I cannot fast the entire month. I do a lot of travelling, Shahrukh

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who likes to sprinkle his sentences with 'InshAllah' (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," Shah Rukh, who was recently in the capital to promote his film "Don", told IANS.

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.

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DON: 6 Days, 1 Million Dollars!

Source: IndiaFM

Within 6 days of its release on 19th October, the much-hyped DON has grossed approximately £536,000; more than $1 mill, from 74 engagements across the UK according to a press release issued by UTV.

The takings on Eid on 24th October alone were to the tune of about £139,000.

According to pundits, Week 1 of DON in the UK is likely to end on Friday morning at nearly $1.1 mill. With no Bollywood title releasing this coming weekend, DON is set to enjoy another strong weekend and hit the $2 mill mark by the end of Week 2.

Trade sources attribute the unprecedented success of DON in the UK to the robust marketing by the UK division of UTV, the film's overseas distributor.

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DON has overtaken JAAN-E-MANN in U.K., U.S.A. and Australia

Overseas Boxoffice

Diwali Update 2: Not too bright a Diwali in Overseas!

Source: IndiaFM


The Overseas results are out! This Diwali hasn't been as fruitful for the film industry as the previous years. We are not speculating. We are not talking through our hat. We are not making ludicrous assertions. Reproduced below are the facts and figures that mirror the truth, whether you like it or not!

Amongst the two Diwali releases, DON has overtaken JAAN-E-MANN by leaps and bounds in the three major markets -- U.K., U.S.A. and Australia. Let's have a closer look at the response to the biggies in each market:

U.K.

DON has fetched an impressive start [£ 291,462 on 51 screens, average: 5,715], but when compared to other SRK starrers, like the recent KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA and VEER-ZAARA, the business is much lower [K.A.N.K. -- £ 749,243 on 60 screens, average: £ 12,487 and VEER-ZAARA -- £ 484,993 on 60 screens, average: £ 8,083]. Okay, you might argue that both K.A.N.K. and V.Z. were multi-starrers and romantic films [genre], which have an edge in Overseas. But DON is lower than the action-masala flick MAIN HOON NA [£ 322,290 on 41 screens, average: £ 7,861], which comes as a surprise. When compared to last year's Diwali release, DON is lower than GARAM MASALA as well [£ 292,033 on 37 screens, average: £ 7,893]. How do you explain that?

On the other hand, JAAN-E-MANN is a complete downer in U.K. [£ 65,574 on 42 screens, average: 1,561]. Last year, Salman's KYON KI… had opened in the Diwali week and we are reproducing its figures: £ 171,566 on 55 screens, average: £ 3,119. It's more than evident that JAAN-E-MANN is much poorer than KYON KI… Shockingly, JAAN-E-MANN is lower than last year's two other Diwali releases as well -- GARAM MASALA [£ 292,033 on 37 screens, average: £ 7,893] and SHAADI NO. 1 [£ 95,086 on 33 screens, average: £ 2,881]. In fact, if we were to go by screen average, then JAAN-E-MANN has performed much lower than Salman's much-delayed SHAADI KARKE PHAS GAYA YAAR [average: £ 2,151] and also PHIR MILENGE [average: £ 1,665], both disasters at the box-office. Going by screen average again, JAAN-E-MANN is Salman's second lowest opener since 1999, after SAAWAN - THE LOVE SEASON [average: £ 1,188].

U.S.A.

DON takes an excellent start here [$ 804,388 on 113 screens, average: $ 7,118], but the collections aren't commensurate with 'Brand SRK'. Again, comparing it with K.A.N.K. or V.Z. is debatable, but let's refresh your memory on the kind of openings the two SRK starrers fetched in U.S.A. [K.A.N.K. -- $ 1,351,786 on 64 screens, average: $ 21,122 and V.Z. -- $ 903,010 on 88 screens, average: $ 10,261]. Now let's see what MAIN HOON NA collected -- $ 704,651 on 79 screens, average: $ 8,919]. Clearly, the average of MAIN HOON NA is higher than DON.

JAAN-E-MANN is a terrible letdown in the U.S. as well [$ 210,000 on 66 screens, average: 3,182]. The Salman-Akshay starrer MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI had performed much better here -- $ 199,958 on 31 screens, average: $ 6,450. Need we elaborate more?

AUSTRALIA

DON has started with a bang [Australia $ 98,205 on 12 screens, average: Australia $ 8,184], but, again, the screen average is lower than K.A.N.K. [$ 21,365], LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI [$ 9,360], KRRISH [$ 10,057], FANAA [$ 13,890], RANG DE BASANTI [$ 10,171], SALAAM NAMASTE [$ 14,531], MANGAL PANDEY - THE RISING [$ 11,494] and VEER-ZAARA [$ 10,479].

JAAN-E-MANN has had a lukewarm start in Australia too [Australia $ 18,556 on 7 screens, average: Australia $ 2,651]. In terms of average, the Salman-Akshay combo is lower than ZINDA [$ 3,978], TAXI NO. 9211 [$ 4,413], HUMKO DEEWANA KAR GAYE [$ 3,573], DARNA ZAROORI HAI [$ 3,758], CHUP CHUP KE [$ 3,612], GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED [$ 5,826] and OMKARA [$ 4,869], most of them starring actors who aren't as hot in this territory.

Weekend: October 20 - 22, 2006.

U.K. BOX-OFFICE

DON has debuted at No. 11 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 291,462 [approx. Rs. 2.48 crores] on 51 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 5,715.


JAAN-E-MANN has debuted at No. 18 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 65,574 [approx. Rs. 55.75 lacs] on 42 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,561.


VARALARU [Tamil] has debuted at No. 24 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 14,178 [approx. Rs. 12.05 lacs] on 3 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 4,726.


DIL APNA PUNJABI [Punjabi; last weekend: No. 26, this weekend: No. 45]: In its eighth weekend, the film has collected £ 1,067 on 5 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 213. Total: £ 258,149 [approx. Rs. 2.19 crores].


WARIS SHAH - ISHQ DAA WAARIS [Punjabi; last weekend: No. 27, this weekend: No. 47]: In its fourth weekend, the film has collected £ 1,021 on 2 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 511. Total: £ 49,218 [approx. Rs. 41.85 lacs].


MANNAT [Punjabi; last weekend: No. 33, this weekend: No. 56]: In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 750 on 2 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 375. Total: £ 16,260 [approx. Rs. 13.82 lacs].


LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI [last weekend: No. 29, this weekend: No. 58]: In its eighth weekend, the film has collected £ 550 on 1 screen. Total: £ 823,560 [approx. Rs. 7 crores].

THIS WEEKEND IN U.K.
[Based on screen averages]

1 DON £ 5,715
2 VARALARU [Tamil] £ 4,726
3 JAAN-E-MANN £ 1,561
4 LAGE RAHO MUNNABHAI £ 550
5 WARIS SHAH - ISHQ DAA WAARIS [Punjabi] £ 511
6 MANNAT [Punjabi] £ 375
7 DIL APNA PUNJABI [Punjabi] £ 213


U.S.A. BOX-OFFICE

DON has debuted at No. 17 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected $ 804,388 [approx. Rs. 3.65 crores] on 113 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 7,118.


JAAN-E-MANN has debuted at No. 29 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected $ 210,000 [approx. Rs. 95.37 lacs] on 66 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 3,182.

NEW YORK CITY BOX-OFFICE

DON has debuted at No. 15 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected $ 81,341 on 9 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 9,038.


JAAN-E-MANN has debuted at No. 26 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected $ 22,499 on 9 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 2,500.

AUSTRALIA BOX-OFFICE
[4-day weekend: October 19 - 22, 2006]

In its opening weekend, DON [No. 15] has collected Australia $ 98,205 [approx. Rs. 33.83 lacs] on 12 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 8,184.


In its opening weekend, JAAN-E-MANN has collected Australia $ 18,556 [approx. Rs. 6.39 lacs] on 7 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 2,651.

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When I die, bury me face down so the whole world can kiss my ass, SRK

Shah Rukh Khan’s penchant for denim jackets is old. But the thought that comes with this one is new.

The patch on his jacket says: “When I die, bury me face down so the whole world can kiss my ass” Below the pithy statement, there is the trademark picture of Che Guevara and on the left, an image of human skulls. Is it the influence of The Motorcycle Diaries at work?

We spotted SRK wearing this particular jacket on Monday at an event at Khar.

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The highest-paid star in Bollywood Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan clinches Rs 35-crore deal for three films with Adlabs, to become the highest paid star in Bollywood

It’s the hush-hush deal that’s become the talk of Bollywood. In a mega sign-up, bigger than any Diwali phataka, Hrithik Roshan has inked a three-film contract with the Anil Ambani-owned Adlabs for Rs 12 crore per film.

This straightaway catapults Hrithik to the top of the super-hero league, making him the highest paid star in India, way ahead of the three Khans who charge anything between Rs five to eight crore a film and Amitabh Bachchan who hovers at a more modest figure.

But that’s not the only reason why Bollywood is keeping a close eye on the deal. The Rs 35 crore contract will change two things fundamentally for the Hindi film industry: First, the transaction will be in all cheque and all white, giving greater impetus to corporatisation. Thus far, most stars accept remuneration in part cheque and part cash, while some like Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan accept part of their payment as distribution overflows from territories. For instance if Shah Rukh Khan’s films do well overseas, he might demand rights to the overseas territory as part of his package.

Second, and most importantly, this will shake up the entire pricing system in the film industry, sending star fees spiralling out of control, many fear. It is inevitable that other big stars will want similar monies, says a filmmaker who chooses to be anonymous till Hrithik's staggering price is made official. ``If true, this is a very unhealthy development. Hrithik is no doubt a fabulous and hard-working actor but star prices have constantly been the bane of Bollywood. Often more than 65 per cent of the budget for a film goes to the stars. Why, even a newcomer like Shiney Ahuja charges Rs 1 crore these days. Now God knows how medium-budget filmmakers will manage their finances," he laments.

While sources revealed that Hrithik's super-deal has been signed, sealed and delivered, both Rakesh Roshan and Pooja Shetty chose to be more cautious. "Negotiations are on," is all that Roshan senior would say while the director of Adlabs Films Ltd, when contacted, said: "Any news would be speculation till the official announcement was made."

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Karan to start his next project!

Usually, Karan Johar takes a break of a few years before he embarks on his next project. KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI was released in 1998, KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM in 2001 and KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA in 2006. Of course, he produced KAL HO NAA HO and KAAL in between, but the directorial reins were handed over to independent directors.

But Karan has decided against giving a two/three-year gap between K.A.N.K. and his next film. “I’ve already started scripting my next,” Karan confides in me, “At the moment, I wouldn’t be able to reveal more than the fact that the film will start in 2007.”

That’s not the only project that’s keeping Karan occupied. For, Dharma Productions, his production company, will start two more films in 2007, to be directed by Soham [KAAL] and Tarun Mansukhani, respectively. “Most probably, we’ll see at least two releases next year,” Karan adds. Seems like Karan is getting back at film production with a vengeance!

Besides the above-mentioned three films, Karan will also commence the new season of KOFFEE WITH KARAN on television.

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SRK signed a message, which said, "DON was here"!

Everyone's jumping on to the DON bandwagon after the film's release the world over. Well, that King Khan has a massive fan following is a fact and Kareena Kapoor couldn't agree more. She is one such ardent fan and cannot stop raving about him. And her much hyped song 'Yeh Mera Dil' has become a huge hit, especially overseas. "My friends and audience have absolutely loved the song. I love Shah Rukh and that was among the main reasons for me to agree to do the song. I would love to do an out-and-out romantic film with Shah Rukh." Kareena enthuses.

Shahrukh would obviously be more than happy to hear that. Interestingly this DON has captured many a hearts and lately it's been an inspiration for a range of designer wears. SRK unveiled the new DON collection by the leading international clothing brand, Louis Philippe, earlier this week. Producer Ritesh Sidhwani and director Farhan Akhtar accompanied him.

The brand had asked SRK to make a special appearance at a boutique in Mumbai to launch the signature collection of shirts, jackets and blazers, which he actually wore in DON. Needless to add, there was a stampede of sorts when the King Khan arrived wearing a smart jacket, which had a cheeky line (in true SRK style), "When I Die Bury Me Down So That The Whole World Can Kiss My Ass."

SRK signed a message on the walls of the boutique, which said, "DON was here"!

So now we have DON flaunting his style with great elan and panache. He isn't called King Khan just like that!

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Salman khan in subash ghai's Movie

Showman Subhash Ghai continues with his tradition of announcing films on the anniversary (24th October) of his production house Mukta Arts Ltd, which also happens to be his wedding anniversary. Incidentally Ghai had announced IQBAL, 36 CHINA TOWN and SHAADI SE PEHLE on the 27th anniversary of Mukta Arts last year.

As per reports in a daily, he announced 7 films yesterday, 2 to be directed by him. He will direct Salman Khan for the first time for a film budgeted at Rs 30 crore. The shooting will commence in mid-April and the film will be released around Diwali next year. A R Rahman will do the music and 2 top heroines are in the process of being finalized.

His second project, again to be directed by him is titled BLACK and WHITE and is slated to go on floors on 21st November. It introduces newcomer Anurag Sinha, an FTII graduate along with Anil Kapoor.

The other films include BOMBAY TO BANGKOK to be directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and CYCLE KICK to be directed by Nagesh's assistant Shashi Silgudia. The remaining 3 films would be directed by Anees Bazmee, Anurag Basu and Abbas-Mustan.

Ghai last directed KISNA in 2005 and his forthcoming films (as a producer) include APNA SAPNA MONEY MONEY, GOOD BOY BAD BOY etc.

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VIVAH marks Shahid and Amrita's fourth film together

Sooraj Barjatya's VIVAH brings back the quintessential Prem, but this time around it's Shahid Kapoor. Earlier it was Salman Khan in Rajshri's MAINE PYAR KIYA, HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN and HUM SAATH SAATH HAI.

The new Prem has lately developed a passion for carom. He is quite a carom champ. He has honed his skills in playing the game with Anupam Kher on the sets of VIVAH. "We made a perfect pair," grins Shahid who loves playing the game with his make-up man and Amrita Rao's make-up man. Kher plays his father in the film. "We bond very well, Anupamji and I," Shahid confesses. "It felt great playing his son in the film. And I have really learnt a lot from him."

Incidentally VIVAH marks Shahid and Amrita's fourth film together. The lovable couple has done films like ISHQ-VISHQ, SHIKHAR and VAAH! LIFE HO TO AISI earlier.

Amrita plays Poonam, a small town middle class girl engaged to a Delhi guy (Shahid) in the film. As for her real life, speculations surrounding her marriage just don't seem to end. First it was the April fool joke on her wedding and impending retirement. Next came the astrologer's prediction that 2006 would be the year of her tryst with marriage. "It took me a while to battle my aunt's want to try and match me with the most eligible men," grins Amrita. "And I told the astrologer, I have no intentions of marriage," she adds. "And suddenly, after the shoot, it struck me one day that actually, it was a year of weddings for me with VIVAH releasing this year. In his own way, the astrologer was right."

So as far as her real life marriage is concerned, nothing is reckoning for the next five years for this dedicated actress.

VIVAH focuses on the concept of arranged marriage and the courtship period.

It releases on 10th November.

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have watched ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya….' at least 150 times, Kareena

Kareena did a cameo in Farhan Akhtar's 'Don'. She just enacted an item number, which Helen did in the original version. However Kareena has no regrets for that. She is too happy with her role. Kareena admits without any hesitation that if she even approached, she wouldn't do Priyanka's role in ‘DON '. As you know Priyanka played the female lead in the film opposite Shah Rukh Khan. In a recent interview she said she would love to do an out-and-out love story with Shah Rukh. “ I have watched ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya….' at least 150 times and keep playing it all the time on my DVD player. That is the kind of love story I would love to do with Shah Rukh,” said Kareena.

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Maa, maa..main paas ho gaya , first class...

Salman is now 41, but he is looking younger and becoming muscular with every passing day. Actually the star has started training again. Now he does heavy workouts everyday. Salman admits, “I have started hitting it again. I had not been training for quite some time.”
“I am going to be just the way I am for another forty years. I want to come out of college at the age of eighty and say, ‘Maa, maa..main paas ho gaya , first class…,” he told jokingly.

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Sushmita will have to shell out Rs. 2.16 lakh for her Toyota Landcruiser

Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen will have to shell out Rs. 2.16 lakh for her Toyota Landcruiser. On Friday, Bombay High Court directed the star to pay the money to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as octroi duty within three weeks.
While deciding on the penalty for not paying the duty, which is calculated at ten times the octroi duty, the court gave some respite to Sushmita. A division bench of justices F.L. Rebello and Anoop Mohta asked the civic corporation to first issue a notice to the actress and give her a hearing in the matter. The exact amount of penalty will be decided after that. Sushmita will however have to deposit a bank guarantee of Rs. 10 lakh in favor of the civic body pending the hearing on the issue of penalty. The court's order came on a petition filed by Sushmita challenging the octroi and penalty which BMC had asked her to pay up for the vehicle. Sushmita had bought the vehicle last year. In August 2005, she received a BMC notice demanding octroi duty on the vehicle along with penalty for failure to pay it on time.

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