Archive for May, 2008
Mumbai (PTI): Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan on Tuesday demanded that Value Added Tax and service tax on the entertainment industry be abolished and industry status be conferred to it.
It has become necessary to bring in entertainment industry under the ‘concurrent list’ so that it can be governed under central rules and enjoy tax concessions announced by the government from time to time, Khan said in a statement here.
At present, the entire entertainment and film industry comes under state government’ s jurisdiction as a result of which, it has not been able to enjoy the already conferred dejure industry status on it.
Shahrukh Khan would release a study on the entertainment industry on Tuesday evening highlighting the need for the removal of VAT and service tax.
The study - ‘The Entertainment & Media Hub’ is done by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
Retaining the industry in the state government list deprives the tax concessions given by the Centre, Assocham said in its study.
According to the Assocham study, the media and entertainment sector would cross a turnover of Rs 1 lakh crore by 2011-12 from Rs 44,000 crore now.
The turnover of the television industry would grow by 22 per cent to Rs 51,900 crore by 2011-12 from Rs 19,100 crore, it said.
Tags: Amp, Assocham, Bollywood Actor, Chambers Of Commerce, Chambers Of Commerce And Industry, Crore, Entertainment Industry, Film Industry, Industry Of India, Jurisdiction, Media Hub, Rs 1, Shahrukh Khan, State Government, Tax Concessions, Television Industry, Tuesday Evening, Turnover, Value Added Tax, Vat
Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood actor and the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders had a meeting with the chief minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at Writers’ Buildings and articulated concern in locating a modern cricket academy in the city. In respond, the chief minister urged the actor to take some “initiatives” in the Film sector in the state.
Nevertheless both the chief minister and Shah Rukh were reluctant to disclose the details of the meeting, officials who were present assumed that a bundle of things were discussed, the main focal point was on the cricket academy and the Film Production in West Bengal.
A senior official clued-up “Shah Rukh proposed to set up a modern cricket academy in the state. The academy will be set up on the lines of Australian Cricket Academy in Melbourne. But the discussion was very informal as no formal proposal was submitted by Shah Rukh.”
It is learnt that the chief minister invited King Khan to empower in the film industry of the state principally in the production sector. Mr Bhattacharjee explained Shah Rukh about the Kolkata Film Festival (KFF) and he invited Shah Rukh to attend the next KFF listed to be detained in November.
Shah Rukh apprised the CM that Kolkatta has a lot of talent in this sector. He informed Mr Bhattacharjee that the cameraman of his film Chak De India was from Kolkata. He also mentioned if appropriate infrastructure could be developed here, local talents would have a better platform to establish their superiority. This piece of the meeting is measured to be significant because the state government has already invited term of interest from private partners to run West Bengal Film Development Corporation in a joint venture.
Tags: Australian Cricket Academy, Bhattacharjee, Bollywood Actor, Cameraman, Chief Minister, Film Development Corporation, Film Industry, Film Production, Focal Point, Formal Proposal, Joint Venture, Kff, King Khan, Knight Riders, Kolkatta, Private Partners, Production Sector, Shah Rukh Khan, State Government, West Bengal
The data which experienced actor Amitabh Bachchan offered in his blog about ‘Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain’ hosted by Shah Rukh Khan fail to give a complete picture, alleged Siddhartha Basu, the producer of the TV quiz show.
‘Mr. Bachchan is entitled to his views and we respect his opinion, whether we agree with it or not. The figures sent to him as used in the blog give an incomplete picture,’ Basu remarked.
In his blog, the Big B have observed on Shah Rukh’s spell in ‘Paanchvi Pass’ and questioned why ‘despite the presence of the biggest name in the business’, the show was showing a depleting performance as per Television Rating Points (TRPs).
”Paanchvi Pass’, or as one rival channel executive sniggered, ‘Paanchvi Fail’, after its not too encouraging numbers, facing relative lower ratings, is what I wish to debate on,’ wrote Amitabh.
Amitabh made spiteful similarities between himself and Shah Rukh as hosts of the popular game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ (KBC) which is no longer on air.
Basu, the creator behind both the shows, explained: ‘With the exponential growth in TV sets and viewers, analysts have shown how each subsequent series of ‘KBC’ actually had a higher viewership than the earlier ones and ‘KBC 3′ with Shah Rukh had the highest number of viewers. This no reflection on the excellence of Mr. Bachchan’s hosting of the show or Shah Rukh’s wit and charm. I believe Shah Rukh makes a superb host of ‘Paanchvi Pass’, and his repartee, articulation, sense of humour and unmatched ability to think on his feet mark him out as a truly world class host.’
Separately from Amitabh’s psychoanalysis that has provoked a lot of media attention, there has been guesswork that the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) matches have pretentious the popularity of ‘Paanchvi Pass’.
Basu agrees that IPL has affected the show’s viewership, saying: ‘Yes, of course, all new shows launched during this period such as ‘Paanchvi Pass’, and running ones too have been hugely affected by the IPL. A truer picture of the response to the show would emerge after IPL as its telecast would continue for the full run of 36 episodes.’
Tags: Amitabh Bachchan, Articulation, Exponential Growth, Game Show, Guesswork, Ipl, Kbc 3, Media Attention, Mr Bachchan, Psychoanalysis, Quiz Show, Repartee, Rsquo, Sense Of Humour, Shah Rukh Khan, Siddhartha, Tv Quiz, Tv Sets, Unmatched Ability, Viewership
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan apologized for his blog entry where he said he had a dog named ‘Shahrukh’, alluring denigration from King Khan’s fans and outrageous people in the Hindi film industry, putting an end to the blog storm.
Aamir told newsmen at the residence of yesteryears’ Bollywood actor Shammi Kapoor: “I just wrote it out of humour and if it has hurt the feelings of mine or Shahrukh’s fans then I apologise to all.”
The actor also held that he shares a vigorous affiliation with Shah Rukh Khan. The actor had apparently claimed that he has a dog by the name of “Shahrukh”.
The unfavorable remark had sent distress effect through the film industry. Reacting on
the episode, Shah Rukh had whispered: “Earlier, people used to name their children after famous people. Somebody naming a dog after a known person is a new beginning in that direction. I don’t have a copyright over this name if used non-commercially.”
Well done King Khan, as at all times, you have maintained your cool, that’s the method to put down the lid of the arrogant and supercilious who speak with two horns. These so called elegant people ought to bear in mind that they are in no manner greater than you.
Tags: Aamir Khan, Affiliation, Blog Entry, Bollywood, Denigration, Dog Name, Famous People, Fans, Feelings, Hindi Film Industry, Horns, Humour, King Khan, Names, Naming A Dog, Nbsp, Newsmen, Shah Rukh Khan, Shammi Kapoor
In today’s world nothing is strange enough right?
Ada, Ohio (AP) - A well-trained golden retriever will receive a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Northern University today along with the rest of the graduating class.
Zeeke, a 1-year-old dog, will earn his bachelor’s of science degree in canine companionship. The canine has spent thousands of hours training as a Canine Companion dog as part of a senior’s honors project.
ONU President Kendall Baker said he believes this is the first time the university has ever awarded a diploma to an animal.
Zeeke has learned to pull a wheelchair, open doors and retrieve fallen objects.
Canine Companions for Independence places service dogs with people in need for free.
Source
Tags: Ada Ohio, Bachelor Degree, Bachelor S Degree, Bachelors Degree, Canine Companion, Canine Companions For Independence, Canine Companionship, Diploma, Golden Retriever, Graduating Class, Kendall Baker, Ohio Northern University, Old Dog, Open Doors, Science Degree, Service Dogs, Training Dog, Wheelchair
There is going to be a shortage of COMSOPOLITAN magazine this time cause Katrina Kaif is in there this time 
Tags: Cosmo, Katrina Kaif, Time Cause
After Shahrukh Khan said that the International Cricket Council’s Anti-corruption unit had asked not to be with the team in the playing field or dressing room, ICC said it is surprised to hear that statement as IPL is a domestic tournament. The ICC said the IPL was a domestic tournament and the game’s governing body did not have any role in formulating the rules. “The reported incident has nothing to do with the ICC as IPL is a domestic tournament which is being held under the rules and regulations of the BCCI,” an ICC spokesman said from Dubai.
“Furthermore, the ICC Board in its meeting held in Dubai on 17-18 March, had decided that IPL will introduce a code of conduct, an anti-corruption code and an anti-doping code that complies with ICC regulations,” he said.
Earlier Shahrukh, the Bollywood superstar and co-owner of Kolkota Knight Rider’s team had shown disappointment saying he was barred by ICC’s anti-corruption committee in meeting his friends. I like to hang around with the boys. I am very energetic. I am very disappointed that the ICC has stopped me,” Shahrukh Said “I don’t know the ICC rules. I’ll tell only one thing: Nobody dare stop me from coming to Kolkata. I’ll be here whenever my team plays a match at the Eden.
Knight Riders’ CEO Joy Bhattacharya played down the event and said Shah Rukh was actually stopped by security personnel for not carrying a visitors’ pass. “Look, there is nothing like that. It was a gentleman from the security who stopped Shah Rukh Khan. He said Shah Rukh didn’t have a valid visitor’s pass…I don’t think there is any controversy or issue,” he said. ICC spokesperson said that BCCI is following ICC rules. But this rule was not meant to stop people like Shahrukh Khan from entering the dressing room.
Also, today in an statement, BCCI had said that everybody and even Shahrukh Khan must follow the ICC code of Conduct after he disappointment from Shahrukh.
Tags: Bcci, Bollywood, Co Owner, Code Of Conduct, Controversy, Corruption, Disappointment, Dressing Room, Eden, Gentleman, Governing Body, International Cricket Council, Ipl, Knight Rider, Knight Riders, Match, Security Personnel, Shah Rukh Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Spokesperson
Madhuri Dixit received the Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian cinema and the ex- Bollywood diva says the credit is the result of her hard work and integrity.
“It’s always a wonderful feeling to have your work honored. One has worked so hard for so many years. The Padma Shri is a culmination of all my hard work and honesty. I think I’m being honored for doing my work sincerely,” said the delightful Madhuri .
On the question whether she felt was it a right time to quit films when she was in the peak, Madhuri reacted: “What’s the right time? If you mean the right time to have kids then let me remind you a 63-year-old woman had twins. Nothing is impossible at any age any more.
As for me, I had always said if I meet the right person I wouldn’t think twice about giving up my career. And that’s exactly what I did. I never planned anything in life.”
Major hits
She ruled the Hindi film industry in 1980s and 90s and gave hits like Tezaab, Ram Lakhan, Beta, Dil, Saajan, Khalnayak, Dil To Pagal Hai and Devdas. Madhuri says the fact that back home people still want to see her on screen makes her happy.
“It is wonderful to know that people still think about me in my home country, although I don’t live here any more. That they still want me back, it makes me feel very wanted.”
Earlier Madhuri was in the country, it was for the release of her riposte film Aaja Nachle. The film didn’t work, but she says its in wasn’t a propel to her.
“I did my part genuinely. And I did everything I could. So did the whole team. I’ve worked in this field long enough to know you win some, you lose some. Sometimes you feel everything is going right and the end product still falls apart. It’s okay.”
Shri.”
After the Padma Shri, Madhuri is staying back in Mumbai to grab hold of up with family friends and a whole lot of personal work.
“I do have a life beyond movies,” she laughed.
To conclude, is Madhuri Dixit’s sensation undiminished by time, marriage, motherhood and the disastrous riposte vehicle?
“I never thought of what you call an sensation. For me this life as a wife and mother was what I dreamt of almost all my life.”
Tags: Aaja Nachle, Culmination, Devdas, Dil To Pagal, Dil To Pagal Hai, Family Friends, Film Didn, Hindi Film Industry, Indian Bollywood, Indian Cinema, Madhuri Dixit, Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp Nbsp, Old Woman, Padma Shri, Personal Work, Ram Lakhan, Right Time, Saajan, Whole Lot, Wonderful Feeling
And now the hunt for the leading lady is over, ramp model Anushka Sharma, 21, standing tall with a height of 5.9” from Bangalore will make her silver screen debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Yashraj movie Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. She has also promoted hair products in television commercials, and not to forget the Fiat Palio Stile ‘Meri Sapno Ki Rani’ ad. Making an announcement in Mumbai today, Yash Chopra, Chairman of Yashraj Films said the 19-year-old has been recognized to play the female lead.
“Hopefully, the announcement will end all the speculation and conjecture that had started about the identity of the female lead ever since the film was announced,” he alleged.
With Rab Ne.., Aditya Chopra takes the directorial baton after eight years. Anushka has no acting experience except ramp modelling in Bangalore, Chopra said.
Earlier, it was reported that Sonam Kapoor, daughter of Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor would be cast opposite SRK. Yash Chopra said, “We were looking first and foremost for someone who could truly embody the spirit of small town Punjab and we know we have found her in Anushka. And while she has no previous acting experience, we have seen that unique spark in her that makes us confident that she will be a standout even opposite Shah Rukh.”
Rab ne Bana di Jodi will go on the floors on May 16 and will hit theatres worldwide in December 2008.
PS: Whenever King Khan acts opposite a tall leading lady, the film is a super duper hit. Preceding examples are Mein Hoo Na (Sushmita Sen), OSO(Deepika) and now Anushka. So all the best King Khan agin!
Tags: Aditya Chopra, Agin, Anil Kapoor, Anushka, Conjecture, Deepika, Fiat Palio, Hair Products, King Khan, Leading Lady, Meri, Screen Debut, Shah Rukh Khan, Silver Screen, Sonam Kapoor, SRK, Sushmita Sen, Television Commercials, Yash Chopra, Yashraj Films
The new age bracket of Indian movie stars is whirling consumerist much before the glare of publicity dim.
Many are into retail, fashion and the hotel industry - and now into the world of cricket, as exemplified by Shah Rukh and Preity Zinta, who have heavily invested in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the richest domestic cricket tournament in the world.
It is understood that Khan has already got the biggest knock out of each money that he has so far downcast into IPL. Apart from this, Khan’s production house - Red Chilies - is motivated to come forward as the best in animation and special sound effects.
He is, perhaps, vigilant after India’s biggest star Amitabh Bachchan’s production house folded with sufferers of Dh81.5 million.
One of the first actors to embark on investing in business from the film industry was Mithun Chakraborty who started his own hotel business in south India. Since then, many have followed, together with actors like Suniel Shetty and Bobby Deol.
Now actresses too are blurring the lines between the worlds of Bollywood and business.
Stars like Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai and Preity Zinta are giving some strong competition. Sushmita was probably the first to turn industrialist when she placed up her company Sensazione in 2006. Through her company, she plans to open a chain of hotels, lounges and spas. She has also acquired 12,000 sq ft of space in Kolkata for a “lifestyle zone”, which apart from a huge open space will house a nightclub, a restaurant and a cigar lounge. She has a jewelry retail show room in Dubai which her mother manages.
Preity Zinta has become co-owner of the Mohali cricket team of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with partner Ness Wadia and two others. She is indomitable to make a go of it and says: “When I do anything in life for the first time, I want to succeed.
“It’s 2008! Women should get more active in business. It’s very different from working on a film where you’re on your own when ‘action’ is called on camera. In a boardroom, there’s constant conference and multi-tasking. The creative process is different in both the spheres.”
Aishwarya Rai, has moved in to revive father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan’s company AB Corp and is negotiating with filmmakers to regenerate production work. Ayesha Takia, who with restaurateur boyfriend Farhan Azmi is set to launch their first boutique hotel in Goa.
The couple has acquired a 200-year-old Portuguese bungalow in Candolim, which is just 10 minutes away from the beach. They plan to build a luxurious swimming pool, a lounge area and are working out details on how to entertain guests with good music and superb cuisine.
“Each of our boutique hotels will have 20 rooms,” Ayesha says.
Her enthusiastic boyfriend adds: “Ayesha is interested in doing other things rather than just acting, which is so great.”
In 1940, celebrated actress Devika Rani tried her hand at business by captivating the indict of Bombay Talkies after her husband’s death, but she had to countenance disappointment.
With a bit of luck, the fresh contingent is in a position to rephrase the convention.
Tags: Age Bracket, Aishwarya rai, Amitabh Bachchan, Bobby Deol, Bollywood Stars, Chilies, Cigar Lounge, Cricket Team, Cricket Tournament, Domestic Cricket, Hotel Business, Indian Movie Stars, Mithun Chakraborty, Preity Zinta, Retail Fashion, Retail Show, Shah Rukh, South India, Suniel Shetty, Wadia
