My Name is Khan, which is directed by Karan Johar grossed an astounding Rs 250 million on the opening day alone, breaking all kinds of box office records. The worldwide gross of $5.5 million is among the highest ever recorded for a Bollywood film.

The film is only expected to rake in more moolah over the next two months as it expands to more international markets. Next week Bollywood fans in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Oman and Lebanon get to watch the movie. In the US, ‘My Name is Khan‘ distributed by Fox Searchlight and by 20th Century Fox International in other countries across the globe. The film grossed $9,727 in New Zealand and made 50 percent more money than any other Bollywood film in the Middle East. In the UK, MNIK scored $193,000 in just paid previews, which is another opening day record. However the film opened at the 11th spot all time stats in Australia.

My Name Is Khan has opened to a bumper response in India. Multiplexes across the country are recording phenomenal collections with major multiplexes being 100% for the first two shows. Wave Ludhiana, Fun Chandigarh, Wave Noida, Inox Kolkata, PVR Bangalore and Fun Bangalore amongst others have seen full houses in the morning for the first two shows.

Mumbai which is having a limited release is also extraordinary. Fun had their first show in the city at 12.00 and recorded 100% collections. The business at single screens is lower than multiplexes but still very good. Delhi and Kolkata single screens are super strong. Despite the problems in Mumbai the film will record very high collections on day one.

Shah Rukh Khan has millions of fans all across the globe. His charm and popularity is something which cannot be ignored. The people of Berlin are crazy about SRK.

SRK’s latest film, My Name is Khan is receiving tremendous response in Berlin as the film premieres today. Online tickets were sold out for 1000 euros each in less than 5 seconds!

Huge crowds had gathered at the Berlin film festival to get a glimpse of SRK, who along with Karan Johar and Kajol is there for the premiere.

An Austrian professor has travelled from Vienna to see the film and is hoping to meet SRK to invite him for a big conference on Shahrukhology and SRK’s global appeal.

In a jolt to Karan Johar and Shah Rukh Khan, all theaters and multiplexes in  Gujarat have decided not to screen Shahrukh Khan’s film ‘My name is Khan at the behest of the Bajrang Dal and VHP.

All theaters and multiplexes in Gujarat have decided not to book any ticket of Shahrukh Khan’s film ‘My name is Khan’ in advance.

According to reports coming out, Shri Ashiwn Patel, Ahmedabad based leader of Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Gujarat, when contacted by the media, pointed out that Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have stopped screening of films even in past successfully. “Even this time, the film: My name is Khan would not be allowed to be screened in Gujarat.”

Umesh Engineer, leader of Shiv Sena in Gujarat, on Thursday thanked Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal to join the agitation against Shahrukh Khan’s pro-Pakistan stand and his film. Umesh said the Shiv Sainiks would obey Shri Bala Saheb Thakrey’s order and would stop screening of My name is Khan with whatever strength they have in Gujarat.

My Name Is Khan is in deep trouble, as the multiplex owners in Mumbai decided not to release the movie tomorrow, fearing backlash from Shiv Sena.

The theatre owners held a meeting today and concluded that they can’t take a risk by screening ‘My Name Is Khan’ and will do so only when the issue is resolved completely. At least 60% of single screen theatres in Mumbai have decided not to screen the movie tomorrow.

Big Cinemas, Inox and PVR will also not show ‘My Name Is Khan’ at their theatres. The advance booking of the movie, has been stopped with immediate effect.

The Maharashtra Government had assured tight security to all 63 theatres in Mumbai that would screen ‘My Name Is Khan, but that was not enough to convince the theatre owners.

Shah Rukh Khan is upset that Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray and his son Udhav Thackeray “misconstrued” his comments and are protesting against the release of his film My Name Is Khan.

“(I) feel awful that Balasahib and Udhav have misconstrued my words. The reactions of the Sena workers seem to make me believe that. Don’t want mayhem, anger and violence cos of our beautiful film…which talks about repairing a bruised and divided world,” Shah Rukh posted on  Twitter.

The actor, who is currently in Berlin, tweeted extensively about his stand on the whole issue.

‘This is the last time I clarify or say anything on this topic. This is not a justification, its just reiterating the facts,’ the actor tweeted. ‘Anyone asks me about this issue anymore… they can read my tweets. Now wot happens with the release the film, is the films fate.’

The protests by Shiv Sena activists and subsequent damage to cinema halls in Mumbai releasing his new film My Name is Khan have saddened the actor, who said that all he wanted was just to ‘enjoy my film everywhere.’

MY NAME IS KHAN makes two strong statements…

* The first: B.C. and A.D. are designations used to label years in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. There’s a third designation now – 9/11. Post September 11, the world stands divided. Terrorist outfits continue to strike in the name of religion and the common man, not even remotely associated with these groups, is bearing the brunt. The world is not a safe place anymore.

* The second statement: There’re two sets of people in this world – the good and the bad. No matter how strong the evil forces are, good always triumphs.

MY NAME IS KHAN mirrors the era we live in. Not a day goes by when you haven’t heard/read/watched news of terror attacks and innocents being killed. We live in turbulent times. Also, the movie states – and states very strongly, without mincing words – Not all Muslims are terrorists.

Karan Johar’s cinema got more real from KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA onwards. In MY NAME IS KHAN, the storyteller attempts to make a social statement and succeeds completely. At the same time, it takes no sides. If the protagonist says ‘My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist’, it also exposes those who misadvise the youth with inflammatory and rabble-rousing speeches.

Karan’s take on the issue deserves the highest praise, since a subject like this is difficult to attempt. Final word? MY NAME IS KHAN is Karan, SRK and Kajol’s best outing to date. Do I need to add anything more?

Rizvan Khan [Shah Rukh Khan moves to San Francisco and lives with his brother [Jimmy Shergill] and sister-in-law [Sonya Jehan]. Rizvan, who has Asperger’s syndrome, falls in love with Mandira [Kajol]. Despite protests from his brother, they get married and start a small business together. They are happy until September 11, when attitudes towards Muslims undergo a sea-change.

When tragedy strikes, Mandira is devastated and they split. Rizvan is confused and upset that the love of his life has left him. To win her back, he embarks on a touching and inspiring journey across America.

Let me alert you. The story unfolds feverishly from the very start itself. So if you miss a scene or two, chances are you would’ve missed some vital links in the story. The fact is, there’s too much happening in the first half. Although the narrative tends to get leisurely-paced at times, the wheels continue to move from one episode to another.

A number of sequences are endearing. For instance, the romance between SRK and Kajol is subtle, yet charming. But it’s SRK’s relationship with Kajol and their kid that’s one of the best parts of the movie. Your heart bleeds when an accident occurs and their lives are torn apart. Kajol’s outburst – first, when her son meets with a catastrophe and second, when she confronts SRK – are truly shattering.

MY NAME IS KHAN’s strength lies in the fact that you root for Khan all through. At the same time, you are weighed down when he’s in a vulnerable situation, especially when he’s labelled a terrorist and thrown behind bars. You don’t realize it, but the fact is that you, as a spectator, have already got entwined in Rizvan and Mandira’s lives.

There’s a slight hitch in the second hour, when SRK returns to Georgia to save a hurricane-ravaged hamlet. Also, the media exercise tends to add to the length of the film. Nonetheless, it’s a minor hiccup that doesn’t rob the film of its punch.

There’s just one word to illustrate Karan’s direction – exemplary. One of the finest storytellers of our generation, he deserves brownie points for deviating from ‘Karan Johar brand of cinema’ and attempting a film that knocks on your heart and stimulates your mind. With MY NAME IS KHAN, Karan takes rapid strides as a storyteller.

Shibani Bathija’s screenplay is truly arresting. Shibani and Niranjan Iyengar’s dialogues are noteworthy and many a times, applaud-worthy. Ravi K. Chandran’s cinematography is awe-inspiring. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music gels well with the nature of the film.

When a film stars two of the finest talents of the country, you expect nothing but the best. SRK, well, how does one describe his performance? To state that this is his best work so far would be cutting short the praise he truly deserves. In fact, no amount of praise can do sufficient justice to his portrayal of Rizvan Khan, who has Asperger’s syndrome. His latest work is several notches above anything he has done before. The only compliment that I can think of is, SRK has a new screen-name now. Raj is passe, Rizvan it is.

Kajol is pure dynamite and casting her for this character was the most appropriate decision. No other actress could’ve matched SRK in histrionics the way Kajol has. In fact, SRK and Kajol compliment each other wonderfully well and this film only proves it yet again. It’s a powerhouse performance from this supremely talented actress.

The film boasts of a number of capable actors, but the ones who leave a rock-solid impact are – in this order – Zarina Wahab, Sonya Jehan, Jimmy Shergill, Arjun Mathur, Parvin Dabas and Arif Zakaria. Sugandha Garg is confident. Navneet Nishan supports well. Vinay Pathak leaves a mark in a brief role. Tanay Chheda [young SRK] and Yuvaan Makaar [SRK and Kajol's son Sameer] are excellent. The American actors, especially the kid who plays Sameer’s friend, deserves mention.

On the whole, MY NAME IS KHAN is a fascinating love story, has an angle of religion and a world-shaking incident as a backdrop. It not only entertains, but also mesmerises, enthrals and captivates the viewer in those 2.40 hours. At the same time, a film like MY NAME IS KHAN is sure to have a far-reaching influence due to its noble theme. I strongly advocate, don’t miss this one!

Advance bookings for “My Name Is Khan” may have been halted in Mumbai following violent protests by the Shiv Sena, but the cash registers are ringing in the capital for the Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer.

Most cinema halls and multiplex chains had opened their ticket windows for the film Monday and have been receiving a positive response ever since despite the brouhaha in Mumbai over the film’s release.

His film My Name is Khan has been in the line of fire for various reasons, with the title creating ripples, but filmmaker Karan Johar says that there could have been no name better suited to his “ground breaking” pet project.

The much hyped film which marks the re-union of Bollywood’s most beloved onscreen couple, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, has been dogged by controversy since the beginning, be it the actor’s U.S. airport detention or the Shiv Sena threat closer home.

“I don’t over calculate any strategy. While deciding upon the title, I just went by my gut and decided on something which brings to fore the spirit of the film and the story that I wanted to tell. Everything was decided in true earnest. The right

After jet-setting around New York and London, Shah Rukh Khan left Mumbai once again last night. This time, he was heading for Abu Dhabi, for the premiere of his film My Name Is Khan.

The fate of the film in Mumbai, however, continues to be grim as the Shiv Sena threatened to disrupt screenings of the film if Shah Rukh did not apologise for backing the participation of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League.

Over 1,000 Sena activists have been detained in Mumbai ahead of the release of the movie, after the party stepped up its protest against the film. Advance bookings of the film in the city