Nominations for Pan Bahar Max Stardust Awards 2009

SUPERSTAR OF TOMORROW - MALE
Nikhil Dwivedi (My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves)
Adhyayan Suman (Haal-E-Dil)
Harman Baweja (Love Story 2050)
Farhan Akhtar (Rock On!!)
Sikander Kher (Woodstock Villa)
Imran Khan (Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na)

SUPERSTAR OF TOMORROW - FEMALE
Sonal Chauhan (Jannat)
Genelia Dsouza (Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na)
Prachi Desai (Rock On!!)
Anushka Sharma (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)
Chitrangda Singh (Sorry Bhai!)
Asin (Ghajini)

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE - FEMALE
Shahana Goswami (Rock On!!)
Vidya Malvade (Kidnap)
Mugdha Godse (Fashion)
Sheetal Menon (Bhram)
Manjari Phadnis (Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na)

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE - MALE
Sonu Sood (Jodhaa Akbar)
Sumeet Raghavan (U Me Aur Hum)
Samir Kochhar (Jannat)
Prateik Babbar (Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na)
Purab Kohli (Rock On!!)
Vatsal Sheth (Heroes)
Arjan Bajwa (Fashion)

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE BY A MUSIC DIRECTOR
Kailash Kher, Naresh & Paresh (Dasvidaniya / Pranali)
Raghav Sachar (One Two Three)
Justin - Uday (Hijack)
Dhruv Ghanekar (Drona)
Vidyasagar (Mere Baap Pehle Aap)

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE BY A LYRICIST
Kausar Munir (Falak Tak / Tashan)
Kashif (Khwaja Mere Khwaja / Jodhaa Akbar)
Ashok Mishra (Sita Ram Sita Ram / Welcome To Sajjanpur)
Kailash Kher (Muskura / Dasvidaniya)

NEW MUSICAL SENSATION - FEMALE
Shilpa Rao (Khuda Jaane / Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Bela Shende (Mann Mohanaa / Jodhaa Akbar)
Monali (Zara Zara Touch Me / Race)
Anusha Mani (Lazy Lamhe / Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic)
Dominique Cerejo (Ye Tumhari Meri Baatein / Rock On!!)
Anmol Malik (Talli / Ugly Aur Pagli)

NEW MUSICAL SENSATION - MALE
Benny Dayal (Pappu Can't Dance / Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na)
Wajid (Bang Bang Bang / Hello)
Vijay Prakash (Manmohini Morey / Yuvvraaj)
Farhan Akhtar (Tum Ho Toh / Rock On!!)
Dhruv Ghanekar (Drona / Drona)
Rashid Ali (Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Zindagi / Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na)

HOTTEST NEW FILMMAKER
Rohit Shetty (Golmaal Returns)
Sachin Khot (Ugly Aur Pagli)
Samir Karnik (Heroes)
A.R. Murugadoss (Ghajini)
Tarun Mansukhani (Dostana)
Kunal Deshmukh (Jannat)
Abhishek Kapoor (Rock On!!)
Siddharth Anand (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Abbas Tyrewala (Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na)

EXCITING NEW FACE - FEMALE
Adah Sharma (1920)
Shreya Saran (Mission Istaanbul)
Neha Uberoi (Woodstock Villa)
Amruta Khanvilkar (Phoonk)
Aushima Sawhney (Yuvvraaj)

EXCITING NEW FACE - MALE
Rajneesh Duggal (1920)

HOTTEST NEW FILM
Hello
Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
U Me Aur Hum
Phoonk
Ghajini

THE NEW MENACE
Imran Khan (Kidnap)
Nikitin Dheer (Jodhaa Akbar)
Anurag Sinha (Black & White)
Rajesh Shringapure (Sarkar Raj)

STARDUST SEARCHLIGHT AWARDS

BEST ACTOR
Rajeev Khandelwal (Aamir)
Anupam Kher (A Wednesday !)
Rahul Bose (Shaurya)
Vinay Pathak (Dasvidaniya)
Amitabh Bachchan (The Last Lear)
Abhay Deol (Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!)

BEST ACTRESS
Preity Zinta (The Last Lear)
Sarika (Hari Puttar - A Comedy Of Terrors)
Minissha Lamba (Shaurya)
Soha Ali Khan (Mumbai Meri Jaan)
Neetu Chandra (Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!)
Amrita Rao (Welcome To Sajjanpur)

BEST FILM
Aamir
Shaurya The Last Lear
Mithya
Dasvidaniya
Mumbai Meri Jaan
A Wednesday !
Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!

BEST DIRECTOR
Rajat Kapoor (Mithya)
Rituparno Ghosh (The Last Lear)
Rajkumar Gupta (Aamir)
Neeraj Pandey (A Wednesday !)
Nishikant Kamat (Mumbai Meri Jaan)
Shashant Shah (Dasvidaniya)
Dibakar Banerjee (Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!)

READERS' CHOICE AWARDS

BEST ACTOR IN SUPPORTING ROLE
Arjun Rampal (Rock On!!)
Shreyas Talpade (Golmaal Returns)
Anil Kapoor (Race / Yuvvraaj)
Tusshar Kapoor (Golmaal Returns)
Bobby Deol (Dostana)

BEST ACTRESS IN SUPPORTING ROLE
Kangna Ranaut (Fashion)
Gul Panag (Hello)
Sushmita Mukherjee (Dostana)
Bipasha Basu (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Neha Dhupia (Singh Is Kinng)
Amisha Patel (Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic)
Divya Dutta (U Me Aur Hum)
Kirron Kher (Dostana)

BEST ACTOR / ACTRESS IN NEGATIVE ROLE
Anil Kapoor (Tashan)
Akshaye Khanna (Race)
Kay Kay Menon (Drona)
Urmila Matondkar (Karzzzz)
Katrina Kaif (Race)

STAR OF THE YEAR - MALE
Hrithik Roshan (Jodhaa Akbar)
Saif Ali Khan (Race)
Abhishek Bachchan (Sarkar Raj / Dostana)
Akshay Kumar (Singh Is Kinng)
John Abraham (Dostana)
Salman Khan (Heroes / Yuvvraaj)
Ranbir Kapoor (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Aamir Khan (Ghajini)
Shahrukh Khan (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)
Amitabh Bachchan (Sarkar Raj)

STAR OF THE YEAR - FEMALE
Katrina Kaif (Singh Is Kinng)
Aishwarya Rai (Jodhaa Akbar / Sarkar Raj)
Priyanka Chopra (Fashion / Dostana)
Kareena Kapoor (Golmaal Retunes)

BEST FILM
Singh Is Kinng
Jodhaa Akbar
Jannat
Dostana
Race
Fashion
Yuvvraaj
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

BEST DIRECTOR
Ashutosh Gowarikar (Jodhaa Akbar)
Subhash Ghai (Yuvvraaj)
Anees Bazmee (Singh Is Kinng)
Madhur Bhandarkar (Fashion)
Aditya Chopra (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)
Ram Gopal Varma (Sarkar Raj)
Abbas-Mustan (Race)

RNBDJ: SRK's third consecutive blockbuster!

With the fourth week collections being out, it's now obvious that the Aditya Chopra directed Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Vinay Pathak starrer, RAB NE BANA DI JODI, has netted more than 81 crores from just its Indian run.

In the Overseas, the film has already grossed in excess of $2 million each from both UK and US. In addition to this there are good grosses from smaller markets like Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Africa and the rapidly expanding Middle East.

Reputed film trade experts have estimated a staggering 50 crores (total) profit for Yash Raj Films, its world wide distributors. In fact it's the banner's biggest profit raking venture till date. And that, without even releasing in Pakistan!

As for its lead actor, Shah Rukh Khan, presently in Los Angeles for Karan Johar's MY NAME IS KHAN, this will be his third consecutive blockbuster. His last three films, Yash Raj's CHAK DE INDIA, his home banner venture, OM SHANTI OM and now once again Yash Raj's RAB NE BANA DI JODI, all have been blockbuster hits. A rare feat indeed!

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi features in iTunes Top 10 Charts

The music of Yash Raj Films' Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi starring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has created a benchmark in the digital entertainment by featuring in the list of top 10 album sales for iTunes, the world's most popular online music store. This is the first time the music album of a Bollywood film has made it to the album download charts of iTunes.

Commenting on this achievement Neeraj Roy, MD & CEO, Hungama Mobile, said, "This is yet another example of Indian content transcending boundaries and making a significant mark in the digital music space, worldwide. Hungama would like to congratulate Yash Raj films, the music directors Salim- Sulaiman and all those associated with the film."

"While single song downloads are common, an entire album being downloaded on digital download services is rare and this showcases the great music that's been composed for the film," he added. Hungama, which owns the digital rights to Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, is the exclusive distributor of Indian content to iTunes. iTunes is available in 22 countries around the world, including USA, the UK, and the European Union. The iTunes Store is the world's most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 10 million songs, over 30,000 TV episodes and over 2,500 films including over 600 in stunning high definition video.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi featuring in iTunes Top 10 charts once again proves that SRK mania is far from over.

Nominations for Nokia 15th Annual Star Screen Awards 2008

Best Film
A Wednesday!
Ghajini
Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Jodhaa Akbar
Rock On!!
Sarkar Raj

Best Director
A. R. Murugadoss - Ghajini
Abbas Tyrewala - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Abhishek Kapoor - Rock On!!
Ashutosh Gowarikar - Jodhaa Akbar
Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday!
Ram Gopal Varma - Sarkar Raj

Best Actor (Male)
Aamir Khan - Ghajini
Abhishek Bachchan - Dostana
Akshay Kumar - Singh Is Kinng
Amitabh Bachchan - Sarkar Raj
Hrithik Roshan - Jodhaa Akbar
Naseeruddin Shah - A Wednesday!
Ranbir Kapoor - Bachna Ae Haseeno
Shahrukh Khan - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Best Actor (Female)
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan - Jodhaa Akbar
Asin Thottumkal - Ghajini
Genelia D'souza - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Kajol - U Me Aur Hum
Priyanka Chopra - Fashion

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male)
Aamir Bashir - A Wednesday!
Abhishek Bachchan - Sarkar Raj
Anupam Kher - A Wednesday!
Arjun Rampal - Rock On!!
Irrfan Khan - Mumbai Meri Jaan
Jimmy Sheirgill - A Wednesday!
Pankaj Kapur - Halla Bol

Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female)
Bipasha Basu - Bachna Ae Haseeno
Ila Arun - Welcome TO Sajjanpur
Kangana Ranaut - Fashion
Mugdha Godse - Fashion
Ratna Pathak Shah - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Shahana Goswami - Rock On!!

Best Actor in a Negative Role (Male/Female)
Akshaye Khanna - Race
Anil Kapoor - Tashan
Ashwini Kalsekar - Phoonk
Dilip Prabhawalkar - Sarkar Raj
Ila Arun - Jodhaa Akbar

Best Actor in a Comic Role (Male/Female)
Ashwini Kalsekar - Golmaal Returns
Mallika Sherawat - Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam
Rajpal Yadav - Krazzy 4
Shreyas Talpade - Welcome TO Sajjanpur
Tusshar Kapoor - Golmaal Returns

Best Background Music
Amar Mohile - Sarkar Raj
A. R. Rahman - Jodhaa Akbar
Bapi-Tutul - Phoonk
Salim-Sulaiman - Race
Sanjoy Chowdhury - A Wednesday!
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy - Rock On!!

Best Music
A. R. Rahman - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na & Jodhaa Akbar
Pritam - Jannat & Singh Is Kinng
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy - Rock On!!
Vishal-Shekhar - Dostana & Bachna Ae Haseeno

Best Playback Singer (Male)
A. R. Rahman - Khwaja Mere Khwaja (Jodhaa Akbar)
Atif Aslam - Pehli Nazar (Race)
KK - Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - Teri Ore (Singh Is Kinng)
Rashid Ali - Kabhi Kabhi Aditi (Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na)
Shankar Mahadevan - Desi Girl (Dostana)
Sukhwinder Singh - Haule Haule (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)

Best Playback Singer (Female)
Dominique Cerejo - Yeh Tumhari Meri Baatein (Rock On!!)
Hardkaur & Anmol Malik - Talli Ho Gayi (Ugly Aur Pagli)
Monali Thakur - Zaraa Zaraa Touch Me (Race)
Shilpa Rao - Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Shreya Ghoshal - Teri Ore (Singh Is Kinng)
Shruti Pathak - Mar Jaawa (Fashion)
Sunidhi Chauhan - Dance Pe Chance (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)

Best Lyrics
Anvita Dutt Guptan - Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Jaideep Shani - Haule Haule (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)
Kashif - Khwaja Mere Khwaja (Jodhaa Akbar)
Mayur Puri - Teri Ore (Singh Is Kinng)
Sameer - Pehli Nazar (Race)
Sayeed Quadri - Bakhuda (Kismat Konnection)
Sayeed Quadri - Zara Si Dil Mein De Jagah (Jannat)

Best Story
Dibakar Banerjee - Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!
Haidar Ali - Jodhaa Akbar
Madhur Bhandarkar, Ajay Monga & Anuradha Tiwari - Fashion
Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday!
Shyam Benegal - Welcome To Sajjanpur

Best Screenplay
A. R. Murugadoss - Ghajini
Abhishek Kapoor & Pubali Chaudhary- Rock On!!
Ashok Mishra - Welcome To Sajjanpur
Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday!
Shiraz Ahmed - Race

Best Dialogue
Abbas Tyrewala - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Anvita Dutt Guptan - Dostana & Bachna Ae Haseeno
Ashok Mishra - Welcome To Sajjanpur
Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday!

Best Editor
Aarti Bajaj - Aamir
Deepa Bhatia - Rock On!!
Hussain Burmawala - Race
Nipun Gupta & Amit Parmar - Sarkar Raj
Shree Narayan Singh - A Wednesday!

Best Sound
Debashish Mishra - Sarkar Raj
Rakesh Ranjan - A Wednesday! & Race
Resul Pookutty - Ghajini
Sanjay Maurya & Allwyn Rego - Mumbai Meri Jaan

Best Cinematography
Alphonso Roy - Aamir
Amit Roy - Sarkar Raj
Ayananka Bose - Dostana
Jason West - Rock On!!
Ravi K. Chandran - Ghajini
Sunil Patel - Bachna Ae Haseeno

Best Special Effects
Biju D (B R Pix & Rrix) - Bhoothnath
David Bush - Drona
Pankaj Khandpur (Tata Elxsi) - Jodhaa Akbar
Merzin Tavaria (Prime Focus) - Ghajini & Love Story 2050

Best Art Direction
Nitin Desai - Jodhaa Akbar
Samir Chanda - Welcome TO Sajjanpur
Shashank Tare - Rock On!!
Sunil Babu - Ghajini
Sunil Nigvekar - A Wednesday!

Best Choreography
Ahmed Khan - Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Bosco-Ceasar - Zaraa Zaraa Touch Me (Race)
Farah Khan - Desi Girl (Dostana)
Rajeev Surti - Kabhi Kabhi Aditi (Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na)
Raju Khan - Khwaja Mere Khwaja (Jodhaa Akbar)
Snoop Dogg Group - Title Song (Singh Is Kinng)
Vaibhavi Merchant - Haule Haule (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)

Best Action
Allan Amin - Race
Javed & Ejaz Shaikh, Ravi Dewan - Mission Istaanbul
Peter Heins - Ghajini & Tashan
Ravi Dewan - Jodhaa Akbar

Most Promising Newcomer (Male)
Farhan Akhtar - Rock On!!
Harman Baweja - Love Story 2050
Imran Khan - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Prateik Babbar - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Rajeev Khandelwal - Aamir
Sikandar Kher - Woodstock Villa

Most Promising Newcomer (Female)
Adah Sharma - 1920
Anushka Sharma - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Asin Thottumkal - Ghajini
Prachi Desai - Rock On!!

Most Promising Debut Director
A. R. Murugadoss - Ghajini
Abbas Tyrewala - Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
Kunal Deshmukh - Jannat
Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday!
Nishikant Kamat - Mumbai Meri Jaan
Rajkumar Gupta - Aamir
Tarun Mansukhani - Dostana

Awards season starts with RAB NE...!

The awards season for Hindi films usually starts off in the New Year. But viewers of one of the popular news channel have had their say at the end of the old year and their voice is loud and clear: RAB NE BANA DI JODI is the best film of the year 2008.

The year end Movie Masala awards which bases its honours exclusively on the votes of the viewers of Aaj Tak news channel, have also declared Anushka Sharma as the debutante of the year and acknowledged Aditya Chopra's return behind the camera as the best directorial turn of the year.

Clearly, the sensitivity and humour with which the film depicted the initial moments in the life of a newly married couple has struck a chord with Indian viewers. Aditya Chopra's delicate direction has not gone unnoticed and Anushka Sharma's richly textured performance has surprised viewers with its maturity, especially as this was her first acting performance of any kind in any medium. Asked to comment on her win, Anushka with humility personified. 'It is an honour enough to work with Aditya Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan and the entire Yash Raj Films team. To win any kind of recognition on top of that is just icing on the cake. I hope that my subsequent work will live up to the expectations that viewers have of me after this kind of a stellar launch that Yash Raj Films has given me.'

Knowing how much the story of RAB NE BANA DI JODI has resonated with the viewers, it should just be a matter of time before other awards start pouring in. 2008 ended with a bang for Yash Raj Films. Now it's the turn of the batch of 2009 films from YRF, starting with the unusual tale of NEW YORK to weave their magic with the viewers
.

Golden Temple brings luck for Yash Raj Films

The Golden Temple seems to have become a lucky mascot for Yash Raj Films.

“Rabe Ne Bana Di Jodi”, released on December 12, grossed approximately Rs.60 crore worldwide in its opening weekend and surpassed “Dhoom 2”. The film, which is still doing well at the box office, had one sequence shot at the Golden Temple.

Earlier in 2008, the Golden Temple was seen in one more Yashraj movie – “Bachna Ae Haseeno”.

In fact, these were the only two films that made money for the production house in 2008, the rest being huge flops.

So it’s being said that the Golden Temple is proving lucky for Yash and Aditya Chopra. So we won’t be surprised if we see some more of the holy place in the forthcoming films from Yashraj.

"As a kid I used to dance on SRK's song from Baazigar" - Anushka Sharma

The best compliment Anushka Sharma received for her performance in Rab Ne Bana De Jodi came from Yash Chopra. "He came up to me and said mine was one of the best performances he had seen by a debutant. He placed his hand on my head while saying this. So he was blessing me."

She was also not presented with the poise finesse and sophistication associated with the typical Yash Raj heroine. Anushka defends the banner stoutly. "You're right. Even when girls are presented as seedhi-saadhi in a Yash Raj film she's glamorous. And coming from a glam background I wouldn't have minded being glossy in my first film. But you know what? This was such a huge opportunity. I couldn't have asked for more. I fell in love with my character and the film. It's a dream role for any debutante. I can always get into chiffon saris in the next Yash Raj film. Or the one after that..."

It's interesting how Anushka got Rab Ne Bana De Jodi. "I was auditioned and short-listed. Then Adi auditioned me personally and I was on."

Ask her how she managed to be so natural in her first film and Anushka laughs, "All the while I was modeling in Bangalore. Maybe there was an actor lurking within me. I'm crazy about my modeling work. I love the ramp and the backstage banter. I moved to Mumbai a year ago. Movies were not a priority. I don't come from a film background, don't know how the industry works. I didn't know anyone here."

But Anushka was always a huge Shah Rukh fan. "My dad is in the army and when they would've these functions in the mess, I'd dance to Shah Rukh's 'Kitabe Bahut Si Padhi Hogi' from Baazigar. I must've been 3 at that time. I wasn't just Shah Rukh's fan. I'm his trueblue admirer. I always loved the way he conducted himself. Now after having worked with him I love him even more. Rab Ne...was like my school where Shah Rukh and Adi were my teachers."

However Anushka wasn't over-instructed. "Adi never told me what to do beyond a point. In fact he gave me the liberty to interpret my character how I wanted after making me read the lines. Imagine a newcomer getting so much freedom in her first film! I must have given my DOP Mr Ravi Chandran so much grief. I knew nothing about camera angles. I didn't even understand focus marks. Shah Rukh was doing that for me. Adi and Shah Rukh made things so comfortable for me. These things matter a lot when you're starting out."

Anushka didn't have to make a strenuous effort to act. "Even modeling is a kind of performance. On the ramp you are representing a concept. In a film you're projecting an individual. But the transition wasn't hard for me. Because in real life I'm as simple as the girl I play in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Yes, I do like to dress up and walk the ramp. But that isn't the real me."

Anushka was lucky to be brought up in Bangalore. "Otherwise army officers who give their lives for the country (and I'm proud to be born to a soldier's daughter) could be posted anywhere in the back of the beyond. That gets really tough on their kids. Me and My brother (who used to be a state-level cricketer) got the best of education in Bangalore."

Mumbai is now Anushka's home. "I kept coming to Mumbai for modeling assignments. I decided to move into Mumbai a year ago with my mom, since my dad is posted out. I haven't bought my place. Right now I'm very comfortable in the army quarters. I don't feel the need to move from where I am."

SRK Romances Kajol, Bipasha, Lara, Preity and Rani

Introducing Anushka Sharma

"Thank you so much. I've been answering the same old questions two thousand times". This is what the delighted Anushka Sharma with a beautiful smile told me when I walked in to the YRF Studio's first floor room after letting her know that I wasn't in a mood of asking clichéd questions to her for her film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. But she forgot to ask me my mood then, because for once, I was in a mood to create something new, something cheerful, something light, something entertaining, something more flirtatious. What's more, she was ready and comfortable with my mood, but what she didn't see coming was her first ever proposal by a journalist in a closed room. I asked her out on a date first and then asked her whether she would marry me. To my jaw dropping surprise, she said, "Yes". Listening to her talk, you can hear the qualities that made her Taani in the film; she has become the face of the season that you would want to hear the news from and a reason for anyone to fall in love with. In some ways, she says, the life chose her rather than the other way around. With her exotic looks and her obvious sense of fun, you'd think Anushka Sharma would have many a men beating a path to her door. But no. I was the only first and the last man standing which put her through this fancy-free and flirty conversation. Not that she doesn't want a man in her life - it's just that 'Rab' found me for her. Harrow Observer UK columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent brings you the never before heard conversation with the sexy, single and now successful Anushka Sharma on Rab, Tab aur Ab (God, then and now).

Shah Rukh told me that Adi Chopra believed the film was made by 'Rab'. What's your opinion on the quote?
Absolutely correct. Me being a part of this film is also because of 'Rab' because now that I've done this film, in a strange way I believe that everything that has happened in my life before this has kind of structured to get me to this. In terms of me moving to Mumbai, me not being too exposed in spite of being in the modelling world for quite some time, etc, all helped me get Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. It was entirely Rab's blessings for all of us, not for me alone.

The recently updated UK figures have grossed almost half a million pounds in seven days for your film. Are you going to be a million dollar baby by the end of two weeks?
(Laughs) Actually I don't understand the figures very well. I do ask Yash Raj how the film is doing at the box office and what the people are thinking about it. But as you're telling me that the film has grossed half a million pounds, I'm sure the people are going to the cinemas and watching it. But I wanted everyone to come out of the theatres and scream on top of their voice - 'What a film man! I'm going and watching it the next time'. It feels good to be a part of a successful film and even special when you know that you've contributed towards the success.

Will the success of Rab Ne take your feet off the ramp?
This film happened by chance but modelling was something that I always wanted to do. I've never said that I wanted to be Miss World or an actress. I just wanted to be a model walking the ramp. Whether I will return back to the ramp is all up to Rab now. Let's see.

Are you happy with the unhappy response from quite a few critics from the media world?
Yeah, I heard that many critics haven't taken the film very well. But that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their own individual opinion and they are viewers after all. I respect all the critics' opinion.

How critical were your parents after watching the film?
My elder brother will never pay me any compliment because he is harsh. And so is my dad. After watching the film my brother said, "You can act, huh". For my mother, I'm the best in the world. My dad was impressed though.

You made my friend and colleague who was sitting next to me while watching the film cry. Why?
(Laughs) Really? Actually I wanted everyone to cry. My friends called me up saying that they really enjoyed the film and had fun throughout. But in return I asked them whether they cried watching the same. I wanted them to cry. If someone has cried, they are feeling for you and your character. I guess it's nice in a way.

So tell me, are your parents going to look out for a boy like Surinder or Raj for your marriage?
(Laughs) My father always says, "You please go and find a boy for yourself because I doubt if I will ever find one for you". I tend to go the hyper way sometimes which is fine because that's my age. So if I was ever to find someone for me, the guy has to be like Surinder Sahni. If you are dating a rich brat, how far can you go on is my question and where are you going to go? You want to be with someone who loves you like Suri does, that is unconditionally. He has to be sweet and genuine. I was watching the film and was cursing my character because I failed to understand why Taani isn't falling in love with him.

You envy Gauri Khan then?
(Laughs out loud) No, not at all. They are such a cute couple. I can never think of that.

Ok, would you leave your husband in real life if you find someone else?
For Taani, she didn't marry out of choice but Anushka Sharma is going to marry out of choice. And when I do get married I will never think of leaving my husband.

Now please close your eyes and tell me where do you see Rab when you open your eyes. I know it's me but still go on, tell me.
(Laughs out loud) Yes, it's you in front of me. But on a serious note, you are not seeing Rab in someone; you see the goodness of Rab in a person. Someone who is so correct like Suri doesn't have a single bad bone in his body. He is such a nice man and is so good to everybody. That's what God is like, right?

You are a classic dancer with a classical grace.
Thank you for the compliment and thanks to my Bharatnatyam classes I did till I was in the seventh standard. My mother always wanted me to learn classical dancing but I kept running away from it. What you've seen on screen is thanks to Shiamak Davar who helped me for one whole month of training.

When do you plan to go to the UK and show your beautiful face to the country which has accepted you and your film with open arms?
I'm booking my flight with you. Let's go together. That's a good idea isn't it? I've never been to the UK and I'd love to go there once.

You don't need to climb the ladder of success because you are so tall.
(Laughs) You're right. But in the film, I wasn't wearing any heels. If I was, I would've looked taller than Shah Rukh.

Have you been offered any toothpaste commercial because your smile kills?
Oh really. I haven't been offered any toothpaste commercial but the day I get an offer, I'll send you a thank you note.

How similar is Anushka to Taani?
In more ways than one. But Anushka right now is very tired and I've been doing these interviews since morning which will go on till 11pm. Please tell me how do these actors do it. Hats off to them. I have to learn the tricks of the trade. Sometimes it does get tiring to answer the same questions again and again. I must say, your questions are a welcome relief.

I can't keep my eyes off you and I have to say this, will you come out on a date with me?
(Laughs) Yes, I don't mind but on one condition. You don't have to ask me any questions, I will ask you the same question forty times and you'll have to answer it. Secondly, we will go the Yash Raj canteen outside for our date. Thirdly, you will have to compliment me, talk all the nice things about me and be very sweet with me. If that's what you can do, I'm up for it.

Now you're being conditional here.
I have to, if you want a date with me (laughs).

How about a step forward. Will you marry me Anushka?
(Laughs out loud) Yes but again it will be conditional. You know what, my father may agree to your proposal also because he will be more than willing to say, "Accha hai...koi toh mil gaya...ab meri tension khatam."

What do you have to say to your UK audiences who are comparing you with Kajol's character Simran? They think you are the new Simran in SRK's life.
Wow! I didn't know this. Thank you so much and thank you to all the UK people who've appreciated my work. I hope I do many more films with Shah Rukh because he is too good. He is fun to work with. When I saw Kajol and SRK in the 'Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte' song, they both looked like made for each other. Their pair is just awesome.

Are you going to watch Aamir's Ghajini?
Yes, I am going to watch Aamir Khan's Ghajini. I think it's going to be a good film. It's not about competition, nowadays, the more the films do well, better it is for our industry.

Is Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi responsible for the expected success of Ghajini

Ghajini is all set to embark on a historic start in less than a week from now (the film begins its paid previews from Wednesday evening itself!) and in some way, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi deserves some part of the credit for that. Reason? Bollywood, which in year 2008 was at an all time low till about 10 days back, suddenly seems a lot more spirited and excited, courtesy the superb response that Adi-SRK combine has generated in the week gone by.

The sentiments have perked up overnight and the industry, which was reeling under recession and back to back failures of many a biggies (Yuvvraaj, Drona, Love Story 2050), has started singing a different tune altogether. Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar (who will be striking in less than a month from now, with Chandni Chowk To China) are being hailed as the saviors of the industry even as the third Big Khan has quietly moved out of the reckoning with the huge failure of Yuvvraaj.

Coming to Ghajini and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi connection, the super success of the latter has proven one point that people have actually visited theaters in hordes in spite of mood of the entire nation being gloomy and depressing for last so many days. Now if only the film would have been bad or it would have failed to excite any audience to step into theaters at all in the first place, the negativity, in all probability, would have rubbed into Ghajini as well.

Though Aamir Khan would still have managed to pull in substantial audience, the kind of buzz that the film is carrying today is unparalleled for which one can't help but thank Shah Rukh Khan and his Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi enough. Also, after spending mega bucks in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, if audiences would have disliked the film, they would have been hesitant to venture into theaters again within just a fortnight.

Looking at such scenarios, one can be assured that Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi has paved the way for Ghajini to go ahead and make huge bucks for itself too. The message for the Aamir Khan starrer is - 'See, we made good money in spite of release timing which was not so positive while reviews too were mixed. Now you have all going in your favor so why don't you go for the kill!'

No wonder, Aamir Khan is going all out to make sure that Ghajini fetches record first week collections on its 24th December release. The way it is in news day and night out, Ghajini has made many a commoners box office analysts with numbers like 40 crores, 50 crores, 60 crores being thrown up in air as if they were candies up for grab. And no, I am not talking about the film's budget or its final collections! These are the first week numbers around which bets are being laid all around.

Well, while a record breaking opening week is pretty much on the cards (beware Singh Is Kinng, Om Shanti Om, Golmaal Returns, Dhoom 2), one waits to see if Ghajini indeed turns out to be Bollywood's first film that would go on to cross the 100 crore net collections mark in India alone.

SRK: I Love Girls

SRK reached three hours late as usual and the media had to wait for him as newbie Anushka couldn't be unveiled without him. But SRK more than made up when he won everyone over with his infectious energy and unmatched wit.

He spoke about Rab Ne, Anushka and Aamir Khan.

What do you feel about the response to RNBDJ?
I have got a mixed reaction from everyone. Many people liked Suri's character. Insha'allah my fans are with me so they love me in all my films.

Why did it take so long to launch Anushka?
Both Adi and I thought that first people should watch Anushka's performance first and then communicate with her. Now, when you have seen her performance in the film you can ask her justified questions. That's why we were hiding her. There is nothing like we kidnapped her and kept her in some special room, didn't allow her to eat or talk to anyone. We have
allowed her to speak with her parents twice a day. We have not hidden her in a room where even sunlight cannot reach her. It is just that we hid her from the media.

So do you enjoy working with girls half your age?
Yeah!!! You all know that I love girls and girls also love me. That is why I am doing films with young girls and all my actresses are taller than me. I guess the new generation is quite tall! And Anushka is only twenty years old and she has a lot more time to grow. And I love working with young actresses (laughs)

How did the idea of the multi-star tribute song come about?
The idea was Adi's only because he has written the script. I don't interfere with the scripts or with the directors. Earlier we thought that we should make Anushka play all the characters but then we dropped the idea because we thought it would take attention away from Taani's and Suri's characters. So we cast all hot Bollywood legends as me and all hot actresses opposite me. As I have always I said 'I love girls'.

Isn't the song's theme similar to OSO?
No, because both of them had different motives behind the picturization of the songs. That movie's theme was of a guy who wants to become an actor. But here she thinks of how funny Raj is.

Aamir has said that you are famous and your films become hits because you have befriended members of the media. What do you think?
You give me the answer if you think this is true. If this is true, then journalism's principal has died and you people are fake! Journalists are fake, news channels are sold out. Then none of the films will flop. I am asking you people if it is true. These are baseless rumors. And I don't have any special friends in the media. If I had friends in the media, you all would not do any negative stories against me. When I came to Mumbai and was on my way to becoming a star, I used to get tensed and angry with the media wanting to write about my personal life. But then I cooled down as I realized that I am doing my job and they are doing their job.

Aamir has put up his Ghajini statues in theatres to compete with your film. What is your reaction?
I think Ghajini will be a blockbuster. See I will tell you that he is intelligent, he is smart and he is a great actor. And we met each other last night. Don't take it the wrong way! We were shooting next to each other. I will tell you one thing about Aamir. Now Aamir has become so funny ...earlier he was very serious. And now he pulls my leg so I can also pull his leg. So I thought I would tease him about his hair but when I saw him his hair had grown. Then I asked him about the boys who have gone bald because of him as they are sporting the Ghajini hairstyle and what if their hair doesn't grow back? And then I joked with him about his muscles. I got a six pack last year but Aamir has got an eight pack now, so who toh mere se aage nikal gaya hai. I wish him all the best for Ghajini.

'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' The highest opening week grosser till date

Shahrukh Khan-starrer `Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' that released worldwide on December 12, has grossed Rs 90 crore in its opening week, which is on par with and in some places even higher than two of the highest opening week grossers till date, `Om Shanti Om' and `Singh Is King'.

Its producers Yash Raj Films (YRF) said `Rab Ne...' has also broken all earlier opening week collection records for Yash Raj Films, having surpassed the opening week collections of `Dhoom: 2', which is regarded as one of the highest grossing movies of all-time.

The total collections for `Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' in India are around Rs 42 crore net (gross collections were Rs 70 crore). The total gross collections for all overseas markets are over USD 4 Million (around Rs 20 crore), a YRF statement said here on Thursday.

In Middle East, `Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' has broken all previous records for first week collections, netting just under USD 1.3 million. The previous highest grossing film in the Gulf region, having a sizeable Indian population, was `Dhoom: 2', which grossed approximately USD 1.86 million across its entire run.

The Aditya Chopra-directed romantic flick, featuring newcomer Anushka Sharma, is on course to break this all-time record going into its second week, the statement said.

The film has also had a grand opening week across all overseas markets, including the UK, USA, Australia, Europe, Africa, and Asia, and features in the list of the highest grossers for the opening week in most of these territories.

"The film has the potential to finish as one of the biggest blockbusters of all-time," it said.

Shahrukh Khan at Anushka Sharma's introductory press conference

SRK: Let audience speak about Anuskha

Last year when OM SHANTI OM was about to release Shah Rukh had left no stones unturned in promoting the movie. Infact the leading lady of the film newcomer Deepika Padukone was given the maximum hype. Even before the film hit the screens she was already interacting with the media and was being touted as the next big thing in Bollywood.

So (it went quite obvious) when RAB NE was about to scorch the screens everyone expected a similar kind of hullabaloo. But surprisingly makers and SRK kept mum about the leading lady newcomer Anuskha Sharma, before the film (RAB NE BANA DI JODI) release. And left one and all taken aback. And we thought this was the end.

But all you guys out there hold it, SRK is not a kind of person to take away home all the cake. Badshah knows his strategies well. He knows how to give fair share of credits to his co–stars. Last evening YRF held a special introductory press meet for Anuskha Sharma where Shah Rukh very cordially introduced her to the media.

When we asked SRK as to why Anuskha was kept away from media all these days, to this SRK quite jokingly in his style defended, "Honestly I think all the new actors should be given a chance to prove themselves, its important first we judge their work and then only go ahead with relevant questions. Atleast let them get comfortable with the environment. I think it's quite logical and comfortable to interview the new ones only after they are done with 2–3 films rather than grilling them with same set of questions like how was your experience, whether he/she is good/bad, etc. Once they are established it becomes pretty easier to talk about their work, their films, experience. So it was nothing like that we were hiding Anuskha from anyone or torturing her in any way to not to make any public appearance. She was very much free to step anywhere she wanted to. We allowed her to talk to her parents also."

Further he adds, "Moreover it would have been easy for me and Adi to speak about Anuskha ki Anuskha toh itni accchi hai aap jarur dekheyga. Unhone bahut aacha kaam kiya, etc, etc. But we didn't want to. Instead we wanted audience/viewers to notice about her charm, her work, her persona. We wanted audience to judge, recognize her."

Well we do agree with you SRK on this part. And your strategies have also worked. The charming and vivacious Anuskha has already garnered maximum accolades for her performance.

Now we know why SRK's leading ladies become overnight star.

Manoj Kumar loves Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

When Shah Rukh's last film Om Shanti Om released, yesteryear actor Manoj Kumar was furious with him, and threatened to sue him for spoofing him in the film. But on Friday when SRK starrer releases, the senior actor was the first one to call him and congratulate him on his performance in Rab Ne Bana De Jodi.

SRK was pleasantly surprised with Manoj Kumar called on him on the morning of his film's release. The actor told King Khan that his wife Shashi had seen the film at a 9 am show and now they were going to watch the film again.

Kumar has not seen the film yet but he plans to do so this week. Manoj made it a point to tell SRK that the film will be a bigger success than Om Shanti Om.

Manoj Kumar confirms, "My wife saw the movie and completely loved it. Due to some issues, I couldn't go with her. The moment my wife entered home, she couldn't stop praising the movie. We called up SRK and congratulated him on the movie. My wife blessed him. I saw it on television and saw the huge profit it has made, even after the recession and depression the country is going through, the cinema houses are going house-full."

He reveals that he would go watch the film later today and adds, "SRK and I share good relations and I am extremely happy for him. My wife loved his Suri character and complimented him on his sweet look."

Shah Rukh Khan's RNBDJ has done a smashing business worldwide of around 63 crores gross in the first three days of its release. The film's stupendous success can be easily attributed to the overseas market alone. The film is said to touch the $200 million mark overseas. According to trade analyst, "It will be a bigger hit than Shah Rukh's earlier Om Shanti Om and even bigger than this year's biggest hit Singh Is Kinng."

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi script goes to the Oscars library

It's time for YRF to start their celebrations as Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi has had a successful run at the BO since its release last week. And if that was not enough the news is that YRF has got a call from the Oscar library requesting them for the script of Rab Ne...for its permanent collection.

News has it that it's basically the sensitivity of the screenplay and the unusual love story that attracted the attention of the Oscar library. For the uninitiated, the scripts in the collection are kept at the famous Margaret Herrick Library and are made accessible strictly for research purposes only. It's actually the students, filmmakers, writers and actors who can avail of the script. Not just that, the screenplays may only be viewed in the library since they do not get circulated and no screenplay is allowed to be photocopied.

Critics may not have given Rab Ne... the much expected five star ratings, but being chosen for the Oscar library is an achievement in itself! SRK will surely agree to this!

Anushka VsAsin

With Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi having released already, the competition is now between the ‘A’s — be it Aamir Khan versus Akshay Kumar or then Asin (Ghajini) who is surely going to be compared to Rab Ne’s Anushka Sharma.

But Aamir isn’t afraid. He told BT that since Jumbo is an animated flick, they wouldn’t eat into each other’s pie, and about the fresh faces and new talent — Asin and Anushka — Aamir insists that he has had no time to watch Rab Ne... but explained that both Asin and Anushka have a bright future. So while the war of the Khans and Kumar continues, will constant comparisons between Anushka and Asin lead to a competitive catfight? Like the one between Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone when Saawariya and Om Shanti Om clashed at the theatres. All we can actually do is wait and watch!

Adi-SRK bigger than Vipul Shah-Akshay Kumar

First things first! After a lull, when theatre managements were forced to call off shows due to lack of audiences, it was back to good old days this weekend. RAB NE BANA DI JODI, the first of the three 'Saviours' [the other two being GHAJINI and CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA], has succeeded in luring audiences back to movie halls.

Another observation! SRK's star power came to the rescue of RAB NE BANA DI JODI. A majority of those who watched the film were unanimous that the script was faulty, with loopholes aplenty. But SRK swept everyone off their feet!

Now let's talk business! RAB NE BANA DI JODI has come as a respite for the strife-torn industry, especially since everyone's talking non-stop of how the global meltdown and the terrorist attacks have hit movie business hard. The Saturday and Sunday numbers of RAB NE BANA DI JODI were excellent.

All through the weekend, the industry kept comparing RAB NE BANA DI JODI with RACE, SINGH IS KINNG and GOLMAAL RETURNS, the biggest openers of 2008. It was ahead at 'x' centre, behind at 'y' centre, they said.

If you ask my opinion, RAB NE BANA DI JODI should've had the biggest start of 2008. When SRK and Aditya Chopra shake hands, you expect the ultimate -- in terms of entertainment, in terms of numbers. Surely, the Adi-SRK combo is any day bigger than the Vipul Shah-Akshay Kumar combo [SINGH IS KINNG], Abbas-Mustan-Saif team [RACE] and Rohit Shetty-Ajay Devgan jodi [GOLMAAL RETURNS]. Come to think of it, it can't get bigger than Adi-SRK.

All said and done, RAB NE BANA DI JODI should've started with a bang, should've set new records, should set new benchmarks in business, should've been a trendsetter. Is it one?

Monday onwards, the film is sustaining well in North and parts of Central India and also South. But the severe drop at several screens cannot be ignored either. The feedback is mixed, people aren't going ga-ga or into raptures over RAB NE BANA DI JODI.

For the producers, who are also its distributors, RAB NE BANA DI JODI is a profitable venture, no two opinions on that. They will make pots of money on this venture. It's one of the biggest money spinners for YRF to date. The cost of production isn't much and the only expensive factor is SRK's remuneration. The recoveries from India theatrical, Overseas, Home Video and Satellite is sure to make the Chopras grin from ear to ear.

But as a cine enthusiast, you definitely expected Adi to push the envelope, to take Hindi cinema forward. When new/debutante directors can attempt films like ROCK ON!!, A WEDNESDAY, AAMIR, JANNAT and JAANE TU... YA JAANE NA, it inspires 20 people to take the torch forward. But if someone like Adi, the front-runner, thinks out of the box [within commercial parameters], it will inspire a whole new generation. Right?

Rab Ne opens big in North America

The one-man box office engine called Shah Rukh Khan rode into 105 movie theatres across North America grabbing a powerful $1.2 million estimated gross for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in just three days. Working with director Aditya Chopra for the third time after Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and Mohabbatein (2000), the star proved once again that his box office magnetism has remained undiminished over the last decade.

The new film -- in which Shah Rukh plays a common man who devises a plot win over the love of his life -- must have easily grossed over $3.5 million in three days outside India, trade experts believe.

For producer Yash Raj, which has suffered many flops in the last two years, the big success of Rab Ne..., following the strong showing of its previous release Dostana, could be considered nothing short of a blessing. And for the trade which has watched helplessly as many big budget films like Yuvvraaj, Drona and Love Story 2050 bit the dust, the strong opening for Rab Ne... seems a nice way to end the year, with good buzz awaiting the release of other big budget films Ghajini and Chandni Chowk To China.

In North America, Rab Ne... was number 15 on the box office chart led by Keanu Reeves' The Day the Earth Stood Still, which grossed $31 million in more than 3500 theatres.

While the reviews in India have been mixed for Rab Ne..., some of the mainstream publications in America welcomed the film, saying that it made much more sense than the usual over hyped and over kinetic Bollywood films.

'In the last few years, Hindi films have become slicker and faster, full of dizzying camera moves and blink-and-you'll-miss-it editing,' wrote Rachel Saltz in The New York Times. 'The technical exuberance is almost always impressive, but it's starting to seem like its own cliche.

'How refreshing, then, to settle into Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, a love story that has a different pace and feel than the recent crop of action thrillers,' she added. 'Rab Ne..., which reteams the director Aditya Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood's reigning superstar, is 'soft, sweet and slow,' in the words of one of its songs. It deftly blends comedy, the ruling tone of the new Bollywood, with melodrama, the ruling tone of the old.'

Shah Rukh has proved to be mighty lucky for Yash Raj. He has said that being directed by Chopra is the kind of collaboration he (Shah Rukh) enjoys most.

Many reviewers have praised Chopra's direction, though some in India have also said that the film loses its focus half way and tries to do too many things .

'Mr Chopra demonstrates how a director can master technology without being mastered by it,' wrote The Times. 'For him, storytelling comes first. (The plot has its flaws, but they're not deadly.)

While some of Shah Rukh's biggest hits such as Kabhi Khushi Khabhie Gham have been multistarrers, his new film is solely driven by his star presence. Rab Ne..., which is not an expensive film (made for about $6 million while Ghajini cost nearly $9 million) is looking at least $6 million in North America, Western Europe, UAE and Australia. Even if it were to plummet by 60 percent in the second week, as it happens in the case of most Hindi films, passing the $5 million benchmark in foreign territories will not be a problem at all.

Shah Rukh was generous in praising his Rab Ne... co-star, newcomer Anushka Sharma. In video interviews made available by Yash Raj, he said he found a distinct advantage in working with new artists who happened to be much younger than him. The younger actresses brought in contemporary touch to their performances, said the actor who is in his early 40s.

Watching them emote made him think if he was doing stereotyped work, and pushed him into yet another gear, he added. His recent films have had new actresses -- Deepika Padukone in Om Shanti Om, Gayatri Joshi in Swades and the girls hockey team in Chak De! India.

RAB NE BANA DI JODI: YRF's highest weekend grosser ever!

RAB NE BANA DI JODI, which released worldwide on December 12th 2008, has broken all earlier opening weekend collection records for Yash Raj Films. The film has grossed approximately Rs. 60 Crores worldwide on its opening weekend, and has surpassed DHOOM:2, which is regarded as one of the highest grossing films of all–time.

In the Middle East, RAB NE BANA DI JODI has set a new record altogether as the highest opening film of all–time. The previous highest was DHOOM: 2, which grossed approximately $1.86 million across its entire run. RAB NE BANA DI JODI has grossed approximately $1 million on its opening weekend alone.

The film has also received a grand opening across all overseas markets, including the UK, USA, Australia, Europe, Africa, and other territories in Asia.

RAB NE BANA DI JODI has been appreciated tremendously by audiences across the board and the film's performance promises to continue in the same vein moving forward.