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April 25, 2000

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Send this column to a friend Refugee postponed?

Abhishek, Kareena The release of Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor’s debut film, Refugee, may be postponed by a week or two. That is to say, the film may see release on June 16 or 23, instead of June 6 as scheduled.

And, if Refugee is postponed, Venus may postpone the release of its Josh, which is currently due on June 2.

There is also confusion about the release dates Kundan Shah’s films -- Hum To Mohabbat Karega and Kya Kehna. Producers of both the films claim they will bring their films to the silver screen on June 19. Obviously, one will be released June 19 and the other, in that case, may come a week later. Most likely, it will be Hum To Mohabbat Karega followed by Kya Kehna.

Conman No 1?

Govinda Govinda is at it again, vis a vis the house-full boards put up outside cinema halls across Bombay. He has been purchasing the unsold tickets of his latest release, Hadh Kar Di Aapne, in order to paint a rosy picture of the film.

On Tuesday (April 18), the hero ordered that unsold tickets worth Rs 21,000 of a single (matinee) show in a single Bombay cinema be ‘torn’ so as to project it as a house-full show. Imagine the quantum of tickets that must’ve been torn in order to give trade the impression that the film was doing well, when the truth was completely different.

Ajay Devgan is one more hero who loves to ‘feed’ cinemas screening his starrers. This time though, Govinda has beaten all previous records. Perhaps, this is because the dancing star is also distributing the film in the city. So there is a dual interest involved -- as hero and as distributor!

Rikku's son aims for stardom

A sought-after newcomer who is making an entry as a lead man is star secretary (Madhuri Dixit’s secretary) and producer Rikku Rakesh Nath’s son, Karan. Tall and handsome like his dad, Karan has already signed three films, two of which have been launched.

Joy Augustine directs him in R Mohan’s film, in which his co-star is a new girl, Aarti Agarwal. In Kuku Kohli’s Dil Hai Aashiqana also, Karan’s heroine will be a newcomer. Satish Tandon (of Jung controversy ill-fame) is expected to start his new film with Karan in the lead. It will be directed by Deepak Bahry.

And if these producers have expressed so much confidence in the newcomer, can dad be far behind? You bet not! Rikku will soon launch a film with Karan, Amisha Patel and one more heroine. A great start for a new face, this.

The Kapoor khandaan

Tushar Kapoor April 21 was important day for both Jeetendra and Tushar Kapoor. During the day, Shri Siddhivinayak Films’ maiden venture, being presented by Jeetendra, was launched at Filmistan Studios.

The film is produced by Jeetendra’s wife, Shobha, and daughter, Ekta. While it was being launched in Bombay, Ekta was away at Tirupati offering prayers to Lord Balaji for the success of their venture, which stars Govinda and Sushmita Sen and is being directed by David Dhawan.

She also offered prayers for her brother Tushar. For, in the afternoon of the same day, he was launched as the leading man opposite Kareena Kapoor in Vashu Bhagnani’s Mujhe Kuch Kehnaa Hai.

For those who do not know, Tushar has studied abroad and is passionate about films and books. He is a shy God-fearing boy who loves to not only watch films, but also analyses their success or failure.

Hindi film week in Israel

Dil To Pagal Hai The runaway success of Dil To Pagal Hai in Israel has inspired India as well as Israel to jointly organise a Hindi film week in Tel Aviv as part of the first Indian trade fair. Five films will be screened during the week between May 3 and 10. The films which have been selected -- Virasat, Mr India, Khamoshi, Massey Saheb and Dil To Pagal Hai -- are already a craze in that country.

All the movies will be sub-titled in Hebrew. The film week is being organised by the Indian embassy, with the cooperation of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations and the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs. The former expect a very good response from the Israeli audience, following the success of DTPH. The event may even open up the possibility of an Indian film market there.

Jal Mistry passes into the ages

It was sad that not a single soul from the film industry was present to pay their last respects to cinematographer Jal Mistry who passed away on April 13 in Bombay following a heart attack. He was 76.

Jal, besides being a renowned cameraman, was also the younger brother of late cinematographer and director Fali Mistry. Although Jal was a Parsi by birth, his funeral was performed on April 16 according to Hindu rites as per his wishes.

Among the notable films photographed by Jal Mistry were Allah Rakha (1986), Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973), Heer Ranjha (1970), Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), Aakhri Khat (1966), Uran Khatola (1955), Aandhiyan (1952) and Barsaat (1949).

Kaho Naa... completes 100 days

Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai, the biggest hit of the year, completed 100 days of its run on April 22. I think this is the right time to answer some of the e-mails I received when the film slipped from its number one position in the Top 10 list.

There were some readers who were agitated at my audacity in ‘bringing down’ the film. Readers must understand that, as the weeks progress, the number of prints circulated keeps going down. On the other hand, newer films are released with a large number of prints. Obviously, a starcast film in the opening week will gross much more than, say, a super-hit film in its seventh, eighth or ninth week.

The mere shifting of a film from the number one to the number two to the number three position does not mean it does not remain a hit. Nor does it mean that the new film in the No 1 position is better than the super-hit film. No film can remain at the top spot till infinity. So, relax, guys. KN...PH is still the best so far this year!

Hum Saath-Saath Hain celebrates silver jubilee

Hum Saath-Saath Hain Rajshri’s Hum Saath-Saath Hain has completed its silver jubilee. Unlike Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, though, this one has not had a continuous run of 25 weeks at a single cinema in the world. HAHK..! had completed its silver jubilee at several cinemas, whereas HS-SH has not been able to achieve this feat at a single cinema. This kind of jubilee, in film trade jargon, is called a combined jubilee. That is to say, the total run of the film at two or three cinemas is added to arrive at the jubilee figure.

A look at the week

**Ratings based on box office collections and cost of the film**
Rating Film Production House Verdict Position Last Week No Of Weeks Since Release
1 Hadh Kar Di Aapne R R Productions Loser (Average in
Bombay, South)
1 2
2 Kaho Naa...
Pyaar Hai
Filmkraft Superhit 3 15
3 Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge Baba Films Average (Losing in
some circuits)
2 5
4 Baaghi Triple Aar Movies Losing (Average in a
couple of circuits)
5 3
5 Hera Pheri A G Films (P) Ltd Losing (Average in Bombay, C P Berar) 6 4
6 Badal Aftab Music Industries Average (Above average in North, Bengal, Bihar) 7 11
7 Krodh Ashok Honda Productions Average (Losing in
some circuits)
8 6
8 Gang Azhar Azaan Cinema Co Disaster 4 2
9 Pukar (Tax-free in some states) S K Films Enterprises Average (Above average in Bombay, South, C P Berar due to tax exemption) 9 12
10 Hum Saath-Saath Hain Rajshri Hit 10 25

Komal Nahta edits the popular trade magazine, Film Information.

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