The escalating tension took a celeb toll. And SRK crumbled under the stress of the Sena communal ire, breaking down at a Press con.

His apology, however, was a far cry from the expected. "I am really sorry," Khan told an eager media."I would like to apologise to Kajol, Karan Johar and our business partners. The film is going to be affected because of what I said. 'My Name Is Khan,' is not my film alone. It has Kajol, Karan ( Johar) and 150 other people whose livelihood depends upon it."

King Khan, though, categorically refused apologising to the Sena. "I have done nothing wrong in saying what I did about the Pakistani players, and I said that as an Indian." Amid super tight security at the airport and at 'Mannat', SRK strode right back to Mumbai.

An estimated 89 crores are at stake, and the film's distributors have written to Bal Thackeray requesting his express permission before the flick's release. Reportedly, there has been no response from the Sena supremo as yet.

Incidentally, 'My Name Is Khan' will have to amass collections worth Rs 100 crore merely to break even. The prickly controversy has fuelled further interest in K Jo's movie, and as a topline trade analyst points out in a tabloid quote, "A controversy never backfires. Theatres taking down 'MNIK' posters have already made front page news and given the film more mileage than traditional publicity."

Silver lining to the darkest 'MNIK' cloud?

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Fawning appreciation has never been in deficit. And now, Amitabh Bachchan will earn a few more truckloads of acclaim as he readies to recite five to six poems penned by his late illustrious father: Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan at the 'Aman Ki Asha' event, an initiative to promote Indo-Pak relations.

This, incidentally, will revive a déjà vu feeling. In March 1998, Dr Bachchan propped up in the ICU of a top drawer Mumbai hospital, rued the fact that he couldn't listen to his poems being recited by Amitabh before a distinguished audience at the British Council.

On his return, his son complied with his wishes and recited those poems in his rich, unmistakable baritone, even as amazed doctors and stunned nurses listened in rapt attention. At the end of it all, Dr Bachchan nodded his hearty assent. And a supremely pleased Big B couldn't have asked for more…

The Paki counterpart to Bachchan at the 'Aman Ki Asha' initiative will be Paki screen legend Zia Mohyeddin who will read out Urdu poems by Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Two much!

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Mumbai-based animation studio Crest Animation and US-based Lionsgate Family Entertainment Thursday announced here their second 3D animation movie, as part of a three-film deal.

Titled 'Norm of the North', the movie will be the two companies' second outing after 'Alpha and Omega' that is to be released October this year.

'Our partnership with Crest has gotten off to a terrific start with 'Alpha and Omega,' and 'Norm of the North' is an ideal follow-up,' said Ken Katsumoto, executive vice president of Lionsgate. Family Entertainment, US.

Seemha Ramanna, managing director of Crest Animation Studios, said: 'We are delighted to be producing 'Norm of the North' with our friends at Lionsgate. This is a wonderful story, full of humor and heart, and stereoscopic 3D technology will bring it vividly to life.'

Written by Steven and Daniel Altiere, 'Norm of the North' is expected to release in the first quarter of 2012.

'Alpha and Omega' is an animated comedy about two mismatched wolves and features the voices of well-known artistes like Justin Long, Hayden Panetierre, Christina Ricci, Danny Glover, Dennis Hopper and Larry Miller.

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