SRK-the big story

Actor Shah Rukh Khan often reiterates in his interviews that he’s still the ‘Dilli ka goonda’ lest you’reglamoured by his swish image of the present. But it was his showdown with filmmaker ShirishKunder at a popular pub on a Monday morning that actually cemented the fact. It’s one tamachathat’s stunned the industry into a twilight zone. Filmmaker Farah Khan with whom the actor had a fallout, reportedly reacted saying that the slap to her husband, Shirish clearly ended all room for any reconciliation. The rift has now brought into the open the battle-lines that were as yet subtle, concerning camps in the industry.

B-Town, at present, is showing caution in taking sides publicly, though some have been vocal. For instance, Farah’s statement has elicited unlikely support for SRK from actress Ameesha Patel.

“Shahrukh is super rockin.. Good he gave it 2 Shirish,” she tweeted, later adding, “Farah is my friend but she was also helped by @iamsrk n Shirishshud respect that by not talking ill of SRK.”

Reality show winner, actor Vindu Dara Singh responded to Ameesha’stweet, “@ameesha_patel I respect you for standing up for @iamsrk SRK’sfriends should learn from Ameesha @rampalarjun @kjohar25@shahidkapoor.” Incidentally Vindu is said to belong to SRK’s frenemy, actor Salman Khan’s camp. “@iamsrk Hats off Sir.. You are real life Don... I am tired of hypocrites and non-confrontational people,” Vindu tweeted further.

Jewellery designerFarah Ali Khan, meanwhile, was irritated that Shirishwas mistaken for her husband. The designer, who’s also actor HrithikRoshan’s sister-in-law, refused to take sides, saying that she was not at the party. “Both Gauri and Farah Khan are my friends. I will never pick sides and im (sic) sure they will sort it out in good time,” she tweeted.

While some have been vociferous about the incident, Shah Rukh’s friends like filmmaker Karan Johar have chosen not to dwell on it in public, i.e. on social networking sites at least till the time of going to press. It is learned that the filmmaker was at the actor’s place most of the day on Monday offering support. Hrithik is in Hyderabad shooting for his new film Krrish 2, but it’ll be interesting to see how he handles the Khans in his life — buddySRK, Farah whom he calls his dancing guru and Salman, with whom he patched up recently. In fact, Salman, reportedly, called up Shirish to find out if he was fine after the brawl.

Time will tell how the SRK-Farah-Salman rift goes from here, but as of now all eyes are on actors Riteish Deshmukh-Genelia D’Souza’s wedding and the ongoing pre-wedding events, where all have been invited.