Shahrukh Khan to Dawn: I will come to Pakistan

It may be recalled that SRK got into hot water with a right wing political party not so long ago because he’d suggested that Pakistani cricketers be allowed to play in the IPL. Thanks to King Khan’s sentiments, the party also disrupted the release of My Name Is Khan. Now the Badshah of Bollywood has given an interview to Pakistan’s premier newspaper Dawn where he’s said that he will visit our neighbour. He’s also advocated Pakistani artistes working in Bollywood

A true flag flier of Aman Ki Asha is our Khan. Here’s hoping that the right wing politicos don’t blow this up and disrupt the Don 2 release and instead take Khan’s comments in the spirit in which he meant them. Excerpts from the Dawn interview:

Keeping My Name is Khan and the relations between India and Pakistan in mind, do you think films need to absorb the socio-politics around us or influence them? What does good cinema do, in your opinion?

Art is always going to go beyond boundaries. Primarily, all a good film needs to do is entertain. Enjoyable cinema will always transcend boundaries and we are so similar as a people that we laugh at the same things and cry at the same things. But why restrict the Dawn question to India and Pakistan? I’m glad people liked Khan (My Name is Khan) all over the world for a very simple reason. I’m not claiming to know everything but I do know that as a Muslim it’s important for me to tell the world who we really are. It’s important for us to explain Islam to the world and it’s important for the world to know Islam and what it truly stands for. But that’s not the only reason I did the film. It was a good experience.

Indian films are now releasing in Pakistan so at least some boundaries are softening. What do you say about Pakistani artistes working in India?

We speak the same language. This exchange is very important because we have the same background and I hope it continues. Where films are concerned, it’s important to step out and explore new options. I have worked with a lot of singers from Pakistan and I’ve also worked with Akon for RA.One. I feel that new voices bring novelty as well as longevity.

You always had fans in Pakistan but your fanfare reached dizzy heights with MNIK. What are the odds that you’ll come to Pakistan?

One of these days, I will come to Pakistan. I will come to Pakistan when work takes me there.

Work, but not the love of the people?

I find work is an excuse for love. I find love in work.

And, since Cineswami loses no opportunity to coin a cheap pun, here goes:

‘Knock knock’

“Kaun Hai?”

“Dawn, dawn, er, don 2”.

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'Ra.One' drops in week 2, 'Rockstar' keenly awaited

Despite no potential competition ('Loot', 'Miley Na Miley Hum') in its second week, the business of 'Ra.One' wasn't anything to rave about. All eyes on 'Rockstar' now.

There weren't any big release lined up in the week following Ra.One release. Perhaps the industry might have perceived it to have a huge impact and thereby big releases kept away by a decent two weeks. Unfortunately Ra.One hasn't done any wonders despite having no potential competition in its second week.

Loot starring Govinda, Suniel Shetty, Javed Jaffrey and Mahakshay Chakravarthy looked like a dated project with bad performances, wrong sense of humour and poor direction. Clearly the film failed to excite much even in the small centers. Chirag Paswan's debut film had as much indifferent fate as his act in the film. Even Kangana Ranaut couldn't add any spark in Miley Naa Miley Hum which had a boring plotline and directionless narrative. Expectedly both the films met with disastrous fate at the box office. We aren't even talking about the B-grader Tension Door in which some Swaraj Singh tried to launch himself as an actor.

With practically no competition in its second week, the business of Ra.One slid down to a considerable extent. The mixed response in its first week didn't encourage more footfalls in the second week. The second weekend collection is around Rs 9 crores and the total nett. collection has reached around Rs 110 crores which isn't saying much for SRK's superhero. 

Now all eyes are on Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar starring Ranbir Kapoor in the title role. The film is being hugely promoted and is being keenly looked forward to. Ranbir's chemistry with Nargis Fakhri, AR Rahman's music and Imtiaz Ali's track record makes it a promising film. Again Rockstar comes as a solo Hindi release and is expected to open big.

Top 5 Films this Week

Film: Ra.One

Position: 1

Director: Anubhav Sinha

Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal

Upside: Good special effects, SRK's energetic act, ravishing Kareena Kapoor, well-choreographed action sequences 

Downside: Superhero enters pretty late in plot, cardboard villain, too long, average music, screenplay could have been more eventful, humour too vulgar for a family film

Running Week: 1

Trade Comments: Despite no potential competition in its second week, the business of Ra.One slid down to a considerable extent. The mixed response in first week didn't encourage more footfalls in the second week. The second weekend collection is around Rs 9 crores and the total nett. collection has reached around Rs 110 crores which isn't saying much for SRK's superhero. 

Film: Loot

Position: 2

Director: Rajnish Raj Thakur

Cast: Govinda, Suniel Shetty, Javed Jaffrey, Mahesh Manjrekar

Upside: Decent plot

Downside: Bad direction, pathetic performances, sense of humour gone wrong

Running Week: 1

Trade Comments: Poor opening

Film: Miley Naa Miley Hum

Position: 3

Director: Tanveer Khan

Cast: Chirag Paswan, Kangana Ranaut

Upside: Practically nothing

Downside: Dismal debut by Chirag Paswan, bad acts, dull plot, boring screenplay

Running Week: 1

Trade Comments: Extremely poor opening.

Film: Damadamm

Position: 4

Director: Swapna Waghmare

Cast: Himesh Reshammiya, Sonal Sehgal, Purbi Joshi

Upside: Interesting plot

Downside: Boring execution, average acts

Running Week: 2

Box Office Verdict: Flop

Film: Tell Me O Kkhuda

Position: 5

Director: Hema Malini

Cast: Esha Deol, Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Dharmendra

Upside: Senior actors try to be the saving grace

Downside: Boring story, uninteresting acts, Esha Deol fails to impress

Running Week: 2

Box Office Verdict: Flop

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Read More... 'Ra.One' drops in week 2, 'Rockstar' keenly awaited

SRK's RA.One earns Rs 170 crore at BO

Shah Rukh Khan's technolgical masterpiece RA.One, one of the most expensive films made in India, has recovered its costs by earning Rs 170 crore worldwide in the opening weekend. The superstar is congratulating his business partners on the superhero's box office success.

Eros International Media Ltd (Eros International) released the collection report stating that the film has got a record breaking opening - the highly anticipated Diwali collected of Rs 137.25 crore (net collection Rs 96 crore) in India and Rs 32.75 crore overseas. 

Apart from this, Shah Rukh Khan had reportedly sold the satellite rights for Rs 37 crore, the music rights for Rs 8 crore and ancillary rights for Rs 10 crore even before the film had hit the screens.

"As always, my heart doesn't crunch numbers and heroes don't count zeros...but it's nice to know how RA.One is flying," he further tweeted.

"Ga Ga ooh la la...Ra Ra Ra.One. Thrilled with response. Congratulations to my business partners." 

Made at a budget of Rs 150 crore, the film, described as best in terms of technology, opened across more than 4,000 plus screens worldwide - 3,100 plus screens in India and 904 prints internationally, including 3D and has become the biggest Hindi grosser in southern market too.

"RA.One released to packed houses across the country on Diwali day and has already created history by taking over the mantle of the biggest domestic earner so far. The film continues to be on its record breaking spree with several new achievements since its release. It has touched the highest individual collection in circuits such as Mumbai, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan," Nandu Ahuja, senior vice president, distribution, Eros International Media Ltd said in a statement.

"We see repeat viewings of the movie with the 3-D version being equally sought after. With the Eid holiday also coming up next week and no other major film release, we are anticipating the film to continue doing huge numbers," he added. 

Speaking on the film's overseas performance, Pranab Kapadia, president, distribution,  Eros International, said: "The film is enjoying a superb run across all major regions including UK, North America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Overseas, the film has broken SRK's own previous first weekend record established by My Name Is Khan and occupies the position of biggest Indian first weekend grosser overseas as well."

Eros plans to take the film to non-traditional markets - RA.One is scheduled for theatrical release in the first quarter of 2012 across several territories including South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Russia , Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Palestine, Brazil, Spain, Italy and Greece .

Directed by Anubhav Sinha, RA.One saw King Khan as G.One along with Arjun Rampal as RA.One and Kareena Kapoor. 

Though the critics didn't give it a thumbs up, the film's visual effects and state of the art production techniques have set a new standard in the Indian film industry

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Read More... SRK's RA.One earns Rs 170 crore at BO

I dance to Chammak Challo: Shah Rukh Khan

The makers of Chammak Challo are pleased with the popularity the music of this film is garnering... 


RA.One music and RA.One songs seem to be the anthem of the day. Actor Shah Rukh Khan's ambitious venture seem to have begun on a high, melodious note. The famous number - Chammak Challo - rendered by Akon is gaining much popularity and has already climbed the top of the charts. 


In fact, Chammak Chalo is increasingly being played at nightclubs, and the foot-tapping beats have become a huge hit with the masses and DJs at large. 


Another song that's being much applauded is 'Dildara'. Sung by Shafqat Amanat Ali, Dildara is a beautiful soft love song that can't be missed. 


The music composers of this album Vishal-Shekhar are more than happy with the response RA.One is getting. "It gave us great opportunities. It was a lot of hard work and we are only glad that it's working!" 


Of the 14 tracks, everyone involved with the film is finding it difficult to pick just one favourite. 


Shah Rukh Khan at the music launch of RA.One profusely thanked his entire team and especially the music directors and technicians to bring to celluloid the first Indian super hero flick in 3D. 


He also thanked his stunt double. "Everyone does the hard work for me. I just get the benefit. They do the stunts and all the difficult tasks. The only thing I do is dance to Chammak Challo," said SRK. 



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Read More... I dance to Chammak Challo: Shah Rukh Khan