Passengers on Mumbai bound flight from Malaysia went ballistic when informed about the star’s presence. Here's what happened on the flight
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; February 20, 2014)

On his way back to Mumbai from Malaysia, where he performed as part of the 'Temptation Reloaded' tour, Shah Rukh Khan was in for some more fan love. When it was announced on the flight that SRK was aboard, fans were gripped by an unparalleled frenzy.

Says passenger Rohit Nag, who was on the same flight as SRK, “When I checked-in, I could see that the Malaysian airline staff was really excited. The pilot too was over the moon about flying SRK. Not only did the airhostess welcome the star, but the pilot went on to announce that SRK was on board. After that it was absolute mayhem.”

Nag adds that celeb-struck passengers went on to scream his name, hoping that Shah Rukh would wave at them. Some people also tried to approach him as they wanted him to sign autographs for them and get him to pose for pictures. Another passenger says that after a point, the staff found it difficult to control the crowd surrounding the star.

“Fifteen minutes after the take-off, all hell broke loose as everyone wanted to see SRK. It then became difficult for the staff to manage the crowd. In fact, food was served a little late because his fans didn’t want to be seated and they continued to hover around SRK,” says this passenger.

Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; February 17, 2014)

Bipasha Basu was supposed to fly to Malaysia to be a part of Shah Rukh Khan's Temptation Reloaded tour, but the actress has stayed put in Mumbai due to visa troubles. A source says, " Instead of Jacqueline Fernandez, Bipasha was going to join us in Malaysia. It was really nice of her to agree to perform at such a short notice and she was all set to fly to Malayasia but it seems that the organisers couldn't finish her visa formalities on time. As a result, her application got rejected and she couldn’t travel to Malaysia."

A source close to her says, " Bipasha finished her other work commitments at the earliest as she was looking forward to this tour. She had even submitted her dates and visa papers, but a problem cropped up at the organisers’ end. She will now fly to Mauritius for her film, Humshakals.” Mohammed Morani, the organiser of Temptation Reloaded tour, confirmed the news saying that they couldn’t get her work permit on time.

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; February 8, 2014)

In our HitList issue dated January 29, we had reported that Jacqueline Fernandez was facing a dilemma as her shooting schedule for Sajid Nadiadwala’s upcoming film Kick opposite Salman Khan was clashing with the dates of the Temptations Reloaded tour, a commitment she had made last year.

It may be pointed out here that the Australia leg of the tour went off smoothly last year after which the Malaysia leg got cancelled. But with that concert now slated to take place on February 15, Jacqueline was torn between her commitments. It has now emerged that the Morani Brothers are okay with Jacqueline continuing her shoot for Kick as they have now signed on Bipasha Basu to be a part of the tour.

When contacted, Mohammad Morani confirmed the news. “Jacqueline had allotted her dates to us but we are letting her shoot for Kick. Meanwhile, Bipasha Basu is joining us for the tour,” he said, adding that the final lineup includes Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukherji, Bipasha Basu, Honey Singh, Arijit Singh and Meiyang Chang.

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala, who turns director with this film, says, “Jacqueline will be shooting with us on the said day because we are shooting at a stretch now. We plan to wrap up in May.”

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; January 31, 2014)

Ever since Shah Rukh Khan included the song Lungi Dance in his film, Chennai Express - much to the chagrin of the film’s composers Vishal- Shekhar - Yo Yo Honey Singh has been part of King Khan’s several stage acts. He took part in SRK’s Temptations Reloaded concerts in Australia and New Zealand in October last year along with the likes of Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukerji, Jacqueline Fernandez and Meiyang Chang. However, all this is set to change as SRK’s upcoming concert in Malaysia now has singer Arijit Singh (credited with the hit song Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2) in place of Honey Singh.

Says a source, “The new posters for the Temptations Reloaded concert feature Arjit, and not Honey. The rap singer had cemented his friendship with Shah Rukh after the song Lungi Dance and the star is fond of him. No stage appearance of SRK’s is complete without his Lungi Dance routine with Honey. It so happens that the rapper is giving the concert a miss and hence, Arijit, who has now become a popular name, has been roped in.”

Honey’s spokesperson says, “The Malaysia concert has been rescheduled but Honey has certain other commitments. He would love to be part of the tour and is trying hard to work around his schedule but right now, it doesn’t look like he will be able to make it.” Meanwhile, there has also been speculation that Honey has hiked his fees and has taken on too many projects.

His spokesperson denies this though. “For Honey, Shah Rukh Khan and Cineyug, the show’s producers, will always come first,” says the source.

It may be recalled here that SRK’s Malaysia concert was initially scheduled to take place on October 11. But with US President Barrack Obama slated to visit Malaysia around the same date, rising security concerns made the organisers cancel the show.

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; January 29, 2014)

Jacqueline Fernandez has a choice to make and it’s not an easy one.

The actress, who starts shooting today for Sajid Nadiadwala’s directorial debut Kick opposite Salman Khan, will have to either continue with the film’s shoot in February or be part of the Temptations Reloaded tour, a commitment she had made last year. In fact, the Australia leg of the tour went off smoothly last year after which the Malaysia leg got cancelled. But with that concert now slated to take place on February 15, Jacqueline is in a fix.

A source close to the actress says that director Sajid Nadiadwala is not willing to let his lead actress go as he has some important sequences lined up in mid-February. “With Jacky shooting for Kick on the same day, we’re not sure if she will be a part of the Malaysia tour. The organisers may have to replace her,” says the source.

The source adds that Morani Brothers - the organisers of the tour – have requested Sajid to let her be a part of the tour, but the issue has not yet been resolved.

When contacted, Mohammad Morani admitted that there is a clash of dates. “I spoke to Sajid about the same - it turns out that he is shooting key scenes with a lot of dancers and I can understand his situation. That said, Jacqueline’s company has given me her dates, so now this is a matter that needs to be sorted out between Sajid and the company,” he said.

And will he be replacing Jacqueline if she is unable to join them for the tour? “It’s too early to say anything right now. Besides, it’s a ticketed show, so posters for the same have already been sent out.
But yes, if she doesn’t join us, we will have to replace her,” he replied.

Both Sajid Nadiadwala and Jacqueline Fernandez remained unavailable for comment.