A: I don't know. For that we'll have to make the film again. Yes, in Tere Naam my character didn't get the girl. If he did, it would've been just another Hindi film. I got calls from everyone saying the ending shook them. Which is another way of saying it was accepted. I'd say "Tere Naam" was my most off beat role. In all my films I kept doing the tears-and-laughter routine. Here I really let my emotions go.

Q: Your character was involved with excessive violence.

A: But I wasn't being violent for my own sake. There's violence all around us. But my two films after Tere Naam , Baghban and a film tentatively titled Dil Churaya Aapne have no violence at all. These are very Hindustani films. Working with Amitabh Bachchan in Baghban was an awesome experience. I can go on and on about him. But what's the point?

The other film is a marital drama, which shows that the first fight between a couple is always the beginning of the end. It's got very real scenes between a husband and wife. They fight over nothing, as most couples do.

Q: Everything is going right for you. Then why do you sound so unhappy?

A: We're all born with unhappiness. That's the one "given" of existence. In school you get constantly berated by the teacher, you get out for a while, play cricket and feel better. Then you land up with a wretched job, marry a woman whom things aren't okay with, worry about your children... People you love leave and die. I was so shocked when director Anant Balani died. I did my second film with him. He was a dear friend and I lost touch with him. One of my schoolteachers also passed away recently. I wish I had met him. He used to beat me in school but I knew he intended well for me.

Q: Are you really making a film based on the Ramayana?

A: Of course, though not right away since funds are a little short right now. But I'll certainly play Rama. It's my dream to do so. Who can stop me? I want to make my film at par with The Lord Of The Rings, Lady Hawke and The Last Of The Mohicans . It has to be directed by someone with the vision to make the Ramayana contemporary and yet pure. The language has to be accessible to today's generation. Otherwise what's the point of doing Ramayana again?

Tere Naam has worked wonders in its revived run in parts of C.P. Berar . The movie has created city records in the first week at Rajkamal in Dhule , at New Prakash in Burhanpur and at Amardep in Bhusaval .

The film also created theater records in its first and second weeks at Nagpur´s Janki cinema and in the first week at Saroj in Amravati , Sharda in Durg and in 5 cinemas of Chalisgaon.

The film has also collected decent grosses during its re-run in U.P and Delhi City .

bollywoodblitz.com

Bollywood's controversial action hero Salman Khan, well known for his off-screen tantrums, is hoping to laugh his way to box office success with his new comedy, Mujhse Shadi Karogi?.

The film, starring Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra as the leading lady, is Khan's latest attempt at comedy, an art that has served him well over the years.

"I am comfortable with all scripts, but to do comedy you need a very different mindset," said the muscular actor who was in news last year for allegedly killing a homeless man and injuring four others while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Khan, 38, was arrested in September 2002 after he fled the scene of the accident but was later released on bail. The trial is still pending.

"If I am in a bad mood and disturbed in my personal life, it is very difficult for me to perform a good comedy role," an introspective Khan told AFP on the set of Mujhse Shadi Karogi?.

"I am trying hard to see that my personal life does not reflect on my professional life. I really envy people who do a good job professionally despite the fact that their personal life is in trouble. I have tried to follow their footsteps but I find it difficult."

Khan has also made headlines for his tumultuous relationship with former Miss World and top Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai, who apparently broke off their romance because of his bad temper.

And reports have emerged that he threatened another Bollywood actor, Vivek Oberoi, for being friendly with Rai.

Khan made a strong comeback earlier this year with the action-romance flick Tere Naam, which had a record opening at the box office though it could not sustain its initial success.

Analysts said, however, the movie did well for the producers as theatres across India were heavily booked for the actor's first film after being released from jail following the hit-and-run accident.

In his latest comedy, the actor plays the role of a man who only wants to do good in his life.

"The man tries his best to do good but ultimately all the good he does backfires on him," Khan said.

"He gets angry when things backfire on him but the audience will love my role because it is done in a comical way."

After a series of personal setbacks, the actor now claims to be emerging as a better and more patient person.

"I don't lose my cool so easily now. I keep patient. But let me tell you I am still a very straightforward person," he said.

"I take no nonsense and tell people very coolly that I don't like certain things."

Khan attributes a large part of his success to his popular Bollywood scriptwriter father Salim Khan.

"I am 38 but I still need him (father) very much. He has seen life more than me," Khan said.

"I discuss everything about my life with him... For me my father is like a guide. I am very grateful to him that he is always around for me in good and bad times."

Kaanta Laga on big screen

If reports are to be believed, Kaanta Laga girl Shefali Jariwala is all set to make her Bollywood debut in Sajid Nadiadwala's Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. The movie directed by David Dhawan stars Salman Khan, Akshay Khan and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles.

According to available reports, Shefali's role will be a guest appearance in the form of an item number wherein she will gyrate to the Kaanta Laga track.

No official confirmation was available till the time of publishing this article. Meanwhile, we keep our fingers crossed for this one.

Salman Khan is chasing a dog to win Priyanka Chopra’s heart in Film City!

No, it’s not real life but reel life. It’s the shooting of Sajid Nadiadwala’s Mujhse Shaadi Karoge directed by David Dhawan and starring Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra.

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala says about his film, “I am a romantic and David is comic. Thus Mujhse Shaadi Karoge is a romantic comedy.” The film is special for him because, “Two of my close friends are coming together for the first time.

One is a school friend (Kumar) and the other is a business friend (Khan). These guys have been in the industry for 12 years and they have never worked together so getting them together was great.”

Dhawan is having a ball making such light, breezy entertainers because, “As a maker you should enjoy what you are doing. Manmohan Desai used to make only entertaining films.”

On his hero Salman he says, “This is my fifth film with Salman. We share an amazing professional relationship. He is a very good actor and almost like a child.” According to Dhawan, “Akshay Kumar has improved in leaps and bounds in every way from Mr and Mrs Khiladi to now. He is a great guy, he picks up so fast.”

Leading lady Chopra plays Rani, who is “a simple girl with simple aspirations living in Goa and wants to make it big as a designer. It’s a situational comedy,” Chopra says.

She describes the scene they are shooting today. “I have a dog called Tommy and my father is very attached to him. Salman brings a fake dog and gives it to him to win my affection and I say what a good guy he is.

This makes him one up on Akshay who seethes in frustration.”

Kumar says it in simpler terms. “It’s a love triangle based in Goa, where two roommates fall in love with their neighbour’s daughter and both ask her mujhse shaadi karoge? I play Sunny who loves to create misunderstandings between people.”

Salman plays a Baywatch-like lifeguard’s role in the film. Says Khan, “My character feels angry at every wrong thing done.” He continues, “For the first time David has tried to convey some message to his audience.

His message is that when your time is bad no matter what you do, things will always go wrong and secondly you cannot keep a talented man down for long.”

 

Set appeal

• The film will also have special effects like timeslide, burlybrawls and multiplications, some of which were used in The Matrix. A special effects team from Australia is coming down for that.

• The set resembles Goa. Apparently, number of planks used to construct the sets was over 40,000. So many planks were used in this shoot, that at one point producers of three different films had to cancel their shoots because they couldn’t get enough planks.

Nadiadwala admits, “There was shortage of planks all over because we used so many planks because of the length and height of the sets.

Usually a set may have more or less than this amount. But since we have constructed buildings having heights of two or three floors we have had to use lots of planks.

We could have shot in Goa if we needed to shoot for just four or five days. But since it’s was more than that we had to construct the set here. The approximate set amount at ground level has cost us about Rs 3 crore.”

David's latest film on the wrap

Mumbai, Dec. 4 (ANI): David Dhawan known for his comedy films is currently wrapping up his latest film Mujhse Shaadi Karogee at Mumbai's Film City.

Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film stars Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra.

Nadiadwala and Dhawan have reportedly spent Rs.5 crore on a special that depicts the scenic backgrounds of Goa.

Fifty percent of the film has been completed. The songs of the flick will be shot overseas. (ANI)

Mujhse Shaadi Karoge´ Second Shooting Spell On

The second shooting schedule of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainments Mujhse Shaadi Karoge, is currently on at a huge set at Film City and will conclude on December 20. Two Songs and scenes will be picturised. Being produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by David Dhawan, the film stars Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra. Script is by Anees Bazmi and music by Anu Malik

Source:Planet Bollywood
 

By Taran Adarsh, November 15th, 2003 - 1100 hrs IST

Now that SSSSHHH… has released, producers Cinevistaas have moved on to their next project – GARV. The Puneet Issar-directed venture stars Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan and Shilpa Shetty in principal roles. Says Sunil Mehta of Cinevistaas, “The film is almost complete and we are planning a January 23 release. The promotions will begin soon.”

Ask Mehta about the nature of the film and he says, “I would call it as a strong character-based movie with a perfect blend of emotion and action made on a much grander scale than SSSSHHH…” Though he refuses to peg the approximate budget, Mehta nevertheless adds, “It's the costliest film Salman Khan has ever acted in!”

By Taran Adarsh, November 15th, 2003 - 1100 hrs IST

Producer Sunil Manchanda has finished shooting 40 per cent of his forthcoming film, starring Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Bhoomika Chawla. Titled DIL NE JISE APNA KAHA, the film is being directed by Salman's brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri.

“It's a mature love story. We should complete the shooting by February and are looking at releasing it by August,” informs Manchanda. After shooting in Mumbai, he hopes to can the balance portions in Goa and a foreign locale. “We haven't still finalised the location abroad. But it won't be Switzerland for sure,” he states. Meanwhile, he is in the process of finalising the script of his next venture, a romantic comedy, to be directed by Priyadarshan.

By Lata Khubchandani, India Syndicate
Wednesday, 12 November , 2003, 17:26
 
The set is a bungalow in Mumbai's suburb Versova, which has become a film hub today. The cute cottage with a neat garden seems ideal for a picnic and the cast and crew are sitting out and having lunch. Preity Zinta too is there, having lunch and talking nineteen to a dozen. Co-star Salman Khan listens indulgently and director Atul Agnihotri plays passive audience. The scene is the location of Atul Agnihotri's Dilne Jise Apna Kaha.

Salman dressed in vest, white shorts and a white cap looks cool in the hot afternoon sun, while everyone else is stewing in their full make up and clothes. Current flame Katrina Kaif dressed in black trousers and shirt seems to be having fun as she relaxes.

Salman as usual looks full of mischief as he smilingly pays attention to what Preity is saying so intensely. Atul Agnihotri is Salman's brother-in-law, and perhaps, that's why there's such friendly camaraderie on the sets.

Preity dressed in a sea-green chiffon-embroidered churidar kurta looks lovely as usual. Lunch over, she can't decide where to sit down for a short chat. Finally, she decides on her make-up van and we settle down. But she must have ice-cream before we start.

She grins when I tell her she's lost weight. I've been working out, she explains. No dieting and stuff? I ask. Pat comes the reply: "I try to eat healthy, but see I am eating ice-cream so I break my diet. I can't starve myself. I'm basically a foodie."

And does this foodie cook? "Yes, everything. I make the most fabulous pastas, Indian food, parathas, club sandwishes, all of that. When you enjoy food you find ways to cook!"

Lunch over everyone disperses into their nooks, while the crew gets to work to get the next shot ready. Preity is called out for her shot. She is to drive a waiting car and zoom away. She does it in a jiffy and is back in no time. She confesses that while she is working, she is very focused. But once shooting is over, she guards her free time with utmost passion. "I need my free time. I enjoy my work. But I must live too, so I refuse to do anything work related in my free time!"

You can't blame her, her high-spirited energy needs an outlet and she finds this in sport, in traveling, and in spending time with friends. But she gives her full focus to her work when she is on the sets.
 
source: sify.com
 

The Supreme Court Monday fixed December 2 for final disposal of the Maharashtra government's appeal against an order of the Bombay High Court in a hit and run case involving actor Salman Khan.

The Bombay High Court had dropped the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the Bollywood actor, who is accused of killing one person and injuring four others by ramming his vehicle into a bakery in Mumbai.

The appeal came up for hearing before a two-judge bench, comprising Justices Santosh Hegde and B.P. Singh.

On October 6, a magistrate had framed 10 charges against Khan, a year after the incident.The actor pleaded not guilty to all the charges framed against him under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Motor Vehicles Act and the Bombay Prohibition Act. The magistrate rejected the state's plea for staying the process of framing charges. The state preferred an appeal in the Supreme Court against the high court order to drop the charge of culpable homicide framed against the actor earlier.

The magistrate had said the state was free to move the apex court even after framing of charges. Assailing the high court judgement, the appeal raised a question of law on whether or not the offence allegedly committed by the actor fell within the scope of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which attracts 10 years in prison.The state government has urged that the high court judgement be quashed and the trial be stayed till then.
Source:Entertainment Headlines

_____________________________________________________________________

Monday, November 17, 2003 (New Delhi):

The Supreme Court today adjourned hearing on the Maharashtra Government's petition challenging dropping of culpable homicide charge against actor Salman Khan till December 2.

The state government's petition seeks to challenge an order of the Mumbai High Court on dropping the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the Bollywood actor.

The actor is charged with killing one person and injuring four in a hit-and-run case more than a year ago.

Maharashtra government's petition says Khan should be booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder as he had acknowledged that his act of rash and negligent driving might result in death of people.

Moreover, he was driving after consuming alcohol and did not possess a driving licence. 
 
On October 6, a magistrate framed ten charges against Salman Khan. The actor has pleaded not guilty to all the charges framed against him and said he was ready to face trial.

Khan was arrested on September 28 last year in Mumbai after his vehicle ran over people sleeping on a pavement outside a bakery in suburban Bandra.

The Mumbai High Court dropped the charge of 'culpable homicide not amounting to murder' which attracts a maximum jail term of ten years. In fact the High Court had asked him to pay Rs 19 lakh compensation to the victims, which the actor complied with.

Source:NDTV
 

While model Katrina Kaif is quick to deny Salman Khan, and while another section of the industry insists that she's actually seeing singer Kamaal Khan ('O O Jaane Jaana'), Salman and Katrina have been spotted together quite regularly at restaurants and coffee shops. Last they were seen at Mumbai's Shatranj Napoli restaurant and Salman's pampering, cuddling and pecking more than nullified Katrina's denial! Now let's see if and when they marry! 

source: www.bollyvista.com

BAGHBAN DECLARED UK BLOCKBUSTER!
The film stands its ground in UK after three weeks!

The Amitabh Bachchan flick Baghban is continuing its excellent run in the UK. The family drama, which also stars Hema Malini, Salman Khan and Mahima Choudhary, has received a terrific response from the British Asian audience. It's now become one of the biggest Bollywood hits of the year. Baghban made £71,766 in its third weekend in cinemas, bringing its grand total to an impressive £393,908. Its currently standing its ground at the UK box office charts and remains at the number 12 position after three weeks of release.

Source:Radiosargam

    Ever since that unfortunate car accident in Mumbai, Salman Khan has stopped driving his car. Father Salim Khan has given him very strict instructions to steer clear of the wheel.

    So guess what apna Sallu did? He cycled all the way to Bhandup, which is a distant Mumbai suburb, for the Press-Meet for his last release, Tere Naam. Only problem was Salman reached the location at two in the afternoon for a string of interviews that was supposed to start at 9 a.m. And hurriedly left mid-way through his interviews saying, `Sorry guys, but I've got to get home on time.'

    Salman also reached late for a private preview of the same film which he had organised for political heavyweight Narayan Rane. But he called Rane Saheb and explained, `Sir, I'm late because my driver has been instructed by my dad to drive really slow.  We don't want another hit-and-run case on our hands.'

Filmfare Oct 2003

    Mumbai, Oct 5. (PTI): A Magistrate has summoned actor Salman Khan to appear in the court tomorrow for framing charges against him in a hit-and-run case. The actor appeared before magistrate S Y Sishode on September 26 but the charges could not be framed against him on that day as prosecutor R S Khandekar sought time saying he had not received the papers.
    Earlier, the High Court had dropped the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against Salman and directed the magistrate to frame other charges. Salman is charged with IPC sections - 304-A (causing death by negligence), 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing hurt), 338 (causing grievous injury) and 427 (causing damage by mischief).
    He is also charged with section 130 (1) 134 (a), 134 (b) 177 and 181 (3) of the Motor Vehicles Act. Besides, the actor is charged with section 66 (1b) of Bombay Prohibition Act, which prohibits driving after consuming liquor.
    Salman was arrested on September 28 last year after he rammed his vehicle into a bakery in suburban Bandra, killing one person and injuring four others. He was later released on bail. According to defence lawyer Dipesh Mehta, Salman is facing the trial in a Magistrate's court for offence of rash and negligent driving and other offences which attract maximum two years jail term.

Source:Hinduonthenet

'Marigold' to take off

By Taran Adarsh, October 2nd, 2003 - 0900 hrs IST

   Amidst reports that the Hollywood project MARIGOLD [starring Salman Khan] is shelved, comes the news that Becker Films International, an Australian company, has decided to join hands with Hyperion Pictures, the makers of the film.
    Directed by Willard Carroll, this $ 10 million film will now start filming in early 2004 and will be produced by Carroll, Charles Salmon and Hyperion Founder Tom Wilhite.
    "The Indian movie industry sees MARIGOLD as an opportunity to present a positive view of Bollywood to the West," says Sidhartha M. Jain, Vice President of Hyperion Pictures India and the film's co-executive producer.
    MARIGOLD is about a Hollywood actress stranded in India when her film is suddenly cancelled. Penniless and unable to return home, the desperate Marigold accepts a role in a gaudy Bollywood production. But Marigold has two left feet and in Bollywood all film performers must dance.
    Salman Khan is cast as Marigold's dance director, whose secret is that he is also the prince of a royal Indian family. “In the next few weeks, we will be announcing the actress who will play the role of Marigold,” says Jain.   
    MARIGOLD will be launched at the MIFED market in Milan as the first real 'Hollywood meets Bollywood' film.
    Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have composed seven songs, with lyrics by L.A. pop icon Shari 'Truth Hurts' Watson, whose cross-cultural mix 'Addictive' was one of the past year's biggest dance hits.

The folks at Leeds International Film Festival in the UK have managed to get permission to screen B.R. Chopra's Baghban as a world premiere in Leeds, UK. Baghban, which features such names as Amitabh Bachchan; Hema Malini; Salman Khan; Mahima Choudary & Paresh Rawal, is one of the most anticipated films of this year for many reasons. The screening of Baghban will be held on Thursday 2nd October 2003 at Warner Village cinema in Leeds at 7PM. For more information about Leeds International Film Festival please checkout their official site at www.leedsfilm.com.

Friday, September 26, 2003 (Mumbai):

Actor Salman Khan, accused in a hit-and-run case, appeared before a court today and was directed to be present again on October 6 for framing of charges. The charges could not be framed today as the public prosecutor informed the Magistrate that he had not received any papers from the session's court.

Change in cases
 
The actor is charged under various sections of the IPC, including causing death by negligence and rash driving. He is also charged under different sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, besides the Bombay Prohibition Act. He was arrested on September 28 last year after his vehicle rammed into a bakery in suburban Bandra, killing one person and injuring four others. The star was later released on bail. Mumbai High court had recently dropped the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, framed against the actor earlier, but retained other charges. The case was later transferred to a magistrate for trial. (PTI)

Source:NDTV

MUMBAI: The Bandra magistrate's court on Friday adjourned the trial proceedings against Salman Khan in a hit-and-run case to October 6. The incident, which occurred last September in Bandra, left one person dead and four injured.

Salman was present in court for the framing of charges against him. However, the public prosecutor pleaded that the case papers had not reached the court since the case was transferred back from the sessions court. The 38-year-old actor will now have to remain on October 6.

The state urged that the matter be taken up in November, but Salman's lawyer Ditesh Mehta countered by saying that the sessions court had already framed the charges and there was no reason for further delay.

Source:Times of India
 

    Sessions judge A J Dholakia today transferred Bollywood actor Salman Khan's hit-and-run case to metropolitan court in Bandra for trial. The high court had recently struck off the charge of culpable homicide against the actor who was accused of killing one person in a car accident. The judge passed the order after public prosecutor R V Kini told the court that he had no instruction from the government about appealing against the HC order. Salman was present in the court along with his sister father and script writer Salim Khan. He was whisked away by his personal security and a police escort the moment the order was passed. The Bandra court will start hearing the case from September 26. The case was transferred because the case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 304 of the IPC which is triable by the sessions court no longer existed against the actor.A sessions court had earlier held Salman prima facie guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and rejected his plea to drop the charge. The actor had pleaded not guilty to the charges. The judge had held that Salman appeared to be prima facie guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder as he had the knowledge that rash and negligent driving may kill people. Salman had urged the trial court to drop the charge of section 304 part two IPC, triable exclusively by a court of sessions. On other charges he had not raised any dispute. The actor had argued that he was charged with rash and negligent driving and so the case was triable by a magistrate and not a sessions court. He said it was merely an accident case and that he had no intention to kill people. The court, however, turned down Salman's plea. Being aggrieved, he filed an appeal in the high court which dropped the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder but retained other charges. Salman is facing the charges under IPC sections 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing minor injuries), 338 (causing grievious injuries) and 427 (mischief causing damage). Besides, he has been charged with various offences under Motor Vehicles Act. Salman had rammed his vehicle into a bakery in suburban Bandra on September 28, killing Noorulla Mahboob Sharif who was sleeping outside the bakery. The charges include section 279 IPC (causing death by negligence), section 338 IPC (causing grievous hurt to 17-year-old Abdul Rauf Shaikh), section 337 IPC (causing hurt to Kalim Mohammed Pathan and Munna Malai Khan), 427 IPC (damaging property of bakery by dashing the car against its shutter). Besides, he has been charged with various sections of Motor Vehicle Act and Bombay Prohibition Act.

Salman Khan - Bollyvista's Star of the Week - A positive look amidst all the negative? Is it possible?

It seems like the name Salman Khan is a household word these days. However, that's not always a good thing, especially if it's followed by negative comments. So in lieu of adding anymore cynical remarks, which, would only serve to further pummel the man's character, let's take a more favorable route.

December 1965, made him known to his family in his debut role as "Baby Salman" in the Khan family diaries. But, December 1989, introduced him to the rest of the world in his debut lead role as Prem, in Maine Pyar Kiya which went on to become almost as big a hit as the former.

The year 1994 saw him in Hum Aapke Hain Koun, which became a super hit, but Salman wasn't the one who was recognized for making it happen. Andaz Apna Apna (1994) and Karan Arjun (1995) added to the series of hits, yet still he wasn’t given the accolades.

Then he was paired up with Karisma Kapoor and Judwaa (1997) hit the theaters. It’s known as the film where Salman, as Raja/Prem had more shirtless scenes than any other he’s done. It sent women worldwide swooning over his physique. After all, when sporting 17' biceps, a 42' smoothly shaved chest, and a 29' waist, what else can he expect? Of course that’s just the reaction he was hoping for, but still no coveted awards were handed to him that year either. Sallu wouldn’t give up though. Finally Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1999) came along, and won him a Filmfare award for Best Supporting Actor, as Aman, opposite Kajol.

He now has 46 films to his credit, including Tere Naam this weekend, with four more on the way. Three of them are to be released this year and one (Bajirao Mastani) is already slated for 2005.

Celluloid runs in the Khan family blood, it seems. Salman’s father Salim is a screenplay writer. His two brothers, Arbaaz and Sohail are actors and so is his brother-in-law, Atul Agnihotri. Even his stepmother Helen has been termed as the sensuous epitome of a cinematic diva. So far, his two sisters, Alvira and Arpita have yet to join the film industry along with the rest of the family.

When giving interviews, "Sallu's" answers leave you with the feeling that he possesses a positive aura, which keeps him on top of things in his life. He says he’s a happy guy, has no regrets, and wouldn’t change a thing about himself. Even talking about his having to wear a wig in Tere Naam he says, "I wasn't uncomfortable wearing it because I'm comfortable with anything in life."

Other than that, he’s a man of few words, especially when it comes to his private life.

Is there a message Salman can give his fans? Relating his new film role to his life, he tells us that there is little the two have in common, except for the following: "I'd do anything for those I care for. That one thing does make me like Radhe. But after a point the character is certainly not me."

In "reel time" the message is, "Don't destroy your life for one person because there's lots of other people who love you a lot more, though may be not the same way." Ask any of Salman’s fans and they will tell you that they love him just the way he is naturally.

The Bombay high court today allowed the quashing of the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder framed against actor Salman Khan by a lower court in the recent hit-and-run case. Salman had rammed his car in a bakery at Bandra on 28 September 2002.

One person was killed and two were injured in the accident. He will now be charged for rash and negligent driving however.

By IndiaFM News Bureau

The Delhi high court on Monday restrained Coca-Cola from airing its Thums Up and Sprite commercials featuring film actor Salman Khan. A division Bench comprising Justice Usha Mehra and Justice O P Dwivedi held that the promos were intended to depict Pepsi as an inferior drink.

The court barred Coca-Cola from using the Thums Up and Sprite's roller coaster commercial in which Salman Khan was shown saying that Pepsi was a drink for children.

The first copy of Karishma International's Dil Churake Chal Diye was out on August 19 from Ramnord. Produced by Bubby Kent and directed by K.S. Adhiyaman, the film stars Salman Khan and Shilpa Shetty. Music is composed by Sajid-Wajid and Daboo Malik. It's a Bharat Shah presentation. [August 27th, 2003] Source : Planet Shilpa Shetty

The film industry is rejoicing the extraordinary advance booking of the Salman Khan starrer, Tere Naam. The film, due to open this Friday (August 15) took the entire film trade by surprise with historic window takings on Monday (August 11), the day its plans opened.

Bombay and Delhi witnessed heavy crowds at the plans windows, comparable to the advance booking of films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…and last week’s Koi…Mil Gaya. Cities like Meerut had never seen it so good. All records of the last five years were broken with serpentine queues outside Nandan cinema on Monday morning. In the first two hours of the ticket-windows opening, tickets worth Rs. 3 lakhs had been sold, a feat not even Gadar Ek Prem Katha, K3G, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon or Koi…Mil Gaya could boast of.

What was the reason for the almost unprecedented advance booking of the Tamil super-hit Sethu remake? Surely, the audience couldn’t have been excited that it was the remake of a blockbuster. For, umpteen other remakes of South films have taken dismal initials in the past. Frankly, the point about remakes makes a difference only while selling the film to distributors. Beyond that, the initial of a film is not governed by the fact that it is or isn’t a remake.

What’s more, unlike films like K3G, which starred half the film industry, Tere Naam had just a Salman to sell itself. Even the heroine, Bhoomika Chawla, is a rank newcomer for the Hindi cinegoer. No doubt, she is a successful heroine down South, but, like the point of remakes, this too doesn’t hold much meaning for an average Hindi cinegoer.

There were several factors that led to the phenomenal ticket sales of Tere Naam. For one, the songs of the Salman starrer have become huge hits. The simple lyrics, very Indian in thought, have won the hearts of the music buffs. Himesh Reshammiya’s tunes have actually seen the album selling like hot cakes. Why, music stores even reported a decline in the sale of music cassettes of the earlier hottest selling film album, Koi…Mil Gaya once the music of Tere Naam was released in the market. Secondly, although the only saleable star in the film is Salman Khan, his film is coming to the theatres after a gap of more than a year.

Therefore, the long wait of his fans to see their idol after such a long time is translating itself in the form of a bumper opening. Thirdly, the promotional trailers of the love story give the impression that the film offers ‘something different’, that one quality in a film that is being sought by a majority of cinegoers fed up of routine stuff. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the trailers had done the trick no sooner they went on air on the various satellite channels. Yes, Salman’s different hair style in the film did come in for criticism from some quarters, but that could hardly be expected to come in the way of a flying start to the film.

But, perhaps, the most important factor for the wonderful advance booking is the Salman sympathy wave sweeping the nation currently. From being everybody’s favourite punching bag - and not without reason, - the controversial star suddenly seems to have become everyone’s darling, again for comprehensible causes. For one, his second brush with law in the hit-and-run case followed by his imprisonment won him public sympathy more than hatred even though he was accused of causing the death of one person.

Close on the heels of that accident came the news that Aishwarya Rai had called off her affair with him. Again, although the actress revealed that Salman used to beat her up sometimes, the sympathy after the break-up went to Salman, not to Ash.

Thereafter came his controversy with Vivek Oberoi, in which the latter called a press conference to tell the world that Salman had threatened him with dire consequences. Salman’s stoic silence and resolve to not get into a slanging match with Vivek won him more fans than adversaries. Much as Vivek would hate it, it is a fact that he too has been responsible in no small measure for the grand opening of Tere Naam. Perhaps, Salman can send Suresh Oberoi’s son a thank-you card with the words Tere Naam, to gratefully acknowledge Vivek’s contribution to the initial of his latest release. Although it may sound too communal, it must be said that cinemas in predominantly Muslim areas have reported the best advance booking for the film.

Finally, given the grand opening, it is almost a foregone conclusion that Tere Naam would be Salman’s comeback vehicle. The film looks poised to succeed at the box-office, may be in a major way. If that happens, Salman would have a success to his credit after a long, long time. Independence Day may, perhaps, mark Salman’s freedom from failures and flops.

India Syndicate

By Taran Adarsh

He may be surrounded by controversies, but there's no denying the fact that when it comes to fan-following, Salman Khan's popularity chart is rock-steady. While his fans ensured that TERE NAAM generated excellent opening all over, one section of his fans in Jodhpur [Rajasthan] went one step ahead.

A big group of body builders booked the entire Balcony seats of Jodhpur's Nasrani cinema for the very first show of the film on Friday. The procession arrived in 4-5 open jeeps, many of them sporting Salman's hairstyle from the film. One of them was even seen in shackles, the kind of which the actor has worn in the second half of the film.

Not to be left behind, the management of the theatre also joined in the festive mood. They welcomed the procession and garlanded those sporting Salman's get-up.
 

By Taran Adarsh

With TERE NAAM opening to a fabulous response throughout India, all eyes are now focussed on Salman Khan's next release, Cinevistaas' new venture, being directed by actor Punit Issar.

Currently 90% complete, the makers are looking at a December 2003 release. “Only 15 days' work is pending to wrap up the entire shooting, after which we begin the post-production work of the film," Punit tells me.

But the 'samasya' is that the makers have yet to decide on an appropriate title for the film. At a point of time, they were planning to call it SANGHAAR, but they're now vacillating between two titles -- GARV: PRIDE & HONOUR and SATYAMEV JAYATE. "The second title is not with us, but we may get it," Punit divulges.

Let's see what title the makers eventually settle for!
 

Salman threatened

Salman Khan reportedly has been threatened by Hindu activists who objected to his playing the role of Lord Rama. Salman Khan informed the press that some Hindu political parties had warned him against playing the role Lord Rama for a film. The film, to be produced by good friend Bunty Walia, is to hit the floors sometime in 2005. Bunty Walia told the press that he too had received threats saying how could Salman being a Muslim play the role of Lord Rama. Incidentally it was Salman Khan who suggested that a film on Ramayan be made "And who could play the role of Lord Rama, but him?" Bunty questioned.

TERE NAAM (2003)

Starring: Salman Khan and Bhumika Chawla
Director: Satish Kaushik
Producer: Orion Pictures
Music: Himesh Reshammiya

PREDICTED RATING: 6/10

As well as marking the big screen return of Bollywood's most controversial superstar Salman Khan, the forthcoming movie Tere Naam is also the Bollywood debut of newcomer Bhumika Chawla. The film has been in the news for various reasons lately, mainly because Salman will have two completely different looks (for some of the movie he has shaved off his hair, whilst other scenes involves him wearing a long wig). There has also been talk that the story is inspired by Salman's real life love story with Aishwarya Rai, which has been strongly denied by the actor himself.

Tere Naam is actually a remake of South Indian blockbuster Sethu. The story is about a spontaneous and slightly rowdy young man (Salman Khan) who falls head over heels in love with a simple small town girl (Bhumika Chawla). The object of his affection rarely ventures out of her house unless she's attending college or visiting the market to buy vegetables. Unfortunately she doesn't share the same feelings for her admirer and rejects his advances. The heartbroken boy then goes to the extreme of abducting the girl against her will. After committing the deed, the girl slowly notices a change in personality within the boy and surprises herself by falling in love. However the boy is then attacked by a gang of thugs and ends up in a mental asylum…is this the end of the unlikely love story? Or will they fight against the odds to reunite?

The soundtrack to Tere Naam, composed by Himesh Reshammiya, has already been released and is doing fairly well in terms of sales. We'll have to wait and find out whether the movie follows suit when it hits the big screen in August!

SCHEDULED RELEASE DATE: 15th August 2003

Source:Radiosargam
 

    This is a conversation that doesn’t even begin with a laconic hello, carries on and ends on the same note. A friendly, “You’ve coloured your hair!” is met with, “Hmm… so?”

Clearly, Salman Khan isn’t interested in talking to the press, and as some expletives hurled suggest, he quite clearly doesn’t give a damn to what they write. His latest nightmare is his next near back-to-back releases: Lucky, Baghban and Dil Churake Chal Diya.

Effectively, he cannot avoid scribes, for his producers will probably force him to meet his promotion obligations. What this mainstay of two of the biggest hits in Indian cinema can do, is look away, answer in snappy sentences, meander in incoherence and appear so disinterested that were you me, you’d rather chat with yourself.

The last couple of years have kept Khan busy for all the wrong reasons. He says he hasn’t lost any friends, though. We ask him to list them:

“They’re not from the industry. Some of them who are, are Sanju (Sanjay Dutt), Mohnish (Behl)…” Of course, bete-noire Vivek Oberoi won’t figure.

And we’re not sure if Aishwarya Rai would. On rumours that the two might get paired in a film, he says, “Didn’t she tell everyone she won’t work with me? I don’t have any such problems.”

Khan does have a problem here, getting interviewed. Excerpts from this disenchanted tete-a-tete that we struggled through.

Your next release Tere Naam’s tagline reads: “Unfortunately A True Love Story”. Rumours abound (if not planted) is that this is a story of your own love life. Any basis to the rumours?

It’s an ‘unfortunate love story.’ The film is a remake of Sethu, which was made in Telegu or Tamil. I liked the script and I did it. The trouble is now that I have a host of films lined up I’ll have to speak to journalists, who will ask me only about other people.

The reason they ask you about other people is to get a reaction to what others have said about you. Have you called Vivek Oberoi since his grand press conference?

(Looks away). I don’t know. I don’t care… People need to talk about me to push themselves ahead. Let them, I don’t have a problem.

A few years ago, everyone in the industry had decided to ban the press, it lasted three days. I have decided not to speak. Why segregate? I won’t talk to anyone. Do you like talking about yourself? Half a billion fans are not interested in reading about me.

Do you regret being a public figure?

No, I don’t regret being a public figure. There are so many things I couldn’t do if I wasn’t Salman Khan, like get involved in causes…

Which are these causes?

(Shrugs) I don’t want to talk about them.

What about reported incidences in which you’ve been involved — fracas etc. Are they false?

Which ones are you talking about?

There are too many. Barging onto the sets of Rohan Sippy’s film (where Aishwarya Rai was shooting with Abhishek Bachchan).

Why don’t you ask Rohan Sippy or Abhishek Bachchan what happened?

You mean nothing happens and reports are figments of the scribes’ imagination?

Little things get blown of proportion.

Then why don’t you offer an explanation when such stories appear?

Why should I? So that they can write some more and all my life I’ll keep giving interviews? They make good copies. And however many times they may write that Salman is bad, they still make their bread and butter from me.

Let them publish whatever rubbish they want to. At the end of the day, there are only two things that will **** everything up for me: I and God.

You’re turning 39. In an interview you mentioned you’d forever play the lover boy dancing around trees. Do you still feel the same?

Yes I still feel the same. I am 47! Age is a state of mind.

How is your Bandra hit-and-run case progressing in the court?

It’s not a hit and run case. I didn’t hit anyone, I wasn’t even driving. And I didn’t run away. I went right the next day to the police station and produced myself. They say I should be treated like a layman. A layman gets a bail on Rs 950. It’s a case of culpable homicide.

Culpable homicide amounting to murder, what is your prime defence-argument in the case.

Do you think it was culpable homicide?

Is that your argument?

That I drove with the intention of killing someone? Ten years imprisonment? I will face whatever the justice system ordains for me.

What happened to your home production film on Ramayan in which you are slated to play Ram?

It’ll probably start in 2005. It’s a major venture, and to do justice to the project, we might as well do it right, than in a hurry.

Pain is no problem for Salman Khan. It seems to be a part of his life now. Or how else do you explain him being so nonchalant minutes after a doctor performs a minor scalp surgery on him inside his van at a film shoot. Sutures done, Salman is ready for a brief talk.