They say his kingdom is under threat. It seems the whole world has turned against India's, arguably, most successful film star Shah Rukh Khan (SRK). Others point out, it was a black Wednesday (6th August) for him. Exaggeration? Read on this idiot's guide to the 'Inner World Of Shah Rukh Khan's Feuds With Foes & Friends':An exclusive feature by a Bollywood insider
Is it just sheer coincidence? Or, Shah Rukh is indeed a bad guy. Or, he has become too successful in whatever he does- some thing that his detractors find so difficult to accept!
Akshay's tussle to grab No. 1 tag in Bollywood
Media is having a field day. Sources in Bollywood say this tirade against Shah Rukh Khan has gone too far. Some suggest it's all an attempt to get the tag of No.1 in the Hindi film industry, which is widely believed to be in SRK's domain for some years, though, unofficially. Akshay, as the box office indicates, is proving to be a gold mine for producers. His films are doing quite well on the box office.
Singh is Kinng 2008Bollywood observers believe, actor Akshay Kumar has been trying to prove just one point; he is more popular than SRK. The name of his latest movie 'Singh is Kinng' is actually a statement asserting Akshay, who plays Singh, is the real king, they say. While addressing reporters in Mumbai, Akshay pulled the trigger, hiding behind Amitabh Bachchan, undeniably a living legend in India. Both actors enjoy a good rapport. Akshay has participated in Bachchan's much publicised stage shows abroad. "There is only one king and he is Amitabh Bachchan," he said Wednesday, August 6. It seems like an innocent statement on the surface. Bachchan is indeed great! But why play on word 'King'.
Though he didn't name SRK but, at the same time, Akshay didn't leave any room for doubt. More than 50 news channels and about 200 hundred papers interpreted Akshay did target King Khan. So the proof of the pudding is also in serving. When media reminded him that he was actually stirring a big controversy. He went on to say "if my comments lead to a controversy, I don't care." This happened Wednesday, August 6, 2008.
Court case over OSO script
The same day, news came of a court case being filed against Shah Rukh Khan and his partners of the OSO team, including director Farah Khan.
Ajay Monga, who has written Madhur Bhandarkar's new film 'Fashion', featuring Priyanka Chopra, filed a suit in Mumbai High Court, alleging that OSO is a copy of the script he wrote. Alleging copyright infringement, Monga's suit states that he had wanted Shah Rukh to play the lead role in the film, and gave a copy of the script to his company — Red Chillies Entertainment.
Many question Monga's motive in initiating the legal action so belatedly, as the film in question- OSO- was released last year in November! Like Manoj Kumar, was he also on another planet?
Om Shanti Om on Sony TV Channel
Om Shanti Om 2007Reporters say OSO's TV pemier on August 10 has provided fresh ammunition to SRK bashers. Timing of TV premier is surely of significance. Akshay's most talked about film, every body knew in advance, was going to be released on August 7.Supporters of Akshay claim SRK wanted to sabotage 'Singh is Kinng's chances. But others say: C'mon, don't be scared. Behave like a king. OSO is just a TV premier. Inadvertently, you're acknowledging who the 'King' is.
Manoj Kumar files defamation case
Veteran actor Manoj Kumar also has filed a case against Shah Rukh Khan, Farah Khan and Sony Entertainment seeking a stay on telecast of the film. Kumar was unhappy over a few scenes in OSO which are a spoof on him. But, why now? Was he on another planet when the film broke all records of success and ran for months just opposite his house in Mumbai.
Salman Khan vs SRK
Salman KhanLast month, Indian media reported that actor Salman Khan had misbehaved with Shah Rukh Khan at a function. Well...it was the birthday party for Katrina Kaif, Salman's girl friend and a very successful actress. There are suggestions that the two male actors almost came up to blows. Sources say SRK's wife Gauri Khan, very sensibly, avoided the scene and walked off with her husband.
Later, Salman Khan wrote: "For the next few days you will hear and read a lot of shit about me, a lot of it.....sometimes when you are travelling in a fast car and you find a dog chasing your car…barking away. You don’t stop the car and start reacting to the dog…u don’t…there’s no point. I don’t wish to react. I don’t have the time for it. Besides, I don’t understand the language of dogs, except for my two - Myson and Myjaan." - 25 July, 2008.
494 fans wrote back on Salman's blog to support him. It's difficult to find out who the dog is in Salman's blog. His detractor or media? But superstar Aamir Khan didn't mince any words in calling Shah Rukh Khan a dog or vice versa.
Aamir Khan vs SRK
Aamir Khan"A cool breeze is blowing, jannat ki hawa (breeze from the heavens), as my mother calls it. Ammi, Ira and Junaid are by my side and we are in the middle of one of our favourite board games 'Settlers Of Catan'. Shahrukh is licking my feet and I am feeding him biscuits every now and then. What more can I ask for?," blogged Aamir Khan. Then he went on to explain that Shah Rukh was actually the name of his caretaker's dog.
Obviously, SRK's fans didn't take it lightly. They were very unhappy with Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. Press, too, criticised the two actors.
Sensing the mood Aamir Khan apologised.
"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," he said.
In response, SRK was magnanimous as well as his usual self- witty. "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."
Any one called Khan has a problem with SRK
Bollywood offers many Khans in various sizes and shapes. Interestingly, four of them-Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan- are currently in a position to dictate their terms to the producers. They all individually believe they are the Kings. If some one shouts 'King Khan' in public- they turn, smile in self belief and think 'Oh, it's me!'.
Ah! Bachchans!
Amitabh BachchanThere was a time when all Bachchans were fond of SRK. They acted together. They appeared on TV shows together. But then some thing happened. Perhaps, It was the IIFA- Indian Film Academy Awards- where the Bachchans tried to undermine SRK's star power. Some say, the trouble started brewing when Amitabh Bachchan felt he was getting marginalised in the presence of SRK. Allegedly, he noticed this first at a film event when the hosts Moranis, organisers of huge Bollywood shows, showed indifference to his presence.
Media went ecstatic when Big B supplied them some real enriched Uranium by, allegedly, not inviting SRK to his son's wedding. This was serious humiliation of a co-star!
Many duals reportedly happened between the two, but the latest and the serious one was when Big B initiated a discussion on his blog: “I am unable to understand its (KBC- Star Television’s show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, based on ‘Who ant to be a millionaire) falling interest as the graphs show despite he fact that they were presented by bigger and more popular stars, namely Shah Rukh. And now to see ‘Panchvi Pass’, or as one rival channel executive sniggered, ‘Panchvi Fail’, after its not too encouraging numbers, facing relative lower ratings is what I wish to debate on and would love to have inputs from readers.”
His fans went berserk and insulted SRK on the blog: “When the show lost its actual host, it lost its glamour as well. And, Mr Bachchan! Shah Rukh Khan is the king…but you still are the emperor,” was the response from a moderate fan, Zayed.
SRK top tax payer among all actors in India!
The only good news for SRK has come from the Income Tax department of India. According to their tax report for 2007-08, Shah Rukh Khan is indeed the top star in India. He has become the top tax payer among all actors. Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan are much behind him. SRK handed more than 340 million rupees in tax this year, while Akshay paid only 135 million rupees, briefed tax officials Wednesday, August 6.