Bumper year predicted for Badshah Khan Star Talk : Sci-fi action thriller could shatter box- office records

When Shahrukh Khan recently collected his best-actor award for his role in My Name is Khan at the Zee Awards in Singapore, he said he enjoyed winning awards and that if he did not, it simply meant he had to work harder as the awards were a reflection of his contribution to Indian cinema. While the "Badshah" had the one solo release last year, the year predominantly belonged to his arch rival, Salman Khan, who delivered the runaway success Dabangg. However, the tables could turn this year as Shahrukh Khan is expected to deliver two projects that could set trends and possibly even shatter box-office records. His first mega project for this year, scheduled for release in October, is his home production Ra 1 entertainer which he produces. It is directed by Anubhav Sinha, who has thus far made some average flicks such as Tum Bin and Aapko Pehle Kahi Dekha Hai. The movie has Khan playing the role of a superhero with Kareena Kapoor as his leading lady and Arjun Ramphal as his nemesis. Singing sensation Akon and Chinese actor Tom Wu will also feature and international technicians have been assigned to work on the action and stunts for a story that tackles the relationship between a father and his son. Khan's other big release for December this year is Don 2 - was voted the most eagerly awaited Bollywood release of the year. It brings back the team of Khan and Priyanka Chopra, who are to be directed by the ace Farhan Akthar. The original Don , with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, was a classic, but Akthar has added his own touch and made his new version more slick and stylish while being faithful to the original. The new Don, which was released in 2006 the model-turned-actor Arjun Ramphal. He made a mysterious exit from the sequel and has subsequently been replaced by Kunal Kapoor. Lara Dutta joins the cast and Hrithik Roshan has secured a guest appearance. The first look of the movie, which has been shot in Berlin and Malaysia, has created major excitement across the world as the story traces the Don's escape from prison. Versatile Akthar, a supremely talented performer, should have a memorable and successful year. He will be ever-visible as producer, director and actor. Besides being the force behind the Don movies, Akhtar, who made an acting debut in Rock On, will also produce the Abhishek Bachchan action thriller Game and his sister Zoya's movie on friendship, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, in which he doubles up as one of the lead stars alongside Roshan, Katrina Kaif and Abhay Deol. The other big project that Akthar will produce, will be directed by Reema Katgi of Honeymoon Travels fame and bring together the powerful combination of Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukherji. Aamir last worked with Akthar in the trendsetting Dil Chahta Hai. The new, as yet untitled, project will apparently only be released next year cementing speculations that Aamir will rule with this project and Dhoom 3. The other popular star in the Khan brigade is Salman, who will be seen with Asin in Ready and Kareena Kapoor in Bodyguard. Without a crystal ball, my predictions are that Shahrukh Khan and Akthar will be the toast of the Bollywood year and add more awards to their already impressive tally.