Issue on screens for 'Once Upon...' unfounded: Shah Rukh

August 23, 2013

Shah_RukhMumbai, Aug 23: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan says the issue over the allotment of screens for the release of Ekta Kapoor's 'Once Upon A time In Mumbai Dobaara' is a little unfounded as 'Chennai Express' producers UTV did make way for Balaji's request.

Ekta's mother Shobha Kapoor, who released Akshay Kumar starrer 'Once Upon...' a week later on August 15, had expressed disappointment with UTV over the sharing of screens.

Shah Rukh said the commitment from the producers UTV was well clarified with the makers of 'Once Upon...' and he was not involved in any discussion.

"We had booked single screen theatres for two weeks. A desire came from there (Balaji) that look we are coming on August 15 and can you give us some theatres. I don't do the business, they (UTV) said we will give you 40 to 50 per cent (screen space) which we did," Shah Rukh told PTI in an interview here.

"Our film was earlier supposed to release on Thursday, it then got shifted to Friday, a week means seven days and everyone has the right to run their film for seven days. So seven days got over and we gave them the theatres on Friday. If there is an issue or complaint about this, I think it is little unfounded," he said.

The makers of 'Once Upon...' had pushed the release date of their film to August 15 to avoid a clash with 'Chennai Express' at SRK's request.

There were media reports that Ekta was assured by the production house that they will withdraw their film on August 15 to make way for 'OUATIMD' in at least 2,000 halls across the country.

"I think sometimes when you talk about the business part then you start taking my name because I stand for the business part of Red Chillies or I am the face of this film. I don't think there is any reason, as far as UTV is concerned, to have an issue with Balaji. As far as I am concerned I was not part of the business," Shah Rukh said.

Last year, Ajay Devgn and Yash Raj Films also had a similar issue over the number of screens alloted for the release of "Son of Sardaar" and late Yash Chopra's "Jab Tak Hai Jaan".

Ajay had alleged that YRF used its dominant position following which his movie ('Son of Sardaar') was unable to find enough single screen theatres for exhibition.

Recollecting the matter, Shah Rukh said, "Yashji had expired and 'Son of Sardaar' was coming, Ajay is a friend... I could have gone and requested him that out of respect do it (change the release date). But I did not.

"Everybody has the right to release the film as and when they wish to. I don't think this 'OUATIMD' was a small film, I don't think it was backed by small producers. They had the right to release it when they wanted. If they wanted to release it on August 8, God bless them and if they wanted to release it on August 15, their decision," he said.

When asked if what the makers of 'OUATIMD' were doing was unfair, the actor said, "No, not at all, you have a platform to say what you have to. They might be feeling it that way."

Shah Rukh is happy with the response his film is garnering at the box office. I knew it was a holiday period. I think every film that comes around this time will have a little benefit of Eid, Independence day or Raksha Bandhan. We were little anxious but we knew we had a good product. But we had not expected this kind of love and acceptance," he said.

"This level of acceptance... it happens magically. We can't calculate such things in advance. We did not know 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' will be loved for 18 years. Kajol, Adi and me did not know that it will do so well," he said.

Shah Rukh says he never keeps a tab on box office collection but with the kind of response Rohit Shetty directed "Chennai Express" is garnering it is becoming unavoidable for him to not pay attention to the figures.

The 'King Khan' is happy that even his children Aryan and Suhana have loved the film. "I never talk acting or films at home, neither they do. So when they start liking something it feels really great. I feel very proud when they like my work. My son saw the film 'Chennai Express' with 40 of his friends and they all liked it. Normally, my kids don't discuss or talk about my films at home but this film they discussed a lot and I am thrilled they did it," he added.

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Agencies
April 25,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 25: Malayalam actor Ravi Vallathol, well-known for his acting in television serials and movies, passed away on Saturday at a hospital here, family sources said.

Vallathol, son of drama legend T N Gopinathan Nair and Soudamini, was the nephew of the famous Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon.

The veteran actor had appeared in around 50 Malayalam movies and more than 50 television serials starting from1986 with the serial 'Vaitharani' on Doordarshan.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi VIjayan expressed condolences on the passing away of the actor.

"He had an extraordinary ability to immortalise the characters with a wide range of emotions," Vijayan said, adding that, his demise was a loss to both theatre, film and TV serial industry.

Opposition Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also condoled the demise of the Vallathol.

Chennithala remembered Vallathol as a brilliant writer and social activist. Vallathol made his film debut in 'Swathi Thirunal' directed by the late Lenin Rajendran in 1987.

He had also played versatile characters in hit movies movies including Godfather, Mathilukal, Sargam, Vidheyan, Kottayam Kunjachan, Naalu Penningal, Idukki Gold among others.

He has penned more than 25 short stories among which two were adapted into television series.

He is survived by his wife Geethalakshmi.

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News Network
July 12,2020

Mumbai, Jul 12: Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek have tested positive for Covid-19, according to separate tweets by the two. The 'Sholay' actor shared the news about his positive status on his Twitter handle on Saturday and said he has been admitted to Nanavati hospital here where he is being kept in an isolation ward.

Shortly afterwards, Abhishek Bachchan also confirmed the news and revealed that he and his father both had "mild symptoms."
The Big B said he has been shifted to hospital, and the other family members and staff have undergone tests for the virus. However, the results are awaited.

The 77-year-old actor also requested those, who have been in "close proximity" to him in the last 10 days to get tested for COVID-19.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan among others wished the "iconic star" a quick recovery to the 'Gulabo Sitabo' star.

"Dear Amitabh ji, I join the whole Nation in wishing you a quick recovery! After all, you are the idol of millions in this country, an iconic superstar! We will all take good care of you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery! @SrBachchan @juniorbachchan#AmitabhBachchan #COVID," Health Minister tweeted quoting Amitabh Bacchan's tweet.

Abhishek Bachchan too tweeted shortly afterwards. "Earlier today both my father and I tested positive for COVID 19. Both of us having mild symptoms have been admitted to hospital. We have informed all the required authorities and our family and staff are all being tested. I request all to stay calm and not panic. Thank you."

Former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis wished the senior Bachchan a speedy recovery.
A slew of filmstars and celebrities including Kailash Kher Sonam Kapoor, Sonu Sood, Paresh Rawal, Pariniti Chopra Adnan Sami, Mahesh Babu etc were among those who wished the Bachchans a speedy recovery.

Mumbai, reported a total positive COVID-19 cases of 91457 with 22,779 active COVID-19 cases, with 5,241 people succumbing to the deadly infection so far, according to the Municipal Coroporation of Greater Mumbai.

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News Network
June 1,2020

Mumbai, Jun 1: Singer-composer Wajid Khan of music director duo Sajid-Wajid, popular for their work on superstar Salman Khan's films such as "Wanted", "Dabangg" and "Ek Tha Tiger", died in early hours of Monday in a city hospital due to complications arising from a kidney infection. He was 42.

Music composer Salim Merchant, who confirmed the news of Wajid's death, said the composer was hospitalised few days ago at Surana Hospital, Chembur where his condition deteriorated.

"He had multiple issues. He had a kidney issue and had a transplant a while ago. But recently he got to know about kidney infection... He was on the ventilator for the last four days, after his situation started getting worse. Kidney infection was the beginning and then he got critical," Salim told PTI.

The music composer duo made their Bollywood debut with Salman's 1998 movie "Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya" and went on to work on actor's various films including "Garv", "Tere Naam", "Tumko Na Bhool Payenge", "Partner" and the popular "Dabangg" franchise.

Wajid also did playback for Salman in chartbusters like "Mera He Jalwa", "Fevicol Se" and for Akshay Kumar in "Chinta Ta Chita Chita" from the film "Rowdy Rathore", among others. He recently co-composed Salman's songs "Pyaar Karona" and "Bhai Bhai", which the actor released on his YouTube channel.

Wajid along with his brother Sajid served as mentor on singing reality shows "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012" and "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar".

The composer duo also scored IPL 4 theme song, "Dhoom Dhoom Dhoom Dhadaka", which was sung by Wajid.

Soon after the news of the composer's demise broke, many from the film fraternity took to Twitter to pay tributes.

Actor Priyanka Chopra said she will always remember Wajid's smile.

"The one thing I will always remember is Wajid bhai's laugh. Always smiling. Gone too soon. My condolences to his family and everyone grieving. Rest in peace my friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers," she posted on Twitter.

Actor Parineeti Chopra said Wajid was one of the "nicest" men in the industry.

"Always singing. All heart. Always positive. You will truly be missed Wajid bhai," she tweeted.

Actor Varun Dhawan shared a picture of his filmmaker-father David Dhawan with Wajid and remembered the musician as one of the most positive people in Bollywood.

"Shocked hearing this news @wajidkhan7 bhai was extremely close to me and my family. He was one of the most positive people to be around. We will miss you Wajid bhai thank you for the music," he wrote.

Music composer-singer Vishal Dadlani said he was "heartbroken" after hearing the news.

"Both @SajidMusicKhan and @wajidkhan7 have been close & true friends. The kind who might see the light on and show up at our studio in the middle of the night just to meet and talk and share a laugh. Can't believe Wajid and I will never speak again," he wrote.

Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan said he was still unable to come to terms with the news of Wajid's demise.

"Shocking ! Good bye dear brother.. love you .. till we meet on the other side ! Prayers for your peaceful journey Wajid bhai," he tweeted.

Singer Javed Ali posted, "Feeling Deeply Saddened after hearing shocking news of the sudden demise of Wajid Khan. May his Soul Rest in Peace. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May Allah give strength to the family."

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