Pakistan bans SRK starrer 'Raees' due to its "objectionable" content!

The release of much-awaited Bollywood movie "Raees" starring Shah Rukh Khan and Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, was on Monday banned in Pakistan due to its "objectionable" content.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) told the Rahul Dholakia directorial, which marks Mahira Khan's Bollywood debut, will not release in the country. The movie was scheduled to hit Pakistani cinemas on Sunday.

Sources in the know told the reason behind the ban was that "the content undermines Islam, and a specific religious sect, (It also) portrays Muslims as criminals, wanted persons and terrorists".

Most members objected to the film's release, an official of the Punjab censor board told, adding that they will follow the decision of the central censor board.

The self-imposed ban on Bollywood movies ended on February 1 as Karachi's Atrium Cinemas screened Hrithik Roshan starrer "Kaabil". The information ministry and CBFC also cleared Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" for screening in the country.

Last week, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave the thumbs up to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to lift the "ban" by issuing No Objection Certificate to Indian films, subject to clearance by the Censor Board.

As per to an official handout issued by the Information Ministry, the government was "pleased to continue the existing open policy to display all international movies (including Indian films) in Pakistani cinemas".

The statement, but, pointed out that the cinema houses would be allowed to screen movies only after approval from relevant censor boards.

I am the first Pakistani actress who got the opportunity to work with Shah Rukh Khan as the main lead, says Mahira Khan!

Beautiful Pakistani actress Mahira Khan was destined for success when she got the chance to make her Bollywood debut opposite the one and only Shah Rukh Khan in Raees. 

Due to the ill-fated Uri Attacks, but, there was a permanent ban on Pakistani artists in Indian movies. 

In an interview with a Pakistan-based entertainment portal, Mahira disclosed her unhappiness for Raees to not release in Pakistan. She told, "I am the first Pakistani actress who got the opportunity to work with Shah Rukh Khan as the main lead. But I feel that my success and fame has come under the evil eye due to which my film has not been able to release in Pakistan."

But, reports suggested that Bollywood movies will be permitted to screen in Pakistani cinemas. "It is a good sign that the exhibition of Bollywood films is being reopened in the country," She told.

"Pakistani films are my priority, however; I had never compromised on the role. I will work in films based on quality productions and significant characters," Mahira ended conversation. 

Raees wins the race from Kaabil in advance booking numbers!

Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees is all set to take on Hrithik Roshan's Kaabil at the box office. But, it seems that Raees is already on a lead, going by the advance booking numbers. 

The SRK-Mahira Khan starrer has garnered around Rs 12.50 crore nett in advance booking sales while Kaabil is struggling with a Rs 3 crore nett. Trade experts mention that the numbers of Kaabil are even lower than that of a Dishoom. Seemingly, Kaabil did open a little late for advance bookings. But, as per analysts a superstar like Hrithik Roshan should have ideally drawn in more numbers. 

The advance bookings for Dangal, Sultan and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo were 16.5 cr, 21 cr, and 15 cr correspondingly. But, these were Christmas, Eid and Diwali releases.  A good run for Raees and a risky run for Kaabil can apparently thus be predicted given that a good opening was Kaabil's best bet. 

In the meanwhile, let us wait and watch for the box office openings. 

Shah Rukh’s wish as Falguni Pathak sing Udi Udi Jaye for Raees!

Shah Rukh Khan's Raees is ready to hit the screens in two days. The megastar is out-and-out promoting the movie and was lately in Dubai to attend numerous events. SRK has been answering to many Twitter users who booked their tickets for the film and also to the celebrities who wished him best.

One of them was Dandiya Queen Falguni Pathak, who posted a vintage picture posing with King Khan from the year 1996. She captioned the picture telling, "Sharing an old memory 1996 RangeeleDilwale world tour with SRK @iamsrk all the best for #Raees @SRK_FC @SRKUniverse @SRKUniverseUS"

Shah Rukh gave a sweet reply to her by telling, "Wanted so much for u to sing Udi Udi. Thanks for ur wishes"

Raees is directed by Rahul Dholakia and also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Mahira Khan in pivotal roles.

SRK is magic really, honestly; He spoilt me for life, reveals Mahira Khan!

Pakistani actress Mahira Khan's Bollywood debut has been every actor's dream. She gets to work opposite the one and only Shah Rukh Khan In Raees. The grand debut had a pit stop because of the Uri Attacks which led to a ban of Pakistani artists in Indian movies. 

Although, Mahira cannot promote Raees in India, but, she was in Dubai recently to promote the movie through radio shows and print interviews, separately away from the rest of the Raees team.

In an interview with a famous Pakistan tabloid, Mahira was questioned about what it was like working with SRK. To this, she answered, "Ask me something else, I have talked about it so much I’ll say the same things."

When asked about his quirks, she revealed, "He is magic really, honestly. He spoilt me for life. He used to tell me to do things this way, do it that way. At one point I asked him, am I not doing it right? He said ‘Look I am only telling you what I know, from my experience. You do it your way but all I want is when you see yourself onscreen you don’t come to me and say, why didn’t you tell me!’ Other than that, he’s so bloody smart. There’s nothing you can’t talk to him about."

"We’ve had amazing conversations. It’s so much fun to talk to someone who’s intelligent. It’s not just about films, he can talk about anything! He was watching [Netflix TV series] Narcos while we were shooting, he can talk about books and history. Of course, I’ve always been a fan. But if you watch his interviews, you can tell he’s witty, smart. It was a pleasure working with someone you can have a conversation with. I think he’s hilarious, sometimes at my expense," she added.

Raees’s dialogue ‘Baniye Ka Dimaag Aur Miyanbhai Ki Daring’ is reason behind SRK’s yes for the film, says Ritesh Sidhwani!

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has mesmerized everybody in his gangster avatar in the forthcoming movie Raees. The superstar has essayed negative roles in numerous of his movies and also a rowdy gangster in Josh. But for Raees, SRK will be seen in a never-seen-before avatar.

During a communication with a famous tabloid, both the director Rahul Dholakia and producer Ritesh Sidhwani were questioned how difficult was it to persuade Shah Rukh to essay the titular role.

To which Rahul specified, "When I went to narrate the script, he was on his way to attend an awards function and could give me only 10 minutes. But by the time I reached the interval stage, we had sat for more than 45 minutes. SRK was so hooked to the story that he wanted to know the end. That's when he told me he will be doing the film. He believed no one else could play Raees (his character in the film) better than him. Once he wears the pathani, surma and chashma, he transforms into Raees. In fact, whenever SRK was in his Raees avatar on set, people would get intimidated by him."

Ritesh went on to add, telling, "Once the script was ready, we discussed who we wanted to cast and Shah Rukh was the unanimous choice. When I first called him, he thought we had finally got a script for Don 3! (laughs) He questioned me why we thought he should play Raees. I just told him one dialogue from the film - Baniye Ka Dimaag Aur Miyanbhai Ki Daring! It sums up the film perfectly and that clinched it for us."

SRK to promote Raees on The Kapil Sharma Show with Nawazuddin!

Shahrukh and Nawazuddin come together for Raees promotion at The Kapil Sharma Show!

Celebs promoting their movies of The Kapil Sharma Show is no new news. And, Shah Rukh Khan and Kapil Sharma indeed consider each other lucky for their movie and show, respectively. 

When Kapil launched his new show this year, The Kapil Sharma Show, he began his journey with SRK. Together they did a live show in Delhi, where Khan promoted his movie FAN and launched Kapil's then new show - The Kapil Sharma Show. 

Later on for Dear Zindagi SRK was seen with Alia Bhatt on the comedy show. 

For his forthcoming movie Raees, Khan is ready to appear on The Kapil Sharma Show and will be accompanied by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. According reports in a famous tabloid, SRK will shoot for the show on January 16. 

"Whenever SRK comes on the show it is fun as both he and Kapil are good with one-liners. With Nawaz alongside it should be interesting," told the source.

Salman tries to recite SRK's famous dialogue “Ammi jaan kehti thi…” from 'Raees'!

We had stated earlier that Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan will be seen promoting his forthcoming movie Raees on the sets of famous reality show Bigg Boss and a promo of the episode is out!!

In the promo video that has been revealed, Salman is seen wearing a black pathani and trying to recite SRK's famous dialogue “Ammi jaan kehti thi…” from 'Raees'. But, Salman ends up forgetting his lines and finally, Shah Rukh Khan concludes the dialogue and walks in on the sets, prompting Salman to get back to his Sultan avatar and inviting people in Haryanvi to meet Raees on the Bigg Boss sets. Unnecessary to say, the promo video has us enthusiastically waiting for the special video.

Helmed by Rahul Dholakia, Raees is scheduled to release on January 25.

Now Shah Rukh Khan’s voice for various ad campaigns!

After the trailer of Raees has hit the internet, admirers are going gaga over Shah Rukh Khan's raw avatar as the titular role. Shah Rukh Khan's voice as Raees has gathered a lot of attention and is in demand.

His dialogue -Aa raha hoon main -has become the 'it' thing for the creatives for asking Shah Rukh Khan for lending his voice for ad campaigns. Previously, a government initiative used Shah Rukh Khan's famous line for advising people to not drink and drive on New Year's Eve and his voice was also heard in a latest campaign that tells all the cinema buffs to switch off their cell phones in the theatres.  

As per to a report in a famous daily, the 51-year-old actor is being approached for many visual and audio campaigns. 

It’s a Raees’s effect.

The first trailer of SRK starrer Raees to go mesmerize everyone!

Set in the background of 1980s in Gujarat, revolving around the story of Raees, played by Shah Rukh Khan in the titular role, the first trailer of the extremely expected Raees is out and the movie has written hit all over it!

All the elements in the trailer will make you hoot - SRK in an angry, sharp avatar, with those kohl-rimmed eyes doing all the speaking! While Nawazuddin Siddiqui adds the perfect dash of drama, Khan's breezy romantic angle with Pakistani actress Mahira Khan is a treat to watch - Raees' trailer is fast, energetic, dramatic and entertaining to the core!

With the background score of Sunny Leone's Laila O Laia, Raees trailer indeed will transport you to the magical era where movies were larger than life. Shah Rukh Khan couldn't have chosen a better script to shed his onscreen romantic avatar and we bet, you will love the Rahul Dholakia's directorial trailer as much as we did!

Enjoy the film Raees’s trailer. 

Shahrukh discloses his film Raees’s trailer release date!

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's Raees is only two months away from the release and his admirers can hardly wait to watch the movie. While the movie's trailer was firstly to come out on November 2, that happens to be SRK's birthday, some reports told that it will be attached to Khan's forthcoming movie Dear Zindagi.

But, Shahrukh repudiated all these rumors and told a famous tabloid, "It’s not coming out with Dear Zindagi for sure. I read somewhere about this news and no, it’s not true at all.”

When questioned as to when the trailer is expected, Shah Rukh discloses, "I don’t know the exact date. Hopefully, it should release sometime in December.”

He further adds, "It’s ready, edited and censored. We are just trying to formulate a plan to market it. There’s a way we want to launch it. So we just want to get the technical part of it right."

Raees releases on January 26, 2017 and is directed by Rahul Dholakia.

AbRam’s tree plantation snap with adorable father SRK!

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan's tiny munchkin AbRam Khan assuredly knows how to bring a smile to our faces. His pretty antics make you take notice of him and he wins you over with his innocence.

A new picture of AbRam has surfaced on the internet and it is from Khan's Bhuj schedule where he was shooting for Raees. In the photo, AbRam is seen with papa dearest Shah Rukh Khan just after they are done planting a tree and it is too cute for words. 

I am not affected by SRK's marketing skills for Raees, specifies Rakesh Roshan on Kaabil’s promotion plans!

When the promo of Kaabil was released, it generated a lot of enthusiasm for Hrithik Roshan admirers. Presently, the father-son duo Rakesh Roshan and Hrithik are gearing up for the release of the movie & have chalked out their promotion tactics which will be beginning soon.

Additionally, 2017 is going to start with a big fight between Kaabil and Shah Rukh Khan's Raees. Rakesh indicated that he is not affected by SRK's marketing skills, which is hyped to be one of the best in the industry. He told to a famous tabloid, "Earlier too there would be multiple releases. During our days, if one film was houseful, the crowd would rush to another theatre, where tickets were available."

Speaking about their publicity strategies for Kaabil, Roshan Sr specified, "We will continue with whatever we have been doing earlier. Hum na zyada promotions karne waale hain, na kam (We won’t promote too much or too little). Promotional activities alone don’t make much of a difference. We had already decided and arranged everything in accordance with our release. We have enough theatres to exhibit our movie. We only need to work honestly and in a justified manner."

He gave the example of Aamir Khan's forthcoming movie, Dangal, he told, "After watching the trailer, the storyline needs to unfold, so that audiences come in with their minds prepared. Look at Dangal’s trailer, it clearly states what the content is and what the storyline wants to reveal. Viewers should know everything from the trailer itself."

Kaabil and Raees will clash at the Box Office on January 26, 2017.

No replacement of Mahira Khan in Raees due to ban as per Ritesh Sidhwani!

Due to the ban of Pakistani artists in India, there were numerous rumors of the movie having the actors like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan getting replaced in their replaced. Mahira is ready to make her Bollywood debut with Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees.

Now, at a fashion event held in New Delhi, one of the producers of Raees, Ritesh Sidhwani was questioned about the same and he disproved the rumors by telling, "I do not understand where all this is coming from. I would only say one thing - I have shot with the girl for 45 days and finished the film, I hope that clarifies things."

He further included, "I was not reacting to such reports or commenting because I feel that when someone speculates something and you go and respond to it, you are providing a platform to such speculations and rumours. I feel it is better to ignore such things. I don't want to talk about 'Raees', I am here to cheer for my wife."

Aryan and me keep our girlfriends to ourselves, reveals Shah Rukh Khan about his son!

Bollywood Baadshah Shah Rukh Khan is a cool dad for his children Aryan, Suhana and AbRam. During a latest Twitter sharing with admirers, SRK disclosed a secret about him and Aryan. When asked by a admirer if he knows about Aryan's girlfriends, SRK told, "We keep our girlfriends to ourselves." It is very interesting bonding between father and son duo.

He also took many more requests from his admirers and responded them sincerely. When asked what makes his face light up like a Christmas tree, SRK told, "AbRam." Awww!

On the films front, Shahrukh will next be seen in Raees, which will release early next year. He is presently working on The Ring opposite Anushka Sharma.

Raees will release on date, No rescheduling due to Uri or Pak Artists Ban incident, reveals Ritesh Sindhwani!

Due to the Uri attacks and IMPPA provisionally banning the Pak artistes, Raees' producer Ritesh Sidhwani quashes the reports about the film being postponed.

Ritesh told, “We are sticking to the release date we announced earlier for 'Raees'. I don't think something like a ban has happened.”

“The association has itself written to the government that people who have already made their films, who have completed their shooting, we should respect that. Let those movies release and whatever the government decides in the future, they will take a call on that,” he further included.

Ritesh set aside his remarks on the Pak actors ban and declared, “I don't want to comment on that (Pakistani actors ban). It is very sensitive. Right now everything is very heated, I don't think it is the right moment to talk about it.” 

Shahrukh celebrates his B’day with Raees trailer launch at Mannat!

Stories were widespread that Shah Rukh Khan's forthcoming movie Raees' trailer would be attached to Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Hrithik Roshan's Kaabil would be attached to Ajay Devgn's Shivaay.

But now it looks like SRK has a different strategy in mind. The actor will present the trailer on his birthday (November 2) at the event he hosts every year at his house in Bandra.

Henceforward, Kaabil will be attached to both Shivaay and ADHM.

“SRK and co-producer Ritesh Sidhwani do not want any comparisons made with any other film. So, they will release their trailer a few days after Kaabil. But the bigger worry for SRK isn’t Kaabil as much as it is the trailer of Aamir Khan’s Dangal,” a source informed a famous daily.

As Aamir has excellent marketing strategy and the news around Dangal is huge, the source added, “Not just that, Aamir will also release the trailer a few days before Diwali, so there is double the buzz. Shah Rukh wants the hype around those two trailers to end before he releases his film’s trailer the week after. He will screen the trailer for the media in the day, release it on social media after that and at night, his close friends will get to watch it at his birthday bash at his residence, Mannat.”

Mahira Khan will not be present for the event due to the latest ban on Pakistani actors. The ban, but, will not affect the film as films that are completed will escape the restriction. The source told, “While the producers of Raees are worried about their release on January 26, their publicity and promotions are on track.”

Rakesh Roshan unhappy with 'Raees' – 'Kaabil' clash?

With the official statement of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees releasing on Republic Day 2017, Bollywood fans are gearing up for a clash between SRK and Hrithik Roshan, who is coming up with Kaabil that releases on the same day.

But, Rakesh Roshan, the producer of Kaabil, is seemingly pretty disappointed with the decision of Team Raees to release the movie alongside his movie.

News is that SRK and senior Roshan had a brief discussion if the latter could shift his release date, but Roshan did not budge. According to the veteran actor-filmmaker, he had declared release date of Kaabil in February 2016 and he wanted to stick to it. Following that the producers of Raees made an announcement of the revised release date which will offer them “appropriate showcasing”.

Raees, which also stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is not just locking horns with Kaabil on R-Day. Ajay Devgn's Baadshaho too is slated to release on January 26, 2017.

SRK's 'method acting' scared his staffers on 'Raees' sets!

Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, who will be seen playing a realistic gangster in forthcoming movie Raees, seemingly turned into a method actor on the sets of the movie and ended up terrifying his staffers!

Explaining on the same, Khan told that though he is not a method actor, who stays in character even when he is not shooting, he had to get into a certain intense zone to essay his character and his behavior would scare his staffers, who would assume that their boss is in a bad mood.

Approving the news, Khan told with a laugh that he was quite amused when one staffer told that they feel reluctant to approach him as he seems in a grumpy mood nowadays, an observation that was made by the director Rahul Dholakia too.

Khan will be joined by Mahira Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Raees, which releases this Eid.

SRK finishes shooting of his upcoming film Raees!

Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, who will be next seen playing a bootlegger from Gujarat in Rahul Dholakia's forthcoming movie Raees, wrapped up the shooting of the movie recently and took to his Twitter page to update his fans about the same.

Taking to his Twitter page, Khan posted, “Finished Raees. Maybe a bit of patchwork left if any. Will miss the laughs…the intensity & the kohl. Thx to the sweetest unit ever. Lov u.” Buzz has it that Khan's character in the movie is based on alleged bootlegger Abdul Latif, who had ruled the illegal alcohol racket during the 90's in Gujarat.

Apart from Khan, Raees, which also stars Mahira Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is slated to release this Eid.