Bollywood's big Diwali release tonight: ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ red carpet exclusive...

Katrina Kaif, Shah Rukh Khan, and Anushka Sharma (AP)

Published Monday, November 12, 2012

By Bindu Suresh Rai

The hours are ticking down for the grand red carpet premiere of this year’s most anticipated Bollywood film as Yash Chopra’s swansong “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” promises to be the grandest affair Indian cinema has seen in recent times.

While a lot of fodder and column inches have been utilised for the Yash Raj Films production and its legal tussle with “Son of Sardar” makers, Ajay Devgn Films, tonight’s will see an uneasy truce called to pay tribute to the late Chopra, who passed away last month from complication resulting from dengue.

Shah Rukh Khan (L), Katrina Kaif (C) and Anushka Sharma during Kolkata INternational Film Festival inauguration. (AFP)

Who’s attending?

YRF has gone on record that the premiere will pay tribute to Chopra over the decades, featuring all his leading ladies and those that signed on for some of the most memorable films the production house has enamoured audiences with.

But a guestlist this grand is not without controversy, and even though Chopra’s wife Pamela is helming the affair, it is wildly speculated that son Aditya Chopra’s alleged girlfriend Rani Mukherji is calling the shots.

The actress, who took centrestage during Chopra’s funeral, will be attending the premiere tonight considering she starred in the director’s “Veer Zara” eight years ago.

From the leading ladies, an industry insider has confirmed that Mala Sinha, Rekha, Sharmila Tagore, Rakhee, Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi, Priety Zinta and Karisma Kapoor are expected to attend tonight.

Naturally, the two actresses from “Jab Tak Hai Jaan”, namely Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, will also be attending.

Also in attendance will be close friends of the Chopras, the Bachchans, with Amitabh, Jaya, Abhishek and Aishwarya slated to walk the red carpet, confirm sources.

Newlyweds Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan are also expected at the Yash Raj Studios, along with Neetu and Rishi Kapoor and Ranbir.

Needless to say, Karan Johar will make an appearance, considering he refered to the late Chopra as his surrogate father.

Meanwhile, director Kunal Kohli tweeted out his attendance, saying: “Counting the hours to watching ‘JTHJ’ this evening. A premiere. A tribute. A rare evening. [sic]”

Shah Rukh Khan (C) is flanked by actresses Anushka Sharma (L) and Katrina Kaif (R) at a press conference. (AFP)

Is the competition attending?

However, things are still dicey where Kajol and Juhi Chawla are concerned.

The former, who may not have been directed by Chopra, but starred in two of their films, including their biggest hit, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge”, may snub the affair to side with husband Devgn, who has filed a lawsuit against YRF for using unfair competition practices in screening “JTHJ” over “SOS” during the lead up to this Diwali release.

Chawla, who has starred in two Chopra directed films – namely “Darr” and “Chandni” – is also headlined as the lead in “SOS”.

Where do her loyalties lie, considering she is also a close friend and business associate of Shah Rukh Khan, is anybody’s guess.

However, the surprise entry at the premiere is expected to be Sanjay Dutt, who also plays beau and the lead in “SOS”, alongside Devgn himself.

Sources claim that Dutt’s close friendship with the Chopras saw Pamela and Aditya personally send a premiere invite to the actor and he simply couldn’t refuse.

Dutt may raise a few eyebrows, but no one dare question the actor, who is expected to walk the red carpet with wife Manayata, representing his late father Sunil Dutt, who was directed by Chopra in “Waqt”.

Also not expected tonight is Shah Rukh Khan archrival Salman Khan, who also has a cameo in “SOS”. Representing the latter actor tonight is supposedly father Salim, who has penned many a script for the late Chopra.

Speculation is also rife that “SOS” leading lady Sonakshi Sinha may grace tonight’s event, accompanying father Shatrughan Sinha, who starred in Chopra’s “Kaala Pathar”.

As for Ajay Devgn himself, it would be a sight now wouldn’t it?

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