The year got of to a blooming sexy start with TV hottie Karishma Tanna showing us her assets spread all over the cover (and the insides) of Maxim magazine. The former Kyunki Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi actress aroused every muscle of a hung-over New Year male and indeed set in place, for what was to become, the sexiest year in Bollywood history.

Following Karishma, the ever so beautiful Kim Sharma let us ogle over her sensual upper body, as she too went bare-all for Maxim.

Kim Sharma for Maxim

A year to date after winning Celebrity Big Brother, babe Shilpa Shetty continued to milk her new found fame by launching a Yoga DVD. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan agreed to work with top south star Rajnikant for a movie, initially titled, Robot. The Bachchan bahu also laid the foundation stones to a college for girls, aptly named “Aishwarya Bachchan Kanya Mahavidyalaya”.

Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta both picked up teams for the newly formed Indian Premier League (IPL). Aamir Khan impressed everyone with his debut directorial Taare Zameen Par. However, the much hyped Ajay Devgan starrer Halla Bol flopped! Towards the end of the month, superstar Saif Ali Khan was seen rocking on stage with Strings and Parikrama.

In other news, singer Madonna spent time holidaying in India with her husband and kids. Little did she know, that come year-end, her blissfully happy married life will no longer be. And our very own Sania Mirza did very well at the Australian Tennis Open.

Follow the links below to read more on the big stories of 2008.

Aamir was heard giving an in-depth interview, where he talked about the recent Mumbai attacks, to an anchor that seemed to be unsympathetic to the horrid attacks in India last month. Apart from talking about who was to blame and what could now be done, Aamir also took the opportunity to promote his big release flick Ghajini.

We here at RadioSargam.Com managed to obtain a recording of the full interview. You can listen to by clicking here. Alternatively you can right click with the mouse and download the file to your computer to listen later.

The incident happened on Christmas Day (25th December 2008) at 17:30 hours GMT. The live telephone interview was aired on station Vibe FM, which is broadcasting neither with a licence from the Radio Authority nor permission from the relevant authorities. What makes this incident even more bewildering is the fact that the station is being funded by members of Afghanistan’s former regime, the Taleban. Many Indians blame them to be behind the Mumbai hotel attacks.

Vibe FM has been broadcasting in the Yorkshire area of the UK from underground premises. Radio stations in the UK can only go on air once a licence has been obtained from the government run Radio Authority. A limited number of licences are sold each year for duration of 28 days maximum. A list of all authorised radio broadcasts is published on the Radio Authority website each month; currently Vibe FM is not listed.

Channels such as Vibe FM tend to come on air every now and then but once the Radio Authority is informed, the studios are raided and with the help of the Police, the culprits arrested and charged. Stations can not be run without licences as their broadcasting equipment can interfere with close-by aeroplanes and hospital equipment.

According to RadioSargam.com sources, Vibe FM is being run from a number of different residential premises in Yorkshire. The same sources claim that the people behind this illegal broadcast are members of the Taleban government now taking up asylum in the UK.

According to another source, the interview was arranged by well known Mumbai based journalist. We have tried getting comments on this from both him and Aamir, but without any luck.

What do you think about this… do you think Aamir has been duped into giving an interview to an illegal radio station or has he done it on purpose… and if so what purpose has it achieved… we would love to read your thoughts on this… please use the comments section below to respond.

So it finally releases… one of the biggest movies of 2009… Yuvvraaj. Previously titled Main Yuvvraaj – which would have been a much better title… or saying that how about Yuvi… or Teen Yuvi… or Tri Yuvi… hey how about Trimurti… yes, yes, yes, this is the 2008 remake of Trimurti… you guessed it… no point in reading this review any further… just imagine Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan as the three sons of… erm… erm… Bill Gates… and you have the 2008 version…

The film was made to promote the talents of a talentless Salman… instead the talentless Salman defies the views of his talented critics by producing a talented performance that can be termed as his most talented… this year for sure! Is he the saving grace of this spoilt dish… NO! Is Anil Kapoor the saving grace of this film… NO! Anil acts like he acted in Eeshwar… can someone tell this Papa of the puffing Sonam that he should be doing things different now that he is coming to the end of his life… Bollywood life I mean… for long he may live and for long we may endure his pathetic acting and botox-enhanced face…  

So is Zayed the saving grace of the film… I hear you shout at me… yes, yes, yes Zayed is the saving grace of the film… he is the Yuvvraaj… he does the Shah Rukh of Trimurti and brings his estranged brothers together in the end… as if! He does nothing like that. He seems to be in the film to promote something I guess… I didn’t notice any bottles of Coca-Cola anywhere so I assume Zayed must be promoting himself… as an actor… he must have paid Subhash to make the film probably… just so he could get to act this year… but if you want to blame anybody for the Yuvvraaj disaster… then blame Zayed… he seems to get blamed for everything else these days anyway… why not this.

Subhash Ghai has lost it… and I mean that literally… he sure has lost his marbles alongside losing his mind… which he probably lost when he decided to show us how Coca-Cola was good for forgetting bad memories… yes he did that in Yaadein…. anyway forget that and lets come back to this… What in the world made him make a film about morals… who cares about morals when you have millions… make that billions… would you care about morals if you had billions to play with… especially during this credit crunch time… would you care if you were Bill Gates’ son… I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t give a toss about morals… Subhash needs to get of his high horse of morality and start making films about…. erm… lets see… how about immortality… for Subhash thinks he is immortal in Bollywood giving us this piece of rubbish to endure…

The music is more of a tribute to some now forgotten European… someone whose music you and I probably have never heard of anyway… I think it’s Beethoven… not the dog from the movies if you’re getting confused… A R Rahman has tried his best… but sometimes your best is just not good enough… my advice for Rahman is take time… my brother from another mother… do the music slowly slowly… haule haule… a ha… Haule Haule tujhko aa jaayega music banana, tu sabr to kar mere yaar… take 5 and start chillin… bro!

Just before I sign out of this review… not that I was ever in it… let me just tell you about Katrina Kaif… lovely girl… beautiful smile… killer figure… fantastic dancer… mesmerising with the handcuffs when you’re topless… and with that image in your mind… go watch Yuvrani… I mean Devrani… no no no… Katrani… no… Katraaj…. yes Kat Ka Raaj…

What are your thoughts on this article… is our Tony right about everything he has written about… or is our Tony just creating mayhem out of nothing… and what are your thoughts on the film itself… have you seen it… do you like it… or do you hate it… why not write your own review of Yuvvraaj… we would love to read it… use the comments section below to submit your review and your thoughts on this article.

Well here it is at last, the most awaited soundtrack of 2009. Salim and Suleiman composed Rab Ne Bana Do Jodi. Shah Rukh Khan stars with a new leading lady and his good old friend Aditya Chopra directs. I decided to write a review of the soundtrack as I listened to the songs for the first time. And this is what I came up with…

01. Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai (Roopkumar Rathod)
Click here to listen to the song
This song starts the soundtrack and is probably the best song I have heard this year. Immacualte lyrics that hit your heart immediately and the music… is very catchy. Roopkumar Rathod is an unusual choice of singer for a Shah Rukh Khan song, but I have to admit, he does indeed perform well. As per the film’s Punjabi theme, a singer with a Punjabi sounding voice was required and Rathod fits the bill. The backing female singers sound sexy. And the film’s title Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is heard during the middle and towards the end. Song of the year!
Rating: 9/10

02. Haule Haule (Sukhwinder Singh)
Click here to listen to the song
Sukhwinder Singh has sung this superbly but there is an overdose of the Haule Haule. Once more the song is of a Punjabi theme hence another hard sounding vocal requirement. Backing vocals are a let down. They irritate more than they sing. Sukhiwinder seems to be trying a little too hard. I would have preffered Sonu Nigaam to have sung this one as he would have brought something different to the song. The music arrangement is very good, the only terrific thing about this song. Somehow I don’t think this song will work and should certainly not have been used as an introduction to the film.
Rating: 4/10

03. Dance Pe Chance (Sunidhi Chauhan, Labh Janjua)
Click here to listen to the song
Sunidhi Chauhan is the main singer of this song and does indeed sing well. But, she tries to be Punjabi on a disco themed song, which doesn’t work at all. The combination of Sunidhi and a voice that I have not heard before, Labh Janjua doesn’t mix. But, saying that maybe the whole idea of the song is for a difference and not a mix. Lyrics are average but the music arrangement is pretty good. My feeling is that this song might work once it is seen on the screen.
Rating: 6/10

04. Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte (Sonu Nigaam)
Click here to listen to the song
Phir Millenge is the only track on the soundtrack with the vocals of Sonu Nigaam, and it is a huge disappointment. This song uses lines from classic songs that don’t fit in well. Aditya Chopra did say that Shah Rukh Khan has a song in the film in which he pays tribute to the greats of Indian cinema, and this song is that. The song might sound a bit odd listening to it first time, but I believe once it is thrown on the big screen it will create magic. Because of the star power the song has in it, Kajol, Rani Mukherjee and Priyanka Chopra to name a few. Sonu sings like he has only a day to live, he really should have spent a little more time on practising the vocals. However, there is no other male singer around that could have pulled this song of. Sonu mixes his voice to suit the singer he is impersonating very comicly. The lyrics are the pulling power of the song and have been done well. A lot of thinking and brains have gone into it. The music, well what can you say about that… it’s nothing new… it’s a mix of old classic numbers with nothing new to add. The highlight of the song is Rajesh Khanna’s famous dialogue. That is a must listen. The second best song on the soundtrack so far. Can this do for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi what Deewangi did for Om Shanti Om… No!
Rating: 7/10

05. Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai (Shreya Ghoshal)
Click here to listen to the song
The female version of the first track, which is also going along as the title song of the soundtrack, is sung absulotly to perfection by Shreya Ghoshal. But why is it only 1.43 minutes long? Where is the rest of the song? This could have become the hit number of 2008 yet there is no length to it. What is the thinking behind only a short song? I would have given this song a 10/10 rating had it been longer.
Rating: 8/10

06. Dancing Jodi (Instrumental)
Click here to listen to the song
The final track on the soundtrack is an instrumental dance number. No vocals apart from Sunidhi Chauhan trying to get in. And nothing much to write about. Just a mix of tunes from the rest of the tracks. The track sounds out of place in the album and is the most hated (by me). Seems as though a quick-fire job by the music directors to make up the now standard 6 tracks on the CD. I found it hard to listen to hence cut it of during the middle.
Rating: 2/10

So there you have it. The most awaited album of the year and a major letdown. Firstly, no Abhiijeet, no Udit Narayan and not enough of Sonu Nigaam. And where was the great Lata Mangeshkar. Secondly, not enough songs. Only 3 unique tracks, one mix of old classics, one quarter of a song, and an instrumental number that has no purpose. This was supposed to be Salim-Suleiman’s biggest ever music composition and they have let us down. We wanted more songs, we didn’t get them. The whole soundtrack sounds as though it has been put together as a rush job within a week. I now fear the same has been done with the film, made in a rushed manner, and could very much be the disaster of 2008. Compared to Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge and Mohabbatein this is… well it just cant be compared to them at all.
Overall Rating: 6/10

Now what do you make of this soundtrack… we would love to read your reviews on the songs… do you agree with Tony or do you think that he is wrong… do you believe that this is the best soundtrack of 2009… or do you feel letdown… whatever your thoughts we would love to read them… please use the commentssection below to send them to us…

To say that the news we bring you in this article is sensational, would be an understatement of gigantic proportions. Shah Rukh Khan fans will not be happy after reading this story and we can’t argue with them because we too feel this is atrocious.

Before we go on any further… let us cut and paste an excerpt from Aamir Khan’s latest blog entry:

I’m sitting under a tree, on the edge of a valley, approximately 5000 feet above sea level. The river Krishna flows far below us snaking its way among the Sahyadri mountains. 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?

Well Shahrukh is once again begging for my attention, so let me get back to him. He is smelling too much, I think he needs a bath. “Heel boy, heel.”

Now if that wasn’t enough, Aamir continues to mull the situation with more insults towards a national institution. He goes on to write, “Well Shah Rukh is once again begging for my attention, so let me get back to him. He is smelling too much, I think he needs a bath. Heel boy, heel.”

So are we right to assume that this Shah Rukh does what other pet dogs do… which includes licking the feet of your master?

Now we ask you, fans of Shah Rukh, fans of Aamir, fans of Bollywood… if this takes the biscuit… is this what Bollywood has become… do we now have to resort to tacky blog entries to take bites out of rival actors… was there any reason as to why Aamir has written about his dog… was it really necessary… could the dog not have been renamed… what if the dog was called Imran Khan (after Aamir’s nephew)… or Nasir Khan… or Junaid… or even Aamir Khan… would Aamir still keep that name… was the fact that the name was Shah Rukh that Aamir took the dog in…

We would really like to read your thoughts on this… please use the comments section below for your feedback.

The week began with Kareena Kapoor attending the Filmfare magazine issue launch, for which she grazed the cover, with an engagement ring on her finger. Had her boyfriend proposed and had she accepted? The truth is still out there…

Follow the links below to continue viewing the slideshow.

Follow the links below for more pictures.

Shah Rukh Khan will not be seen as a major hero in any 2008 movie. He only has 2 films slated for release, and in both of them he has bit roles. In Bhootnath he plays the father of a child who plays around with ghosts while in Dulha Mil Gaya he will be seen sharing a couple of scenes with Sushmita Sen. However, 2009 will be a bumper year for fans of King Khan, as the much talked about terrorist thriller directed by Karan Johar is planned for release, and a possible film with Hrithik Roshan for the Yash Raj label.

As with any other year, 2008 will be another one with many films starring Salman Khan. He has three big-budget flicks… Main Yuvraaj directed by Subhash Ghai. In this he is expected to play the younger brother to an autistic Anil Kapoor. Prabhu Deva’s Wanted – Dead Or Alive is an action flick with a little comedy, while Rumi Jaffrey’s God Tussi Great Ho is a supernatural comedy where Salman Khan’s character is gifted God-like powers.

Aamir Khan has a very busy 2008, albeit he will be seen on-screen in only one film. A R Murugadoss will be directing Ghajini (the actual title of this film has yet to be confirmed) where he will be seen sharing screen space with another Khan, Jiah! Aamir will also be introducing his nephew Imraan Khan in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.

Quite probably the busiest Khan in 2008 would be Saif Ali Khan. First up for him are two action flicks, Abbas-Mustan directed Race, and the much looked-forward to Tashan. Roadside Romeo and a yet untitled Kunal Kohli should be releasing towards the end of the year. He will be paired opposite Rani Mukherjee in the latter, which is rumored to be an Indian version of Mary Poppins.

2007 belonged to Pritam, who had a handful of super-hit soundtracks. For 2008, the maestro has even more planned. Race, Kidnap, Kutty Chetan, Jannat, and Fauj Mein Mauj. Not forgetting the already released, and receiving rave reviews, My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves.

Aap Ka Surroor was regarded as a sensational album, and now eager ears are looking forward with delight to Karzzz. Not sure if Himesh will be able to create the same hoo-ha as the music of the original did, but one thing is for sure, Reshammiya will sure set-fire again. The musician-turned-actor also has Mr. Fraud in the pipeline.

For many a year Anu Malik was regarded as the most reliable composer in the industry, however his recent lack of hit scores have tarnished that tag. 2008 he is back with a bang, with multiple projects planned. Victory, Tere Sang, Kambakht Ishq, Love Story 2050, Mission Istanbul, Woodstock Villa, Ugly Aur Pagli, and Maan Gaye Mughal0e-Azam, to name a few. Not only that, but Anu Malik’s off-spring Anmol Anu Malik will be singing six songs for Tere Sang.

Om Shanti Om duo Vishal and Shekhar, Taare Zameen Par’s Shankar Ehsaan Loy, veteran pop-ster Bappi Lahiri, going solo Lalit Pandit (of Jatin-Lalit fame), and ever-reliable Rajesh Roshan, will all be around in 2008.

Singing-wise we will be hearing more of those Pakistani voices, M Ali and Kami of Suroor band are two. Zubeen Garg and KK are to be featured on many soundtracks, and of course the fantastic four, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayan, and Alka Yagnik.

That’s 2008 for you, playback music wise… what are your thoughts on this coming year and the music it will bring. Do you believe we will get to hear even better tunes than what we heard in 2008, or does the list above look a little bleak for you? Leave your views and thoughts and in the comments section below.

9. Laaga Chunari Mein Daag
Good performances from Rani Mukherjee and Jaya Bachchan were unable to keep the veil from flying away.

8. Aaja Nachle
The Dhak Dhak girl Madhuri Dixit returned with a superb display of acting, but the story lacked substance and therefore no one danced.

7. Tara Rum Pum
It was supposed to be a feel-good-factor film, but ended up being part chick-flick and part Tara Bomb Bomb.

6. Jhoom Bararar Jhoom
Abhishek Bachchan and Lara Dutta were good, but the film’s script was nothing to jhoom along with.

5. Eklavya – The Royal Guard
A fantasticly made film, with flawless performances, but the theme was one not for the Indian audience.

4. Marigold
Heroes babe Ali Larter looked out of place in India, while Salman Khan seemed like he was sleep-acting.

3. Salaam-E-Ishq
A million and one actors were unable to save this love vessel from hitting an iceberg and sinking.

2. Saawariya
Touted as the biggest release of 2007, this Sanjay Leela Bhansali film had just a little too much of the me thinks blues.

1. Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag
The modern-day remake of the classic Sholay couldn’t keep the flames alight because it was simply… rubbish!

When he made his entry into Bollywood movies, more than 20 years back, this young actor was touted as the next big thing. And, during the 90’s he was a force to be reckoned with. However, Govinda’s career suffered heavily due to his constant comedy flicks and the audience finally got bored.

But, not being one to retire quietly, our Chi Chi returned in 2007. Aided by close friend Salman Khan, Govinda managed to bag two big budget flicks (Salaam-E-Ishq and Partner). Although Salaam-E-Ishq didn’t do that well at the Box Office, Govinda’s scenes were appreciated. But it was not until the middle of the year and the mega success of Partner that really brought back this king of comedy.

Things are now looking up for Govinda as 2008 will see him headline many films as a sole star. All thanks to Sallu then!

Click on the links below to continue reading this special feature.

A slow year for this Bollywood beauty, only one release, but nevertheless a towering performance in that. Kareena Kapoor was more in the news because of her personal life, but towards the end of the year her acting did get some mentioning.

Initially doing a rocking item number, she headlined a romantic feel-good-factor flick that became the sleeper hit of 2007. Co-starring with Shahid Kapur, Jab We Met showed us all that this girl from the Kapoor clan does indeed have those special genes. In the months to come, her name will be listed amongst the very best actresses of 2007, and she surely deserves that.

In 2008 Kareena has a good few films planned, and we hope that her run of good form continues.

Click on the links below to continue reading this special feature.

The total collections for Om Shanti Om in the UK now stand at a massive £972,146 (US $1,992,118 – INR 78,150,946). Which means that this Shah Rukh Khan blockbuster is the number one Bollywood movie in the UK this year. It has overtaken the Akshay Kumar comedy flick Namastey London within 10 days of release. Namastey London’s total collections ended at £843,487 (US $1,728,616 – INR 67,813,605).

This past weekend it once again shone at the Box Office, totalling the 3 day collections at £250,120, therefore keeping it’s place in the UK Top 10 chart. The Farah Khan directed spoof flick only dropped one place, from seven to eight.That is not all… but it’s total collections have nor surpassed the Tom Cruise starrer Lions For Lambs… another awesome fete.

Om Shanti Om looks set to make even more moolah in days to come…

UK BOX OFFICE TOP 10 (18th November 2007)

1. American Gangster
2. Beowulf New Entry
3. Ratatouille
4. Stardust
5. Good Luck Chuck
6. The Golden Age
7. 30 Days of Night
8. Om Shanti Om
9. Lions for Lambs
10. Brick Lane

UK BOX OFFICE BOLLYWOOD TOP 10 OF 2007

1. Om Shanti Om $1,992,118
2 Namastey London $1,728,616
3 Partner $1,605,108
4 Salaam-E-Ishq $1,569,851
5 Ta Ra Rum Pum $1,527,252
6 Heyy Babyy $1,382,988
7 Bhool Bhulaiyaa $1,374,552
8 Jhoom Barabar Jhoom $1,291,603
9 Apne $1,144,851
10 Guru $973,302

Sanjay Leela Bhansali wasn’t happy when Shah Rukh Khan threatened to destroy the 150 people working on Saawariya, Manoj Kumar was ready to sue Shah Rukh for depicting him comicly in Om Shanti Om, and now Salman Khan has said that it is only because of him that Shah Rukh Khan is so popular.

In a recent interview given to Screen India, Salman Khan states that he was first offered the role in Abbas-Mustan’s Baazigar. He was interested, and showed the script to his father Salim. Salim said that the movie would be appreciated better if the character had a mother… Abbas-Mustan refused to include this angle in the story and Salman refused the role. The role was then offered to Shah Rukh Khan, who accepted it, and because of it’s popularity, became a super success story.

Talking about this incident, Salman says, “I had refused Baazigar. When Abbas-Mustan came to me with the script, I asked my dad for his inputs. He felt that since it’s a story of a negative character they should add an angle of the mother in it. They didn’t agree. When I turned down the film, they went to Shah Rukh and then they added the mother angle! But I don’t regret it at all.” Finsihing of this comment, Salman added, “If I had done Baazigar then there would be no Mannat standing in Bandstand today,” referring to Shah Rukh Khan’s house.

Salman also disclosed that he was offered Chak De! India also, and the reason why he turned it down was the title of the film, he says, “I had a problem with the title. I wish they hadn’t added India to the title. I felt our fans in Pakistan and Bangladesh might feel bad.” This indeed was the case as the film, which was hugely popular in India, failed to make much money overseas.

Finally, talking about the stiff competition between Shah Rukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om and his own Saawariya… Salman laughed of the threat by saying, “There is no competition between Shah Rukh and me.”

What are your thoughts on this latest development in the Shah Rukh Khan story… do you believe that the industry has now become jealous of a his immense popularity… and are looking of ways to take ‘digs’ at him? Or do you believe that Sanjay, Manoj, and Salman are right to say these things and that Shah Rukh Khan has indeed become a little too big for his boots? Do you also agree with Salman’s comment of Shah Rukh Khan not being as popular as he is today had Salman not refused Baazigar? And what about Chak De! India… would Salman Khan have performed better as Kabir Khan… and do you agree with Salman Khan’s views that the ‘India’ in the title should not have been included, as not to offend non-Indian fans? Leave your thoughts below in the comments section.

Shah Rukh Khan’s comedy spoof made $5m dollors more than Saawariya internationally, and a staggering $8m more than the Tom Cruise political thriller Lions For Lambs.

1 Om Shanti Om $18,174,637
2 Saawariya $13,343,201
3 Lions for Lambs $10,339,561
4 Ratatouille $9,291,284
5 The Heartbreak Kid $8,727,080
6 Stardust $5,817,532
7 Resident Evil: Extinction
8 Si jie (Lust, Caution)
9 30 Days of Night $4,928,897
10 The Bourne Ultimatum $4,795,347

Talking to a media reporter, Ranbir tried to make it clear, saying “Forget about replacing Shah Rukh Khan, I can’t do that in this lifetime.”

Was this a from-the-heart comment by Ranbir or was he trying to perform a spoof himself… keeping in mind that comedy-spoof Om Shanti Om was released on the same day as his debut flick Saawariya, and that the story of Om Shanti Om is one of re-incarnation?

Leave us your thoughts below in the comments section.

The revelation comes after Hrithik’s father Rakesh Roshan confirmed, “”I have already issued cheques worth Rs.60 lakh in that account.” And that account is Hrithik Roshan’s travel expenses account.

It is believed that Hrithik has spent this money on travelling to and from the sets of Jodhaa Akbar over the past year. When we put this news to Hrithik, he said, “The helicopter rides are paid by me. Why should I expect my producers to foot the bill? I am traveling by helicopter to save time and for my convenience. I find the system of heroes and heroines charging petrol money to producers, very sickening. I never do that.”

What are your thoughts on this… should Hrithik really be spending his own money on something that the film-maker, in this case Ashutosh Gowarikar, should be paying for? Leave your thoughts below in our comments section.

Saawariya has opened at an unexpected number 7, while there is no sign of Om Shanti Om anywhere. The film’s total collections for the weekend were $44,431 with a per screen average of $5,554.

Some reports are saying that the reason behind Om Shanti Om not making it anywhere in the charts is because Eros International never released it in New Zealand. If this is true, and if you are from New Zealand, then do let us know if you did manage to see the film anywhere… or not. Leave your feedback in the comments section below.

NEW ZEALAND BOX OFFICE TOP 10

1 The Game Plan
2 1408
3 Atonement
4 Lions for Lambs
5 Grindhouse: Death Proof
6 Resident Evil: Extinction
7 Saawariya
8 Evening
9 We’re Here to Help

The film has opened at number 9 in the Australian Box Office charts, with the highest per screen average for an Indian movie ever. The per screen average, which stands at $14,073, was nearly $10,000 more than the next best per screen performing film. The Shah Rukh Khan comedy drama made a total of $168,874, being screened on only 12 screens.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya is being shown on 5 screens more than Om Shanti Om, but it fared much less. Total collections of $94,339 with a per screen average of $5,549, the second highest of the weekend. It opened 7 places below Om Shanti Om, at number 16.

Australian Box Office Top 20

1 Death at a Funeral Icon
2 Lions for Lambs
3 The Game Plan Disney
4 30 Days of Night Icon
5 Rogue Roadshow
6 Saw IV Hoyts
7 Good Luck Chuck
8 Michael Clayton
9 Om Shanti Om
10 Grindhouse: Death Proof Roadshow
11 The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
12 Hairspray
13 Eastern Promises
14 Rush Hour 3
15 Across the Universe
16 Saawariya
17 The Bourne Ultimatum
18 Waitress
19 Dialogue avec mon jardinier
20 The Kingdom

In that article it was written, “We here at RS predict that Om Shanti Om will enter the charts at number 7. For Saawariya our expectations are number 12.” And would you believe it… that is EXACTLY what happened.

Shah Rukh Khan’s comedy spoof Om Shanti Om has made a massive £518,845 (US $1,068,866 – INR 42,085,306) while Saawariya gets a reasonable £160,985 (US $331,632 – INR 13,058,048). The per screen average for Om Shanti Om came to £9977.79, which was the best average of the weekend. Saawariya’s per screen average was £3499.63. Eros Entertainment’s Om Shanti Om is being shown on 52 screens, 6 more than the Sony Pictures release Saawariya, 46.

In a closely faught battle with three multiple Oscar winners, Tom Cruise, Robert Redford, and Meryl Streep… Shah Rukh Khan lost out… but only just. The political thriller Lions For Lambs accumulated £658,282. However, Om Shanti Om is expected to make more money in the long run than this flick.

The official UK Box Office Top 15 chart is as follows:

1. Good Luck Chuck New Entry
2. Stardust
3. Ratatouille
4. The Golden Age
5. 30 Days of Night
6. Lions for Lambs New Entry
7. Om Shanti Om New Entry
8. Saw 4
9. Eastern Promises
10. Into The Wild New Entry
11. Death at a Funeral
12. Saawariya New Entry
13. Rendition
14. Azhagiya Tamil Magan New Entry
15. Planet Terror New Entry

In another major scoop prediction for RS [click here], where we wrote that Om Shanti Om would surpass Chak De India’s TOTAL UK collections within days, that is EXACTLY what happened. Chak De India made £416,917 (US $867,265 – INR 34,094,355) in the UK. And, as you have just read, Om Shanti Om has gone way past that mark too.

Not only that… The highest grossing Bollywood movie in the UK this year is Namastey London, with total collections of £830,851 (US $1,728,616 – INR 67,956,216). We predicted [click here] that Om Shanti Om would take this title too within 2 weeks of release… well it now seems that Om Shanti Om could do it within 7 days. And what an achievment that will be…

The current Top 10 grossing Bollywood films in the UK are as below:

1. Namastey London $1,728,616
2. Partner $1,605,108
3. Salaam-E-Ishq $1,569,851
4. Ta Ra Rum Pum $1,527,252
5. Heyy Babyy $1,382,988
6. Bhool Bhulaiyaa $1,374,552
7. Jhoom Barabar Jhoom $1,291,603
8. Apne $1,144,851
9. Om Shanti Om $1,068,866
10. The Namesake $995,065

However, Om Shanti Om was not able to be the Highest EVER Bollywood opener in the UK. That record stays with Karan Johar’s 2006 release Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, which opened to a massive £749,243 and a sensational screen average of £12,487. But it did open more successfully than Veer Zaara, and took it’s number two slot.

So now you know, you have the proof in front of you… RS is the website to come to… when it comes to proper to-the-point news. News (and reviews) that haven’t been articulated or proof-read by Directors/Producers/Actors with vested interests. RS is one of only few websites on the Internet that is free…

“But what I am really crossing my fingers to do is another film with Mr Bhansali. He just has to say when and I am on. He has taught me every thing I know about acting,” said Ranbir on his future in Bollywood. Ranbir is expected to start work on a Yash Raj film within days.

Sonam Kapoor is expected to sign up to star opposite Abhishek Bachchan in Dilli 6, and has also been approached by David Dhawan for a comedy role opposite Salman Khan.

In unconfirmed reports, Saawariya might be removed on Tuesday from many multiplexes and replaced by the reliable recent release Jab We Met. This will come as a double blow for the film’s main star Ranbir Kapoor. Not only has Saawariya been declared a critical shambles, but now it might altogether be removed and be replaced by a rom-com that stars his Chacha’s daughter Kareena Kapoor.

Jab We Met made over 20 crores after two weeks and is expected to make even more, if it returns to the big screen.

Amitabh Bachchan and his family of actors(?) are willing to raise Sanjay Leela Bhansali from the ‘blue’ ashes of Saawariya. Sanjay wants to quickly forget this whole disatrous episode and start working on his next flick… Bajirao Mastani. The film that was supposed to star Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan. Now the movie will star Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, with a pivotal role being given to Amitabh Bachchan.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the Bachchans should work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and do you think Bhansali will rise from the ashes ande become a big name director, once again? Leave your thoughts below.

The film has been panned by critics and viewers alike. No one has liked the movie, and most have found it boring. Saawariya could have been a totally different film had Salman Khan’s 45 minute role was not reduced to a mere 5 minutes. That is probably the only one reason that Saawariya has become a bigger disaster than even Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag.

Just to explain it in detail to you… SALMAN KHAN’S ROLE IN SAAWARIYA WAS CUT! And even Salman himself wasn’t aware of this until he watched the final cut, at the premiere 2 days ago. Salman walked out of the theatre before the film reached interval point and was not at all happy… with Bhansali. Salman later told a television channel that his role in Saawariya had been cut and that his fans should not go to see the film, instead they should go and see it for Ranbir and Sonam. Salman gave 2 months of dates to the shooting of this movie, and in the end his fans only get to see 5 minutes of himself.

Salman has been hurt… his fans have been robbed… and a good film has been termed a disaster. Only and only Bhansali is to blame…

Your thoughts….?

The King of Bollywood sweeped past newcomer Ranbir Kapoor within hours on Friday, he then gave Hollywood Oscar winner Tom Cruise a run for his money on Saturday, and if things keep going like this… then this time tomorrow night (Monday) he will have beaten himself. Saawariya was floored first, then Cruise starrer Lions For Lambs faced stiff opposition, and now predictions are that the total UK collections of Chak De India will be surpassed within hours by the super duper success of Om Shanti Om.

Offical UK Box Office takings for the Yash Raj sports flick Chak De India closed in UK on £416,917 (US $867,265 – INR 34,094,355)earlier this year. Current estimates for Farah Khan directed Eros International release Om Shanti Om stand at $400,000. Which means that within hours Om will have crushed Kabir.

Om Shanti Om is also very close to be titled as the Top Bollywood Grosser in the UK for 2007. That title currently belongs to the Akshay Kumar starrer Namastey London. It’s total UK collections are £830,851 (US $1,728,616 – INR 67,956,216). Expectations are that Om Shanti Om will indeed become the UK Number ONE within two weeks.

According to them, and this has yet to be confirmed by the proper authorities, the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film has opened to a whopping $14,250,000, which classifies it as a super hit.

If these reports are geniune, then Sony Pictures will be happy as larry because they spent $20,000,000 on the budget of Saawariya, and within it’s first week it will make a profit.

The film, so far this weekend, has accumulated a whopping $600,000, which is by far a very good opening for a Bollywood film. The Ranbir Kapoor starrer is being shown on 85 screens and has a pretty reasonable average of £7,058.

If things stay the same, then the movie will open at number 25 in the US Box Office charts.

The film has grossed $1,500,000 so far this weekend and has the third highest per screen average, $13,157. The film is being shown in a mega 114 screens country-wide. This is by far the best ever opening for a Shah Rukh Khan film in the United States.

If the film keeps this up then it might also achieve the best ever opening slot for a Bollywood film in USA, currently it stands at number 14.

The Farah Khan directed comedy flick already had accumulated £316,211 in it’s first 2 days of business in the UK, and now it has gone over the £400,000 mark. Please keep in mind that it is still only 17:30hrs in the UK, and the Sunday evening cinema-goers have yet to leave home.

The film could break £500,000 by end of business today, which would mean it will become Shah Rukh Khan’s biggest ever opening in the UK. Previously, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum, Devdas, Kal Ho Na Ha, Veer Zaara, and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna went past the £400,000. Om Shanti Om’s Saturday collections jumped a substantial 77%.

Good news also for Saawariya fans, it too has seen an increase in it’s collections, taking £64,293 on Saturday, a jump of 68%. End of Saturday collection for Saawariya stood at £102,547, and if it keeps this up then it WILL break into the UK Top 10.

Do visit RS tomorrow evening (Monday) to find out if Shah Rukh Khan has beaten Tom Cruise to a better position in the UK Charts.

Saawariya has been panned by the critics and harldy anyone is going to the cinema to watch it… even when the first screening was held, for cast and crew, the audience was yawning and leaving before the intermission. Salman Khan was one who left much much earlier, but that was for other reasons. But what do the parents make of this dismal flick… the parents of Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor… let’s find out.

Anil Kapoor is currently not talking to the media, and is very disappointed with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He didn’t expect this kind of movie but he has taken heart from the fact that his daughter Sonam has been appreciated for her acting and that she has or will sign more movies very soon.

Rishi Kapoor is laughing it away, and is not showing much emotion. He has spoken to the media and has tried to put a positive angle on it. He has confirmed that his son Ranbir Kapoor will re-launch the RK banner. Ranbir is currently writing the script himself, he will star in the movie himself, and Rishi Kapoor will direct. Rishi should be more than happy because Ranbir is the only one good thing to come out of Saawariya.