the current fiscal, his earnings from this source may go a little above Rs.1.5 billion as he has been made brand ambassador of more products - and more are waiting, the sources added. King Khan's earnings from endorsements stand at a notch much above the emoluments that he gets for starring in movies, which, according to his own admission, never goes beyond Rs.50-60 million per assignment.

A big chunk of his income from outside Bollywood in the current fiscal also came from hosting STAR Plus' Kaun Banega Crorepati quiz series for which he received Rs.10 million per episode.

Additionally, he also made a quick profit of Rs.400 million across the table by selling the world distribution rights of his home production Om Shanti Om to Eros International for Rs.750 million as against the production cost of Rs.350 million.

The profit that he earned from the deal was apart from the remuneration of Rs.50 million that he gave to himself for leading the cast in the movie. Barring this, the actual figure of his earnings from starring in movies was only Rs.200 million, as he featured in four movies last year. Considering his current star-price, his income from movies in the current fiscal may not go beyond Rs.300 million, which is way below his average earnings from endorsements.

If Shah Rukh earns less from movies, it is because he is seen as the least greedy among the Bollywood stars. Any producer would vouch for it. While other stars generally hike their prices after each successful movie, Shah Rukh never increases his price as others do without thinking. Even after Om Shanti Om became a super-hit, he has decided against hiking his price.

"Shah Rukh chooses his movies carefully. First, the subject matter must appeal to him and, if it does, his opting to star in the movie would largely depend on the credibility and antecedents of the producer and the director," said an executive of the star's production banner, Red Chillies Production.

"But once he has agreed to a movie, he would devote himself to it wholeheartedly and ensure that the producer never faces any problem in successfully completing it," the executive, not wishing to be named, told IANS.

It is therefore no wonder that Shah Rukh has been seen to be working only for certain known banners in the last decade. It may even be said if any lesser-known production house rather than Yash Raj Films had approached him for a film like Chak De! India, he would have perhaps refused it.

"I have not seen him throwing star tantrums ever, like nitpicking on small things as most stars do. He comes to the sets and gets involved in shooting right away. As a matter of fact, on the sets, he never behaves like a star," said a production controller, the professional who on behalf of the producer takes care of the needs of the stars during shoots.

In contrast, Shah Rukh behaves like a 'star' when he shoots for TV commercials. There he refuses to compromise on anything, particularly on his price.

Says he: "Why should I compromise? TV commercials are what they are - commercials. "The companies that manufacture the brands pay the advertising agencies to make the commercials and the companies do so in order to boost their sales. The agencies, on their part, use me as a prop to meet the demands of the companies. So there! If you use me as a prop to climb up, pay me. Unlike my price for movies, I have no fixed price for my appearance in commercials."

But don't the producers sign him up essentially to boost box-office performance of their movies? The superstar counters this question, saying he is beholden to Bollywood because it made him the superstar that he is today. He says his charging less for movie appearances is his little gesture of gratitude towards the industry.

"Had the industry not put me in a position where I am today, would the companies have chosen me to be their brand ambassadors?" he asks.

Is King Khan, then, robbing Peter to pay Paul? As one advertising agency executive put it: "He is, but he has made his 'larceny' seem like a social service."

Shah Rukh and Hrithik - B-town's new item boys

Shah Rukh and Hrithik - B-town's new item boys



Indiafm

In a unique experiment which is certainly one of it's kind, two top actors would be dancing to the tunes of the same song, though presented in different versions. The film in question is Krazzy 4 and the men who would be shaking their legs are Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan.



Confirms Vishal Dadlani (of Vishal-Shekhar fame), who is fast becoming one of the preferred singers in Bollywood, "The track has been composed in two versions with one each reserved for Shah Rukh and Hrithik. I have sung both the versions."



While one version of the song would be appearing within the film, another would appear as a part of end credits roll. Adds Vishal, "The song is a mix of hip-hop and rock and should do really well with the younger generation." Talking about how the song fell in his lap, Vishal reveals, "I am a big fan of Rajesh Roshan brand of music. How can one ever forget that he is the man behind Dil Kya Kare Jab Kisi Se Kisi Ko Pyaar Ho Jaaye from Julie? The song stays on to be one of my all time favorites. This is why when Rakesh Roshan gave me a call and said that he wanted me to sing for a Rajesh Roshan composition, I was game for it." For Shah Rukh Khan, this would be his yet another item song special appearance in recent times after Mast Kalandar (Heyy Babyy) and Kaal Dhamaal (Kaal). He also had a few 'blink and you would miss' shots reserved for him in Arjun Rampal's I See You where he held the guitar for the song 'Subah Subah'. On the other hand, for Hrithik, this would be his first ever experience as an item boy, though just like Shah Rukh Khan, he too had made a fleeting appearance in Subah Subah.



Directed by debutant, Jaideep Sen, Krazzy 4 is a comedy which revolves around four crazy men Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan, Rajpal Yadav and Suresh Menon. Juhi Chawla is the doctor in charge for treating them all. Apart from Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan in guest appearances, the film also stars Dia Mirza, Rajat Kapoor, Zakir Hussain, Sunil Pal, Makrand Deshpande and Mukesh Rishi. Incidentally, Rakhi Sawant also makes a special appearance in the movie for an item song.