Shah Rukh Khan on Victorias mind

Victoria Koblenko might not be a familiar name for the Bollywood audience, but if Victoria’s plans come through, we might soon see her scorch the Hindi cinema screens with her gorgeous presence.

The Dutch actress has worked in the much acclaimed movie ‘ When Night Falls ’ and has also been a part of Netherlands’ most popular TV drama series ‘ Good Times, Bad Times ’. She is also a regular guest at the popular Dutch talk shows like ‘ The Weakest Link ’ and ‘ Celebrity Mole ’. We ran into Victoria, who is in India to attend the 11th FICCI Frames 2010 being held in Mumbai. The 3-day conference is all about films and entertainment and though a Netherlander, Victoria’s life is not untouched by the Bollywood magic.

Speaking to us fondly about Indian cinema, Victoria says, “I like watching Bollywood films. I watch them with sub-titles. As a kid I have seen my parents watch Indian films.” The beautiful lady confesses to us that she isn’t good with remembering names but knows faces, but still if there’s one man in the industry who has left a deep impression on her mind – it is Shah Rukh Khan!

At the first day of FICCI Frames, Victoria got the opportunity to share the dais with her favourite Shah Rukh. Talking about the endearing actor, Victoria says, “I have seen a lot of his movies. I can’t remember the names but he is also a favourite amongst my friends from Russia and Holland,” she says further narrating an incidence, “I was recently working on a Russian drama series and between shots, I would see my fellow co-stars watch Bollywood films on their portable devices. People there just love Bollywood.” And so does Victoria. No wonder then she does have plans to try her luck in B-town. “I would definitely love to work in Bollywood. But I don’t know Hindi and I don’t have Indian looks but if I get a role of a foreigner, I would be delighted,” says the Dutch damsel with a twinkle in her eyes. And just as we asked her whom would she like to get paired opposite, pat came her reply, “Shah Rukh Khan, of course!”

On her week long stay in Mumbai, Victoria Koblenko will be meeting Yash Chopra and also a production house to discuss opportunities. We wish her all the best for her Bollywood dreams.

Shahrukh Khan on Aamir Khan: We are friends. Really?

Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan have been the celluloid arch rivals for more than around 2 decades and the tabloid has always put them at wars with each other. But, whenever quizzed about their enmity, the duo have always given a diplomatic answers saying that they are friends off screen and their enmity is just a media-made up tale.

And whenever the films of both the stars are released in the same year, comparisons are drawn by the fans as well as by the tabloid. For instance, the collections of ‘3 Idiots’ and ‘My Name is Khan’ were scrutinised on a daily basis.

However, brushing aside all these tales, SRK quips, “We’re friends. At least, I’d like to think we are. We both have a sense of humour. At least, I do. I’d like to think all our exchanges are in good humour. Quite honestly, I’ve no desire to look at what he or anyone else is doing. I never look at my own box-office figures. Why would I look at others’ collections?”

So, will SRK be calling Aamir who is, incidentally, the birthday boy today? Well, Aamir will have to answer that. For the time being, we wish him ‘Happy Birthday’…….

Ra.1 is for my kids – Shahrukh Khan

You may wonder why Shahrukh Khan is doing a superhero film at this age but the superstar has a reason. He has done lots of films in the past for his fans, but this time around, he is doing for his kids.

Shahrukh said at the press conference organised to welcome the international R&B singer Akon that he is doing the superhero film Ra.1 for his children. Going deeper into the film, he added that there is a good guy, bad guy, beautiful girl, wonderful singer and a fantastic director. He went on to say that his character called Jeeva could solidify electricity.

He revealed that Ra.1 is a kind of film that his production house Red Chillies have not tried. He added that it is something new to all crew of the film and would give their best shot to make sure that it succeeds at the box office.

He is going to act with Kareena Kapoor in the film and Anubhav Sinha is directing it. International R&B singer Akon will record a number for the film.

Farah chooses Salman over Shahrukh

Shahrukh and Salman are not good friends, the exact opposite of Shahrukh and Farah- no secrets there. With Farah’s new directorial venture, Tees Maar Khan, Shahrukh has been sidestepped by Farah for Akshay. At the same time, hubby, Shirish Kunder has signed Salman for this next movie planned to start after Alien Sahib starring John Abraham.

The casting with Salman is certain as confirmed by both Farah and Shirish. At Salman’s birthday party in Panvel on December 24 Farah and her husband sealed this deal. Speculation on where this casting call will leave Farah in her perpetual alliance with her mentor Shahrukh Khan remains to be seen in the coming months

Farah Khan not in Shahrukh's guest list

Farah Khan's name gets struck off from her buddy Shahrukh Khan's guest list for last night's meet-Akon bash. Minutes after we ask SRK about it, she gets an invite to the said party.

It's official! Director Farah Khan's name has been struck off from Shahrukh and Gauri Khan's guest list. After she decided to do her third film with Akshay Kumar in stead of Shahrukh Khan, both actor and director maintained that it was a professional decision and nothing would come in the way of their friendship. But the omission of Farah's name from the usual suspects at Mannat, tells a different story.

We learned hours before the party that Farah hadn't been invited to last night's bash at Juhu five-star. Everyone else on the guest list had been informed about the party a week in advance.

The Morani brothers organised the party at Shahrukh's home in Bandra, and they were specifically told to leave out Farah's and her husband Shirish Kunder's names. Sajid Khan's name was on the list and he was aware a week earlier about the bash being held to celebrate the launch of an energy drink and also a meet-and-greet with international singer Akon, who is in the city to record for Red Chillies' Ra.1.

When we checked with Farah, she confirmed, "I have no clue about the party. In any case, I am out of town shooting for Tees Maar Khan with Akshay Kumar."

Within 10 minutes of texting Shahrukh about Farah not being invited to the party, she received a call from one of the Morani brothers who told her, 'We are only just inviting people now.' An insider adds, "Shahrukh doesn't make the list, Gauri does. When he must have realised Farah's name had been kept out, he must have ensured that she was invited, whether she could make it or not. SRK and she genuinely care about each other."

Shahrukh Khan makes Akon to sing

Everybody knows that International R&B singer Akon is composing as well as singing a song for Shahrukh Khan’s film Ra.1, but do you know that he sang a song at the party organised by the actor ahead of the IPL?

Akon said that Shahrukh requested him to sing ‘Smack That’ at the party. Shahrukh, who owns the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders hosted the party ahead of the India Premiere League Season 3.

Akon said that he is a great fan of Shahrukh and follows his works. Shahrukh gave back in kind by saying that his kids love him and so too he. He added that he deserved the biggest welcome into the country that anyone has ever had.

Well, there is no harm praising each other!

Shahrukh's MNIK rakes in 174.60 crore worldwide

In spite of the reports that the collections of My Name is Khan featuring Shahrukh Khan and Kajol have dipped after the release weekend, it is continuing to rake in revenue big time. Believe it or not, it has already earned Rs.174.60 crore worldwide and still counting.

Film distributors said that MNIK grossed Rs.102.2 in Indian alone and Rs.72.4 crore from abroad, which is an all time high for a Hindi film at the international market.

It earned USD 3.3 million in the Middle East, which is the highest for a Bollywood film. The collections are nearly on par with Hollywood biggies like Dark Knight, Transformers 2, Spider Man 3 and Twilight: New Moon.

Vijay Singh of Fox Studios said that the revenue is expected to shoot up when it hits the screens in countries like Jordan, Lebanon and Syria on March 10. He added that it is spreading to other markets and even crossed over to non-diaspora audiences. It has increased from six to 14 screens even in Indonesia.