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May 23, 2000
5 QUESTIONS |
Diwali dhamaka
Komal Nahta
Both Yash Chopra's Mohabbatein, starring Shah Rukh Khan, and Vinod Chopra's Mission Kashmir, starring Hrithik Roshan, are scheduled for release during Diwali. There are clearly two camps in the industry -- one swears Shah Rukh is still No 1 while the other feels Hrithik is the new numero uno. Both camps will be keenly watch the opening response to the two films, which should add fire to the already acrimonious debate. Outside trade circles too, opinion is divided about who is king. Nobody is prepared to believe -- and sadly so -- that both Shah Rukh and Hrithik can and actually will co-exist. And, like this Diwali, the next one too will witness competitive fireworks. The only difference is, Diwali 2001 won't see different releases of the two stars. Instead, they will be seen together in the same film. For Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, starring Shah Rukh and Hrithik (besides Amitabh, Jaya Bachchan, Kajol and Kareena Kapoor), is expected to be released then. Adding magic to Jadoo! Vashu Bhagnani celebrated the completion of Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya's last song last week. It was picturised on Abhishek Bachchan and Kirti Reddy on a very lavish scale at SNDT College, Juhu, Bombay, under choreographer Ahmed Khan. If inside reports are to be believed, the song picturisation will cost over half a crore. And the post-production "will take 40 days," says Vashu, who believes this song will weave a magic spell on the audience. By the way, there were rumours in the trade that the film might be postponed. But Vashu is firm about releasing the film on August 18 as scheduled. The film's Delhi-UP distributor is already booking cinemas in his territory as are distributors in other circuits. Who's the hero?
So, is Preity Zinta the real hero of the film? While Kya Kehna has definitely broken the myth that only heroes can command a good opening, it would be wrong to give the entire credit to the heroine. Actually, a major part of the credit should go to producers Ramesh and Kumar Taurani for their brilliant publicity, trailers and promotion of the film. Rajesh Roshan's music, especially that of the title song, also helped. It would not be out of place to mention here that, even after the super-success of Nagina, Sridevi's Sherni opened to poor houses. No Hrithik, no bonus Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai completed 100 days at Jayant cinema at Chandrapur, Maharashtra (just as it has at other cinemas in the country). And that's enough cause for celebration, bonus for the staff, etc. But the cinema management, despite its noble intention to give the bonus, will not do so. The staff, too, have refused to accept the extra moolah. Both sides have a condition. They want the Roshans -- Rakesh and Hrithik -- to join the celebration and personally disburse the bonus payments. Even the distributor for C P Berar has been roped in, in the hope that he will be able to prevail on the Roshans! The latest update is that Rakesh Roshan will visit Chandrapur on May 28. Hrithik, however, will not be able to make it. He is busy completing Mission Kashmir and Fiza. 'Govinda's been nice...'
The producer must be ruing the day he made such a tall claim. For it is only now, five years later, that his film will be seeing the light of the day. Wonder whether he will admit, at least, now that the delay was caused by Govinda. Or will he still maintain that the actor has not harassed him"so far!" Santoshi looks for replacement
The list of heroes includes Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff. A hero in place of Sunny is still to be finalised. Negotiations are also on with some top names for making guest appearances in the film, which is 30 per cent complete. Lajja has been scripted by Anjum Rajabali and Rajkumar Santoshi (while Santoshi has written Pukar; Rajabali has penned Ghulam, Kachche Dhaage and Drohkaal). The credit for the dialogue goes to Santoshi and Ranjit Kapoor. Sameer's lyrics have been set to tune by Anu Malik.
A look at the week
Komal Nahta edits the popular trade magazine, Film Information. Do tell us what you think of this column
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If release schedules are anything to go by, there'll be fireworks of a different kind this Diwali.
There is an unwritten law in the industry that it is the heroes who command an initial for the film; however popular a heroine may be, she cannot attract the audiences to the cinemas on day one. But this week's release, Kya Kehna, opened to excellent houses despite the presence of two heroes (Saif Ali Khan and Chandrachur Singh) who are far from 'hot' with the audience.
A producer who launched a Govinda-starrer almost four to five years ago hoped his sycophantic gift of the gab would help him complete the film on time. Calling the press on the sets of the film, he pompously declared, "Whatever people might say or complain about Govinda, he has so far not harassed us. He has been nice to us." This, on the second day after the film's launch!
Now that Sunny Deol has walked out of Rajkumar Santoshi's Lajja, the director is busy looking for a replacement for his star-studded film. While Manisha Koirala plays the heroine, key roles have also gone to Madhuri Dixit, Rekha and Mahima Chaudhary.