Shah Rukh Khan's Happy New Year shoot fetches $ 5m for UAE: report

The shooting of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Happy New Year' has brought an estimated $ 5 million to the UAE.

The film commission said that its $ 5 million estimate for 'Happy New Year' will be followed by a more precise figure this month or next.

According to a report in The National, benefits to the Emirate's economy would have included spending on hotel rooms, flights and equipment and space rentals.

See Pics: SRK, Deepika, Abhishek go Dubai way!

'Happy New Year' took three weeks to shoot and is the first full-length feature film to be shot almost entirely in the Emirates. The film is to be released next year.

The film commission expects more interest from Bollywood now with two more films already confirmed. The commission did not provide details of the additional films.

The commission worked with Shah Rukh's production company, Red Chillies Entertainment for about a year to organize the shoot.

Bollywood films earlier used to choose Dubai as a location only for one or two scenes.

"This is not just a dance scene, but about 80-90 per cent of the whole film that was shot in Dubai. We had to learn the logistics. Normally we've only dealt with a maximum of 40 people who come to do a dance scene in two to five days," chairman of the film commission, Jamal Al Sharif, said.

The Red Chillies team was given many incentives from Dubai International Airport, Emirates Airline and immigration authorities. The entire movie crew booked 180 rooms at the Atlantis hotel on the Palm for 25 days.

"This will impact culturally on what they're doing. They're creating jobs and we're hoping that further Bollywood films will support (our) GDP. We are expecting the next door to open for Bollywood to be in Dubai and the Middle East," Al Sharif said.

How did Sonu Sood become part of Happy New Year???

Apparently Shahrukh Khan was very impressed with Sonu and that’s how the Dabangg actor became a part of Farah Khan’s next

Sonu Sood who has shared screen space with Salman Khan in Dabangg always wished to work with Shahrukh Khan, so much so that he had even made Farah Khan promise that she would cast him alongside SRK in a film. He spoke to Farah and voila he became a part of her upcoming directorial venture Happy New Year starring SRK. But all this was no magic.

Apparently, the role which Sonu is doing now was first offered to John Abraham. After he declined this role which is based on bad dancers, Farah was on a hunt for another actor. That’s when Sonu came into the picture.

But as they say, good things do not come to people very easily. This particular role in Happy New Year required an actor with a muscular physique and at that point of time, Sonu was lean. Phir kya tha? Sonu didn’t lose hope and immediately hit the gym.

Sonu Sood sent his shirtless photos to Farah as he exercised in the gym. According to a source, “On the ninth day of his regime, he sent the team a picture, Shahrukh Khan saw it and gave him the thumbs up,”

Well, Sonu must be on the seventh heaven right now. After all, his dream to work with King Khan has come true.

Check out Shahrukh Khan’s grey hair streak for ‘Happy New Year’!!

SRK SPORTS GREY STREAK! Actress Dia Mirza once said, “Shahrukh Khan has beautiful hair”, and don’t we all agree with her? Shahrukh Khan’s most striking feature after his intense eyes and cute dimples is indeed his luscious locks. No wonder the actor takes a good care of his dark black healthy mane. However, for his next film Happy New Year, SRK has gone for a grey streak. Is he playing an old man? Not at all, guys! It’s a just a unique hairdo for HNY. Shahrukh Khan has just coloured a small part of his hair grey on one side of his head. It might look like a daub, but is actually a streak, a style statement for the film. The superstar was recently seen at a convention, conducted by All India Management Association (AIMA), where he was speaking on 'The role of courage in success', and the media and fans couldn’t get enough of his grey streak, and finally one asked Shahrukh the secret of it. To which, he said, “I’m shooting for Happy New Year, for which my hair is dyed. I'm still in the process, and hopefully, everyone will like it.” Check out: Shahrukh Khan and Gauri Khan at Chunky Pandey’s birthday bash For Happy New Year, Farah Khan wanted Shahrukh Khan to grow his hair long, as his character will flaunt shoulder-length tresses. After wrapping up Chennai Express, for which Shahrukh’s hair was nicely trimmed, the actor started growing his hair and that’s why he even sported a cute ponytail throughout the promotions of Chennai Express. Catch Shahrukh Khan in his unique white streak with golden tinge.

I am scared of coming second: SRK

A relentless worker that he is, Shah Rukh Khan often goes the extra mile to achieve success as he fears losing the top position.

The 47-year-old superstar, whose last release 'Chennai Express' is one of the highest grossers at the box-office till date, said he is constantly working hard to sustain his place in the industry.

"I am scared of losing. I am scared of coming second. I am scared of not making it big. So, I have such a fear of failure that I work harder when even I don't need to. I work longer when I don't have to."

"I never rest on my laurels because I feel that this will be taken away one day. I have this fear that if I don't work hard enough I will lose what I have attained and not be able to continue to do so. I don't have blood pressure neither I am a heart victim but I need to just work hard," he said on the sidelines of 40th National Management Convention by All India Management Association (AIMA).

A star in the industry for two decades, Shah Rukh said that his journey has not been a cakewalk and he did face his share of failures.

But now basking in the success of 'Chennai Express', the actor said he has made many foes in the industry after doing the Rohit Shetty film.

"Failures also gets you to find who your real friends are. The true strength of your relationship gets tested in the phase of strong adversity. I lost lots of friends post 'RA.One', apart from losing a lot of audience too. And after 'Chennai Express', I haven't made any new friends but I have a whole new set of enemies now," he added.

Shah Rukh Khan sported grey streaks at the event which he said is a part of his look for his upcoming Farah Khan directed film "Happy New Year". Having given many hit films including 'Darr', 'Baazigar',

'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le jayenge', 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and 'Chak De' among others, Shah Rukh Khan he said that he still feels like a newcomer on the sets.

"When I look at a project, I feel I don't know anything and I begin the film as a newcomer. I take it as my last project and give all my efforts to make it big so that I don't repent later," he said.

SRK to lock Diwali for Happy New Year?

Power of releasing a film during holiday season was best demonstrated by Shah Rukh Khan when he brought Chennai Express on Eid and went on a record breaking spree. Now that Happy New Year is all set to go on floor next month, it is apparent that best available date for his film's arrival is being closely sought.

"Since this is a big film by Farah Khan, Happy New Yearcan't be expected to be ready before mid-2014. If one looks at the holiday season from July onwards, first to arrive would be Eid. Then there is Independence Day, Dusshehra, Diwali and Christmas," informs a source. Interestingly, most of the slots are already taken with major superstars staking their claim.

"Salman was out of equation this year but would be back with a vengeance as Sajid Nadiadwala's Kickarrives on Eid," an industry insider adds, "Sanjay Leela Bhansali is bringing Akshay Kumar's Gabbar on Independence Day though Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty's Singham 2 may arrive on the same day too. On Dusshehra/Gandhi Jayanti weekend, Hrithik Roshan and Siddharth Anand are bringing their Bang Bangwhile Christmas has been taken up by Ranbir Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap for Bombay Velvet."

This leaves Diwali 2014 as the major available slot and given the fact that Shah Rukh Khan has enjoyed good dominance on the auspicious occasion for years, it can be said with utmost certainty that Happy New Year would be vying for this slot.

"It would be a good follow up for Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan, considering the fact that their last outing together - Om Shanti Om - had released on Diwali as well," the source adds, "It is one big holiday that no one would want to miss for anything. The timing would be just apt as well."

When contacted, Farah Khan said, "We haven't locked any date yet. There are so many factors that come into play for a film's release." She didn't deny having an eye on a holiday release. "Of course ours is a celebration movie. It is called Happy New Year for a good reason. We would be looking forward to a holiday release.

She concludes, "In any case, this is yet to be discussed with Shah Rukh. He is promoting Chennai Express till date. Once he is through with it and we sit down to plan it out for Happy New Year, we should be ready with an announcement."

Katrina Kaif To Romance Shah Rukh Khan Again?

After Box Office grosser ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ that released last Diwali, Bollywood diva Katrina Kaif is set to pair with Shah Rukh Khan yet again.

According to reports, Katrina has been signed to play the female lead opposite Shah Rukh in Farah Khan’s ‘Happy New Year’ which is set to hit the floors in September this year.

Earlier it was being speculated that Deepika Padukone might be roped in to play the lead, but packed dates led her to decline the offer. But if the latest reports are anything to by, then Katrina was taken on board after her film ‘Bang Bang’ with Hrithik Roshan was delayed due to his brain surgery.

Box Office hit maker - Farah Khan is waiting for the release of SRK’s ‘Chennai Express’ to start shooting ‘Happy New Year’in Dubai. The other leads in the movie are Abhishek Bachchan and Boman Irani. Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran, who was well appreciated in Yash Raj’s ‘Aurangzeb’ has also been cast for the film.

News of Katrina’s entry to the movie is most certainly good news for Farah’s next as the ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ lead pair is being touted as the hottest new onscreen Jodi in Bollywood!

Shah Rukh's grand gesture for Ankita Lokhande!!

Shah Rukh Khan had apparently suggested Ankita Lokhande's name to Farah Khan after spotting her in Macau

If rumours are to be believed, Ankita Lokhande has Shah Rukh Khan to thank for helping her bag a role in Farah Khan's next film Happy New Year. Apparently the star spotted Sushant Singh Rajput's ladylove at a recently concluded awards gala in Macau.

Says a source, `Several names, including that of Katrina Kaif, have been doing the rounds. SRK spotted Ankita with Sushant at Macau.`

Apparently, the actor felt Ankita fitted the bill for the Maharashtrian protagonist perfectly. `He spoke to Farah. Once Ankita came back, she met the director and now has apparently signed on the dotted line,` adds the source.

Shah Rukh Khan to finalise actress for Happy New Year

Ever since Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan announced their upcoming film, Happy New Year, speculation has been rife over who will play the leading lady. And although several established names, such as Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Parineeti Chopra, Sonakshi Sinha and even telly star Jennifer

Winget were in the list of the probable actresses who could clinch the role opposite SRK, we’ve now come to know that Farah has zeroed in on her heroine. And surprisingly, it’s a newcomer.

“Yes, Farah has found the girl. But now, she is waiting for Shah Rukh’s return from an award function in Macau. Once he is back, she will show him the screen tests and the auditions before he gives a green signal. But since Farah has chosen the actor, we can say that the name is almost confirmed,” says a trade insider.

Although Farah and her team remain tight-lipped, we have been told that the 20-something girl is an actor and not a model, like Deepika Padukone, who Farah and SRK launched with Om Shanti Om (2007). “Farah wanted a pretty girl who could act as well as dance, since the role is of a bar dancer from Bhandup. That’s why it took over three months for her to find the right person,” adds the insider.

The film will go on the floors in September. Apparenlty, almost 70 girls — including several big names — either auditioned or screen-tested for the role. “Every possible actor from the industry tried her luck but Farah was very clear about what was she looking for. Now she is eagerly waiting for Shah Rukh’s response. Once he says yes, she will start polishing the actor’s dancing as well as acting skills,” adds the insider.

In all likelihood, the official announcement will come in around 10 days. When contacted, Farah says: “Yes, the girl is almost finalised. Now, we are waiting for Shah Rukh to come back.” The film will also star Abhishek Bachchan and Boman Irani, among others.

Shah Rukh Khan's Happy New Year to go on floors in September

Director-choreographer Farah Khan's Happy New Year is all set to finally start with her next venture Happy New Year starting September.

The film, which got delayed due to Shah Rukh Khan's shoulder injury, while shooting for Rohit Shetty's Chennai Express, will now commence shooting in September.

In fact the entire team will fly down to Dubai next week for a recce of one of the city's most lavish resorts where some of the pivotal scenes of Happy New Year will be shot.

The film also features Abhishek Bachchan and Boman Irani in lead roles.

While the lead actress for the film has not been finalised, Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran is likely to share screen space alongside Shah Rukh Khan.

Prithviraj was last seen in Yash Raj Film's Aurangzeb.

The movie revolves around a bunch of male friends and how situation forces them to participate in a dance competition.

(With Bollywood Hungama inputs)