How SRK strengthened bond with Farah

They’ve gone from being buddies to being estranged and of late, back to being buddies. Now, Shah Rukh and Farah Khan are set to further strengthen their professional bond. It seems SRK proposed that...

They’ve gone from being buddies to being estranged and of late, back to being buddies. Now, Shah Rukh and Farah Khan are set to further strengthen their professional bond. It seems SRK proposed that Farah co-produce the film, Happy New Year, with him. And Farah readily obliged.

Until now, Shah Rukh has co-produced films only with close friends Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra and Farhan Akhtar. But close on the heels of their much-publicised patch up, Farah’s company will be co-producing the film that, until now, she was just to direct.

As a result, Happy New Year will now be produced by Red Chillies (owned by SRK) in association with Farah and her husband Shirish Kunder’s Three’s Company.

Farah says, “It was SRK’s suggestion. While we were planning the film, he said that ‘it’s high time we become partners’. No doubt, I’m happy about. But it’s SRK who deserves the credit for the partnership.”

The first leg of the shoot will start towards the end of December. “At least, I will start, maybe without Shah Rukh. And then, January onwards, we will be on in full steam.”

It’s believed that Farah and Shah Rukh’s friendship soured when she announced her third film (after Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om starring Shah Rukh) Tees Maar Khan (2010) with Akshay Kumar. Later, the infamous brawl between SRK and Shirish worsened things. It was only recently that they hugged and made up at SRK’s home, Mannat.

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The infamous brawl between SRK and Shirish worsened things between the two and it was only recently that they hugged and made up at SRK’s home, Mannat

“I feel we needed a blowup (sic) to come to our senses. It’s like one has to throw water on your face sometimes to wake you up. But surely whatever happened wasn’t nice. And it’s great that we realised that what all of us were doing wasn’t good,” says Farah.

She is presently busy with Shirish’s upcoming film, Joker, which is produced by their company. “As a producer, I’m only involved with publicity and marketing. Otherwise, Shirish has handled everything himself. I was available (on the sets) only as a choreographer,” says Farah. Is she worried about the film’s fate? “I feel we’re past the time to get worried. Of course, I get butterflies in my stomach. We are happy that Joker (touted to be a high-tech sci-fi film) is coming at a time when people like watching new things.”

SRK’S other partnerships

Kaal (2005): Partnered with Karan Johar (Dharma Productions)

Box office status: Average

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008): Partnered with Aditya Chopra (Yash Raj Films)

Box office status: Blockbuster

My Name Is Khan (2010): Partnered with Karan Johar

Box office status: Blockbuster

Don 2 (2011): Partnered with Farhan Akhtar (Excel Entertainment)

Box office status: Blockbuster

Student of The Year (2012): Partnered with Karan Johar

Box office status: Yet to release.