New York, Feb 2 (IANS) "King of Bollywood" Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, his co-star in many a hit Hindi film, became the first Indian actors to ring the opening bell of NASDAQ, the world's biggest stock exchange, an honour usually reserved for CEOs of major corporations.

It was a recognition of the reach and marketability of the world's largest film industry.

The actors - who recently got an award for the best duo in Hindi cinema - are in the US to promote their upcoming film "My Name Is Khan", which is releasing Feb 12. They came to NASDAQ and rang in the first trading day of February at 9.30 a.m. Monday at a ceremony broadcast live on many television networks across the globe.

With over 3,700 companies listed, the NASDAQ has more trading volume than any other stock market in the world.

As the star pair made their way to the NASDAQ building in Times Square, Shah Rukh said on his twitter account: "Nasdaq will be fun. Have to make sure I reach on time, otherwise will end up being blamed for economic upheaval across the world too... ha ha."

Shah Rukh Khan, who is facing the Shiv Sena's ire over his comment for inclusion of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL), told reporters: "It (the controversy) is very unfortunate. I think it is unhealthy, undemocratic and highly insensitive."

"But I guess one has to get used to these things around you," Shah Rukh said, adding:"I kind of feel that what I feel and say to youngsters is as an Indian and I am proud to be that. If some situations like this arises, though I wish it didn't, I wish everything settles down...But yes, I do feel saddened by controversies like these."

Asked about the ban that the Shiv Sena plans to impose on the release of "My Name Is Khan" in Mumbai, Shah Rukh said: "The controversy is with me and my statement. It has nothing to do with Karan (Johar), Kajol or the film. I stand up for my comments...there is no excuse for having said what I said and I am proud that I have a take like that."

In the movie, Khan plays a Muslim Indian with Asperger syndrome, which is a form of autism. He lives in the US and marries a Hindu single mother, played by Kajol, but their marriage crumbles post-9/11 and he sets out to meet the US president for help in getting her back.

The highly awaited movie reunites Khan and Kajol, who haven't appeared together in a film since "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" in 2001."My Name if Khan" was shot in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Mumbai. Directed by filmmaker Karan Johar, it is produced by his company, Dharma Productions.

"My Name Is Khan" was reportedly sold to Fox Star Studios last July for a record $21 million, the highest price ever paid by a distributor for a Bollywood film.

Under the deal, Fox Star Studios, a joint venture between American film studio 20th Century Fox and India's Star Group, acquired the worldwide marketing and distribution rights to the film. It will be released in North America by Fox Searchlight Pictures, a division of 20th Century Fox.

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh told the Wall Street Journal Monday: "I'm hopeful to make one Hindi film that's seen by the whole world."

"Like, 'Life is Beautiful'," he explained. "It was an Italian film but everyone saw it and loved it."

A year after "Slumdog Millionaire" raked in eight Oscars, Shah Rukh admitted he'd love to top its success. "Nobody knows where a film is going to go when you finish it," he was quoted as saying by the Journal.

"I think this will... touch a lot more people in the Eastern and Western world than any film has done before. I would love it to be a bigger hit than 'Slumdog'."

Asked about plans to cross into Hollywood, Shah Rukh Khan said: "I've never been asked."

He jokingly speculated that it was, perhaps, because he doesn't have Brad Pitt's body and doesn't know kung fu.

"I like that I'm the king of Bollywood though," he told the Journal.

Labels: Kajol, Sha-Rukh-Khan

New York, Jan 30 (IANS) Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol have been invited by NASDAQ, the world's biggest stock exchange, to ring their opening bell here Monday.

The stars of director Karan Johar's upcoming feature film "My Name Is Khan" will become the first Indian actors to open the market, an honour usually reserved for CEOs of major corporations, when they ring in the first trading day of February at 9:30 a.m.

This prestigious event is broadcast live on many television networks across the globe. With over 3,700 companies listed, the NASDAQ has more trading volume than any other stock market in the world.

Khan and Kajol have starred together in many successful films over the years including "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge"

and "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" which are both modern classics in Hindi cinema.

Their much-awaited on-screen reunion will take place on Feb 12 in "My Name Is Khan" when it releases in theatres worldwide.

Shot across much of the United States, the film will also have a star-studded premiere at the 60th annual Berlin International Film Festival during the week of its release.

Labels: Kajol, Sha-Rukh-Khan

New Delhi, Nov 2 (IANS) "My Name Is Khan" -- Bollywood's favourite on-screen couple Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol's first film together in eight years -- is set to release Feb 12 next year.

Directed by Karan Johar, the film will open in theatres in India and over 40 countries including the US, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East, said a press release from Johar's Dharma Productions.

"My Name is Khan" features Shah Rukh as Rizvan Khan, an unconventional hero who embarks on a journey across America to win back the love of his life. It shows how, along the way, his unique personality touches the lives of many and inspires a nation.

"I keep setting out to do something different with my films, but the one constant that remains is my desire to continue to explore the many ways in which two people can fall in love and stay in love regardless of any or every challenge against them," said Karan.

The film also marks a re-teaming of Johar and Shah Rukh after three years -- their last outing together was "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna".

Johar has made his film in association with Fox STAR Studios, 20th Century Fox International and Fox Searchlight Pictures.

While Fox STAR Studios will market and distribute the film in India, Fox Searchlight Pictures will release it in the US. The distribution of the movie outside India and the US will be taken care of by Twentieth Century Fox International.

According to Vijay Singh, CEO Fox Star Studios, the film is drawing a "hugely positive response from exhibitors across the world" for the "coming together of Shah Rukh, Karan and Kajol".

"It is a big event for Bollywood audiences across the world and their fan base is eagerly awaiting the release. But what makes 'My Name is Khan' a special film is that it brings together the finest Indian talent with a powerful story that has relevance for audiences everywhere," added Singh.

Labels: Kajol, My-Name-Is-Khan, Sha-Rukh-Khan

Name of the Movie:Toonpur Ka Super Hero
Director: Kireet Khurana
Producer: Kumar Mangat
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kajol
Story: Raagi Bhatnagar 
Genre: 3D film with Animation, Action
Music: Anu Malik
Cinematography: Nirmal Jani
Banner: Eros International
Expected Release: November 2008
--MP

Labels: Ajay-Devgan, Kajol

Labels: Ajay-Devgan, Kajol

London, 12th March 2008: Eros International, the London AIM listed leading integrated company within the Indian media & entertainment sector, announces the release of U, Me Aur Hum starring Ajay Devgan and Kajol.

Produced by Devgan Films and directed by Ajay Devgan, U, Me Aur Hum is a special love story of Ajay (Ajay Devgan) and Pia (Kajol). The first time Ajay saw Pia, she served him drinks. She affected him more than the alcohol, and he found true love. He was a leading psychiatrist, but she messed up his mind. The first time Pia saw Ajay, he had had too much to drink. She watched him make a fool of himself, and was relieved when he passed out. She was a woman who followed her heart, but despite his claims of true love, she had made up her mind. Thus began the story of Ajay and Pia.

This is the first time that the real life couple, Ajay Devgan and Kajol, would be acting together after their marriage.

U, Me Aur Hum music has been directed by talented Vishal Bhardwaj, The music is out now on Eros cassettes and CDs available online on www.erosentertainment.com.

U, Me Aur Hum will be in cinemas worldwide on 11th April 2008.

Film’s official website - http://umeaurhum.erosentertainment.com/


Producer – Devgan Films

Director – Ajay Devgan

Distributor – Eros International

Music Distributor – Eros International

Cast – Ajay Devgan, Kajol Devgan

Film’s official website – http://umeaurhum.erosentertainment.com/

Release date – 11th April 2008

Synopsis


"Oh, how we danced on the night we were wed

We vowed our true love though a word wasn't said

The world was in bloom; there were stars in the skies

Except for the few that were there in your eyes.

The night seemed to fade into blossoming dawn

The sun shone anew but the dance lingered on

Could we but relive that sweet moment sublime

We'd find that our love is unaltered by time."

+ Lyrics to "The Anniversary Waltz," composed by Dublin/Frankl




The first time Ajay saw Pia, she served him drinks. She affected him more than the alcohol, and he found true love. He was a leading psychiatrist, but she messed up his mind.

The first time Pia saw Ajay, he had too much to drink. She watched him make a fool of himself, and was relieved when he passed out. She was a woman who followed her heart, but despite his claims of true love, she had made up her mind.

Thus began the story of Ajay and Pia.

A love story, that begins at sea. Ajay is on a cruise with his friends. Ajay is having a wonderful time dealing with martial strife, lots of bad language and huge hangovers, when he finds Pia, and time stands still.

After a disastrous first meeting, Ajay tries everything to woo her. She's not an easy catch at all, but finally, by sheer perseverance, he dances his way into her heart. Ajay and Pia marry each other against everyone’s advice.

They develop a strong and special bond. In each other, they find an anchor. But soon the tide goes against them. Weighted down by lies and deceit, their boat is rocked, and their relationship is on the verge of drowning.

As things get worse, Ajay and Pia realize that marriage is not a ritual or an end. It is a long, intricate, intimate dance together and nothing matters more than your own sense of balance and your choice of partner. And Ajay and Pia are used to dancing together.

So they battle all odds, and dance, and sometimes they fall. But every time they fall, they fall in love. And that's what a successful marriage requires. Falling in love many times, always with the same person.

This is the special love story of Ajay and Pia.

About Eros International plc

Eros International plc is an established global player in the fast-growing Indian media and entertainment arena. Being vertically integrated means that Eros not only produces and commissions films like studios but it also distributes and exploits films

across formats globally via cinemas, home entertainment, television formats and new media.

Established in 1977, Eros International has three decades of market leadership in creating a global platform for Indian cinema. The company operates in over 50 countries with worldwide offices in India, UK, USA, Dubai, Australia, Fiji and Isle of Man. It has built a successful business model around the release of 30-40 new films every year and the exploitation of a film library containing more than 1,300 titles, making it one of the largest content owners in the business.

Global Distribution, Motion Pictures, Music, Home Entertainment, e-Television, New Media and Animation are the main Strategic Business Units of Eros.

Eros successfully completes its 30th year in the business with the Vision of consolidating the fragmented industry, the Strategy of operating a vertically integrated business model.
Press Contacts

UK: vaishali.malhotra@erosintl.com

US: leena.pahuja@erosintl.com

India: amita.naidu@erosmultimedia.net

Labels: Ajay-Devgan, Eros, Kajol