Khan’s a box-office whopper

Controversies notwithstanding, My Name is Khan the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer directed by Karan Johar, has gone on to rake in around Rs.250 million (about US$5.3 million) across the globe on its opening day.

“We are delighted with the performance and audience reactions across demographics. More so, because this is only phase one of the film release,” Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox Star Studios India, the Indian distributors of the film, said in a statement.

“In addition to the release across 45 countries, MNIK will be rolled out in a phased manner across 25 non-traditional markets from April onwards.” The film features Shah Rukh as Rizvan Khan who embarks on a journey across America to win back the love of his life, played by Kajol. It shows how, along the way, his personality touches the lives of many and inspires a nation.

In New Zealand, the opening day collection was about $9,727 while in the Middle East, the movie is already 50 percent higher than any other previous film in Bollywood with the earning estimated at $300,000. There’s also a huge demand for additional prints in the existing chains across the Middle East and the print count is expected to increase to around 60 by next week. The film also will be released in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Oman and Lebanon in the coming week.

In terms of paid previews, the movie earned about $193,000 from 89 sites in Britain, which is said to be the highest for a single-day preview there. In Australia, paid previews collected around $34,000 and it ranked number 11. And despite all the negative political hype

Bips makes them bop

Bong beauty Bipasha Basu is a selfconfessed fitness freak. Her recent workout DVD is essentially for those “busy, lazy” people who can’t afford gym fees. Calling it her “baby”, the svelte actress says boyfriend John Abraham supported her all through to make her dream a surrounding the movie, SRK has found support not just from fans, but back home in Bollywood. Hunky Hrithik Roshan, who is on good terms with Khan and Johar posted his first comment on Twitter exhorting his followers to go to theaters and watch the flick. He actually went to a Mumbai multiplex to see the movie, which has been threatened and boycotted by violent followers of the Shiv Sena leadership. Hrithik Roshan was impressed by the message of humanity spread by the character of Rizwan Khan in the film, and wanted his followers to take it forward by coming out in large numbers to theatres screening the flick. reality. Initially, Bipasha wanted to do the fitness video only for her friends. “There were so many unhealthy people around me. Every time I’d try to push them into the gym, they’d say they’ve no time. My music video is for busy, lazy, shy and nonprivileged people who can’t afford the gym fees,” said the sultry star. “I wanted it to be concise exercises that could be done in just 25 minutes and I didn’t want them to look intimidating, like ‘Oh my God only Bipasha Basu can do them’,” said Bips in an interview. “The idea was to make it fun and easy...I wanted to be comprehensive and that included precautionary measures to make sure no injury happened.” And after eight months of honest toil, the final product’s been worth it.

After Hrithik Roshan’s endorsement of the movie and his bold stand against the protests, Bollywood’s best came out in open support of the film, including divas like Priyanka Chopra, Preity Zinta and even Shilpa Shetty. Even Pooja Bedi and dad Kabir Bedi went to theaters to watch the flick with the general public, which helped infuse confidence among the audience.

Well done Bollywood, for proving that might isn’t right!

Boyfriend John didn’t mind helping Bipasha with the video even if it was in the middle of the night. “I’d be up at 3 a.m. scripting my video and I’d poke him awake to get his feedback. He would give his inputs no matter how tired or sleepy. He has been a great help. He’s always there for me. He has been a wonderful support,” enthused Bipasha. But she did miss him during the row with the hotel management in New Delhi after her DVD launch.

“I missed him when I was under attack in Delhi. He has been a pillar of strength throughout the making and marketing of my fitness video. John is always there for everything I do...I like to do everything on my own,” she confided adding, “Emotionally I need tremendous support from all my loved ones including my parents and John. But when it comes to my work I’m fiercely independent. I’ll only take advice from someone who shares my passion, like John does.”

Bipasha is sporting a chiselled figure and she’s proud of it. And of course, John thinks she has the best body in show business. “He could be biased because he’s my boyfriend,” Bipasha said with a laugh. With a body like Bips, John’s sure one lucky guy!

Katrina to belt out

Bhojpuri

Since playing the lead in Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti, Katrina Kaif has been interested in learning Bhojpuri, a language spoken in

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Patna and other parts of eastern India. Katrina impressed fans by speaking a few words in the language at a recent function in Patna to promote the film. Her role is that of a lady politician, akin to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and her portrayal of the role has been impressive, if insiders are to be believed. A few words were enough to have the long-legged lady take an interest in Bhojpuri and she’s busy expanding her vocabulary, learning it from her colleagues in the industry. Let’s not forget that in Kat’s debut flick Boom, she couldn’t speak a word of Hindi. While dubbing for Rajneeti, Kat had to memorize every single word without much understanding, to be able to deliver the lines confidently. Ajay Devgan and Ranbir Kapoor also star in the flick, due for release soon. However, fans of the luscious lady may be a bit disappointed, as she won’t be gyrating or wearing anything other than what a politician’s supposed to wear. So how will Kat look in a sari-clad avatar for a change? Gorgeous as usual, I’ll bet.

Bebo’s sensitive side

You wouldn’t think it of her, but Kareena Kapoor has a surprisingly sensitive and sensible side. Her relationship with Saif Ali Khan is now old news, but they’re still one of Bollywood’s hottest couples. Fortunately they seem to have struck a happy ground in their relationship, as Bebo’s shown unusual regard for Saif’s relationship with his two children. Although they practically live together, Bebo sneaks off to her own pad whenever Sara and Ibrahim come over for their weekly visit. Saif gets to spend quality time with his kids and it’s great that they have the space they need. Saif’s kids are almost in their teens, and Bebo backing off rather than making an irksome foursome certainly does deserve kudos. It’s an arrangement that suits everyone, and cuts down on awkwardness and irritation. A rare sign of understanding and maturity from one who has dated Shahid Kapoor. Well done, Bebo, smart move.

Shahid, Deepika not an item..again!

They’re on, they’re off…Yawn! Bollywood watchers are getting a bit tired of this romance, which doesn’t quite seem to materialise. The paparazzi recently paired them together again, both on and off screen, but reliable sources say that this is unlikely to happen, at least in the near future. Shahid’s ready to take on fresher talent and father Pankaj Kapur is said to have just signed on Sonam for Mausam, their home production. Deepika too, isn’t hot on signing any films with Shahid, nor being ‘just friends’ with him. She’s gunning for the biggies like Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan. So when will the next instalment of this riveting romantic drama unfold? Well, don’t hold your breath!

Ranbir’s ready to rip!

Ranbir Kapoor’s riding high these days. He finally convinced protective mama Neetu Singh that owning a bike would be the best thing in his young life. In school he wanted a cycle, in college he wanted a motorbike, but Neetu was having none of it. Dad Rishi was cool, but convincing mama that he would be able to ride through Mumbai’s erratic traffic took a while.

A source close to the family explained why. “Neetu always felt that it is too risky for her son to drive a two-wheeler on the congested roads of Mumbai which are always dug up, making it an even more risky affair.”

Now Ranbir has a high-tech cycle of foreign make, but has hardly had the chance to ride it, as he is away in the US, shooting for Anjaana Anjaani. But the hunky heartthrob hasn’t quite lost his Segway obsession. Now that he has the bike, maybe he’ll find a way of convincing his mom to raise the stakes a bit and make his motorbike dream a reality.

Coke calling!

Coca Cola has a new brand ambassador in the young and energetic Imran Khan, who will star in their new advertisement. The actor has stayed away from the endorsement segment for a very long time, and the Coke deal is the first and only the ad, Imran said, “The entire concept of the film is about how Coke breaks the ice between two characters who might not have been together, if Coke was not there. What is really interesting in the ad is that we have used an imaginary bottle.”

Well, that’s one hell of a way to join the endorsement business! Good on you, Imran.

Kites sizzles on Youtube

Youtube is now featuring leaked trailers of Kites, the much-awaited flick starring Bollywood hunk Hrithik Roshan and Mexican beauty Barbara Mori. The clips show the hot pair locked together in passionate embrace, with the sexy Mori doing interesting things to the hunk’s torso. No wonder wife Suzanne had a lot to say about those scenes! Naturally, the producers are chasing Youtube to get the promos off the site, as a spectacular twoand-a-half-minute promo is shortly to be released. Kites is directed by Anurag Basu and produced by Rakesh Roshan, and the buzz around Bollywood is that, among