Double jeopardy

All the shows of Shah Rukh Khan's world tour, Temptation Reloaded 2008, in Germany and Spain have been cancelled. Now, only one show will take place in Dubai

Kunal M Shah / Vickey Lalwani
Shah Rukh Khan's ambitious world tour Temptation Reloaded 2008, which was supposed to commence on October 18 is in jeopardy.

Although a few weeks ago it seemed like SRK has yet another winner in his hands with some of the biggest Bollywood stars like Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu, Deepika Padukone and Arjun Rampal agreeing to be part of his much anticipated world tour, things are not the same anymore.

Now, SRK is in a tight spot as the promoter of the Germany show has breached the contract. Consequently, the shows in Germany and Spain have been cancelled. However, the last show in Dubai, which was to take place on October 25, will take place.

A source said, "It is a big disappointment for SRK. In fact, industry insiders had labelled this tour as SRK's answer to Amitabh Bachchan's Unforgettable Tour. But now, SRK will have to be content with only one show in Dubai."

When contacted, Karim Morani (director of the Temptation Reloaded 2008 tour) sent us a text message, which read, "Red Chillies Entertainment Limited (SRK's production house) announces with great regret that they will be unable to facilitate the three city tour of Temptations Reloaded 2008 in Germany (in Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt).

This is due to the breach of contract by the promoter of the shows Sensasian Media Limited. They did not fulfill their obligation in due time which makes it impossible for the shows to take place in Germany."

What does 'did not fulfill their obligation' mean we asked? "Well, there was a violation of several clauses, including non-payment of dues," Karim explained.

But, why has the Spain leg of the Temptation Reloaded 2008 tour also been cancelled? Karim said, "Well, the shows in Germany and Spain were a part of the Europe leg. We can't be going Spain alone. For the time being, it's just Dubai. The shows in Spain may happen at a later date."

And what about rumours that there were some creative differences between SRK and the Moranis? "No way," said Karim.
mumbaimirror.com

Get a piece of SRK!

“I sell dreams, now I’m going to sell reality,” Shah Rukh Khan tells Masala! as he launches SRK Boulevard
by Sonali Raha

You already know about SRK Boulevard, the Dhs8 billion beachfront project Shah Rukh Khan is building on Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Dana Island, in collaboration with the UAE-based TSA Group. Now find out how he wants this project to be “unique” and “special”.

In a one-on-one with Masala! following a press conference, King Khan talks about his idea of a perfect home and more.

How will you leave your mark on this project?

I’ve been really trying to think that out. I don’t want it to be too much SRK, like any sort of image or photograph, because one day if you don’t like Shah Rukh Khan, I don’t want you not to like your home. I know finally Shah Rukh Khan will get over, but I want you to love your home all the time.

I want to design something with my wife and (architect) Tony that will be me, yet not be in your face. A thing you will look at and say, this is something Shah Rukh Khan did himself. It could even be a flower arrangement (pointing to a vase on the table), but I hope it will be more concrete and permanent than that (smiles).

What B’wood element can we expect? An Om Shanti Om disco?

Of course there will be a nightclub and of course, as you say, there will be elements of Bollywood. Now my work is beginning to define me a little and I’m beginning to get recognised.

Even if it sounds pompous, I AM Bollywood. So there has to be Bollywood themes woven in. We haven’t worked out the details yet, but it will be something significantm definitely.

What material thing is closest to you in your own home?

That’s a lovely question! It’s a Wurlitzer jukebox that plays CDs. You know, more than anything else, I like open spaces. My idea of a perfect home is where my son does a double sommersault and lands on my shoulders, without hitting a table.

How many of your famous friends have signed up already?

All my friends will come – and you will see them. I want to give them something concrete to look at first and only then will I talk to them about this.

I’ve always sold dreams, now I’m selling reality. But this project is not for Shah Rukh Khan and friends. This is for you, for everyone. A place where everyone can have a home and share a smile.

... and pass the bubble bath!

Asked a cheeky question about bathtubs at the press conference, SRK said:

“I will come free with the bathtubs. I promise you I will be in them every Saturday morning.”
masala.com

Long wait to see Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood’s biggest star does not disappoint, walking into packed crowd to thank them for support. Addressing the crowd at the Zee Carnival, Shah Rukh Khan said thank you “from the bottom of my heart”, vowing to come back and do a full show “for all you
Some fans came at 9am even before the doors opened at 11am. And they waited till 4pm before India’s biggest star, Shah Rukh Khan, showed up at the Zee Carnival at Suntec City yesterday.
Togged in sunglasses, a light-grey shirt which showed a bit of his toned chest, and black trousers, he went up on stage and danced to the music of his hit film Om Shanti Om’s theme music.
‘You make me feel very loved, very important. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart,’ Khan, 42, said, to loud shrieks from the audience.
The lifestyle event presented by Zee TV, an Indian network, had drawn at least 10,000 people by the evening.
When the actor made an unscripted move by walking into the packed crowd, people went wild.
‘I’ve been working for 20 years and God has been kind to me. Now, I want to meet the people who have made me what I am,’ he said.
That pleased fans like housewife Farah Najria, 23. Together with her mother, aunt, brother, sister and nephew, she had waited at Suntec City since 9am.
‘I didn’t mind waiting, I am such a huge fan. I am happy I have been able to see him,’ she said.
Khan made sure everyone went home happy when he said: ‘It has been a while since I last performed here. I’ll come back and do a full show for all you wonderful people of Singapore.’

page03.com

After Big B, it is now SRK!

14 Oct, 2008 06:00 am ISTlSmrity Sharma/INDIATIMES MOVIES

When someday someone decided to remake the yesteryear hit Don, it was Shahrukh Khan who was considered as the best bet to match up to the charisma of Amitabh Bachchan. Then be it playing the gangster or dancing to the song Khaike Paan Banaras Wala , SRK did total justice to the act.

Just a few moons after Big B graced the wax museum at Madame Tussaud’s, it was Shahrukh Khan, so loved and so admired by people all over the world, to be thought worthy and carved into a wax statue.

Also, while Bachchan forayed into the small screen with the quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati , it was SRK yet again who was deemed fit to host the second season of the show and thereby match up again the magnetism of the matinee idol.

And it doesn’t stop here. The same time around the Bachchans kicked off their Unforgettable Tour, King Khan was busy globetrotting for his Temptations Reloaded tour.

And now, it’s their Dubai connection that has once again forced us to do that comparison. Just a few months after the Bachchans acquired a property in Dubai, Khan has gone a step ahead striking a deal with a property developer for a project, Shahrukh Khan Boulevard.

The place is Dana Island in Ras Al Khaimah and the money to be invested is a whooping Dh8 billion and Khan’s idea is to cut out a familial heaven in the beautiful Dubai.

At the event of launching the project, Khan promised, “Shah Rukh Khan Boulevard promises to be as colourful, vibrant, romantic yet realistic as my hit movies.”

Khan who is a hot selling brand ambassador for various big brands has joined hands with property developers TSA Group to launch the marvelous architectural project but this time he is not merely endorsing the brand but also owns the project that will be completed by 2012. The actor is also creatively involved in the building process.

Underground glass tunnels leading up to underground glass discotheques, sit-in theatres by the beach, a public square and high-end stores are just few of the attractive factors that the project has on offer.

The smooth talking romantic star on screen, a loving husband and a dotting father at home and an intelligent businessman at work... a great combination that makes great men and the man called Shahrukh Khan!

Shah Rukh Khan Says My Work Is My Religion

- Planet Bollywood Special Correspondant-

Here are the views of King Khan on terrorism, religion and a wide gamut of subject, as published in a leading weekly.
Evil is a religion of its own. There's no such thing as a professional Muslim terrorist. There's just a professional terrorist. Evil has become a discipline, a faith of its own. It does take, after all, a lot of planning to make explosives, do a recce of where to plant them, and then plan a way to escape.

My children are growing up at a time when a new religion has come up, which is morally, ethically and humanely against the tenets of any faith. Fundamentalism itself has become the new religion. And I fear it will take elements from every religion and create a new force if we don't educate our children appropriately.
Every time I read of a bomb blast or watch such an incident on TV, two things strike me. One is good. That those directly affected by the attack never actually blame any particular community. But what disturbs me is this-and it really goes against my most basic belief-that education is the solution to all our problems.
Whenever I read that an educated person is behind a bomb attack, it saddens me. It could be that the degree is only a piece of paper for the person or that education really had no impact on him. It did not shape his intelligence or his mind in the way it should have.
As an Indian Muslim, how do I feel about all this? Well, for one, I would like to believe that my work has become my religion, my defining identity. Yes, when I go to a Muslim area, I am referred to as bhai. But I think even when I visit a Muslim nation, the fact that I have mostly played characters called Rahul or Raj in Hindi films is never an issue.
I have played a major Muslim character onscreen just once in my life, that of Kabir Khan in Chak De! India. I gave him a little beard, made him speak a little more Urdu, and even had a namaz scene in the film that was edited finally for its length. But I don't recall anyone even noticing that.
Just yesterday, I was launching a business venture in Dubai and my hosts were religious Muslims. They wanted to take my entire family on Haj, even my in-laws. Having said that, I do feel belittled or shall I say irritated now that I am frisked a lot more when I travel to America.
Surprisingly though, I feel, as a nation, we have become a lot more tolerant. I remember, when Gauri and I got married almost two decades ago, our religion was an issue for both Hindus and Muslims. Both of us had to give false addresses when we registered our marriage.
And now when I was travelling recently, an air hostess was telling me how she is a Hindu, married to a Muslim in Dubai. I asked her, is that such a big deal? And she said, no, it was just something she wanted to share with me.
Everyone knows I celebrate both Id and Diwali. Yet my wife has never celebrated either in a different or less way. The children do both Id namaz and Diwali puja and mix-and-match all the time with ease.
My only prayer to everyone is that if a nun is raped in Orissa, please don't make it a Christian versus Hindu issue, or if a blast takes place, don't say it is a Muslim versus Hindu matter.
These are killers. Plain and simple. They have no religion. And if they do have an agenda, I would like to say to them, go get another one. Go green, be good to poor people, educate a girl child, or even be kind to animals.
I firmly believe that the country was heading towards a state of equality for all religions till a few people decided they didn't want it to happen. Yes, Hindus and Muslims have had historical problems since the Partition, so have Christians and Muslims since the Dark Ages.
But history is quickly forgotten. I believe modern young Indians need to feel that their work should be their religion and should define them. It will be a more neutral identity, have an international acceptance and will be based on their talent, their mind, and their heart.

planetbollywood.com

RNBDJ PROMOS WITH ROADSIDE ROMEO/GHAJINI WITH GOLMAL RETURNS!MUSIC ON DIWALI

Its going to be a huge Diwali with first promos and music releases of the of the biggest releases of 2008 Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Ghajini. The music of both films will be released around Diwali.

The first teaser of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi will come with the prints of Roadside Romeo while the teaser of Ghajini will be with the prints of Golmaal Returns.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi will be released on December 12th while Ghajini is due on 26th December
filmikhabar.com

Linc signs Shah Rukh Khan as brand ambassador

MUMBAI: Pen manufacturer, Linc Pen,on Monday said that it has appointed Shah Rukh Khan as its brand ambassador.
"We are very proud to have Shah Rukh Khan as our brand ambassador," Linc Pen's Managing Director, Deepak Jalan, said in a press release issued here. Linc has been growing steadily at 20 per cent per annum.
economictimes.indiatimes.com