Articles: Shahrukh Khan - Page 91

Shah Rukh to give Emami a 'fair' deal

RATNA BHUSHAN
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ MONDAY, JUNE 18, 2007 02:36:32 AM>

NEW DELHI: Some modern philosophers have always said the ideal human state is androgynous. The man-woman concept is a language-perpetuated tyranny that only facilitates oppression of women. To achieve the state, the human slate would have to be wiped off clean.

Thinkers and theorists would be pleased to know that Bollywood, that crucible of hip and hamstrung ideas, is fashioning a script that aims at achieving that state.

Its reigning god (yes, only gods can break the rules) Shah Rukh Khan is going to pitch for a fairness cream. King Khan, as they call him, and Queen Khan as they may call him after he endorses Emami's Fair & handsome brand. The man has merged into a woman — the ideal state.

Khan is not doing this for the first time. Two years ago, he created a storm in a bathtub by selling Lux. Now, he's all set to create a storm in a tube. SRK's commercial is expected to hit the boob tube in a month. Khan's earlier essay on that ideal state won some value back for the Lux brand. And this time he's giving it another shot, hopefully, aiming for the perfect take.

Experts say Shah Rukh could do for Fair And Handsome what he did for Lux. The ad gathered so much publicity, and generated so much shock and awe, that after the commercial, it not only arrested declining brand fortunes, but also led to a spurt in sales. "The commercial could not have come at a better time for Lux, as it was in its 75th year and badly needed some clutter-breaking activity," a source at JWT, the agency which worked on the account, said.

Recognising the potential for men's fairness creams, the Rs 600-crore Emami had forayed into the segment over a year back. Recently, HLL too extended its power brand Fair & Lovely to Fair & Lovely Menz Active targeted exclusively at men.

According to industry estimates, about 30% of fairness cream users in India happen to be men, and that they have been closet users of the product. The total fairness cream market is estimated at little over Rs 800 crore. Further, a Gillette survey cited by Euromonitor states that urban men in India spend an average of 20 minutes in front of the mirror each morning, while women primp for 18. All this is obviously great opportunity for marketers like Emami & HLL

economictimes.indiatimes.com

Saif dabs in colour for a good cause

2007-06-19 13:24:34

Saif Ali Khan takes to painting. These days everyone's either talking about art or dabbling in it, so why not Saif? So there you go, Saif turns artist for a day..well sort of Far from the Mumbai city, actor Saif Ali Khan is busy shooting for his new film 'Race' at the scenic beauty of Malshej Ghats. Perhaps it's this beauty that brought out the artist in Saif, as the actor turned painter for Khushi - an NGO for underpriveleged children. He joined hands with artist Nikhil Chaganlal to colour a canvas.

Actor, Saif Ali Khan told CNN-IBN, "I don't think I should reveal what my artistic input has been. Let that be a surprise. But it's definitely something substantial but small." Looking at the painting, it's difficult to say what's that small but substantial contribution. You might actually need a microscope to spot some coloured glasses on the table that Saif has painted.

Then, one would presume that the advice given to Saif by Shahrukh Khan is not that bad. Saif Ali Khan explains, "I did a painting once and got this message from Shahrukh Khan saying that I should never ever paint again. Because it's apparently one of the worst things he has ever seen - it almost disturbed him, which is really discouraging!

I couldn't agree with the Badshah of Bollywood more and I hope Saif sticks to doing what he does best. On an aside, a little birdy did inform us that actress Bipasha Basu was also at Malshej shooting for the same film. But with rumours rife regarding Saif and Bipasha getting close, the actress is believed to have packed her bags early in the morning to avoid the cameras.

Somen Mishra

http://www.moneycontrol.com/

Shah Rukh kills the 'painter' in Saif

Somen Mishra
CNN-IBN
Posted Tuesday , June 19, 2007 at 19:00

Malshej Ghats (Maharashtra): Far from the Mumbai city, actor Saif Ali Khan is busy shooting for his new film Race in the scenic beauty of Malshej Ghats.

Perhaps it is this beauty that brought out the artist in Saif as the actor turned painter for Khushi, an NGO for underprivileged children. He joined hands with artist Nikhil Chaganlal to colour the canvas.

"I don't think I should reveal what my artistic input has been. Let that be surprise. But it is definitely something substantial but small," said Saif.

Looking at the painting it is difficult to say what's that small but substantial contribution. You might actually need a microscope to spot those coloured glasses on the table that Saif's coloured. The advice given by King Khan then is not that bad.

"I did a painting once and got this message from Shah Rukh khan saying that I should never ever paint again. Because its apparently one of the worst things he has ever seen. Almost disturbed him, which is really discouraging," says Saif.

We couldn't agree with the Baadshah of Bollywood more and we hope Saif sticks to doing what he does best.

On an aside, a little birdie did inform us that actress Bipasha Basu was also at Malshej shooting for the same film.

But with rumours rife regarding Saif and Bipasha getting close, the actress is believed to have packed her bags early in morning to avoid the cameras.

Video:

http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/43218/shah-rukh-kills-the-pain ter-in-saif.html

Shah Rukh asks Saif to give up

19 Jun, 2007 05:51 pm ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES

Actor Saif Ali Khan was recently discouraged by Shah Rukh Khan. Apparently, the Saif, who has added a stroke or two to Nikhil Chaganlal's painting (which will later be auctioned and the proceeds donated to an NGO named Khushi), tells us, "I had painted once, and when Shah Rukh saw my piece of art, he called me and asked me to drop the brush, and never to paint again. It was indeed discouraging. So, I have given up painting!" So much for the 'stroke of discouragement'!

http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2134133.cms

HALLA BOL to take on CHAKDE! INDIA ?

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

Rajkumar Santoshi's much awaited Ajay Devgan-Vidya Balan starrer, HALLA BOL, has been in the news, right from the day of its anouncement and is now in the post-production stage. There has been a lot of speculation about its release date and here is the latest information regarding the same!

According to our reliable distribution sources, Santoshi has decided to release HALLA BOL on August 10 and it will have for company, Yash Raj's Shah Rukh Khan starrer, CHAKDE! INDIA.

We must add that release dates can change even at the eleventh hour.

http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07/jun/19_halla_bol_to _take_on_chakde_india.asp

Shah Rukh to endorse 'Fair and Handsome'

By IndiaFM News Bureau, June 20, 2007 - 05:54 IST

It seems Shah Rukh Khan is taking the concept of metrosexuality too far. After endorsing everything from hair oil to beauty soap, he is all set to endorse Emami's Fairness Cream- Fair and Handsome.

Director, Mohan Goenka, Emami Ltd. claimed that it was not easy to convince Shah Rukh as they had to meet him seven to eight times to make him finally agree as he was apprehensive initially that the decision might hurt some of his fans.

This is the first time a male celebrity is going to endorse a fairness cream. On why the superstar has been chosen, Goenka is of the view that Shah Rukh reaches everybody and loved by all in the audience and has a "fair" personality. The contract is slated to be there for 24 months and the first commercial will be aired within the next 15 days.

Recall that Shah Rukh was the first Indian male celebrity to endorse Lux.

http://indiafm.com/news/2007/06/20/9609/index.html

Raj days are over!

By: Vickey Lalwani
June 20, 2007

No issues: Alvira Khan

Yash Raj Films seems to have bid adieu to stock favourite names Raj, Rahul and Simran.

Now, the production house has begun picking up character names from within the film fraternity.

For example, Preity Zinta is called Alvira Khan (also the name of Salman Khan's sister) in the recently released Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, while SRK is called Kabir Khan (also the name of Kabul Express's director) in the upcoming film Chak De.

No problemo

Alvira Khan is not aware she has a namesake in JBJ. She says, "I haven't seen the film, but it's not like I have an issue with it," she says.

It's cool: Kabir Khan

On the other hand, Kabir Khan says he was aware Shah Rukh Khan would be called Kabir Khan in Chak De. "I'm associated with Yash Raj, so I know. I couldn't help smiling when I first learnt about it. It's a thrill, no doubt, though a childish one!" he quips.

Kabir says that most character names are picked from one's filmmakers/ writers meet in their everyday lives. "One tends to use names one knows and likes.

Like my brother-in-law Vijay Ganesh Acharya (who is directing his debut film for Yash Raj, called Tashan), who called John Abraham's character in Dhoom as Kabir," he adds.

Would he be perturbed if his name were used for a negative character? "It wouldn't be me if even a rapist or murderer was called Kabir Khan. There are many people with such a name in this world!" says Kabir.

Alvira laughs, "I don't have a copyright on my name!"

http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/june/159638.htm

Missed call!

By: Vickey Lalwani
June 21, 2007

Neetu Chandra misses being SRK's gal

Losing Out: Neetu Chandra

If all had gone well, Garam Masala actress Neetu Chandra would have starred opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Yash Raj Films' upcoming venture, Chak De.

Neetu was the first choice for the role, but later Yash Raj Films and director Shimit Amin decided to cast Vidya Malavade.

Plot lost

The film sees Shah Rukh playing an ageing hockey coach who takes a motley group of girls to the pinnacle of world hockey.

Neetu was supposed to essay the role of a Sikh girl who is keen to join the hockey team but does not get the approval of her parents.

Says a source from Yash Raj, "Neetu met Shimit a couple of times and everything seemed to be going well. Suddenly, one day she was told that she was being replaced by Vidya."

When contacted, Neetu admits that she had auditioned for Chak De and Shimit was considering her for the role. "But after the release of Traffic Signal, the makers felt that I deserved a bigger role. There are eleven girls in the film and every girl has almost an equal role," she says.

Bright gal

Neetu says she understands Shimit's need for a fresh face. "Shimit is a great guy. He is decent and very professional. I understand his perspective and subsequent change of mind. He said he would like to work with me in the future. I look forward to it," she says.

Asked if she regrets missing the opportunity to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan, Neetu says, "I'm not feeling bad. I am optimistic. I've worked very hard and I'm sure there'll be a next time."

Meanwhile, Neetu has signed a three-film contract with Ashtavinayak Films. "Also, I am doing a film to be produced by Anupam Kher," she signs off.

http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/june/159678.htm

London calling

Part-Time Mumbaikar: Karan Johar

Seems like London is the destination of choice for B-Towners to escape the not-so-magical Mumbai monsoon.

For soon after the IIFA awards in Yorkshire were over, Rakesh Roshan and his family flew to the chic city for a short break. As did Karan Johar.

We think he should just buy a second home there. Considering the number of times he flies in and out of London, he's soon going to become an NRI!

Good friend Shah Rukh Khan too is giving him company there, though he didn't attend the awards function. We wonder why (wink, wink).

http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/june/159697.htm

Amitabh and Salman's cold war!

19 Jun, 2007 07:51 pm IST

After Amitabh and Shah Rukh Khan's cold war, it's the turn of Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan's apparent war to come out in the open. A source from Yorkshire, where this year's IIFA awards were held, said that the so called cold war between the Bachchans and Salman was evident throughout the event. "Both the Bachchans and Salman Khan and his friends were trying to steal the show, and as a result two different camps were formed," says a filmmaker on condition of anonymity. The Bachchan and Salman cold war became public, when Amitabh didn't turn up till the last minute for the premiere of Emraan Hashmi's Train, because Salman was present at the venue. "Throughout the event their itinerary was made in such a way that Salman and the Bachchans, including the newly married couple Abhi- Ash didn't bump into each other. The organizers had a tough time managing the Bachchan and Khan camps," says our source. And now the buzz is that due to the growing animosity towards the Bachchans, Amitabh will no longer don the role of IIFA's brand ambassador. And guess who is in the rat race? Shah Rukh Khan... the Bachchan and Khan rivalry seems to be heating up!

http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2134428.cms