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SRK in middle of controversy once again, courtesy Lux Cozy
Feb 20th
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, February 20, 2010 – 12:48 IST
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No sooner that the controversy around SRK’s comments on Pakistani cricket players has settled down, the actor finds himself in yet another controversy related to the IPL.
This time round, it’s the courtesy of inner wear brand Lux Cozy, of which, SRK is the recently appointed brand ambassador. The story goes that, since SRK is the brand ambassador of the said brand, it was rest understood as to they will be sponsoring the uniforms for Khan’s T-20 team Kolkata Knight Riders, besides a monetary angle of course. All was well so far. Now the twist in the tale is that the Lux Company is owned by the Todi brothers (Ashok and Pradip). They are the same Todi brothers who were charged with apparently leading to the suicide of computer graphics designer Rizwanur Rehman, a Muslim, after he married Ashok Todi’s daughter Priyanka, who was a Hindu by religion.
This news had made it to the national headlines and remained atop for quite sometime. This ‘sponsorship’ move by SRK for KKR with the said brand has not been taken kindly by many. That’s the reason why it has sparked anger in many people’s heart. Not just that, since it has a religious pinch to it, a few religious bodies too have come in the forefront to express their opposition. In the lieu of all this, there has been a meeting that has been arranged which will include artistes, actors, dancers, writers, performers and also a few prominent names express solid opposition to the controversial tie-up.
Watch this space for further development on this issue.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
MNIK release: Disrupted in Gujarat, smooth in Delhi, sell-out in Kolkata
Feb 12th
REDIFF.COM (February 12, 2010) 14:40 IST
Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists on Friday tore down the posters of Shah Rukh Khan [ Images ] starrer My Name is Khan and caused ruckus in a bid to halt the release of the film in Ahmedabad [ Images ] and Jamnagar in Gujarat.
The VHP on Wednesday had backed the Shiv Sena’s [ Images ] protest against Shah Rukh Khan, saying there was ‘nothing wrong’ in it as the country is not prepared to tolerate a ‘Pakistani sympathiser.’
“Multiplexes have decided not to screen the film for the first couple of shows, which have been cancelled. But if the situation improves, they will be screening the film later,” Multiplexes Owners’ Association (MOA) President Ashok Purohit told PTI.
VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia, however, opposed Sena’s ‘Mumbai for Marathis’ campaign.
Meanwhile, some multiplex owners in Mumbai [ Images ] have decided to screen the film, post noon. However, several single screens have decided against the release till the issue is resolved between the Sena and the actor.
Over 1,800 Sena activists, including functionaries, have been arrested in the last three days to thwart protests by the Sena, which is demanding an apology from Shah Rukh for his remarks favouring Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League [ Images ] 3.
MNIK got a smooth release in Delhi [ Images ], amid beefed-up security.
Isolated cases of protest against the film’s screening were, however, reported last night when five persons claimed to be Shiv Sainiks tore posters of the film and damaged window panes of Satyam [ Get Quote ] cinema hall in west Delhi. They have been detained by the police.
“Policemen are deployed near the theatres in adequate numbers to avoid any violence. We are keeping close watch,” a senior police official said.
The film, which is banking on the chemistry of Shah Rukh and Kajol [ Images ], recieved a good response in Delhi theatres. “Morning shows have 85 percent occupancy but the post noon shows are all sold out. Our theatres are booked till Sunday,” Jayendra Banerjee, Vice President Satyam Cineplexes told PTI.
“Some 75 screens in Delhi are screening the movie. The film has also benefited from the Shivratri holiday today. On an average, multiplexes are running 11 to 12 shows a day,” a distributor said.
Meanwhile, a sell-out crowd greeted MNIK in West Bengal [ Images ], which released in 131 cinema halls across the state without any trouble.
Police sources said that there was no untoward incident in any cinema hall or multiplex when the film released.
“The only crowd we can see is that of cine-goers. There has been no protest of any sort,” an officer of Kolkata [ Images ] Police said. “Security arrangements have, however, been beefed up at the halls and multiplexes in view of the controversy.”
A multiplex in Nagpur screened the morning show of MNIK amid tight security arrangements. However, uncertainty prevailed over the film’s screening in most single screen theatres, as they refunded the tickets of the noon show.
Cine exhibitors and distributors met up this morning to discuss the situation. Heavy police was deployed in all the theatres where the film was slated to be screened.
In the picture: An MNIK poster on a Kolkata theatre gets garlanded. Photograph: Indian Blooms News Service.
Multiplexes in Mumbai stop MNIK bookings
Feb 10th
Despite halls being vandalised, and threat of Sena protests, Shah Rukh and Karan Johar say… Khan WILL release this week
By Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 10, 2010)
With the Shiv Sena going on the rampage against the theatres screening My Name Is Khan, the sudden and violent change of stance after indicating a truce has shocked the film industry.
Several Sena dominated pockets of the city including Mulund, Kanjurmarg, Ghatkopar and Chembur witnessed attacks on theatres planning to screen My Name Is Khan. Huma Adlabs, Shreyas, Ashish and Metro were among the theatres attacked.
Yesterday, the film’s producer Karan Johar met up with Police Commissioner D Sivanandan to discuss the situation. While the police has warned of strict action against troublemakers and over 200 arrests were made on Tuesday, the situation remains volatile. And bearing the brunt are the theatres.
“We are waiting to hear from the distributors (Fox Cinemas) to take an official stand on whether or not to go ahead with the release of My Name Is Khan. It is as much their decision as ours,” said Shunali Shroff of Fame Big Cinemas, adding, “Hopefully, by Wednesday morning, things should get resolved.”
Devang Sampat, GM Marketing, Cinemax said, “We are yet to take a call on this. I have still to speak to the operation team since this is more of an operation call.”
Meanwhile, in an interview to a television channel, Shah Rukh Khan said that while he has had a warm relationship with Bal Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, he didn’t feel there was anything he had said which he should apologise for. He also said that he had not sought any appointment with them to sort out the issue.
It may be recalled that the Shiv Senas had taken an objection to Shah Rukh’s comment that Pakistani cricket players should be allowed to play in the IPL.
At the time of going to press, representatives from all the multiplexes were in a meeting with Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to find a solution to the impasse.
SRK, Sena wind down, film may open peacefully
Feb 7th
STARRY RETURN: Shah Rukh at Mumbai airport on his return from London where he had been to promote his film My Name Is Khan
Bharati Dubey & Ambarish Mishra | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 7, 2010)
Mumbai: Both parties in the Shiv Sena-Shah Rukh Khan feud appeared to climb down a little on Saturday without backing off from their ideological positions amid talk that a Bollywood actor and a senior state politician had played mediator between the party and the actor.
The Sena, despite insisting that Khan was a “traitor’’ for taking up the cause of Pakistani players who were not picked by any team for IPL, said on Saturday that it was not interested in disrupting the screening of his next release, My Name Is Khan.
The first Sena official comment—on not wanting to disrupt the film—came, significantly, a day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi declined the safety of a helicopter and travelled by Mumbai’s lifeline, the local train, through some traditional Sena bastions, sending out an unmistakably strong political rejoinder to the Sena and its agenda.
Khan’s comments, too, after he touched down in Mumbai on Saturday morning, were much more guarded than those he had made abroad. Not once did he say he had said anything wrong—when he commented on Pakistani players not being picked for IPL teams (his own team did not pick any)—but he made the right noises to indicate that he was not interested in taking the war of words forward in the run-up to the release of his film on February 12.
But the Sena’s climbdown, a day after the Gandhi scion took the wind out of its sails, was slightly more spectacular despite the potshots it took at the Congress and Khan.
In an editorial in Saamna, Sena chief Bal Thackeray said: “The Congress is free to rule the country in the manner it thinks is proper. Let Pakistan carry on its terrorist activity in Mumbai and let Shah Rukh Khan release his film with the blessings of the Gandhi Dynasty. The Sena will not do anything.’’
‘Why should Sena alone suffer?’ Mumbai: While the Shiv Sena said on Saturday that it would not hold up the screening of Shah Rukh Khan’s next film, My Name Is Khan, the actor indcated that he was not interested in taking the war of words forward.
Sena CEO Uddhav Thackeray told TOI on Saturday: “Why should the Sena alone stick its neck out on terrorism or regional pride? Pak-sponsored terrorism is a major threat to India and Mumbai’s security. However, the Congress leaders are not willing to take a firm stand on these issues as they believe in taking orders from 10 Janpath. Other political parties too keep mum on this sensitive issues. So why should Shiv Sainiks suffer police excesses and imprisonment. Matoshree, after all, is also on the hit-list of Pak terrorists.’’
On his part, Khan said it was sad that his remarks on Pakistani cricketers in the IPL had been misconstrued. Asked if he would go to Matoshree to explain his position, Khan said Bal Thackeray was a senior leader and he had gone to his residence whenever he was called. “I have been there so often. Yes, I would like to go and have a drink with him,’’ he said. But he also said he did not think the current issue merited any conversation. “If my stand needs to be explained to someone, I have already done it. I don’t think there is an issue on that front,’’ he said.
Khan, however, left a window open for conversation. “If there has been any misunderstanding, let’s be gracious and talk it out,’’ he added. “I think what I said was misconstrued. I am what I am because of Mumbai and I would like everyone in Mumbai to be happy. I think what is happening is very unfortunate. I think all the groups also want Mumbaikars to be happy. Then why create this kind of atmosphere?’’
In New Delhi, chief minister Ashok Chavan weighed in, saying it would act against anyone trying to “bully’’ others. “All movies, be it of Shah Rukh’s or anybody else’s, if they are approved by the censor board, will run and the government will protect them. We will make sure that not only the Shiv Sena, but any person or organisation trying to create disturbance is dealt with strictly as per the law of the land,’’ he said. “Even I will go and watch those movies.’’
Asked why his own team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, had not picked any Pakistani player, the actor said his team was keen on taking Abdul Razzaq. “But my coach informed me later that he had a finger injury. There was a slot available but one should also take into consideration the prevailing atmosphere,’’ he added.
He, however, refused to comment on the reasons for the Sena backing off. “I really don’t know that and cannot comment on a group’s thinking or working pattern. But I am thankful that now the film will be released without any stress. There are 250 people involved in the film. I am really happy to know that me and my film are being taken as two different entities,’’ he said.
He also said arts, sports and culture could help build ties with other countries and should be encouraged. Told that Thackeray had called him a traitor, the actor said, “It feels really awkward for me to explain that I am an Indian and not a bad one and love my country. I don’t need to prove it to anyone.’’
He added: “I really felt like crying when I was being questioned for being a regular Indian. It hurt me even more when my daughter called and asked me, ‘Papa, do we have to leave India?’ I had to send my wife, Gauri, back to be with the children.’’
Sena demands action against Rahul
Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday demanded that the state should take action against Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for his statements on the role of north Indians in protecting Mumbai during the 26/11 terror attacks. “He has made serious statements about the Indian forces. Such statements can lead to division in Indian army and result in disintegration of nation” said Uddhav in Pune. TNN
I believe in freedom of thought: SRK
Feb 4th
By TNN (February 04, 2010)
Actor Shah Rukh Khan has spoken out yet again against the Shiv Sena. Already facing the heat for speaking up in favour of inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL, he says he is sad that his statements have been seen as a stand against a group.
Having earlier stood by his statement, the owner of the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders tweeted, “Sad my statements are seen as a stand against a group instead of a stand for myself and my individuality. Differences in ideology should be grounds for debates and discussion. A must for freedom of thought. To see it any other way is so unfortunate.”He later told a television channel, “Should I retract the fact that I am an Indian? Should I retract what my freedom fighter father taught me? What did I say that was wrong? All I said was that I wanted people to come to my country.”
Admitting that the stakes were very high, with the Sena threatening boycott against his February 12 release My Name Is Khan, he added, “Sorry to business partners as what I have said may affect the film.”
MUMBAI MIRROR.COM
SRK-Sena spat has multiplex owners treading with caution
Feb 4th
Bharati Dubey | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 4, 2010)
Mumbai: Multiplex owners in the state are hoping that the spat between the Shiv Sena and Shah Rukh Khan will be resolved before February 12, the day My Name Is Khan is slated for release. The actor’s refusal to bow to the Sena’s demand for an apology over his statement that Pakistani players be included in the IPL has cinema hall owners treading with caution.
At present, multiplex owners are going slow on displaying the publicity material at their premises because of the tense stand-off.
“We would all like to screen the film,’’ a multiplex owner said. CEO of PVR Cinemas Amitabh Vardhan said, “There is still a lot of time for the film’s release and I am sure the issue will be sorted out by then.’’ But, in the absence of any official communication of police commissioner D Sivanandhan’s assurance of protection to cinema halls, multiplex owners are keeping their fingers crossed.
Beneath the words of hope and confidence, there is some underlying tension following last week’s vandalism at Cinemax, Thane, by Sena workers. Film critic Dilip Thakur recalled the release of Bachchan-starrer Shahenshah at Maratha Mandir in 1988. “The film was released amidst tight security at cinema halls. There was a similar problem at the time of release of Khalnayak,’’ he said.
Inox director Deepak Asher said, “We will definitely run the film if we get a good environment.’’ Manoj Desai of G-7 said, “I will run the film if other multiplexes are ready to screen it.’’ Mumbai distributors are jittery after Khan’s refusal to go in for a compromise.
Bandra Muslims to defend SRK, Mannat from Sena
Feb 6th
Posted by Fenil Seta in Bollywood News
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By KETAN RANGA (Mid-Day; February 4, 2010)
Muslims from Bandra have come out in Shahrukh Khan’s support after the actor drew flak from the Shiv Sena for his comment on the non-inclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL.
The 700-member strong Bandra Muslim association, whose membership includes maulanas, political leaders and Muslim youth from Bandra, held a meeting last night and decided to express their support for the star and oppose the Sena’s stand. They have also decided to guard the actor’s residence, Mannat.
‘Stern action required’
Farooq Ghosi, president of the association, said, “Shahrukh and Aamir belong to the Bandra area and they are being targeted because they are Muslim actors. We have been noticing the statements made by the Sena leaders in the last few days and we won’t allow this to continue. The government should take stern action and arrest Uddhav or we will come out on the streets. We will guard the homes of these actors and if Sena protestors come to their residence, our youth will protest. We will answer the Sena people using their own methods.”
When asked whether this would create further law and order problems, he said, “Shiv Sena has already created the controversy. We are just trying to help the actors as saving the people of Bandra is our responsibility. We are not the actors’ followers but we won’t allow the Sena to target them unfairly.” The association will hold a press conference at the Press Club this afternoon.
Shah Rukh Khan, who is in New York for My Name is Khan’s promotion, said he did not regret any of his comments — be it about the Pakistani cricketers or about Mumbai belonging to all Indians. He said that he was proud to be an Indian and described the Sena’s attitude as ‘unhealthy’ and ‘undemocratic’.