Shah Rukh Khan blocks 2014 Diwali?

Zee Media Bureau/ Aparna Mudi New Delhi: Shah Rukh Khan is doing all he can to make sure that lady luck shining on him currently continues to do so with his next film too. If reports are to be believed, the ‘Chennai Express’ star has already sought to block next year`s Diwali dates for the release of ‘Happy New Year’. If the buzz going around is to be believed, the Farah Khan’s next directorial will follow the footsteps of ‘Om Shanti Om’ and release in the holiday slot. Shah Rukh and Farah come together after a much publicised spat and the anticipation about their next only rises with time. This is Khan’s third movie with the choreographer-turned-director and so far they have proven to be a hit making pair. This year, Eid has indeed proven to be very auspicious for Shah Rukh, and his film ‘Chennai Express’ has broken all records so far at the Box Office, already raking in more than Rs 200 crores. However, Salman Khan has booked the dates for Eid next year for ‘Kick’. Even though Salman does not have a single release in 2013, and he is doing all he can to retain the propitious occasion for his next release. Come Christmas 2014, Anurag Kashyap’s much awaited ‘Bombay Velvet’ is set to hit the silver screen. That leaves Diwali for SRK to capture the audience with a bang again. The film already has seen some delays because of the extensive marketing schedule for ‘Chennai Express’, and then the dilly-dallying in finalising the lead actress. Katrina Kaif was being considered for the role, but the offer was taken by Deepika Padukone. The shooting is scheduled to begin in early September. Happy New Year which is also being co produced by King Khan will also see Sonu Sood playing the antagonist in the movie.