‘LAJJA’ ISSUED ‘UA’ CERTIFICATE
Santoshi Productions’ Lajja has been issued C.C. No. CIL/2/23/2001 (UA) dt. 24-8-2001; length 5639.70 metres in 18 reels (cuts: 23.98 metres). It is scheduled for release on 31st August all over.
LATEST POSITION
GADAR becomes the fastest money-spinner ever. It crossed the 5-crore mark in collections in Bombay city & suburbs a couple of weeks back.
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Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke drops drastically. 2nd week Bombay 27,56,034 (41.07%) from 14 cinemas (5 on F.H.), total for 2 weeks 86,19,316; Ahmedabad 1,70,412 from 2 cinemas; Pune 4,97,888 from 4 cinemas, Solapur 1,11,370 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); Bijapur 36,572; Delhi 14,48,802 from 8 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur 2,05,588 from 3 cinemas, Lucknow 2,50,251, Agra 1,80,000, Allahabad 1,06,251, Bareilly (6 days) 1,38,339, Jaunpur 15,000; Calcutta 4,41,499 from 4 cinemas; Nagpur 1,00,278, Jabalpur (6 days) 60,209, Amravati 98,435, Akola 69,591, total 2,43,992, 1st week Raipur (6 days) 71,658, Jalgaon 1,28,185, 2nd week Wardha (3 days) 19,046, 1st week Yavatmal 79,933; 2nd week Jaipur 3,25,824 (41.11%), 1st week Ajmer (29 shows, gross) 1,34,946, 2nd Bikaner 50,918; Hyderabad (gross) 3,61,192 from 2 cinemas.
Dil Chahta Hai continues to do very well in Bombay, other ‘A’ class cities of Bombay circuit and in Delhi. 2nd week Bombay 64,05,595 (90.34%) from 12 cinemas (8 on F.H.), total for 2 weeks 1,31,57,621; Ahmedabad 4,70,561 from 4 cinemas, Jamnagar 54,793; Pune 18,75,977 from 3 cinemas, Solapur 1,55,695 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); Bijapur (9 shows) 27,637; Delhi 76,36,073 from 13 cinemas; Kanpur 1,67,180 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 4,60,718, Agra 2,50,000, Allahabad 1,03,704, Bareilly (6 days) 34,216; Calcutta 12,97,748 from 4 cinemas; Nagpur 2,71,381 from 2 cinemas, Jabalpur (6 days) 73,525, Amravati 1,29,347, Akola 67,010, total 2,00,920, Raipur (6 days) 91,232, Jalgaon 80,600, Wardha 41,528; Bhopal 1,75,000 (1 unrecd.); Jaipur 1,66,589 (27.57%), Ajmer 49,505; Hyderabad (gross) 13,20,889 from 5 cinemas (2 in noon, 1 on F.H.); 1st week Davangere 2,23,649; Vijayawada 2,88,275, Visakhapatnam 2 weeks’ total 6,65,646.
Lagaan (21 shows all over) is super-strong in Bombay and South. 10th week Bombay 22,24,286 (68.26%) from 7 cinemas (8 on F.H.), total for 10 weeks 5,01,57,446; Ahmedabad 28,000; Pune 7,16,132 from 3 cinemas; Delhi (TF) 14,18,304 from 4 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur 28,066, Lucknow 1,64,309, Allahabad 29,043; Calcutta 1,92,887; Nagpur 1,31,199, Amravati 62,890, Raipur (6 days) 38,408; Indore 40,388, Bhopal 44,514; Jaipur 70,072 (14.29%); Hyderabad (gross) 4,62,717 from 2 cinemas (1 in noon); 3rd week Mangalore 1,53,911; Vijayawada 5 weeks’ total 16,82,361, Visakhapatnam 2 weeks’ total 3,64,513.
Gadar Ek Prem Katha is still on a record-breaking spree at several places. 10th week Bombay 20,38,888 (52.30%) from 9 cinemas (16 on F.H.), total for 10 weeks 5,53,53,526; Ahmedabad 1,00,892, Jamnagar 63,783 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); Pune 5,90,349 from 3 cinemas (1 unrecd.), Solapur 88,277 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); 2nd week Harihar 57,218; 10th week Delhi (TF) 39,78,222 from 13 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur 1,92,796 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 2,30,547, Agra 2,02,000, Allahabad 78,000, Bareilly (6 days) 41,248; 9th week Calcutta 2,57,975 from 2 cinemas; 10th week Nagpur 1,50,340 from 2 cinemas, Jabalpur (6 days) 90,032, 8th week Balaghat 36,469, total 6,62,775, 2nd week Kamptee 91,104, total 2,16,204, 10th week Amravati 74,047, Akola 82,979, total 17,38,597, share 13,83,185, Dhule 57,435, total 15,27,090, Raipur (6 days) 54,888, Jalgaon 96,102, total 21,00,289, Wardha 21,522, total 9,57,538, Yavatmal 31,632, total 10,48,894, share 7,98,894; Indore 1,17,373 (1 on F.H.), Bhopal 1,43,286, total 24,36,007; Jaipur 2,08,847 (35.69%), Ajmer (gross) 1,40,542, Bikaner 1,02,054; Hyderabad (gross) 3,25,530 (2 unrecd.).
NASEEM BANO SERIOUS
Actress Naseem Bano, mother of Saira Bano and mother-in-law of Dilip Kumar, is seriously ill and has been hospitalised in Bombay. Dilip Kumar, who was to fly to Hyderabad on 23rd August for the launch of Dinesh Patel’s film, starring himself and Ajay Devgan, had to cancel his trip. The muhurt of the film, being directed by Kuku Kohli, stands postponed.
‘EK RISHTAA….’ 100 DAYS
Shree Krishna International’s Ek Rishtaa The Bond Of Love entered 100th day of its combined run, at Bombay’s Royal cinema today (25th August). Produced and directed by Suneel Darshan, the film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee, Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor and Juhi Chawla. Its music is scored by Nadeem Shravan while lyrics are penned by Sameer.
ULTRA BUYS VIDEO RIGHTS OF YASH CHOPRA’S FILMS
Ultra has acquired the video rights of all Yash Chopra films which will be made available in VCD and VHS formats. The films include Mohabbatein, DDLJ, DTPH, Silsila, Kabhi Kabhie, Kala Patthar, Chandni and others.
NEW CINEMAS
Bhajan Rathore and Muniya Rathore’s new cinema, Shri Ram Chitra, will open in Bhopal on Dassera Day (26th October). Two more cinemas of the Rathores in Gwalior, viz. Muskan and Shri Ram Chitra Mandir are under construction.
SHARAD TALWALKAR DEAD
Well-known actor of Marathi films and drama, Sharad Talwalkar, passed away in Pune on 21st August, following a prolonged illness. In a career spanning six decades, Talwalkar portrayed many memorable roles, especially humorous ones.
KALYANJI REMEMBERED
Glowing tributes were paid to the genius of late Kalyanji on his first death anniversary at a musical function held on 24th August at Nehru Centre, Bombay. A well-attended affair, the soiree was further enriched with a performance of his golden melodies by Little Wonders, child entertainers so assiduously nurtured by the maestro.
SUNNY RULES IN AKOLA
Gadar Ek Prem Katha has created an unprecedented craze for Sunny Deol in Akola. The film has been enjoying a tremendous run for the last ten weeks at the local Vasant Talkies. Sunny’s popularity has led to the formation of the Akola Deol Fans Club. Club chief Rajabhau Gautam recently announced that it will distribute free food to the needy when the film enters 100th day of its run in the city.
A.V. Gawande, local representative, was in for a pleasant surprise recently. He had been sent 100 flags of the Sunny-starrer Maa Tujhe Salaam for publicity by Jyoti Pictures which is distributing the film in C.P. Berar. The craze for the flags was so much that Sunny’s fans, students, shop-owners and hotel proprietors rushed to Gawande, demanding that they be given the flags. Ultimately, Gawande had to call for a large number of extra flags from the distributor to appease the crowds!
ASHOK ROY BEREAVED
Rishi Roy, son of producer-director Ashok Roy, nephew of writer Rajiv Kaul and grandson of late writer Mohan Kaul, expired on the night of 23rd August suddenly at his residence at Andheri, Bombay, following heart failure. He was 27 years old.
Rishi was associated with the Moranis and used to be involved in the creative side of their stage shows.
He was cremated on 24th morning.
‘CCCC’ SILVER JUBILEE
Emaar Films International’s Chori Chori Chupke Chupke entered 25th combined week at Naaz, Bombay on 24th August. Directed by Abbas Mustan for producer Nazim Rizvi, the film stars Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Prem Chopra, Johny Lever and Amrish Puri. It has music by Anu Malik.
UPHAAR CINEMA TRAGEDY: SC REFUSES TO INTERFERE
In a significant development in the Uphaar Cinema fire case of Delhi, the Supreme Court this week refused to interfere with the Delhi high court’s decision to admit a writ petition filed by the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT). The petition seeks Rs. 120 crore as compensation for the lives lost during the fire tragedy that occurred at the cinema during a screening of Border in June 1997. The theatre owners had appealed to the Supreme Court after the high court admitted AVUT’s petition. They contended that the writ could not lie against a private non-government party.
It may be mentioned that a three-member committee, instituted by the Delhi HC to investigate into the matter, had last year held the theatre management and various government agencies responsible for the tragedy.
YOU ASKED IT
How much business will Gadar do in the whole of India?
– It should do over 60 crore!
Has Farhan Akhtar signed any film after Dil Chahta Hai?
– He is a hot favourite of producers and has offers galore!
Why are mythological films not made these days?
– Because a lot of mythological TV serials have been made. Besides, the young generation does not like to see big-screen mythological fares.
Which forthcoming film’s music is a surefire hit?
– Unfortunately, no forthcoming film has hit music.
DO YOU KNOW?
* DIL CHAHTA HAI has created records in 2nd week at the following cinemas of Pune:- City Pride by collecting 8,01,343/- (cap. 8,46,853/-); Victory, 3,73,325/- (cap. 3,99,784/-); and Mangala, 7,00,809/- (100%).
* LAGAAN has created a record by collecting 37,63,628/- in 9 weeks at Starcity, Bombay. It drew all shows full in the first 5 weeks. The previous record was held by PUKAR which had collected 28,17,936/- in 9 weeks at the cinema.
* LAGAAN has created a theatre record by fetching a share of over Rs. 6 lakh in 10 weeks from Shyam, Raipur. 10 weeks’ collection: 9,98,584/-.
* GADAR has created a Khandesh record by collecting 96,102/- in 10th week and a total of 21,00,289/- in 10 weeks at Chitra, Jalgaon.
* GADAR has created a city record by collecting a total of 9,57,538/- in 10 weeks’ run at Arati, Wardha.
* GADAR has created a theatre record by collecting 1,43,286/- in 10th week at Lily, Bhopal. Total: 24,36,007/-.
* The Kannada film KANASUGARA has created a record by yielding a share of 13,00,000/- in 3 weeks from Sujata, Hubli and Mahalaxmi, Gadag.
3-E
Education-Entertainment-Enlightenment
What Was Hot Is Not!
The declining Overseas, satellite and music markets spell bad news for producers in more ways than one. Firstly, it means lesser in their kitty which by no interpretation can be good news. Secondly, lesser recoveries from these three markets will reduce the comfort level of institutional lenders like the IDBI and, therefore, make them more cautious while lending money to producers. It may be recalled that the IDBI and banks embarked on the mission to finance films largely because of the spurt in the three aforesaid territories. For, larger the revenues of the producers, greater the comfort level for the lenders. Of course, all is not lost because what the bad market conditions translate into is a reduction in profits of producers, not a loss-making scenario. But yes, if producers don’t guard against going over-budget, the slump could result in their being in the red too.
‘Lajja’: Definitely On 31st
Talking of going over-budget, Rajkumar Santoshi and A.M. Ratnam have both exceeded their scheduled budgets in Lajja and Nayak respectively. With Lajja due for release next week, the office of Bharat Shah, who presents the film, has been trying hard to impress upon the film’s distributors to agree to a price hike to cover part of the extra expenditure. As word spread that a price hike was on the cards, panic spread among exhibitors about whether Lajja would or would not make it on 31st August. Information‘s office was inundated with telephone calls all through the week, asking for the release position of Lajja. Not just exhibitors, even distributors of the film double-checked the release plans. A slight hitch in the censorship of the film only added to the confusion. But the censorship drama ended on the afternoon of Thursday (23rd August) when Santoshi emerged happy from the CBFC office in Bombay, having cleared all the doubts in the minds of a couple of examining committee members vis-à-vis some scenes. The cuts, offered and agreed upon by Santoshi, were deposited on Friday (24th) and the censor certificate (UA) obtained soon after the cuts were verified by the CBFC authorities.
One Film, Five Title Songs
Trust Vashu Bhagnani to experiment! For his new film, Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein, the ever-on-his-feet producer has recorded a total of — hold your breath! — five title songs. While one title song will form part of the film, the other four will be incorporated at the end of the film if the public likes them. That is to say, Vashu will hold a public opinion poll and include one or more of the four title songs, according to the public’s liking. Audio cassettes containing these four title songs will be distributed free alongwith every cassette of Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein purchased. While the film’s music, including one title song, is composed by South’s Harris Jairaj, the other four title songs have been recorded by four different music directors. Vashu will release the music in the first week of September and the film will hit the screens on 12th October. His other under-production film, Deewanapan, will be released on 9th November. Two films within 30 days!
Blessing In Disguise
While the television promotional trailers of Shankar’s Nayak were not creating a buzz about the film among the public, the theatrical trailer has done the trick. People seem to be enjoying the trailer in cinemas across the nation. Considering that the theatrical trailer was released only last week, the postponement of the film’s release by two weeks should be counted by its distributors as a blessing in disguise. Incidentally, the sequences of the film, which had been sent abroad for special effects, have reached Madras and, in all probability, the first copy of Nayak should be out on 26th/27th August. Its release on 7th September is now confirmed.
‘Abhay’ Promises A Punch
Kamal Haasan has completed a double century in acting. His Hindi-Tamil bilingual Abhay (Aalavandan in Tamil) is the versatile actor’s 201st film! And, judging from the clippings one saw this week, Kamal’s performance in a double role in the film is brilliant, especially in the negative role.
The film, slated for release in September-end, has some fantastic special effects. Director Suresh Krissna informs that it took them 150 days to shoot this extravaganza. Magnasound has released the music of the Tamil version while Universal, on 24th August, released the audio cassettes of the Hindi version (Abhay) at The Regent in Bombay.