Shahrukh Khan's men off to a dream start

Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan must be pulling a wide smile to himself, as his Indian Premiere League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has taken off to a dream start in IPL 3. His team has won the two matches played so far.

KKR, which was at the bottom of the table last year, bounced back in style by beating the champion and runners-up teams last year. Shahrukh's team defeated defending champion Deccan Chargers in the opening match. Proving that they are not 'one match wonder', they beat last year's runners-up Royal Challengers Bangalore too.

Shahrukh must be happy that his team is in good form.

MNIK continues to rule BO abroad

Despite two new releases, Teen Patti and Karthik Calling Karthik, My Name is Khan continued to remain the first choice of moviegoers in the key international markets. The combined total from U.K., U.S.A. and Australia, after 17 days, is an incredible (approx.) Rs. 36.22 crores... Karthik Calling Karthik is strictly average, Teen Patti is a non-starter.

Buzz up!
Weekend: February 26 - 28, 2009.


U.K. box-office

My Name is Khan (last weekend: No. 11, this weekend: No. 15): In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 1,76,145 on 82 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 2,148. Total: £ 23,07,067 (approx. Rs. 15.88 crores).

Karthik Calling Karthik has debuted at No. 23 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 61,969 (approx. Rs. 42.66 lacs) on 28 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 2,213.

Teen Patti has debuted at No. 37 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 14,645 [approx. Rs. 10.08 lacs] on 21 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 697.

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (Tamil film) has debuted at No. 40 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £ 11,783 (approx. Rs. 8.11 lacs) on 6 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,964.

Sukhmani (last weekend: No. --, this weekend: No. 51): In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 3,339 on 4 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 835. Total: £ 51,991 [approx. Rs. 35.79 lacs].

3 Idiots (last weekend: No. --, this weekend: No. 60): In its tenth weekend, the film has collected £ 2,300 on 4 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 575. Total: £ 18,51,877 (approx. Rs. 12.75 crores).

Asal (Tamil film; last weekend: No. --, this weekend: No. 67): In its fourth weekend, the film has collected £ 263 on 6 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 44. Total: £ 67,603 (approx. Rs. 46.58 lacs).

Veer (last weekend: No. --, this weekend: No. 85): In its sixth weekend, the film has collected £ 42 on 1 screen. Total: £ 2,96,334 (approx. Rs. 2.04 crores).

U.S.A. Box-office

My Name is Khan (last weekend: No. 17, this weekend: No. 26): In its third weekend, the film has collected $ 2,54,221 on 120 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 2,119. Total: $ 36,34,423 (approx. Rs. 16.72 crores).

Karthik Calling Karthik has debuted at No. 33 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected $ 1,79,643 [approx. Rs. 82.66 lacs] on 70 screens, with the per screen average working out to $ 2,566.

Australia box-office

My Name is Khan (last weekend: No. 15, this weekend: No. 19): In its third weekend, the film has collected Aus. $ 68,127 on 34 screens, with the per screen average working out to Aus. $ 2,004. Total: Aus. $ 8,76,794 (approx. Rs. 3.62 crores).

Shahrukh Khan boxing at Home

Shahrukh Khan boxing at Home

There is now a boxing ring at Shahrukh Khan's home, Mannat. No, he isn't practising boxing for a film or preparing for a match with arch rival Aamir Khan. King Khan, who is into all kinds of sports activities, had a boxing ring especially constructed for his 12-year-old son, Aryan.

The boxing ring at the Khan abode has been made by the 144-year-old sports shop Wagle & Co at Dhobi Talao near Metro cinema. Owner Manohar Wagle says, "We have constructed a children's boxing ring on the play floor in Mannat. It was challenging because we have never done something like this for an individual before. We are used to constructing for schools and clubs. The space was smaller. We had to reduce the dimensions and the height of the ring at Mannat but I think we did a Good job."

Wagle says that Shahrukh's people contacted him and they had specific instructions of their requirement, "Actually Aryan Wanted a WWF wrestling ring where the ropes are more flexible but at the time, we didn't have the stretchable ropes. We finally used a substitute that isn't as stretchable." Wagle adds, "We heard that Shahrukh was asking for a sports shop to put up a boxing ring but no one could do it. Then someone told him about us."

Now Wagle, who has lost contact with the actor, says he has managed to get his hands on the flexible ropes that Aryan Wanted. "If Shahrukh wants, I can put that in for him. I also want to Aryan's name printed and put on the four corners of the ring."