SRK and Nik do not tick

While Nikhil says, ‘Shah Rukh is family’, King Khan brushes off their association as ‘a small thing that my office did’

Shah Rukh Khan and his protégé (self-proclaimed at that!) Nikhil Dwivedi have had a fallout. Certain B-Towners claim it was inevitable with the newcomer going overboard about his close links to SRK.

It is learnt that King Khan has been voicing his displeasure about him openly. SRK is peeved at the manner in which Nikhil flouted his connection to garner mileage. The newcomer, who was once a permanent fixture at Mannat, is no longer a part of the inner circle.

The SRK connection>>>

Nikhil made his debut in E Niwas’ My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves, which proved to be a dud. But more than his film, his links with Shah Rukh Khan became a talking point.

SRK’s Red Chillies Productions was the line producer of My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves and Nikhil declared that King Khan put the project together because of their association dating to Videocon, for which Dwivedi worked; and SRK was brand ambassador.

Among other things>>>

Delusions Of Grandeur: Nikhil Dwivedi
Says an insider, “What put Shah Rukh off was the fact that among the many things Nikhil went around talking about was a fictitious trip with SRK to Ajmer, where a fakir told him that he would be famous!

In reality, the incident happened to SRK and it is mentioned in Mushtaq Shiekh’s book, Still Reading Khan.

Also, SRK is a very humble man and was disappointed with Nikhil’s starry statements in the media. Nikhil also behaved badly with some people close to SRK, making matters worse.”

However Nikhil denies any rift with King Khan, “Shah Rukh is and will always remain family.

This is the first time I have heard about Shah Rukh being upset with me. It is very silly.

I spoke to Shah Rukh this morning. You need to check this out with him,” says Nikhil who will be seen in four films this year.

SRK’s reaction to his fallout with Nikhil>>>>>

Says Shah Rukh Khan, “Oh God! How small can I be? I am hoping to build the greatest studio in the world. I dream of winning the Oscar for my country.

I want my son to be the most educated man in the world. I hope for my daughter the greatest gift of art that God can bestow upon her.

I want to change the lives of at least three people in my lifetime who come in touch with me. Do you think I will be thinking about line producing a film etc?

I didn’t even know my office was doing it for Nikhil. My office takes such decisions on their own because they know I would never question a good deed by them.

These kind of stories make me feel and think small.”

Author: Shaheen Parkar | Source: Mid-Day

What it takes to be a hero?: Nikhil

The question most frequently asked of Nikhil Dwivedi, who makes his debut in My Name is Anthony Gonsalves this Friday, is: How did he ever think of getting into films?

Nikhil, who wants to be an actor, and who is your average-looking Mumbaiite, will not be deterred by every cynical moviegoer who puts this question to him. Instead, he counter-questions, “What’s the qualification for an actor? If just good looks are the benchmark, then every good-looking guy and model ought to be a superstar. When chocolate heroes were ruling, Amitabh Bachchan stood out. Likewise Mithun Chakravorty, Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgan made their presence felt in Bollywood. They didn’t conform to any rules. But they dazzle on screen.” Then, with a confident smile, Nikhil adds quietly, “When I stand before the camera, I see a hero.”

People like him depend on their hard work to make inroads into Bollywood. And why not? Luck is always known to favour the brave. Nikhil has as much a chance of making it big in Bollywood as, say, good friend Shah Rukh Khan.

“It’s about being in the right place at the right time. If years ago, Armaan Kohli hadn’t walked out of Sajid Nadiadwala’s Deewana , and Salman Khan hadn’t disapproved of Baazigar , Shah Rukh Khan would not have got a chance to display his immense talent. Both these films made him popular with the audience. I believe in just working hard and leaving everything to destiny, it determines us,” Nikhil keeps reminding himself.

He plays the title role in My Name is Anthony Gonsalves which has been directed by E Niwas. In the film as well, Nikhil’s character dreams of making it big. Anthony Gonsalves’s trials mark his journey to stardom. Does he identify with the role? “I have come so far on my own, I am sure I can go further,” Nikhil smiles in reply. Is he, like, an SRK clone? “Not true,” he answers defensively, “Shah Rukh Khan’s energy and hard work is infectious. He is so cultured that it’s inspiring. I am not on backslapping terms with him. I look upto him but I worship Amitabh Bachchan.”

Painfully shy when talking about girls, Nikhil is reluctant to divulge that he is single. “I am uncomfortable talking about this,” he admits. One film old only, but does he have a favourite heroine? “Not really, but if you want to know which heroine I find talented, I would say Priyanka Chopra and Amrita Rao.”

And why would an MBA working in a corporate house want to get into Bollywood? “I was unhappy with what I was doing. I knew films were my calling. So I decided to follow my dream,” he smiles again.

Afsana Ahmed, TNN