(From our issue dated 3rd December, 1994)
Prince & Prince International’s Gopi Kishan (A) is an entertaining tale in which the hero plays a double role. Comic situations and dialogues evoke laughter a number of times. Other ingredients of a masala film, viz. romance, action, sentiments and drama make it a mass entertainer. A simpleton, honest and timid police constable dreams of becoming an inspector. His dream is realised when his twin brother takes his place and bravely fights single-handedly a group of villains. But the simpleton police constable-turned-officer thinks, it is Lord Hanuman who has come to his rescue. There are a number of sub-plots which make the proceedings a bit confusing towards the end. Action is limited but good. Dialogues are witty.
Sunil Shetty does well in both the roles — of a tough man (Kishan) and the timid police officer (Gopi). The story gives him full scope and the situations endear his timid self to the audience. Shilpa Shirodkar is simply superb. Her English dialogues and rustic performance are a pleasure to hear and watch. Karisma Kapoor does a good job. Mohan Joshi is effective as the villain. Suresh Oberoi is adequate. Aroona Irani leaves a mark. Shammi is natural. Master Imran is quite nice. His confusion about his father brings the house down with laughter. Kishore Bhanushali, Mushtaq Khan, Abhimanyyu and the rest lend the desired support.
Direction is quite good. Editing should have been sharper. Music is excellent. ‘Hai hukku’ is already a hit. ‘Batti na bujha’ and ‘Chhatri na khol’ are also very well-tuned. All of them have eye-catching picturisations. The other songs also have appealing tunes and good picturisations. Action scenes are well-composed to provide thrill. The timid Sunil Shetty coming to the rescue of the brave Sunil Shetty in the climax is a clapworthy scene. Camerawork is good.
On the whole, Gopi Kishan has taken a very good start and has the merits to keep its distributors happy. Its high price is sought to be offset by the delay in the release of its video cassettes which itself is a noteworthy advantage.
Released on 2-12-’94 at Dreamland and 22 other cinemas of Bombay thru Sadaf Enterprises. Publicity & opening: very good. …….Also released all over. Opening was very good at most of the places. 1st day Jaipur 1,02,983/- from 3 cinemas.
VINOD DOSHI’S SON TO WED
Gaurang, son of financier-producer VInod Doshi, will enter into matrimony with Madhuri on 4thh December in Bombay at Jhulelal Temple, next to G.D. Somani School, Cuffe Parade.
MAZHAR, SON HOSPITALISED
Mazhar Khan and Zeenat Aman’s son has been admitted to the ICU of Breach Candy hospital. He was reportedly hurt in a freak accident on the playground. Mazhar himself is also at Brench Candy, undergoing treatment.
ANIL KAPOOR IN ‘TRIMURTI’
The choice has finally fallen upon Anil Kapoor. He has been finalised for Subhash Ghai’s Trimurti, to play the role which was earlier being played by Sanjay Dutt. The date adjustments are reportedly being worked out.
3-E
Education-Entertainment-Enlightenment
‘Aladdin’ Magic
The super-success of Jurassic Park has virtually opened the floodgates for top-grossing English films to be dubbed in not only Hindi but even regional languages as is the case with Aladdin, the film which has notched an impressive $500 million worldwide and is listed as one of the all-time top grossers. In the USA alone, it has triggered the cash registers to jingle to the tune of $217.40 million. Not surprisingly, the film has so far been successful in securing 60 million admissions. Interestingly, it was not the runaway success of Jurassic Park which prompted Modi Films to dub and distribute Aladdin in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. As Rajiv Sahay, CEO of Modi Films puts it, “The ground work for the dubbing and other technical details were being worked out much before Jurassic Park hit the screens. However, it is heartening to see Jurrassic Park succeed. It proves that well-made films with novel themes have an audience even when dubbed.”
Aladdin is a musical animated film, so will the songs in the film be a boon or a bane? “It will definitely prove to be a plus point because Hindi films give a lot of weightge to songs. The Hindi film audience are used to it,” says Sahay. Any specially thought-of release strategy? “We will hit 100 screens to start with, of which 10 to 12 will be in English and the rest in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu,” informs Sahay, who is also not worried about the fact that some other English films like Universal Soldier and Speed failed to make a significant mark at the box-office. He has full confidence in his product.
Novel Promotion
While Aladdin is slated to be released all over India in its four avtaars on 23rd December, special shows of the film will be held in Delhi and Bombay. On 6th December, the Siri Fort lawns will be converted into an 18th century bazaar as it appears in the film — fire eaters, genie, caricatures et al. The film will be screened for special invitees. The same sort of bazaar will be recreated at the Nehru Centre in Bombay where the film will be screened on 13thh December.
Foreign Invasion
More and more foreign and multinational companies are entering the entertainment industry in India, whether it is the big-screen or the small-screen entertainment. While most of them have started out on the small screen, either as producers of software or owners of satellite channels, and some have dubbed Hollywood films in Hindi for the Indian market, the ultimate aim of many of them is to produce Hindi films. How will the Indian film industry benefit from this? Hopefully, their presence will introduce discipline and system, besides big money, in the industry. And maybe, our stars will learn to become more professional due to the professionalism of the invaders.
A Secret Mission
If Yash Chopra is very secretive about his film and does not like to show his rush print to anybody, his son, Aditya Chopra, who is making his bow as a director with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, is one step ahead. Not only does he ever show his rushes to anybody, he even does not give an audio cassette of his recorded songs to the film’s music directors (Jatin Lalit). Why, even dad Yash Chopra does not have a copy of the songs. If he feels like hearing them, he has to get the cassette from beta Aditya. The rushes of DDLJ in the editing room are kept in a cupboard which is locked as soon as the work is finished. And the lock has two keys. One is kept by Aditya and the other….. that’s also kept by Aditya. Just in case, the first one gets lost. What do you say to that? Baap toh baap…. beta hai baap ka baap!
Compliments Of A Different Kind
Ketan Desai received compliments for his first song of Deewana Mastana even before it has been recorded. The audio tape with the tune of the song was inadvertently sent by music director Laxmikant to Randhir Kapoor whose song recording is also due soon. Randhir not only liked his own song (of Prem Granth), he also fell for the Deewana Mastana tune and told Laxmikant to use it for his own film. On being told by Laxmikant that the tune had been finalised for DM, Randhir couldn’t, obviously, force him to use it for Prem Granth. So he did the next best thing. He picked up the telephone and congratulated Ketan Desai for it.
Booked For Weeks And Weeks
With Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! releasing at Ganesh (Lalbaug) and Shreyas (Ghatkopar) in Bombay this week, exhibitor U.A. Thadani’s is the only chain of cinemas in Bombay which is screening only HAHK..!. Gaiety (Bandra) and New Era (Malad), besides Ganesh (Lalbaug) and Shreyas (Ghatkopar), are also showing the greatest blockbuster of all times.
Madhuri’s First
Even before his Karan Arjun is complete, Rakesh Roshan has finalised the lead artistes of his next which is titled Koyla. Sunny Deol and Madhuri Dixit will play the hero and heroine in Koyla. This is the first film Madhuri has signed after the release of Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!. Koyla will go on the sets in February ’95.
What’s In A Date?
Plenty, you are apt to say after reading what follows. Two mega hits of the Hindi screen have been released on 5th August. Way back in 1960, Mughal-E-Azam hit the screens on 5th August. And in 1994, August 5 saw the release of Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!.
YOU ASKED IT
What is the difference between satellite rights, pay channel rights and cable TV rights?
– Opinions differ. The producers’ associations are trying to conclusively define the three rights.
This industry is known for bhed chaal. Then, why has nobody attempted a film on the pattern of Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!?
– Because nobody has the conviction and confidence of the Barjatyas. Nobody is sure whether he would succeed in making the audience sit through a dozen songs. Or rather, everybody is sure, they wouldn’t succeed!
No dubbed Hollywood film has clicked in India as Jurassic Park. What is the future of such films now?
– If there is an element of novelty in such films, it stands a chance, otherwise not.
BHALJI PENDHARKAR NO MORE
Veteran Marathi film producer-director Bhalji Pendharkar passed away in Kolhapur on 26th November. He was 97 and is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
Bhalji Pendharkar had been admitted to a private nursing home in Kolhapur two days before the end came, following a kidney ailment. His funeral took place at Panhala near Kolhapur city on 27th. He was the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke award.
ACHA ANAND DEAD
Producer Acha Anand died in Delhi at the AIIMS Hospital on 26thh November due to cirrhosis of the liver. He was in Delhi for the shooting of his film, Amar Vijay.
Acha, who was nephew of Chetan Anand, Dev Anand and Vijay Anand, started his career as a production controller in Navketan Films. He then worked as secretary of Shabana Azmi and Rajesh Khanna. He is survived by his mother, wife and two daughters.
