JUNGLE
Varma Corporation Ltd.’s Jungle (A) is, as the title suggests, a jungle adventure. Taking off from the life of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, the film has a romantic tale knit around it. A young boy and girl are on a holiday trip, the latter with her family. The bus in which several tourists, including the girl and her family but excluding the boy, are travelling is hijacked by the jungle-inhabiting smuggler. He holds them hostage and demands the release of his man who has been arrested by the police. He also threatens to kill one hostage for every passing day and, in fact, begins the heinous act. Ultimately, when the police is forced to relent, the smuggler frees all the hostages except one. And that one is the same girl. The boyfriend, tense and dejected by what he thinks is police inaction, follows a local into the jungle and manages to flee with his girlfriend. But the two are unable to find their way out of the dense and vast jungle. The smuggler and his team is on a hot chase of the lovers. Similarly, the police is on trail of the smuggler and his men. The law-keepers are also on the hunt for the girl and boy so that they can be saved from the villains as well as the wild animals and rescued. Ultimately, the villains fall prey to the bullets of the police, and the lovers come out safe — but not before the chief of the police task force sacrifices his life to save the girl and the boy, and they (lovers) kill the smuggler.
The film has a thin story-line and the jungle becomes the centre-point of the entire drama. As such, the drama becomes boring and a little tedious at places, the tedium being heightened by the drab and dry jungle locations. On the other hand, there are four or five sequences which send shivers down the audience’s spines. Although the episodes showing the lovers’ encounters with wild animals in the jungle are of the kind seen several times in earlier films, they have been treated freshly. The light scenes in the resort are quite entertaining although some of the jokes are subtle and of the liking of classes more than masses. Yet, the best part of the film is the climax which is almost nail-biting. The weakest point is the character of the smuggler — he speaks sparingly and only looks menacing.
Urmila Matondkar does a splendid job. Her expressions of fear, sorrow, helplessness and despair, when in captivity and then, when trying to find her way out of the jungle with her boyfriend, are wonderful. Her performance in the climax is superb. Fardeen Khan looks very cute as the lover-boy and also puts up a good show. He is impressive in action scenes too. He needs to work a little harder on his voice, though. Sunil Shetty, as the chief of the police task force, acts effectively and he wins public sympathy when he sacrifices his life in the climax. Sushant Singh is good as the smuggler but he has very less dialogues to mouth, because of which the impact of such an important character in the film is substantially reduced. In fact, the dull characterisation of the villain, around whom the entire film revolves, is a major flaw in the film. Kashmira Shah is very good. Rajpal Yadav, playing Sushant’s henchman, is truly terrifying and acts very ably. Vijay Raaz, with his cold stare, leaves a good mark. Raju Kher, Swati Chitnis, Anil Yadav, Avtar Gill and the two child artistes (especially the boy) lend admirable support.
Ram Gopal Varma’s handling of the subject is efficient but he has not been able to rid the drama of the boredom which creeps in at intervals due to its thin story-line. Distinction marks are due to the director for extracting wonderful work from the cast. Sandeep Chowta’s music complements the subject. The two romantic numbers are hummable and the other two songs have a very earthy flavour. Chowta’s background score is brilliant. His use of the choir in some scenes has a superb effect. Action scenes (Amin Ghani) are natural. Sound effects (Dwarak Warrier) are par excellence. Production values are simple as per the demands of the subject. Vijay Arora’s cinematography is extraordinary. Technically, of a very high standard.
On the whole, Jungle may find the going tough in U.P. and East Punjab circuits but the thrills and the chills of the adventure as also its reasonable price will see it through in other circuits like Bombay, C.P.C.I. Rajasthan and South.
Released on 14-7-2000 at Eros and 20 other cinemas of Bombay thru V.I.P. Enterprises. Publicity: very good. Opening: good. …….Also released all over. Opening was excellent in Delhi, Nagpur, Ujjain, Gwalior, Bhopal.
LATEST POSITION
Rains played havoc with the box-office in many parts of the country. Bombay, Maharashtra, M.P. and Ahmedabad had torrential rains during the week. Most of the cinemas of Ahmedabad remained closed on 13th due to the downpour.
Bichhoo has withstood the opposition of rains and has done fairly well all over despite drop everywhere mid-week. It is especially very good in U.P. and East Punjab. 1st week Bombay 43,17,624 (82.85%) from 10 cinemas (14 on F.H.); Baroda 1,80,956 (1 unrecd.), Vapi 2,95,811 (1 unrecd.), Rajkot 2,71,951 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee), Jamnagar (28 shows) 1,58,075; Pune 13,69,647 from 6 cinemas (1 in matinee), Solapur 2,80,781 (99%) from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee), Satara 2,09,326 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee), Sangli 2,07,150 (94%); Delhi 36,78,271 (76.54%) from 9 cinemas (2 on F.H.); Kanpur 5,58,431 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 5,29,723, Agra 4,32,600, Bareilly (6 days) 2,47,039; Calcutta 21,69,662 from 10 cinemas; Nagpur 8,73,501 from 4 cinemas, Jabalpur (6 days) over 2,30,000, Amravati 3,25,838 (100%), Raipur (6 days) 1,83,014, Jalgaon 2,60,017, Wardha 1,40,234, Chandrapur 2,00,279 from 2 cinemas; Indore 3,52,616 from 2 cinemas (2 on F.H.), Bhopal 3,91,255 from 2 cinemas; Jaipur 9,74,684 from 4 cinemas; Hyderabad (gross) 36,76,966 from 13 cinemas (1 in noon), share 23,25,000 (including Aurangabad).
…………..
Refugee drops. 2nd week Bombay 54,74,942 (79.69%) from 13 cinemas (9 on F.H.); Padra (28 shows) 2,95,126, Vapi 3,03,783, total 13,14,435, Jamnagar (28 shows) 1,76,745; Pune 12,60,428 from 6 cinemas (1 in matinee), Solapur 2,31,411, Satara 1,20,290 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); Delhi 37,02,463 from 12 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur (6 days) 3,74,291 from 2 cinemas, Agra 1,40,000, Bareilly (6 days) 80,876, Muzaffarnagar 60,000 (1st 1,74,000); Calcutta 17,14,833 from 9 cinemas; Nagpur 3,46,081 from 2 cinemas, Amravati (6 days) 1,76,844, Akola 1,39,277, Raipur (6 days) 2,42,468, Durg 74,228 (1st 1,55,244), Gondia (gross, 6 days) 68,900, Wardha 60,080, Chandrapur 1,33,106, total 4,20,563, 1st week Yavatmal (gross) 1,66,407; 2nd week Bhopal 78,568; Jaipur (increased rates) 7,52,105, Bikaner 26,750; Hyderabad (gross) 7,78,706 from 3 cinemas (1 in noon).
East Phir Bhi Hai East (dubbed) 1 week Bombay 1,18,789 (58.25%) (1 on F.H., 1 unrecd.).
Josh 5th week Bombay 21,50,833 (49.74%) from 10 cinemas (5 on F.H.); Pune 4,01,812 from 4 cinemas (1 in matinee), Solapur 70,078; Delhi 5,10,483 from 3 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur 76,854 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 2,26,313, Agra 41,000, Bareilly (6 days) 25,600, Muzaffarnagar 22,002, total 3,01,616; Calcutta 1,68,833; Nagpur 1,47,339 from 2 cinemas, Jabalpur (6 days) over 41,000, Amravati 1,03,069, total 9,42,295, Akola 40,200, total 5,77,690, Raipur (6 days) 28,242; Jaipur 1,29,800; Hyderabad (gross) 6,43,654 from 5 cinemas (2 in noon).
PIONEER OF BHOJPURI FILMS B.P. SHAHABADI NO MORE
Producer B.P. Shahabadi passed away suddenly on the evening of 13th July at his native place, Giridih in Bihar, following a heart attack. He was 89 years old. He is survived by five sons, youngest of whom is producer Rajkumar Shahabadi, and three daughters.
Bishwanath Prasad Shahabadi was the pioneer of Bhojpuri films. He produced the first Bhojpuri film, Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo, in 1962-63. It proved a runaway hit and started the trend of Bhojpuri films. Thereafter, B.P. Shahabadi made a couple of more Bhojpuri films and three to four Hindi films. He also had distribution offices in West Bengal and Bihar.
Akhtar Rizvi, who used to work in Nirmal Pictures — Shahabadi’s production office in Bombay — for many years, had only last month gone to Giridih just to pay a courtesy call on his boss. A very sad Akhtar told Information, “He was keeping fine and fit when I met him in June. The news of his demise has shocked me.”
GROWING PIRACY MENACE IN RAJASTHAN
The Rajasthan trade is being hit hard by the unchecked cable piracy and exhibition of unauthorised prints in the territory. Reportedly, local cable operators in Kota, Bundi, Ramganj Mandi, Jhalawar, Patan and Baran are unabashedly showing illegal cassettes of Kya Kehna!, Joru Ka Ghulam, Josh, Bichhoo and Refugee on their cable TV networks. Moreover, several unauthorised prints of recently released films are currently in circulation in Anta, Pachpadiya, Khetoon Talera, Bhawani Mandi and Baran in the territory. Some cinemas in the region have already had to down shutters owing to the competition posed by the illegal screenings.
HIGH-PROFILE COPYRIGHT COMMITTEE MEETS IN DELHI
The high-profile committee, set up by the government of India to suggest changes in the Copyright Act, met in New Delhi on 11th July under the chairmanship of the secretary, education ministry. K.D. Shorey, one of the members of the 27-member committee, is the representative of producers on it.
Two important issues dominated the discussions at the meeting. One was the issue of international pressure from the performers who have made a demand for additional economic rights, that is, sharing of profits if a film earns. But K.D. Shorey and others objected to this demand, saying that if profits were to be shared, the performers should also be made liable to share producers’ losses. A decision is yet to be arrived at on this issue.
Performers demanded scrapping of the sub-section (4) of section 38 of the Copyright Act, at the meeting in Delhi, but there were strong voices of dissent against this too. It would be pertinent to note here that the Rome Convention (1960) had conferred the basic rights on the performers. But later, by an amendment, sub-section 4 of section 38 was introduced in the Act. This sub-section stipulates that the basic rights be granted to performers in any of the performing shows except cinematograph films in which the rights belong to producers. Performers argued that this sub-section was against their interests.
INTERNATIONAL HONOUR FOR DEV ANAND
Dev Anand was among the 50 Punjabi personalities chosen from all over the world to be honoured at an international Punjabi meet on 11th July at Hotel Sheraton in New York. And Dev Anand had much cause to feel honoured. For, the honours were done by no less a personality than the first lady of the US of A, Hillary Clinton!
SHILPA SHIRODKAR WEDS
Shilpa Shirodkar tied the knot with Aparesh Ranjit on 9th July in Bombay. The marriage was followed by a reception on 10th July. Among those who blessed the newly-wedded couple were Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda and Madhuri Dixit-Nene.
The groom, Aparesh Ranjit, is a business management student in the Netherlands.
RAHUL ROY WEDS RAJLAXMI
Rahul Roy wedded noted model Rajlaxmi Khanvilkar on 9th July in Bombay. Among the guests at the wedding were top models Lisa Ray, Bipasha Basu, Dino Morea, Malaika Arora, Helen Brodie, Aditi Govitrikar, Rakshanda Khan, TV host Sajid Khan, Tejaswini Kolhapure and Riya Sen.
FIRST MEETING OF U.P. FILM DEVELOPMENT BOARD
The first meeting of the Film Development Board of Uttar Pradesh will be held on 19th July at Taj Hotel, Lucknow. Noted writer Kamleshwar will preside over the meeting. Issues related to the promotion of film industry and film policy in the state will be discussed.
YOU ASKED IT
Will Nadeem Shravan be able to recreate the old magic in their second innings?
– Why not? The four songs they’ve recorded for Kuku Kohli’s YEH DIL AASHIQANA are excellent. The two seem to be in great form!
Can Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega take a good start?
– Can?!? It will definitely take a flying start. The film’s publicities look fresh and beautiful.
Why is the Maharashtra government not coming out with its promised policy of tax holiday for new cinemas, like governments of other states?
– Maybe, it is scared of losing a lot of revenue. Or maybe, the anti-policy lobby in the film industry is strong.
PRODUCTION NEWS
‘Soch’ In Scotland, England
Zeekay Films P. Ltd.’s Soch is being shot for 15 days from July 15 in Scotland and England. Two songs and scenes are being picturised on Sanjay Kapoor and Raveena Tandon. Meanwhile, two songs for the film were recorded recently at Sahara by Jatin-Lalit. They were penned by Sameer and rendered by Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu. Being produced by Dr. Wijahat Kareem and written and directed by Sushen Bhatnagar, the film co-stars Aditi Govitrikar, Arbaaz Khan, Sunil Nagar, Yunus Parwaiz, Mac Mohan and Danny. Co-producer: Dr. Mrs. Surheeta Kareem. Cinematography: Rajen Kothari. Action: Shahid Ali. Dialogues: Atul Tiwari. Art: Smita Gupta. Sound: Anuj Mathur. Editor: Umesh Gupta.
Subhash Ghai’s ‘Yaadein’ Commences In London
Producer-director Subhash Ghai’s Yaadein will go before the camera tomorrow (July 16) in London. The 9-day schedule will continue in India (Bombay). Jackie Shroff, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor will participate. The film, being made under the banner of Mukta Arts Ltd., has lyrics by Anand Bakshi and music by Anu Malik who has already recorded five songs. The last song was recorded in the voices of Asha Bhosle and Udit Narayan. Kabir Lal is the film’s cinematographer, and Sharmishta Roy, the art director. Rakesh Ranjan is the audiographer. The film is scheduled for completion in April 2001 and is slated for release on July 30 next year.
DO YOU KNOW?
* Tips has acquired the domestic music rights of Subhash Ghai’s YAADEIN for a whopping Rs. 6.50 crore. Negotiations are on for the sale of international music rights. Many top music companies are in contention to bag them.
* Three films, directed by Sanjay Surkar, have bagged the National Awards for the best Marathi films in three consecutive years: RAOSAHEB (1997), TU TITHE MEE (1998), and GHARABAHER (1999).
* BICHHOO has created a record by collecting 2,07,150/- (94%) in 1st week at Pratap, Sangli, despite heavy rains throughout the week.
* BICHHOO has created a district record by collecting 2,91,562/- in 1st week at Akhilesh, Moradabad. The earlier record was held by MELA (2,86,315/-).
* BICHHOO has created a record by collecting 2,65,394/- (100%) in 1st week at Galaxy, Meerut.
* BICHHOO has created a record at Khanna (East Punjab) by collecting 3,53,550/- in 1st week.
MIX MASALA
HRITHIK’S TAANDAV IN ‘FIZA’
Hrithik Roshan has displayed his dancing talent of the ultimate kind in Khalid Mohammed’s Fiza. He has performed a nine-minute taandav dance under a waterfall, following strenuous rehearsals. Those who have seen this dance item have found it to be simply incredible, something out of this world! This is sure to be the high point of the film. And Hrithik is sure to once again dance his way into a million hearts.
‘CROREPATI’ CORRODES
The Amitabh Bachchan-hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati game show on Star Plus is recording growing appreciation with every passing episode. And the most affected by the game show’s rising popularity are the box-office takings in the last shows at cinemas across the country. People stay put in their houses at 9 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays — that is when Kaun Banega Crorepati is beamed. This Crorepati show is, therefore, eating into the earnings of the film trade.
A HERO’S WELCOME
Have you ever been the chief guest at any function? If not, today is your chance. The grand invitation card of the muhurt of Shankar and A.M. Rathnam’s Nayak today (15th July) invites people to Filmistan Studios for the launch. It then mentions: Chief Guest ‘U’! Nice way to make each invitee feel important and wanted. Incidentally, right on its announcement, deals for half the territories of India have been clinched!
CENSOR NEWS
Varma Corporation Ltd.’s Jungle (action thriller) was given C.C. No. CIL/3/70/2000 (A) dt. 7-7-2000; length 4162.50 metres in 17 reels (cuts: 0.91 metres).
Aditya Films’ Andheri Raaton Mein (social) was given C.C. No. CIL/3/69/2000 (A) dt. 7-7-2000; length 2663.43 metres in 10 reels (cuts: 97.63 metres).
Vijayshree Films’ Prince No. 1 (dubbed) has been passed with U certificate, in Hyderabad.
5000 Films’ Kaali Pahadi (revised) has been passed for adults, with cuts.
Shreenath Film Production’s Chudail Ki Raat has been passed for adults, with cuts.
D.R.M. Combines’ Nasheele Aankhe (dubbed; length 2122.57 metres in 6 reels), applied on 7th, was seen on 10th.
Palki Films’ Meri Jung Ka Elaan (length 4013.10 metres in 16 reels), applied on 10th, was seen on 11th.
Sheetal Arts’ Meri Izzat Bachao (length 2740.02 metres in 11 reels) was applied on 11th.
3-E
Education-Entertainment-Enlightenment
Prophetic Words
Call this a coincidence or whatever. Not many days before Ismail Darbar bagged the National Award for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, he had been very sad for not having won any notable award for his music score. Vashu Bhagnani, whose Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa has music by Ismail Darbar, had tried to pep him up by saying that all had not been lost. Vashu then told Darbar that one day, he would bag an award which would make everyone look up to him. As if Vashu had prophesied, Ismail Darbar sure enough won the National Award a few days later. And the man to break the news of the award to Darbar was none other than Vashu Bhagnani. On hearing the news over the telephone, Ismail Darbar could not control his tears of joy and began to cry. This was revealed by Vashu Bhagnani who was quick to organise a party in honour of the National Awardee on 8th at Hotel Guestline. The audio cassettes of Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa, out in the market a day before, were also formally released at the felicitation function.
Too Late The Hero!
The dancing hero, well-known for coming late on the sets, repeated his notorious feat even for a shooting abroad. He was required on a foreign location for 10 days’ shooting which involved combination shots with the other lead man of the film. Our dancing hero reached five days late. After shooting for a day, he reported sick. The unit had to come back without much shooting with the dancing hero. The combination shots of the two heroes also couldn’t be taken!
Title Talk
Registering a film title is as interesting as naming one’s new-born. And nothing interests us as much as the list of titles registered by producers with the Title Registration Committee of the AIFPC. For, it gives an insight into the producers’ ‘creative’ bent of mind. So, here’s our pick of titles, some entertaining, some enlightening and some plain amusing:
First, the ‘No. 1’ titles, thanks to the inspiration provided by Coolie No. 1, Hero No. 1, Biwi No. 1 and the like. So, we have more titles registered, such as Dil No. 1, Majnu No. 1, Aashiq No. 1, Jeweller No. 1, Bhawji No. 1, Super Star No. 1, Dulha No. 1, Bazaar No. 1, Lady Inspector No. 1, Dosti No. 1 as well as Dost No. 1, Khalnayak No. 1, Ladki No. 1, Mastana No. 1, Bhai No. 1, Fraud No. 1, Bookie No. 1!
And among the appended titles registered are: Thug – The Con Man, Faasle – The Distance, Talaash – The Hunt, The Body – Tan Badan, Aas (I Still Love You), Harjana (Blood Money), Antim Yudh (The Last War), Dost – A God’s Gift….
While Rakesh Roshan’s Film Kraft has booked Karodpati, Pragati Chitra International has registered three karod-worthy titles, Kaun Banega Karodpati, 24 Ghante Mein Karodpati and Millionaire In 24 Hours (English).
Show World Television has cornered ‘Sabse Bada/Badi’ titles by registering as many as half-a-dozen such titles: Sabse Badi Ganga Ki Saugandh, Sabse Bada Bazigar, Sabse Bada Gunda, Sabse Bada Badshah, Sabse Bada Mawali and Sabse Bada Uastad.
And Subhash Ghai, who had made Ram Lakhan, now seems to be fascinated by Ravan. His Mukta Arts Ltd. has registered Ravan, Shiv Bhakt Ravan, Ravan Ki Aatmakatha, Shri Ravan Sanhita, Lanka Pati Ravan, Ravanwadh and Ram Aur Ravan. Are these titles for TV serials?
Interestingly, Gordhan Tanwani’s Baba Films is so possessive of Mohabbat Tumse Hai Sanam that it has registered three more similar titles: Mohabbat Hai Tumse Sanam, Tumse Mohabbat Hai Sanam and Tumse Hai Mohabbat Sanam. Tips Films Pvt. Ltd. has re-registered as many as 27 titles!
And how do you like this? Pati Naram Patni Garam, booked by Paras Productions, and Kalyanji And Anandji, registered by Puja Films.
INFORMATION MEETS
“Our audiences have invariably shown a fond keenness to welcome newcomers… As for myself, I am awaiting my turn.”
– FARDEEN KHAN
GAJAA
It is an unwritten rule in the industry that you are as good as your last film. This applies whether you are a film producer, director or actor. And so, it applied to debut-making Fardeen Khan, too. When the young hero’s dad, Feroz Khan’s Prem Aggan, could not find favour with the audience, the industry was quick to dismiss Fardeen off as a ‘no good’ hero. It required the guts and gumption of Ram Gopal Varma to re-launch Fardeen Khan in Jungle. And even while he was shooting for Ram Gopal Varma’s film, there came a metamorphosis in the industry’s attitude towards Fardeen Khan. Suddenly, he was being considered good by several producers and directors. The suddenly-considered-good guy has since been signed by some good makers. And Fardeen seems to be gaining lost ground with every film he is signing. The one thing that Fardeen Khan shares with his famous father, Feroz Khan, is his immensely positive attitude to life. Actually, the positive outlook seems to be in their blood.
In this interview, taken before the release of Jungle, the resilient young man candidly talks about his hopes, feelings and aspirations.
How do you feel on the threshold of the second lease of your career?
I am very excited, very anxious. I’ve worked very hard and am looking forward with great hope.
But JUNGLE is different from your debut-making film. How different was it working with Ram Gopal Varma from working with your dad?
Yes, both the films are entirely different. But I felt quite at home even while working for Jungle. Both, my dad and Ram Gopal Varma, are passionate about their work. Both are very much into technique and both of them know exactly what they want. I enjoyed working hard for Jungle as much as I enjoyed working for my dad’s film, Prem Aggan.
Did you despair after the debacle of your dad’s film?
I was disappointed at first, but then, I got the Filmfare Award for the best debutant. I bagged one more award in New York. I have a positive mental attitude to life. But that does not mean that one should turn one’s back to the past. One must analyse what went wrong and then try to avoid the earlier mistakes. I had, and still have, a lot of positive thoughts. I sincerely believe that hard work pays and can never let a man remain down forever. Tomorrow is another day. And I have a long way to go. If I were to feel low, I wouldn’t be able to pull it up tomorrow, no matter what opportunities came my way.
So what were you doing before JUNGLE came your way?
Well, I used to hear a lot of scripts. Most of them are very good. Other than that, I was concentrating on ways to improve myself as an actor and I was improving my Hindi diction and things like that.
As you said, you were hearing scripts. Every enthusiastic actor does that. But despite good scripts, things sometimes don’t work, as expected. What goes wrong and where? Have you analysed?
I understand that filmmaking is a result of coordinated efforts. Each one works to the best of his ability. So, one shouldn’t blame anybody if things don’t work the way one desires. An unsuccessful film does not necessarily mean a bad film. At the end of the day, we are all selling dreams.
Is it better to sign few films before your first release or you still feel that it is alright to sign films only after the release of your first film?
I believe that it’s not right to sign films just for the sake of doing so. The most important things to consider while signing films are the script, the director and the maker.
Your dad, an actor, was a perfect foil to the top leading men of the day and he used to make his presence felt in a distinguished manner. Later, he diversified into filmmaking. Did you, at any point of time, think of switching roles?
No, I haven’t thought about it. Never! Not at this point of time, at least. Right now, I want to act. I want to prove my mettle. I am positive about showing my mettle before the camera. By the grace of God, I hope to achieve my ambition in the chosen field. It’s not going to be quits so early. Yes, some day, I would love to direct and produce movies. But right now, it’s going to be acting. Period.
Were you ever your dad’s assistant when he was directing films?
No, I was very young then. I was in school. Thereafter, I went away to the US for further studies. I was there for four-and-a-half years.
So, you must have been greatly influenced by Hollywood films…
Yes, I used to see a lot of films there. There is a lot to learn from Hollywood films in every department. They are the leaders today. We here won’t be able to make the kind of films they make. On one level, there is unwillingness on our part to try and do something new. We are still steeped into songs. But then, music is also a big market here. So, we’ve got to be wherever we are on this score. But they (the Hollywood people) are far more innovative where narration and presentation of scripts are concerned. At least, we can try doing something innovative in regard to our scripts. Hey, am I sounding too big?!?
People have accepted newcomers like Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan in a big way. Audiences seem to accept new guys these days. Maybe, it’s your turn now…
(Laughs) To be honest with you, this has always been a trend — new heroes and heroines have always been welcomed. Our audiences have invariably shown a fond keenness to welcome newcomers. Rishi Kapoor was accepted, Dimple was welcomed and so were Jackie Shroff, Kumar Gaurav, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol… There are many instances to prove this point. As for myself, I am awaiting my turn.
Even during your dad’s hero-days, there were Khans — Feroz Khan, Sanjay Khan, Amjad Khan and, a little later, Mazhar Khan. Today, too, the Khans have made their grade. Where do you find yourself among the young Khans of today?
(Amused) Well, I don’t know. But I know one thing for sure — and that is, that our poor audience would be subjected to one more Khan! (Laughs) I’m just joking…
There is a general feeling that you look too good to play non-chocolate/rustic hero roles….
Is it? If that is the case, what can I do about it? I can just pray to God to make me look the way the role demands. But I am positive about my face being accepted in the coming days.
How come? Are you going to acquire a Clint Eastwood look?
First, let me conquer Bollywood before going to Hollywood! (Laughs) I was just joking, man. Who wants to leave Bollywood?!
What about your dad’s next, QURBAAN TUJH PE MERI JAAN, starring Ajay Devgan, Aishwarya Rai and you?
It will take some time to start. We are working on the script and music.
There is also one more, Shubir Mukerji’s MAATI (THE SOIL), written and directed by Neeraj Pathak…
A lot of things have been finalised for Maati, but I’ll start shooting on July 15 for director Rajat Mukerji’s film. This one is being produced by Ram Gopal Varma and Venus. It is untitled as of now. Then, there is Jackpot which is being jointly produced by Ram Gopal Varma and Nitin Manmohan. I have also signed films with Mehul Kumar, Pahlaj Nihalani and Anees Bazmee.
So, we are going to see a lot of Fardeen Khan in the coming days?
You will see a lot of his varied performances rather than just Fardeen Khan’s face!