SRK and Sanjay Dutt to come together in KJo’s next movie

The two heavyweights of Bollywood are all set for rock the show on-screen. If reports are to be believed, Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Dutt might come together for ‘Agneepath’ director Karan Malhotra’s next.

Buzz has it that Malhotra is keen to make a sequel to 2012 blockbuster ‘Agneepath’ and for the same he is interested to cast SRK and Sanju.

Talking to daily, Karan Malhotra said, “All I can say at the moment is that I do have a film in mind and it’s not a sequel or a remake. As soon as I have a clearer picture I will first tell my producer Karan Johar about it, then share it with the world.”

Dharma Productions have reportedly indicated that the filmmaker’s next project would be a rugged action film with ‘tailor-made’ roles for Dutt and SRK.

While the two actors have been very friendly off screen, it would be interesting to see full-fledged roles in a flick!

SC dismisses PIL against Shah Rukh Khan

Observing that Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan cannot be targeted merely because of his celebrity status, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition accusing him of building his palatial Mumbai bungalow Mannat in violation of various laws.

A bench of justices DK Jain and AR Dave felt had the petitioners brought to its notice similar purported violations by others in the area, it could have examined the issue, but as the petition was solely aimed against Shah Rukh there was no reason for it to interfere.

The petition filed by two Mumbai residents Simpreet Singh and Amit Maruan, who claimed to be social activists, had alleged that the actor had violated various environmental, coastal regulations zone and archaeological laws in building his bungalow.

"What about others? Why have you selected only one building. Is it because he happens to be a celebrity?

"Did you check as to how many others have constructed similar bungalows and buildings. Why haven`t you done it?," asked Justice Jain, heading the bench, from the petitioners` counsel Munawwar Naseem.

The Bombay High Court had, on January 28, dismissed the PIL filed by the duo and imposed a cost of Rs20,000 on them saying it was a "publicity petition".

The apex court said while the petitioner may be bonafide individuals, yet, if there are 1000 such violators, they cannot pick one person along merely because of his/her celebrity status.

"Why don`t you file against others in respect of similar properties if you are serious about it. If there are 1000 such violations you cannot complain against only one person, " the bench remarked.

Later in a terse order the apex court said, "We find no reason to interfere" with the high court order.

Senior counsel Mukul Rohtagi and others appearing for Khan had, however, contended that there was no violation of rules and the construction was allowed by the municipal body and the high court had rightly dismissed the PIL.

Director Yash Chopra, is not titled "London Ishq" for next production

Yash Raj Films (YRF) officials says that their next production, directed by head honcho Yash Chopra, is not titled "London Ishq", as has been reported in certain sections of the media.

"Despite repeated confirmations that Yash Chopra`s film still remains untitled, large sections of the media continue to call it `London Ishq`. This is completely baseless, inaccurate and detrimental to the film," said an official statement from YRF.

The yet-to-be titled film, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, started shooting for its first schedule in the third week of February in London. It has been creating a huge buzz all over since the first look was unveiled.

The film also brings together the Oscar award-winning pair of A.R.Rahman and Gulzar, who along with Chopra, are working on creating some wonderful and meaningful music.

Scheduled for a Diwali release, the film is expected to add the same fervour to the festive time that Chopra`s films are known for.

Akshay triggers new Salman-SRK clash

One would have expected that the rift between Salman Khan and his arch rival Shah Rukh Khan would cease to exist with the arrival of a brand new year, but we are afraid that that might not be the case.

The two industry heavyweights, who had their own set of issues to deal with, have been dragged into a situation where they cannot avoid a face off!

And the one responsible for yet another clash between the two warring Khans is Akshay Kumar.

The actor is contemplating approach either Salman or Shah Rukh to play the lead role in his film ‘Oh My God’.

Talking to a tabloid, a source said, “Since Akshay will be busy with other film commitments, he and Ashvini Yardi (the director) plan to approach either SRK or Salman for the role, depending on who is available.”

The film will be an adaptation of veteran actor Paresh Rawal’s Hindi play ‘Krishna v/s Kanhaiya’. But now owing to Akki’s busy schedule, the story has been altered a bit.

“Till Akshay was playing the role, they were sure what they wanted. But now since that has changed the director is more than willing to change the script to suit the star. Both Salman and SRK will bring in a very different kind of personality towards the role and it only makes sense to write the dialogues accordingly,” added the source.

Apparently, Ashvini is good friends with both Salman and Shah Rukh and might pursue either of them to join her on board.

“Ashvini has been friends with both Salman and SRK and therefore there is every possibility that they might come on board,” the source said.

Katrina Kaif bags Rs 1 crore for 10 minutes!

If the race is for the No. 1 Bollywood actress in the category hot and sizzling stars of the industry, Katrina Kaif wins hands down.

Following report is the testimony of that fact.

Believe it or not, but the very sensuous Kat has supposedly been offered Rs 1 crore to make her presence felt at an event in Kochi for 10 minutes!

Reports confirm that Katrina Kaif is expected to make a brief visit to Kochi to walk the ramp at an upcoming fashion do, to be held on March 25.

Talking to a daily, a source said, “Bollywood stars stand to gain a lot more than local actors. Stars from other south films manage to take home the next high amount.”

“Shreya Saran, Asin and Trisha get paid as much as `30 lakh for an appearance. Though, most often, an appearance will also include payment in kind - a gift from the place they are inaugurating”, the source added.

Among the male actors, Shah Rukh Khan commands a hefty sum which sources claim is close to Rs 2 crore to grace an event.

Karan Johar snubs Priyanka Chopra?

Shah Rukh Khan’s best friend Karan Johar seems to have taken Priyanka Chopra’s alleged proximity to King Khan a little too seriously.

The filmmaker who is thick friends with SRK’s better half, Gauri Khan is in no mood to sit over a cup of coffee with Priyanka on his talk show.

The latest buzz doing the rounds says that KJo has purposely omitted PC’s name from the list of guests he intends to invite on ‘Koffee with Karan’.

Talking to a daily, a source said, “Karan has prepared a list of all A-league celebs to appear on his show, Koffee With Karan, and has excluded Priyanka.”

Reportedly, Johar was waiting for his latest flick ‘Agneepath’ to hit the screens so that he could then snub Priyanka, his lead actress in 2012’s first blockbuster.

So is PC out of SRK’s camp for good?

SRK, Akshay Kumar to buy the rights of Kolaveri Di

According to rumours Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan had been involved in a tussle over the rights of Kolaveri D but Akshay refutes the rumor.

Apparently Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar had both shown keen interest in buying the rights of Kolaveri D and approached Rajnikanth for it.

Says a source, "Kolaveri D is an extremely popular song and played across almost every corner of India. Apparently Akshay and Shah Rukh were both very keen to get the rights. Akshay was so keen that he even landed up at Rajnikanth's Chennai home and obtained the rights - thus beating King Khan to it!"

However a source close to Akshay rubbishes the rumors, "Though he loves the song, Akshay is not interested in the rights of Kolaveri D. He never has been. So the question of him beating Shah Rukh to the rights doesn't even arise. The only song rights that Akshay has bought is the rights of the Tamil song Appadi Podu from the film Ghilli."

Apparently Sonu Sood owned the rights of the song Appadi Podu and had wanted to use in his upcoming film, but Akshay convinced the Sonu to let him get the rights to use the song in his film Naam Hai Boss. According to reports Sonu had got the rights from the music company but Akshay made a special request to him.

Naam Hai Boss is the remake of Malayalam film Pokkiri Raja starring Mammootty and Prithviraj in the lead roles. NHB will be directed by Anthony D'Souza.

Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif unaware of the climax!

Yash Chopra’s directorial venture is making a lot of noise since the time of its inception. Firstly, Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif working together came as a big shock to the audience and now the director has added some more excitement. As per reports, he is trying to keep the climax of the film under wraps, not only for the world but also for Shah Rukh Khan, Kartina Kaif and Anushka Sharma.

Apparently, the ending is known only to Yash Chopra himself and his son Aditya Chopra. SRK has also been kept away from the secret. All we have been able to find out is that, it’s a love triangle set in London, where the three actors play contemporary working class characters. The treatment of love is very mature and every actor has their own challenging part to play.

Well, now it’s time to wait and watch who will get SRK, will it be Katrina or Anushka.
 

Aishwarya to make a come back on screen with SRK

News doing the rounds is that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan may make her comeback in films, post motherhood, with Sriram Raghavan's movie 'Happy Birthday'.

'Happy Birthday' is a sci-fi film that has taken its own sweet time to take off. Left on the nback burner for sometime now, Agent Vinod director, Sriram Raghavan has decided to breathe some oxygen into it, and bring it back to life.

'Happy Birthday' was to star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and John Abraham. Although, Ash may be ready to do this one - if the script sounds as interesting now as it did then - an insider informs us that her first movie will be a larger than life one, like Sanjay Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani with Shah Rukh Khan.

After all it's been a while that Aishwarya hasn't been seen on the big screen. Also, her exit from Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine wasn't under most favourable circumstances. It'll be important that her comeback venture after Beti B makes considerable impact and breathes into the actress in her a new lease of life. Ash will have to be extremely particular about the banner, director, co-star, her role and the canvas of the film.

Thus, in all probability, it'll be a movie starring Shah Rukh Khan that will mark Ash's comeback!

Shah Rukh Khan ends up taking a dig at Farah Khan

It definitely wasn't his first. But in the wake of the great slap fest at Sanjay Dutt's party, Shah Rukh Khan's witty quip about Farah Khan at a recent product event did make us sit up and listen.

SRK has attended a zillion product events till date. And he has hardly ever left an opportunity to take a dig at his rivals, both professional and personal. And of course, he did not let the moment pass this time either. On Wednesday evening, at an event, SRK did not fail to bring up Farah in his funny quip about (Surprise! Surprise!) a play station.

An eyewitness revealed, "SRK chatted with the finalists and was dancing with them to music generated by a software system. But the songs got stuck due to some technical glitches in the system. The dance was being interrupted due to the breaking sound system."

And then is when, SRK chose to crack a witty one, taking a dig at Farah Khan in the process. "SRK who was irritated with the system error said, 'Play station ko lag raha hai ki Farah iske samne dance kar rahi hai, isliye yeh bar bar pause ho jaa raha hai (The Play station perhaps feels that Farah is dancing to its music and that's why it's throwing up errors).' In fact, the organisers had to finally stop the system and the music," added the eyewitness.

SRK's funny ways is not a new phenomenon for sure. In the past, the actor has openly taken digs at Aamir Khan at chat shows and award functions. On Karan Johar's chat show, for instance, when KJo asked him what he would say to a die-hard Aamir Khan fan, SRK had replied, "Guys, find an icon you can look up to." On the same show, when he was asked the same question about Salman, SRK, had simply said, "May God bless you."

However, SRK wasn't just into taking digs at the event. While the contest entailed only the winner for a trip to Berlin, SRK, seeing the runner up in tears, agreed to sponsor his trip as well.

SRK: Whoever copies Dilip Kumar are idiots like me

Shah Rukh Khan, who was appreciated for the role of a doomed lover in 2002 remake of ‘Devdas’, earlier played by Dilip Kumar in the 1955 film of the same name, feels nobody can imitate the thespian.

"You can`t imitate Mr Dilip Kumar. Whoever copies Dilip Kumar, they are idiots like me," said Shah Rukh at the launch of Nasreen Munni Kabir`s book ‘The Dialogue of Devdas’, which has complete dialogues by Rajinder Singh Bedi, based on a screenplay by Nabendu Ghosh and lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi from Bimal Roy`s immortal classic ‘Devdas’.

Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Devdas’ was treated differently by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who gave it a larger than life feel and the magnum opus had Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai as Chandramukhi and Paro respectively. The film won lots of awards.

Dilip Kumar could not make it to the event. However, he sent a letter and Shah Rukh read it out at the event at the Mehboob Studios.

After a decade of the film`s release, Shah Rukh feels that it was stupid of him to go ahead and do ‘Devdas’, which is a big screen adaptation of Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay`s novel.

"I am not someone who would like to do something which has been so beautifully crafted. I have a very deep regard for the fact that my parents loved `Devdas`. I was very young and stupid that I said yes and did it, but as I am getting mature, hopefully more intelligent, and perhaps would not be able to do it this time," the 46-year-old said.

The first Hindi director to adapt the book was P.C. Barua who made it with K.L. Sehgal, then came the Dilip Kumar`s version in 1955, followed by the SRK starrer.

The superstar also feels he would have never mustered the courage to be part of ‘Devdas’ had he seen Dilip Kumar`s version.

"Had we seen the film before making it, we would never had the guts to make it. Sanjay, Aishwarya and Madhuri we all felt that first we should finish the film then we should watch it," he said.

It is said that so far the novel has been made into films 15 times, including in languages like Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu and Assamese.

Aamir Khan to quit Smoking

Shah Rukh Khan has been battling with it. And he gets routinely hauled up by his children for being unable to curb his nicotine addiction.

But it has been more than a year since Aamir Khan quit smoking, and this time he says it is for good. And if there is one thing he has in common with SRK, is that in his case too, it was the constant goading from his children that got him to kick the butt. There was a time when he smoked 40 cigarettes a day.

Speaking to Mirror from Delhi airport, the actor spoke about his several failed attempts and emphasised that this time he would not give in. "Never," he insisted.

Talking about what often ate into his resolve to quit smoking, Aamir, who is currently in transit for his forthcoming TV show, said, "Whenever my film was about to hit the theatres, I got nervous. And I felt that a cigarette could ease the pressure." So what triggered the renewed promise this time? Aamir revealed, "Honestly, my son Junaid and my daughter were getting very annoyed. Kiran and my mother too were constantly telling me to throw my cigarettes and lighters away. There was this day, January 1, 2011, to be precise, when I decided that 'Enough is Enough'. I can say that four people were instrumental."

The actor says that the resolve to kick a harmful habit not only benefits the individual but the family as well. "Your family loves you the most, don't they?" the actor added. It also helps that there is only a week's gap between the release of his next and the commencement of Dhoom 3. Aamir is expected to undergo a strict fitness regime for the film, and cigarettes are an absolute no.

So, is he using nicotine patches to control his craving? "There is no craving. Trust me, this time I don't feel the urge to have even one puff if I see anybody smoking near me," the actor says, adding, "I know it's difficult to learn to say 'No' to things that become a habit with you. But this time my will power is immensely strong and I shall not smoke again."

Salman is surprised find himself being dragged in SRK-Shirish fight

Salman Khan is mighty surprised to find himself being dragged in the Shah Rukh-Shirish brawl.

Apparently, Salman, who is shooting in Cuba, wasn’t even aware of the incident when it was being reportedly said that he called Shirish to show his support after Shah Rukh bashed him in Sanjay Dutt’s ‘Agneepath’ success party.

Talking to a daily, a source said, “It’s really strange how bhai’s name has gotten dragged into this. He hasn`t called anyone. Salman doesn`t even have network where he shoots. We haven`t been speaking to him often also. He wasn`t even aware of the fight... how can he call Shirish to offer support? When we called the newspaper to check about their source, we were told that Shirish told them about Salman`s call to him. But shouldn`t they have checked with him or someone from his side? Salim uncle is very upset about Salman`s name being used in this fight.”

When contacted, Salman said, “I am filming in Cuba. I am not using my phone here. I haven`t called anyone and no one has called me. If you are printing this also say hello to my mom and dad.”

Salman Khan: I haven’t called anyone

Salman Khan clarifies that he did not speak to Shirish Kunder after the latter's fight with SRK
On Tuesday, a media report claimed that a concerned Salman Khan, who is shooting in Cuba, called Shirish Kunder to show his support after SRK bashed him. That night Salman heard about his so-called concern for the film director. What's surprising is that, he was clueless about the whole fight at Dutt's party. He wasn't happy about being dragged into a fight between two people, especially because he wasn't at the party. And not even in the country!

Says a source close to the family, "It's really strange how bhai's name has gotten dragged into this. He hasn't called anyone. Salman doesn't even have network where he shoots. We haven't been speaking to him often also. He wasn't even aware of the fight... how can he call Shirish to offer support? When we called the newspaper to check about their source, we were told that Shirish told them about Salman's call to him. But shouldn't they have checked with him or someone from his side? Salim uncle is very upset about Salman's name being used in this fight."

BT tried contacting Salman but his phone was not reachable. Finally we managed to reach his manager Reshma Shetty who is also in Cuba. The line was bad and got disconnected a few times before we got through. She asked us to call later and put the actor on line. He said, "I am filming in Cuba. I am not using my phone here. I haven't called anyone and no one has called me.

Shah Rukh: Slapgate reportage affecting my kids

Bollywood badshah Shah Rukh Khan Wednesday refused to categorically state whether he had slapped Shirish Kunder or not but said the reportage on the incident was affecting his kids.

"Lots of things are being said about my life in news channels but the stuff which you put up in the channels are not the whole truth. This is embarrassing at times as I have a 14-year-old son and an 11-and-a-half year old daughter," said Shah Rukh, who was in the city to address a programme.

The Bollywood badshah felt it was embarrassing for a father to explain certain issues to his children.

"Every morning it becomes very difficult to explain to your children and it becomes embarrassing as a father, as a brother or as elder son of the family to explain about what is stated," he told reporters.

Shah Rukh reportedly roughed up editor-filmmaker Shirish, the husband of his former friend Farah Khan, in the wee hours of Monday during Sanjay Dutt`s success party for ‘Agneepath’.

"Bollywood stories are presented in a larger than life way... I have read the headlines. Yeah, some of them have not happened and some of them might have happened, but I would like to keep it to myself," he remarked.

Describing Farah as a very old friend, Shah Rukh regretted the reports that have been published about his differences with her.

"I have heard things that have been stated about us and it`s very difficult for people to sit down and read things in the house. In our house, the kids call her Farah aunty. It`s really sad when for last two years people say she said this and that... None of that is happening," he said.

However, he sounded hopeful of settling the differences.

"We can resolve our issues... certain issues we can resolve with hugs and happiness and I want to keep it personal," he said.

SRK slaps Director Kunder Farah Khan’s husband

Shah Rukh Khan’s act of slapping and abusing director Shirish Kunder, Farah Khan’s husband, might be due to a “personal or professional crisis” – according to Farah Khan.

“Shah Rukh has always told me that physical abuse is the worst way to sort out a problem and it means the person who is hitting has either a personal or professional crisis going on. It saddens me to see him doing the same,” said Farah Khan, reacting to the incident.

Speculations run unleashed yet again as to what kind of ‘personal crisis’ can King Khan be going through. Of late, SRK has been incessantly linked with ‘Don 2’ co-star Priyanka Chopra and reports of an alleged affair between the two have been doing the rounds of media and mouths of people.

Shah Rukh and Farah have been good friends for a long time. But their friendship had deteriorated when SRK had refused to act in Kunder’s film, ‘Joker’. And now the fight that took place between Farah’s husband and Shah Rukh might act as the last nail in the coffin for the friendship of the two. The ‘Agneepath’ success party turned a nasty shade when SRK beat up Shirish Kunder, and the latter left the venue with a covered face.

There were numerous rumours about Farah and Kunder willing to file an FIR against Shah Rukh Khan, but from what Kunder has said, he has no intentions of doing the same. In a tweet, the director has said, “Contrary to rumours, we have no intention of filing an FIR or a Police Complaint.”

Also, talking to a leading daily, the director has said that he is yet to receive any apology from Shah Rukh Khan. “I have not got any call from Shah Rukh as of now,” said Shirish.

The entire fiasco that happened at the ‘Agneepath’ success party is due to Kunder’s tweets on ‘Ra.One’ that had offended Shah Rukh a bit too much. After a heated exchange between the two, Shah Rukh resorted to blows and slaps, thereby giving rise to fresh rumours. Farah’s decision to not file an FIR and remarks about the actor going through some sort of ‘personal crisis’ is now the rallying point of new speculations.

For Farah, forget and forgive seems to be the way to act. For Shah Rukh, forgetting Kunder’s tweets about ‘Ra.One’ turned out to be a difficult task. And for now, no FIRs against King Khan. Perhaps it is the calm before the storm, or perhaps the storm has settled down. Wait and watch seems to be the way to act for the rest of us!

Priyanka imitates Vidya Balan

Priyanka Chopra known for her funny imitation of actors didn't spare Vidya Balan this time around.

Priyanka Chopra is one funny mimic. We liked the way PC imitated Kareena Kapoor's act from Golmaal, Shah Rukh Khan's from My Name is Khan and Salman's from Dabangg in an award show last year.

Priyanka ensured she was as entertaining a presenter for the 'Best Film' category as the famous spoof players Riteish Deshmukh and Boman Irani.

This year for the same award function, Priyanka has apparently aped none other than Vidya Balan!

Onlookers informed, "Priyanka and Shah Rukh posed as Vidya and Naseeruddin Shah from Dirty Picture. Vidya wore the same pink outfit of Vidya's from oo la la and danced just like her. What made everyone laugh was Priyanka's overnight weight gain! She stuffed herself to look fat on stage, like Silk Smitha!"

Spoofing nominees is not a new trend. Saif and Shah Rukh started it. Ranbir and Imran have done the same for Filmfare.

Wonder how will Vidya's fans react to this act of Priyanka's though!

Bollywood scripts huge success at Pak box office

The three Khans of Bollywood not only rule the Indian box-office, they are also the kings of Pakistan. Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots collected Rs 5 crore across the border and the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name Is Khan raked in Rs 5.25 crore. The Salman Khan-starrer Bodyguard outdid them both by earning Rs 6 crore. Another Shah Rukh-starrer, Don 2, meanwhile, is expected to pull in Rs 7.25 crore. In fact, some experts say Pakistan is now one of Bollywood's top five overseas markets and could soon rival the business done in Australia.

The ban on Indian films was lifted across the border in 2006, but things began really hotting up a year later. Riffat Siddiqi, a well-known distributor in Pakistan, said, "From the time the market opened up in 2007, Indian films became the source for rebuilding cinema in the country. Within just four years, the entertainment business grew by 300% at the box office."

Bollywood can't ignore Pakistan now as an overseas market. Trade pundits said the business pattern in Pakistan is similar to that of the Punjab territory in India.

About 50 Hindi films release in Pakistan now every year and the big ones have the ability to do business of US $1 million (Rs 4 crore to 5 crore) or more, said Pakistani sources. All the top Khan films are sold for $200,000 to $300,000 (Rs 1 crore to 1.5 crore). Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar films go for $75,000 to $150,000 (Rs 37.5 lakh to 75 lakh), said experts.

India-based Amrita Pandey, of UTV Motion Pictures, said, "I think the growth has been significant -- from no release before 2007 to now, where the box office gross for an average film is $400,000 (Rs 2 crore). With 50 Hindi films releasing there every year, Pakistan figures in the top five of the international markets."

Pakistan's film industry was able to release only 10 films last year, but there is a chance these numbers will go up. Pakistani film producer Sevy Ali said, "The government has made it mandatory for every mall that is being built to have a multiplex, which will help the business of cinema grow. We only released 10 films last year, but this year there will be 20." Incidentally, late last year there were calls from within the Pakistani film industry and media to ban Indian films so that local efforts would get a boost.

Indian film producers have to look for partners outside the country to get their films into Pakistan. India-based Vikas Mohan, vice president of the Association of Motion Pictures and Television Programme Producers, said, "Production house are releasing their films through partners in Dubai or London. Pakistan is capable of being a territory that can generate a revenue of up to Rs 15 crore for any big film. Unfortunately, there are still unresolved issues which deprive both sides from benefitting from the business of cinema."

In the past year, the increase in multiplexes and introduction of digital cinema has boosted the business. Nadeem Mandviwalla, of Mandviwalla Entertainment in Pakistan, said, "Digital cinema boosted the film exhibition business in Pakistan with the release of 'Ra-One' and 'Don 2'. 'Don 2's' opening week was better than other films with a business of nearly Rs 4 crore."

Earlier, Indian films were sold in Pakistan for only a few lakhs, but now the price of big films has jumped by more than 40%. Pakistani film distributor Amjad Rashid, currently in India to buy films, said, "Today, the price for Salman Khan films is the highest in Pakistan. Shah Rukh Khan's latest release, 'Don 2', has done record business at the box office. The buying of their films is likely to double this year."

Bollywood's official foray into Pakistan may have been a recent occurrence, but despite the over 40-year ban, Bollywood, its icons, its music and its dancing have always remained an integral part of life in Pakistan. Yusra Askari, a mediaperson in Lahore, said, "Bollywood's impact appears everywhere, from the mainstay of a Pakistani wedding to street lingo." She added. "In the past decade, Bollywood-based artistic exchanges between India and Pakistan have initiated increased cultural interaction between the two countries. Bollywood has not only gained a huge fan following in Pakistan, it has often attracted aspirants and sometimes even Pakistani cricketing icons try their luck at filmdom."

Despite an increased cultural dialogue between Islamabad and Delhi, visas to travel to India may be still hard to come by for the average Pakistani, Askari added. "Nevertheless, Pakistanis can always rely on Bollywood cinema to bring home a slice of Mumbai magic," she said. Currently about half-a-dozen actors and singers work in Bollywood films.

Rashid said, "We have only been importing films. It is high time we started exporting Pakistani television serials, which are very popular, and also the music, a high point of Pakistani culture. I feel there is a need for India to do business with Pakistan and there should be relaxations in granting visas to artistes."

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, considered a cultural ambassador, added, "There is abundant talent in Pakistan crying to be discovered. Indian cinema is moving from strength to strength. We can add new colour to our products by taking fresh talent from Pakistan. We both stand to benefit if we partner one another and make a co-production."

But there is also an opinion that the presence of Pakistani artistes won't really help a film. Producer Ali said, "Pakistanis want to see the Khans or maybe an Akshay Kumar or Hrithik Roshan. A Pakistani actor is a novelty in India, not in Pakistan."

Priyanka spotted at SRK's office at 3 AM!

Priyanka Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan are literally the 3am friends. On Wednesday morning, Priyanka Chopra was spotted exiting SRK’s office at 3:15 am in the morning.

The actress made a discreet entry around 11pm on Tuesday night at Shah Rukh’s office. After what seems to be a long session of bonding, the DON jodi finally made an appearance near the lift area at around 3:15am. A photographer of a website captured the duo exiting the building.

While the two stars were engrossed in discussions, Priyanka’s chauffeur and SRK’s security personnel went awry looking for the poor lensman who had sneakily captured the two superstars.

The photographer managed to escape and the King Khan’s staffs were unable to nab him. The two stars walked out and made it to their respective cars, unaware of the fact that their staffs were desperately trying to hide their meeting from the press.

It is a well known fact that SRK and Priyanka share great camaraderie. In fact, the two have time and again harped about their friendship and fondness for each other. So on that fateful night, why was it necessary for the staff to keep their meeting a secret? Why were they trying to desperately avoid the two getting clicked together?

Gossipmongers blame it on the latest rumour that is doing the rounds about Gauri’s uneasiness towards the growing SRK-Priyanka friendship. There have been talks about how Gauri Khan and her gang have been shunning Priyanka Chopra at all social gathering due to her fondness for SRK.

Well, the duo in question has always maintained they are friends.

Shah Rukh Khan or Salman in 'Raghavan' remake

Looks like Bollywood is in a mad rush to remake South Indian projects. The next movie in line to be remade in Hindi is the Tamil film "Vettaiyadu Vilayadu", that was released as "Raghavan" in Telugu.

The 2006 crime-thriller that starred Kamal Haasan, Jyothika and Kamalinee Mukherjee in lead roles will be remade in Hindi and an A-list actor from Bollywood is likely to play the lead role, we hear.

Confirming the news, Gautham Vasudev Menon, the director of the film, says, "I am keen on remaking the film in Hindi with a top actor from the Hindi film industry and I have a long wish list of actors who can carry off Kamal's role in the Hindi version. We are considering Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan to play the lead role. I think SRK will suit the role better. But I haven't approached any Bollywood actor yet as it's too early to speak to them."

The director plans to finish his other pending projects before he directs the Hindi remake of "Vettaiyadu Vilaydu". He is currently busy with the Jiiva-Samantha starrer "Neethaane Enn Ponvasantham", which will simultaneously be remade in Hindi and Telugu. He also has "Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru" with Vijay, and is awaiting the release of the Hindi remake of "Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya".