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Srkworld
Portal now care of B4U
Shahrukh Khan has decided to pull out of SRKworld.com, the
complete entertainment portal that he launched with much fanfare
less than a year ago.
The "badshah" of Hindi cinema has decided to sell his
stake to B4U, the other co-promoter of the venture. The company
that owns and operates the portal is Aryan Informatics which is
named after Shahrukh's son. It was in November 2000 that
SRKworld was launched under the Aryan banner.
Sources said that Shahrukh and B4U are nearing towards closing
the deal in which B4U will buy out the star's complete stake in
Aryan Informatics. The other important partner in this company,
Aryan Info, is star actress Juhi Chawla. It is not yet known
whether Juhi along with her industrial husband is also wanting
to sell her stake in the company. It may be pointed out that
Shahrukh and Juhi are close friends and partners in another
production company Dreamz Unlimited which is doing very well and
has mega plans in the industry.
Industry sources attribute this deal largely to the bursting of
the dotcom bubble in recent months which has taken its toll on
all the little fishes in the internet world. The other reason
for why the stars may be wishing to dissociate with SRKworld is
because of its association since inception with the
controversial cine personality Bharat Shah.
Nobody in Aryan or B4U was ready to state the exact nature of
association which the portal has with Bharat Shah. However, they
concede that Khan and Bharat Shah are close associates and
"were associated in each and every project". However,
in a recent widely-publicised interview, Bharat Shah's son
Rashesh Shah has said that during these times of crisis when his
father was being interrogated by the CBI on various allegations
relating to his nexus with the underworld, their so-called
closest friends had deserted them. When asked specifically
whether after the controversy had erupted, Shahrukh Khan had
ever visited Bharat Shah or his son for expressing his concern,
Rashesh is understood to have stated that Shahrukh was among
those who had used his father to reach the top position, but was
now" ungrateful." It is well known that the first best
films that catapulted Shahrukh Khan to the number one position
in Bollywood were financed by Bharat Shah. If the hypothesis
that Khan wants to dissociate with Bharat Shah is correct, then
the he may have nothing to do with the portal in the future
which makes the future of the portal rather uncertain.
Although there is no confirmation available from anyone on this,
Shahrukh is understood to have told his friends privately that
he does not want to go ahead with any of the projects that are
being financed by Bharat Shah, openly or covertly.
Asoka
rocks Cannes Film Fest
Santosh Sivan's Asoka literally rocked the audience at Cannes
Film Festival. And film connoisseurs haven't stopped raving
about the film ever since they have caught the glimpse of
Asoka's trailers at the Tokyo Film Festival recently. Judging by
the kind of response the trailer generated, Asoka seems to be
set to conquer the world all over again. Superstar Shahrukh Khan
plays the lead in the film while Kareena Kapoor, one of the most
promising contemporary Indian actresses, stars opposite him.
Asoka will soon hit the theatres across the world.
Shah Rukh has
a new gym
Shah Rukh Khan has renewed his gym regime. He's working out
every night at a gym in the suburbs. The star does have his own
equipment at home, but since it's placed outdoors, the rains
make it inconvenient for him to use his home-gym. His friends or
his wife give him company in turns. It is impossible for one
person to keep pace with Shah's energy. At least till his son
grows up. If there's anyone who can beat Shah in energy, it is
little Aryan.
Shah
Rukh: Full throttle ahead
The Baadshah completes ten years of reign over the dreamworld
called Bollywood today. It was on 26th June 1991 that Shah Rukh
Khan first embraced the Bollywood arclights and on 26th June
2001 he is all set to be behind the camera making an hour-long
action flick for his son Aryan. In these ten years the actor has
gone from strength to strength, making new rules, while breaking
the set moulds… be it negative roles, offbeat films or
mainstream acting. He has handled not only roles of substance
but also the hazards of this volatile industry with great grace
and panache.
Shah Rukh however insists that he is still the same man who took
an auto rickshaw to the studio to give the first shot for Raju
Ban Gaya Gentleman. What has changed over the years however is
the film making technique and technology, that make him look
younger and better than he was. He is just grateful to the lord
almighty and his friends in the industry that he was offered
better roles and stronger dialogues to mouth. Now this is
humility or what!
Among his contemporaries, the one person he admires is Aamir. He
is dying to see Lagaan and hopes that the period film he has
made Asoka: The Great, has people reaffirming their faith in his
prowess and charisma. Great going Shahrukh!
Rani
Rajlakshmi to do item song in Asoka
The trend of svelte, suave sirens performing dances in films
is catching up and latest to be bitten by this bug was Santosh
Sivan. And while the rumors claimed that it was going to be the
sensational Sush who would do the honors, the director has roped
in Rani Rajlakshmi to do a special appearance in Asoka. If you
are still wondering who this female is, well, Rani is the wife
of actor Rahul Roy. Now, now, how can you have a film on
history's greatest monarch in all his splendour and not expect a
dance by a courtesan. But knowing the capabilities of Santosh
Sivan, one can expect this item number to be way above the
average fare. This might just be the beginning of a bright
career for the better half the Aashiqui boy, what say?
Shah
Rukh's driver lost his 11-year-old daughter.
Shah Rukh seems to be riding an emotional roller coaster for the
last few months. First, the tragic death of his friend and
secretary of 10 years, Anwar. Then came the impact of Bharat
Shah's arrest and the problem with his dream house. Last week,
Shah Rukh's driver Mohan lost his 11-year-old daughter. The
actor was involved from the time the child was taken to the
hospital. He was there every night after his shooting to be with
Mohan and the child. But sadly it was not to be. Shah Rukh, who
feels personally responsible for the happiness of everybody who
works closely with him, is left feeling extremely helpless.
Especially for Mohan who's been with Shah Rukh for long now.
"There is not much that we can do when destiny makes up its
mind, can we?"
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