5 Aug 2011

French title for Shahrukh Khan



French title for Shahrukh Khan



The French government will confer "Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters" title on Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan for his contribution to Indian film industry, a senior French government official said on Thursday.

"The title is being conferred to recognise the successful work done by Khan in 15-year career span and his contribution to Indian cinema - as an artiste and entrepreneur," Audiovisual Attache - Head of the French Film and TV office, French Embassy in India, Mohamed Bendjebbour told PTI.

The distinction is given to persons who have established themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of the arts in France and throughout the world, Bendjebbour said.

French Ambassador in India Jerome Bonnafont will confer the title on Khan at the inaugural ceremony of four-day French film festival - First rendezvous with French cinema here in Mumbai on January 27.

This is not the first time an Indian film personality is being honoured by the French government. In 2005, renowned director Adoor Gopalakrishnan was bestowed with a similar title as Khan, while last year Amitabh Bachchan was conferred with "The Legion d'Honneur", France's highest civilian honour.

"We have the tradition of honouring great film personalities in India. Our government believes that Indian film industry is today among the best in the world in terms of quality," the official said.

The three-day festival will showcase seven commercial French titles, in an attempt to initiate and popularise French cinema in Mumbai, before travelling to other cities. The Cultural Service of the French Embassy in India is organising the festival, in association with UniFrance, an organisation committed to promoting French cinema across the world.

"Indian cinema and the audience both have matured a lot in last couple of years. This change has coincided with the multiplex boom in India. We thought the time is ripe to tap its potential," said Philippe Martinet, Cultural Counsellor to the French Embassy in India, adding "we also want filmmakers to use France as the backdrop for their movies." Among the seven films to be screened, would be Roman de Gare (Crossed Tracks), directed by the Academy and Palm d'or awardee, Claude Lelouch. Other films are La Science Des Reves (The Science of Sleep), and the world premiere of Asterix at the Olympics amongst others.

All these films to be showed in the festival would be released in India. Major companies like Polydor and Shemaroo have bagged the title rights for India release.


"We've spent some time conducting non-commercial screenings of French movies in multiplexes across the country and have received a good response," said Martinet.



Big B last year, SRK this year for the French


The French govt will confer 'Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters' on Shahrukh for his contribution to Indian films.

The French government will confer "Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters" title on Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan for his contribution to Indian film industry, a senior French government official said on Thursday.

"The title is being conferred to recognise the successful work done by Khan in 15-year career span and his contribution to Indian cinema - as an artiste and entrepreneur," Audiovisual Attache - Head of the French Film and TV office, French Embassy in India, Mohamed Bendjebbour said.

The distinction is given to persons who have established themselves by their creativity in the field of art, culture and literature or for their contribution to the influence of the arts in France and throughout the world, Bendjebbour said.

French Ambassador in India Jerome Bonnafont will confer the title on Khan at the inaugural ceremony of four-day French film festival - First rendezvous with French cinema in Mumbai on January 27.


This is not the first time an Indian film personality is being honoured by the French government. In 2005, renowned director Adoor Gopalakrishnan was bestowed with a similar title as Khan, while last year Amitabh Bachchan was conferred with "The Legion d'Honneur", France's highest civilian honour.

"We have the tradition of honouring great film personalities in India. Our government believes that Indian film industry is today among the best in the world in terms of quality," the official said.

The three-day festival will showcase seven commercial French titles, in an attempt to initiate and popularise French cinema in Mumbai, before travelling to other cities.

The Cultural Service of the French Embassy in India is organising the festival, in association with UniFrance, an organisation committed to promoting French cinema across the world.

"Indian cinema and the audience both have matured a lot in last couple of years. This change has coincided with the multiplex boom in India. We thought the time is ripe to tap its potential," said Philippe Martinet, Cultural Counsellor to the French Embassy in India, adding "we also want filmmakers to use France as the backdrop for their movies."

Among the seven films to be screened, would be Roman de Gare (Crossed Tracks), directed by the Academy and Palm d'or awardee, Claude Lelouch. Other films are La Science Des Reves (The Science of Sleep), and the world premiere of Asterix at the Olympics amongst others.

All these films to be showed in the festival would be released in India. Major companies like Polydor and Shemaroo have bagged the title rights for India release.

"We've spent some time conducting non-commercial screenings of French movies in multiplexes across the country and have received a good response," said Martinet.

SRK conferred prestigious French title





Shah Rukh Khan has been conferred the `Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters' title by the French government.

Shah Rukh Khan was on Sunday conferred the prestigious `Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters' title by the French government at a ceremony in Mumbai.

SRK, who had a good year in 2007 with runaway hits Chak De India and Om Shanti Om, was presented the award in recognition of his 15-year-career in the Hindi film industry, one of the biggest in the world.

The title was conferred to Khan by French Ambassador in India Jerome Bonnafont at the inaugural ceremony of a four-day French film festival held at a suburban hotel.

The `Order of Arts et Lettres', created in 1957, is one of the four Ministerial Honours of the French republic and was established to reward artists who have gained fame for their works in the field of arts and literature and have promoted these fields.

Khan is now in the august company of other recipients that include Indian director Adoor Gopalakrishnan, author Arundhati Roy, singer David Bowie and Bob Dylan, actors George Clooney, Leonardo Di Caprio and Clint Eastwood.

SRK says he used to watch French films for lovemaking scenes



Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan says he used to watch French films for the "lovemaking scenes" for which they were famous the world over.

Shah Rukh admitted to having a French connection and said he used to go to the French cultural centre in Delhi to watch their movies since he was told it was the best cinema.

"But I also used to watch it for the lovemaking scenes," he told reporters yesterday before he was conferred the `Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters' title by the French government.

The star also said he had not thought about acting in foreign films since he had not been offered any yet.

Shah Rukh said he did not know that he was popular in France.

"I came to know that people in UK knew me after I travelled there. But I never knew people in France also knew about me," Shah Rukh said.

"I am proud we have taken our culture and identity of our country to France through the medium of our films," he said.

The title was conferred on Shah Rukh by the French Ambassador in India Jerome Bonnafont at the inaugural ceremony of a four-day French film festival.


Shah Rukh, who had a good year in 2007 with runaway hits "Chak De India" and "Om Shanti Om", was conferred the award in recognition of his 15-year-long career in the Hindi film industry.

The `Order of Arts et Lettres', created in 1957, is one of the four Ministerial Honours of the French republic and was established to reward artists who have gained fame for their works in the field of arts and literature and have promoted these fields.

Shahrukh Khan's Ra.One shooting in RFC



Ramoji Film City might have surrounded by several controversies in the past, present and future, one thing is clear it stood tall as one of the best film studio in India. Bollywood ka badshah Shahrukh Khan’s ambitious movie Ra. One which is being made with a very high budget is also got attracted to the excellent facilities and the amazing locations in the RFC. Hence, Shahrukh Khan and his Ra.One team have come down to shoot some action scenes at Air Port set in RFC.

Shahrukh Khan, who is said to be inspired by Rajinikanth’s Robo movie starts making this movie Ra.One. His character name in this movie is G.One who plays as Super Man role. Bollywood hot and spicy girl Kareena Kapoor is pairing with him in this movie. Shahrukh Khan is producing this movie under his home banner Red Chilies and Anubhav Sinha is directing it.

Shahrukh Khan is wearing specially designed costumes that costs Rs.1 crore. He also roped in several Hollywood technicians for making this film. Shahrukh Khan assures an amazing show with this movie. This film is expected to release during Diwali festive session this year.

Shivasena spit fire on Shahrukh Khan

The radical Shivasena party of Mahrashtra has spit fire on Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan for attending the grand function celebrated on the eve of Hrithik Roshan’s latest Hindi movie ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Na Dobara’ release followed by Bollywood beauty Katrina Kaif’s birthday function. The Shivasena’s mouth- piece-news paper ‘Samna’ has severely criticized Shahrukh Khan for grandly celebrating the occasion, while entire Mumbai is mourning for the deaths of its citizens in the recent bomb blasts. Shivasena states “Shahrukh Khan is hero in reel life but he is a villain in the real life.”



Salman and Shahrukh make Katrina’s birthday special



Katrina Kaif’s birthday on Saturday was made special by both Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan. How? Read on... 

Katrina herself had no plan to party on her birthday on July 16. But on the eve of her birthday, she met up with both Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan. Katrina promoted the film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara on Friday evening and then went to an Oshiwara pub where she is reported to have met Salman Khan. After meeting Salman, Katrina headed for a special screening of the film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara organized by Shahrukh Khan at his residence Mannat.

The screening was followed by an impromptu party to celebrate Katrina’s birthday. Everyone from the film -- Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol -- enjoyed fully.

But that was not it. We hear that the next day, Katrina’s birthday, she was invited to Salman Khan’s residence Galaxy Apartments for a lunch. Katrina reportedly spent quality time with the Khans and pampered her taste buds without thinking about her diet regimen going for a toss.

It was her birthday and the lady was in a mood to let go. What’s worth appreciating is that it was made special by both Shahrukh and Salman who, we all remember, had ruined her birthday bash in 2008 by their fight. One only wishes Shahrukh and Salman too had shaken hands and come together on this birthday of Katrina. Well, next time, may be.

Dada fans angry over Shahrukh khan

Cricket lovers and Dada (Saurav Ganguly) fans in Bengal are fuming with fury against Bollywood actor and the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders team Shahrukh khan, for not taking their favorite cricketer Dada into his team. They believe that, it’s nothing but insulting the Bengali tiger Ganguly. Dada fans warn Shahrukh khan that, his team will not be allowed to play the match in Kolkata without having their Dada in the team. Therefore, Shahrukh has assured them that he will certainly try to take Dada into his team. But, he also very well knows that, even he can not alter the team as it’s a multi million game.



Two-much-too-soon for Shahrukh?



Buzz is building up for Shahrukh Khan this year. First he has 'Ra. One' arriving on Diwali and then he would be wrapping up 2011 with 'Don 2' hitting the screens on Christmas. Though typically Shahrukh starrers are spaced by at least a year, this is not really turning out to be the case this time around.

"When Shahrukh originally started work on 'Ra. One' and 'Don 2', the original idea was to keep the two films distanced by a good enough duration. 'My Name Is Khan' had arrived early last year and even if 'Ra. One' would have released this summer, one wouldn't have minded 'Don 2' to arrive this Christmas as this would have led to six months gap", says an industry insider.

However with 'Ra. One' seeing an extended schedule and the film still being shot, there was no other choice for Shahrukh but to grab Diwali slot. Meanwhile with Farhan Akhtar and Co. already closing on the festive occasion of Christmas.

"The fact is that his fans have indeed been spoilt with an offer of 'two-much-too-soon'", quips a prominent filmmaker.

Now whether Shahrukh's strategy of bringing two of his films so close to each other goes in his favour or not would be known in a few weeks from now once comparisons between 'Ra. One' and 'Don 2' further catch on more heat.

Ra.One first look released on twitter



Shahrukh Khan's highly anticipated film, ‘Ra.One’ was released on twitter. It has been open to the audience in the form of 10 second teaser. Director Anubhav Sinha unveiled the first look of Ra.One on social networking site Twitter on 23rd morning.

To keep the excitement on, the rest 40 sec teaser will be shown on 24th March on ESPN –Star channels during the world cup quarterfinal match of India and Australia. It was a scince-fiction and the trailer shows Shahrukh Khan like a superhero, flying in the air, moving through the crowd like a superman.

The 100 crore budget film brings together Kareena Kapoor and Shahrukh Khan again after ‘Asoka’. The movie will also see Arjun Rampal playing a pivotal role.

Well, the teaser looks really amazing and Shahrukh a real superhero.



Shahrukh reveals his first crush



Many female fans fall week at Shahrukh Khan’s knees but his heart was ruled by two yesteryears actress when he was in his teens, they are Saita Banu and Mumtaz. Shahrukh Khan during the music launch of his home production, 'Always Kabhi Kabhi’ said, “My first two crushes have been Mumtazji and Sairaji. Now I address them with a 'ji'. I always felt that they were the most beautiful ladies in the world. My father used to find Madhubalaji very beautiful".

The actor added that he used to shake a leg when he heard songs picturised on the two actresses.

"I remember Sairaji's Bhai Batur. She was in a tub in the video. Even I would get into a tub and dance. Then there was Mumtazji's Chakke Mein Chakka," said SRK.

When asked if he had a crush on any of the actresses from the present time, Shahrukh known for his witty answers said, "Times have changed. Now the girls have crushes on me."

King Khan is the king of vulgarity



Actress Neha Dhupia rightly said that only Shahrukh Khan and sex sells in Bollywood. Tickets for the Shahrukh’s show in Dhaka were sold out like hot cakes and a 30000-strong crowd thronged the Dhaka's Army Stadium on December 10 to see their star perform live. But a Bangladeshi newspaper called King Khan as ‘The King of vulgarity'.

Weekly Blitz, a leading local newspaper, came down heavily on Shahrukh’s show, which also featured actors like Arjun Rampal, Rani Mukherjee, Eesha Koppikhar and Dia Mirza. It alleged that Shahrukh did things that hurt the sentiments of the Bangladeshis.

The newspapers slammed Shahrukh for smoking in public and alleged that he did it intentionally to drive a point that he doesn’t care the Bangladeshi authorities. It questioned why the actor was allowed to use the VVIP terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka while he doesn’t enjoy such privilege even in his own country.

Shahrukh also received flaks for uttering Bangla slang on the stage. He also spoke in Hindi and English at the show. The newspaper also alleged that the Russian dance troupe that accompanied him, indulged in illicit activities with the locals.



Shahrukh Khan invites friends for India-Pakistan semi final



Shahrukh Khan will be suspending all his important work on Wednesday. The superstar will be watching the India-Pakistan match in the semi-final clash of the two teams in the Cricket World Cup.

We hear that Shahrukh has plans to put up a big screen home theatre at his residence Mannat especially for the screening of the match. Moreover, he has invited all his close friends from the industry to join him on the big day to watch the super-match of the tournament.

It can be recalled how Shahrukh had cheered for team India in South Africa when India played Pakistan in the finals of the first T20 World Cup in 2007. This time, too, he and his friends will obviously root for India.

The semi final match is turning out to be special in many ways. Besides a sporting contest, it has become ground for diplomacy between the two countries as Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has invited his Pakistani counterpart to watch the match in Mohali.

'D' for Don, is now for Shahrukh Khan



SRK sports a fancy ‘D’ tattoo on his arm in Don 2; don’t mistake this for just another ‘D’ as the Don 2 team designed it especially for Shahrukh Khan. 

Ritesh Sidhwani the producer of Don 2 reveals that the three of them (Farhan, SRK and Ritesh) jointly decided that it would be a good idea to make the tattoo permanently Shahrukh’s, and they created a new design and registered it.

Not only that, they see the potential in the Don franchise, and plan on creating a line of Don inspired merchandize that will feature the ‘D’ symbol - caps, T-shirts, bags and such. You can see the branding starting with the ‘D’ in the first look of the movie!

Shahrukh continues to grow as a producer, he has turned his cricket team the Kolkota Knight Riders into contenders, and is now turning into a marketing guru of sorts who is always trying to go the extra step to bring something new to the audience -- getting Akon to sing a hindi track in Ra.One; or to reach the audience in new ways -- turning Ra.One into a Playstation video game.

Don 2 will see two new additions in the face of Lara Dutta and Kunal Kapoor, the rest of the cast is the same as Don and includes Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani and Om Puri. Arjun Rampal will not be seen in the sequel.

The film will release on December 23, just two days ahead of Christmas. Guess Don 2 will conclude 2011 with a BOOM! Making way for a Don 3 someday.

No Smalltalk Between Shah Rukh Khan And Amitabh Bachchan



Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan Comments.

One chance to bring Big B and SRK to share screen space together was Ravi Chopra’s Bhoothnath, but even that seems to be of no consequence now. Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla play parents to the kid who, after the family shifts to Goa, finds out a friendly ghost which can be seen only him.

Amitabh Bachchan plays the friendly ghost but the actor and SRK has to come together on screen for the climax scene.

Disappointingly both won’t be exchange any conversation as no one apart from the kid can see the ghost and so doesn’t SRK. Hmm…so there is no room for media to cook up stories to fuel the inconvenient relation between the two.

But I am sure even if they were asked to converse like in Mohabbattein, the actors would do it with ease. Their professionalism is quite famous after all! The film will be a visual treat for the audience, especially for the kids. And it will be good to see Shahrukh and Juhi together again after a long time. The movie will be ready by July 2007.



Sabse Tez 'SRK'



Shahrukh Khan is ruling Bollywood for more than two decades now but the energy level seems to have amplified which has inspired his ‘Always Kabhi Kabhi’ team. Ali Fazal goes gaga about the unbeatable King Khan and his fast learning talent.

Ali claims that SRK behaves like a old friend and said, “Shahrukh Khan is a brilliant entertainer. We shot for a promo song which took us three days but SRK came on the sets and learnt the entire dance sequence in an hour and we were able to complete the shoot in a day.”

“SRK guided us with camera angle and positioning which helped us to perform better. It’s a great platform to play a lead in his production,” Ali concluded.

SRK’s get-up-and-go attitude is definitely helping the beginner in B’town where they look up to him as an inspiration.

Pak hawkers attacks Shahrukh’s website

Shahrukh Khan-Bollywood ka Badhshah is in troubles. The stars of this great star is seems to be not in his favor these days. His Kolkata Knight Riders team has disappointed him in the recent IPL-4 matches. Then, he had big dreams over his ambitious movie ‘Ra One’ which is being made with huge budget. He starts an exclusive website for this film and even planned to introduce video games on this movie concept. But, recently some Pakistani hawkers have attacked his website and disrupted it. A pop song which he believed would be the highlight of his movie was also leaked in the internet. Hence, Shahrukh Khan who feels very sad over these developments has stated “It really hurts me to face all these developments. I have planned to give a wonderful movie to my fans. But, this kind of attacks and stealing the songs from my film is very discouraging.”

SRK to perform at Airtel Bindaas India concert



Shahrukh Khan along with other Bollywood celebrities is all set to perform at the two hour live Airtel Bindass India concert, organized by UTV’s Bindass.

Boman Irani, Priyanka Chopra, Dia Mirza, Dino Morea, Rakhi Sawant, Kunal Ganjawala, Ganesh Hegde, Nitin and Mauli Dave are the other bollywood stars who will be joining Shahrukh Khan.

The concert will also have Bindaas comical Hass Ley India Duo Mantra and Anirudh performing at the MMRDA grounds, Mumbai, on January 13, 2008. And the telecast is scheduled on January 26.

SRK misses parents at release of biography



Striking an emotional note, Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan, whose biography was released at a function in Mumbai, said he wished his parents were alive to experience the moment.

"I wish my parents were alive to see how much importance is given to me. It is quite overwhelming. I am embarassed about this," Shahrukh said at the release function on Wednesday evening.

The 460-page coffee table book Still Reading Khan, is written by Mushtaq Shaikh.

After watching a short film on his early days as an actor in the course of the function, Shahrukh said, "the best part of today's function was when I saw my old house in Delhi and it brought back memories of my Mom and Dad. I really wish they were here".

When compere Sajid Khan praised the actor's "big house and big car", the actor laughed out saying, "Sometimes I think that all I have is only a big car and a big house and nothing else. I think many more cotemporaries deserve to be written about but perhaps because the author is my neighbour, I was written about first."

Recalling Shaikh's interviews with him for the book, Shahrukh said, "I think he and I met and talked only between midnight and five in the morning. All he did was to ask me question about my life. I did not ask him what he exactly was writing".

In a touching a gesture, most of Shahrukh's directors including, Farah Khan, Aziz Mirza, Farhan Akhtar (who directed him in forthcoming Don) and Karan Johar came on stage to congratulate him and cut a cake to celebrate the book release.

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