HERA PHERI
A.G. Films (P.) Ltd.’s Hera Pheri, remake of the successful Malayalam film, Ramji Rao Speaking, is a comedy of situations. One young man, who would do anything to make money, takes refuge in the house of a large-hearted motor garage owner. Another young man, who comes in search of a job, also begins to live in the same home. Together, the three of them land themselves in a kidnap drama with a view to making quick money.
The film has many comic situations and some truly entertaining dialogues. But it lacks in three basic ingredients of a commercial film — a sensible plot, romance and emotions. Music is also below the mark. The film looks like an assemblage of comedy items pieced together by a thin story-line. Therefore, although several scenes do evoke peals of laughter from the audience, the absence of a plausible plot is sorely felt. There are a few action scenes but they look contrived in the scheme of things. The sequences in which the two heroes cry (separately) do not touch the heart.
Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty have both performed very ably. Paresh Rawal is the best performer in the film. Playing a Maharashtrian, he is just too brilliant as the large-hearted garage owner. His acting is worthy of awards. Tabu has a brief role, but looks good and acts ably. Om Puri is also excellent in a comic role. Gulshan Grover, as the kidnapper, does quite well. Kashmira Shah has no scope. Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Asrani, Mukesh Khanna, Sulbha Arya, Mushtaq Khan, Razzak Khan and Dinesh Hingoo lend fair support. Namrata Shirodkar looks fetching in a dance number.
Director Priyadarsan needs to be complimented for extracting great work from Akshay, Sunil, Paresh Rawal and Om Puri. But he needs to be much more selective in his choice of subjects. Music (Anu Malik) is fair. Picturisation of two songs are indeed an eyeful. Foreign locations are splendid. Camerawork (Jeeva) is very good. Production values are rich.
On the whole, Hera Pheri is truly funny alright but also too frivolous to be lapped up by the audience. It has some chance in Maharashtra because of Paresh Rawal’s character and the hilarious comedy.
Released on 31-3-2000 at Metro and 17 other cinemas of Bombay by UTV Motion Pictures thru Shringar Films. Publicity: very good. Opening: fair. …….Also released all over. Opening was average at some places and dull at some others.
LATEST POSITION
DULHAN HUM LE JAYENGE has not found appreciation. It began to drop mid-week.
Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge 1st week Bombay 42,45,383 (95%) from 10 cinemas (9 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 23,17,037 from 6 cinemas, Padra 1,99,202, Rajkot 1,80,000, Jamnagar 1,23,177; Solapur 3,33,443 (97.71%), Satara 2,02,838 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); Bijapur (6 days) 1,41,052; Delhi 81,06,522 (84.69%) from 13 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur 6,84,415 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 9,02,152 from 2 cinemas, Allahabad 3,17,000, Bareilly 2,26,409, Hardwar 1,15,000 (49.65%); Calcutta 25,34,538 from 17 cinemas; Nagpur 7,31,111 from 3 cinemas, Jabalpur (6 days) 2,28,048, Amravati (6 days) 2,25,913, Raipur (6 days) 1,55,650, Chandrapur 1,77,300; Indore 2,29,833 (4 on F.H.); Jaipur 13,06,779 from 4 cinemas; Ajmer (29 shows) 1,69,618, Bikaner 2,64,335; Hyderabad (gross) 25,58,683 from 5 cinemas (1 on F.H.).
Krodh drops further. 2nd week Bombay 14,44,110 (60.47%) from 6 cinemas (10 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 1,37,191 from 4 cinemas (1 unrecd.); Solapur (matinee) 49,053, Satara (matinee) 35,566; Delhi 4,59,147 from 5 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur 1,08,160 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 1,07,349, Allahabad 70,920, Bareilly (6 days) 46,802; Calcutta 1,24,304; Nagpur 52,070, Jabalpur (6 days) 41,390, Amravati (6 days) 75,703, Raipur (6 days) 60,738; Indore 38,300; Jaipur 1,00,323, Ajmer (gross) 65,763; Hyderabad (gross) 1,67,773.
Sultaan is too dismal to be true. 1st week Ahmedabad 57,808 from 2 cinemas (2 unrecd.), 1st week Jamnagar 28,958; 2nd week Delhi 2,27,588 from 3 cinemas (4 on F.H.); Kanpur 50,490 from 2 cinemas, 1 week Lucknow 70,996, 2nd week Allahabad 23,500, Bareilly 27,861, 1st week Hardwar 25,000; Nagpur 20,965, 2nd week Raipur (5 days) 10,493, Bilaspur (6 days) 16,456; 1 week Ajmer (29 shows) 71,8343; 1st week Hyderabad (gross) 3,61,483 from 5 cinemas.
Badal 7th week Bombay 2,06,047 (29.65%; 3 on F.H.); Solapur 35,780; Kanpur 75,963, Lucknow 1,72,088, Bareilly 53,777; Nagpur 33,070, 3rd week Kamptee (5 days) 28,566, 7th Amravati 38,252, 1st week Balaghat 93,700, Itarsi (gross) 70,000; 7th week Jaipur 66,826; Hyderabad (gross) 72,294.
Pukar 8th week Bombay (TF) 4,37,324 from 2 cinemas (5 unrecd., 4 on F.H.); Solapur (TF, matinee) 13,938; Delhi (TF) 3,26,761 from 4 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur (TF) 94,686 (1 on F.H.), Lucknow (TF) 2,46,542, Allahabad (TF) 52,632; Calcutta 63,410; Nagpur (TF) 57,611, Amravati (TF, 6 days) 46,915; Hyderabad (gross) 1,84,487 (1 on F.H.).
Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai 11th week Bombay 27,24,334 (66.86%) from 10 cinemas (7 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 5,83,703 from 4 cinemas, Baroda 2,20,978; Solapur 1,45,750, 9th week Satara 1,09,325 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); 11th week Delhi 12,93,777 from 8 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur 2,07,345 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 3,36,744, Allahabad 1,01,023, Bareilly (6 days) 52,889, 8th week Hardwar 25,000, total 4,12,526; 11th week Calcutta 6,06,829 from 5 cinemas; Nagpur 1,92,110 from 2 cinemas, Jabalpur (6 days) 1,03,060, Amravati 1,09,336, total 16,90,470, 4th week Balaghat 46,140, total 2,84,260, 11th Raipur 86,216, 9th week Durg 46,070, 6th Gondia (gross) 60,427, total 6,48,077, 10th week Chandrapur 84,521, total 16,62,084, Itarsi 7 weeks’ share 1,11,000; 11th week Jaipur 1,40,647; Hyderabad (gross) 7,40,935 from 3 cinemas (1 in noon, 4 on F.H.).
Hindi Film Distributors Dejected As
KARNATAKA GOVT. HIKES ENT. TAX
FOR NON-KANNADA FILMS
Karnataka chief minister S.M. Krishna, who is also the finance minister, on 27th March hiked entertainment tax from 70% to 100% in the state. This increase in tax is applicable only to non-Kannada films as Kannada films continue to be completely exempt from payment of entertainment tax. The hike came into force from today (April 1). A sop for air-conditioned cinemas in the state has come in the form of a hike in the tax-free service charge per ticket to Re. 1. The charge for non-air-conditioned cinemas continues to be 25 paise per ticket.
The Film Federation of India has sent a memorandum to the Karnataka chief minister, asking him to reconsider the hike in entertainment tax. The B.K.T. Film Distributors Association, Bangalore has also rushed a letter to the CM. It points out that the industry faces severe opposition from video parlours and satellite channels, because of which the film industry is not in a position to bear any enhancement of entertainment tax. It cautions that after the hike, the actual tax collected may reduce due to a drop in ticket sales. The letter also reminds the CM that the rates of entertainment tax in neighbouring states like Tamilnadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh were much lower. Since more than 50% of the cinemas of Karnataka depended on non-Kannada films, their survival had been jeopardised, the letter adds. A fear has also been expressed that many distribution offices would face extinction due to the hike.
At a time when satellite television channels are proliferating and they offer free entertainment from across the world, it comes as a surprise that any government should think of increasing entertainment tax on films. The hike will adversely affect both, distributors and exhibitors of non-Kannada films. Hindi film distributors are contemplating downing shutters in protest against the hike. But going by the strong influence of the Kannada film lobby in the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, it may not be easy for the non-Kannada film distributors and exhibitors to make the closure a reality. A section of the non-Kannada film lobby feels, the hike in tax has been effected at the behest of the Kannada film lobby.
Not only does the 30% hike appear to be a retrograde step, it is also discriminatory towards Hindi and other non-Kannada films.
Leading Mysore distributor Pal Chandani decried the hike and said, “The increase in entertainment tax just doesn’t make sense. The Bombay film industry must support us in our fight against the unjust hike.” Basha Lal, another distributor, who only recently acquired a line of films for Mysore, remarked, “We will die if the hike is not cancelled. It will be impossible to survive. We simply cannot bear this foolish action on the part of the state government.” K.N. Vasudev Murthy, president of the Karnataka Tamil Film Distributors Association, questioned the government action thus: “When free entertainment is available on television, why is the government penalising the people by increasing tax on films? Why is it distinguishing between Kannada and other languages?” He described the action as “outdated”.
Compound Tax Scheme Restriction In Gujarat Goes
Tax-Free Service Charge Reduction Stays
The compound tax facility, which was to be discontinued for cinemas in Gujarat in towns with a population between 1 lakh and 3 lakh, will remain. This announcement was made in the Gujarat government’s budget presented last week. The government subsidy of Rs. 5 lakh to Gujarati films will also continue. However, the tax-free service charge on cinema tickets has been reduced from Rs. 2 to Re. 1 per ticket.
The budget proposals had envisaged a reduction in entertainment tax from 165% to 100%; reduction in tax-free service charge by half; discontinuation of compound tax scheme in towns with population upto 3 lakh; and withdrawal of subsidy to Gujarati films while granting perpetual tax-exemption. While the first two proposals have been carried out, the last two have been dropped. Entertainment tax, in fact, has been further reduced by 5% (it is now 95%) in specified areas.
The Gujarat and Saurashtra trade had raised a united voice of protest against the budget proposals last month. Hectic lobbying has led to two of the three unfavourable proposals being dropped, but the government has been rigid on the most important of all — reducing the tax-free service charge to Re. 1. This is likely to hit exhibitors rather badly.
BIJAPUR EXHIBITORS RESIGN FROM KFCC IN PROTEST
All the members of the Bijapur District Exhibitors Association have resigned from the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) in protest against the recent hike in entertainment tax for non-Kannada films from 70% to 100% — with effect from 1st April. The Bijapur District Exhibitors Association has expressed its resentment over KFCC’s non-co-operation with them to plead with the government of Karnataka for reduction in entertainment tax for non-Kannada films.
CONTROVERSY OVER SCREENING OF ‘SHAHEED UDDHAM SINGH’
Demonstrators belonging to Pathik Sena, Delhi, on 30th March demanded the banning of Shaheed Uddham Singh and the arrest of Raj Babbar for portraying Uddham Singh and other freedom fighters in bad light. Addressing the demonstrators outside Shiela cinema, Delhi, Pathik Sena president Mukhiya Gujjar said that Raj Babbar, who had enacted the title role in the film, should be arrested for insulting those who had fought for India’s freedom. He said, the film made derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi and showed Uddham Singh as having had a romantic liaison with an Irish revolutionary.
‘VAASTAV’ SILVER JUBILEE
Mahesh Manjrekar’s Vaastav entered 25th combined week at Novelty (matinee), Bombay on 31st March. It stars Sanjay Dutt, Namrata Shirodkar, Reema, Shivaji Satam and Sanjay Narvekar. Music: Jatin Lalit.
GOVINDA’S DISTRIBUTION OFFICE
Govinda’s Bombay distribution concern, which is named Govinda Yashvardhan No. 1 Distributors, will have its office at 7, Goverdhan Building, behind Naaz Cinema Compound (that is, in the premises of A.S. Enterprises of Ayub Selia and Raju Bagde). The business affairs will be looked after by Shashi Prabhu and Laxman Doiphode. Telephone numbers: 389-1909/386-6923. Cell: 98200-58450 (Shashi Prabhu).
Hadh Kar Di Aapne is the first release of the new concern.
A.P. EXHIBITORS DEMAND ABOLITION OF ENT. TAX
Exhibitors of Andhra Pradesh have decided to down shutters from today (April 1) if the state government does not concede their long-pending demand for the abolition of entertainment tax in view of the recession in the state’s film industry.
The Andhra Pradesh Film Exhibitors Association (APFEA) had last month submitted a memorandum to chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, demanding the abolition of entertainment tax to save the Telugu film industry. The memorandum had highlighted the unprecedented slump resulting in an all-time low film production: only 60 films were made last year. The low-budget films may become extinct, it is feared.
The memorandum also highlighted some other alarming facts: falling occupancy rate in cinemas; prohibitive tax structure, exorbitant power tariffs; and the closure of more than 500 cinemas across Andhra Pradesh in the past few years.
Andhra Pradesh has over 3,000 cinemas, which is the highest in the country. Of them, 60 per cent are said to be incurring losses or facing closure.
A. Arjuna Reddy, president of the APFEA, lamented, “We will be forced out of business if corrective steps are not taken immediately. Dwindling film production, onslaught of local cable networks and video piracy are dealing a death-blow to the exhibition trade.”
PRIYA RAJVANSH’S DEATH STILL SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
Having received the post-mortem report of actress Priya Rajvansh, the Juhu (Bombay) police have registered a case of murder. The police had earlier thought her death to be a case of suicide. Dr. V.N. Vanmore and Dr. P.M. Shinde, who conducted the post-mortem examination on the actress, said that Priya Rajvansh had not committed suicide. “She was strangulated after being hit with a hard object. The assailants might have hit her and later strangulated her in order to confirm that she was dead.”
The cause of Priya’s death is, however, still shrouded in mystery as the police are not willing to rely solely on the post-mortem report. Consequently, they have asked for another post-mortem examination to be carried out.
The actress, who was 57, was found dead in the bathroom of a bungalow (belonging to late Chetan Anand) at Ruia Park at Juhu, Bombay on the night of 28th March.
According to the additional police commissioner (North-West region), Subhash Awate, “On the night of her death, Priya was high on alcohol and feeling restless. She was not keeping well for a long time although she otherwise maintained good health. She asked the maid to fetch her a glass of milk. The maid had found her lying in the bathroom…. It’s too early to reach any conclusion.”
Doctors also revealed that a friend of Priya Rajvansh visited the post-mortem centre on March 28 and told them that two days before the incident, Priya Rajvansh had a heated argument with the maid. The police said that they were not aware of any heated argument between the actress and the maid whose name was given as Mala Prasad Chowdhary.
Meanwhile, the actress’ blood samples, viscera and nail clippings have been sent for chemical analysis to Kalina Forensic Lab. The report will be made available to the police in a couple of days. Priya’s two brothers, in the meanwhile, have arrived from the UK and the USA to claim her body.
FICCI REPORT: ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY’S BRIGHT FUTURE
A FICCI report on the ‘Indian Entertainment Industry: Strategy & Vision’, prepared by Arthur Andersen, is an enlightening piece of work. Some of the pertinent points made by the report:
► Revenues of television software industry are expected to grow from Rs. 1,200 crore in 1999 to Rs. 9,000 crore in 2005.
► Television ad spend in India today is Rs. 2,160 crore from out of the total ad spend of Rs. 6,000 crore. It is estimated to rise to Rs. 8,000 crore in 2005 as against a total ad spend of Rs. 16,392 crore.
► Export of Indian languages TV software is expected to rise from Rs. 350 crore in 1999 to Rs. 5,830 crore in 2005.
► Film exports (including animation) is expected to increase more than 20 times, from Rs. 665 crore in 1999 to Rs. 14,692 crore in 2005.
► Film industry revenues (including animation) are expected to soar from Rs. 6,215 crore (1999) to Rs. 33,984 crore (2005).
► India has 12,900 cinemas as against 31,000 screens in the US. Population per screen in India is 77,520 whereas in the US, it is 8,580. The cinemas per 1 million people are 12.9 in India and 116.6 in US.
► The government may earn at least Rs. 425 crore annually from licence fees on privatisation alone of FM channel on radio.
► The music market in India is expected to almost double in 5 years.
► The event management industry may grow from Rs. 200 crore in 1999 to Rs. 3,355 crore in 2005.
NEW CINEMA OPENS
A new cinema, Chand, opened at Tapkara (district Alwar, Rajasthan) on 31st March. The cinema is air-cooled and is equipped with Dolby sound.
NEW CINEMA IN HALOL
A new cinema, Jap, was recently inaugurated at the GIDC Industrial Area in Halol (Gujarat). The cinema has 503 seats and is equipped with Dolby sound and Westrex projection systems. Jayantibhai Patel and Hameshbhai Patel are its owners.
ALKA CINEMA OPENS IN JAIPUR
Alka theatre, a new cinema in Jaipur, was inaugurated on 27th March with Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge. The cinema is equipped with DTS six-channel Ultra SR stereo sound system. Rahmat Khan Panwar is its owner.
SHAAD HONOURED IN U.K.
Shiromani Akali Dal, U.K. honoured writer-producer-director and novelist Boota Singh Shaad on 19th March at Gurudwara Sri Singh Sabha Akaal Darbar at Handsbirth in Birmingham (U.K.). The president of the U.K. Akali Dal, Gurdev Singh Chauhan, presented the Siropa (a sacred robe of honour) to Shaad for his contribution to Punjabi literature and language.
U.K. Sikh Council chief Gurdial Singh Atwal made an appeal to the Sikh community to follow the lifestyle of the Sikh as illustrated in Shaad’s latest Punjabi novel, Sikh. He also thanked B.S. Shaad for his great service to Punjabi language and requested him to continue serving it in future.
‘JAANWAR’ SCORES A CENTURY
Producer-director Suneel Darshan’s Jaanwar completed 100 combined days of its run on 31st March at Naaz, Bombay and in cinemas in other territories. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Mohnish Bahl, Ashish Vidyarthi, Shakti Kapoor, Johny Lever and Kader Khan. It has music by Anand Milind, and lyrics by Sameer. Story: Suneel Darshan. Screenplay: Robin Bhatt. Dialogues: K.K. Singh.
ALL KHANDWA CINEMAS UNDER ONE CONTROL
Abhishek Bahety, proprietor of Abhishek cinema of Khandwa, has secured the control of Anjani Talkies, Khandwa with effect from 1st April. He also controls Triyug Talkies, Khandwa. Therefore, from 1st April, all the three cinemas of Khandwa are under his control.
LARGE TURNOUT AT BARJATYA RECEPTION
The large industry turnout at the wedding reception of Rajat, son of producer Ajit Kumar Barjatya and nephew of Kamal Kumar Barjatya and Rajkumar Barjatya, on 25th March at the RWITC, Mahalaxmi, Bombay bore testimony to the goodwill enjoyed by the Barjatya family in showbiz. All the three sectors — production, distribution and exhibition — of the film industry were amply represented from all over India. Top stars also graced the occasion with their presence. The dinner served was excellent.
BIG HAUL OF ‘DULHAN HUM LE JAYENGE’ VCDs IN BOMBAY
The airport intelligence unit at Sahar, Bombay, recovered about 4,000 VCDs of Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge from passengers flying on three separate international flights on 25th March. Over 2,000 VCDs of the film were seized from a female passenger who arrived from Karachi on a Pakistan International Airlines flight. Later the same night, over 900 VCDs each of the same film were recovered from two passengers, arriving from Karachi and Singapore on Indian Airlines and Singapore International Airlines flights respectively. All three passengers have been detained for interrogation.
RAKESH ROSHAN’S ASSAILANTS APPREHENDED
Sunil Gaikwad (33) and Sachin Khambe (20), the alleged assailants of producer-director Rakesh Roshan, were apprehended by the special squad of the additional commissioner of police of Bombay North-West, Subhash Avate, on the night of March 29.
The two men had opened fire on Rakesh Roshan while he was leaving his Santacruz (Bombay) office on the evening of January 21. Rakesh Roshan sustained injury on his chest while his driver was hit by a bullet. The motive behind the firing is yet to be ascertained by the police.
According to Mr. Avate, “It seems that the assailants were instructed to intimidate Roshan which is why they did not kill him. They were paid Rs. 5 lakh, besides being promised a flat each. Imported pistols were used to execute the job.” The police suspect the involvement of the underworld in the incident. According to one police officer, “An underworld don wanted the Overseas rights of Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai. Since Rakesh Roshan refused to sell the rights, the don decided to teach him a lesson.”
The police has informed that more than 7,500 persons had been questioned in the past two months, and searches had been conducted at various parts of the city of Bombay. The police also interrogated 250 criminals who were in jail and who were out on bail.
MUSIC DIRECTOR GANESH NO MORE
Music director Ganesh, brother of music director Pyarelal, passed away on 28th March in Bombay due to cardiac arrest. He was 58 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. Among the films for which he scored hit music were Shararat (directed by Manmohan Desai), Ratan Mohan’s Thakur Jarnail Singh, Satyen Bose’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Chalak, Badnaam, Smuggler, Husn Aur Ishq and Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche. Ganesh used to also assist late Laxmikant and elder brother Pyarelal in setting the tunes.
MEENA T., JAYSHREE T. BEREAVED
Sugandha Chitrasen Talpade, mother of Meena T. and Jayshree T., expired in Bombay on 30th March due to old age, She was 85. The funeral was held on 31st March.
YOU ASKED IT
Why are there no permanent sets of interiors of bungalows/houses in Bombay studios as in Madras and Hyderabad?
– Because we have real bungalows available for shootings in Bombay — and plenty of them to choose from!
Why don’t we have a library of great Indian classics to serve as references for the new writers and directors entering the film industry?
– Those who want to refer to old classics have to go to the National Archives in Pune.
In the not-too-distant past, some top technicians were keen to turn producers, but they don’t want to think on those lines today. Why so?
– Because film production is a big and risky game today, which cannot be everybody’s cup of tea. Besides, the technician who turns a producer loses on outside assignments as a technician.
And Now, Subhash Ghai Brings Technology In Visual Arts
Ashok Chavan, minister of revenue, Maharashtra government, on 25th March inaugurated Audeus Telecine Studio, a division of Subhash Ghai’s company, Mukta Arts Ltd. The telecine set-up consists of Ursa Diamond machine, installed at the premises of Adlabs at Film City in association with Adlabs Films Ltd. Prominent filmmakers, ad filmmakers, television producers, directors and cinematographers of repute graced the inauguration ceremony followed by a luncheon party. Mrs. Ghai played the perfect hostess, personally looking after the comfort of each and every guest.
The telecine set-up, which cost Rs. 6 crore, boasts of the Rank Cintel Ursa Diamond Telecine which is the only one of its kind in Bombay.
The set-up is supported by Da-Vinci colour corrector and D.V.N.R. along with Evertz Key Coder. Provision of Ultrasonic cleaning at the site is yet another advantage of the set-up. The telecine equipment will enable a negative to be transferred to beta directly.
Commenting on the reason for setting the equipment at Adlabs, Subhash Ghai said, “Being suitably located at Adlabs laboratory, which houses the majority of negatives from the industry, the problem of mishandling and transportation of the negatives will be reduced to the bare minimum.”
The telecine set-up will be handled, maintained and operated by a team of experts under the supervision of technocrat Pramod Patil who has 18 years’ experience.
Arun Jaitley Gives Hopes Of Better Times For Film Industry
Union I & B minister Arun Jaitley made a spirited speech at the inaugural session of the FICCI conference on the Indian entertainment industry, held on 30th March in Bombay. His address gave an indication that the Centre was keen to help the entertainment industry which had been ignored for far too long. Uniform entertainment tax in all the states may soon be a reality if one read between the lines of Arun Jaitley’s well-delivered speech. “We are preparing proper legislative framework in which the entertainment industry can grow,” Jaitley announced.
He informed a packed hall that his ministry was following up the issue of film financing with the finance minister. He also said that his government was contemplating serious changes in the copyright laws, violation of which was harming the legitimate industry. The proposed legislation, he explained, would impose deterrents to stop violation of the Copyright Act and piracy, he added.
The Union I & B minister said, the government was considering linking the legislative framework for the broadcast and telecommunications industries.
Jaitley also formally released the FICCI report on the entertainment industry, prepared by Arthur Andersen. He informed that the Centre was considering major revisions in the draft legislative framework for the entertainment industry to incorporate the impending media convergence.
The I & B minister, however, warned against broadcast content that offended the cultural sensibilities of Indians. He asked content providers to exercise caution and restraint before broadcasting vulgar or obscene material. He also explained that to avail of institutional finance, the entertainment industry would have to graduate to a more transparent system of accounting and learn to function with one colour of money.
3-E
Education-Entertainment-Enlightenment
Poor Show
The motto of our industry is that the show must go on. But a cinema may sometimes find it impossible to go on with its show. A case in point is that of Sona (Borivli), Bombay, which was screening Hum Saath-Saath Hain in repeat-run last week. In the first 3 days, the film could collect only 6,000/- (approx.). Discontinuing the film, the cinema management, instead of screening some other film, kept the cinema closed for the remaining four days of the week! Seems, there is hardly any audience for a repeat-run film these days. Otherwise, what explains the dismal fate of another super-hit film at Relief, Ahmedabad?! The cinema was screening Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in repeat-run last week. How much did it collect in a week’s run? Just 20,216/- against a capacity of 4 lakh. That’s just 5.05%! Unprecedented, indeed!! Some shows of Le Chal Apne Sang too had to be cancelled last week because of lack of audience.
The Diary Magic
Remember the Biwi No. 1 diaries taken out by producer Vashu Bhagnani? They were beautiful, to say the least. But even those sexy diaries would be put to shame if one were to see Vashu’s new diaries of his new film, Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa. The new diaries are just too fantastic. Equally superb are the photo show-cards of the film. In fact, those who’ve seen the diaries and the show-cards feel that the jadoo indeed chal gayaa!
No Comeback Yet
Rumours of Sridevi’s comeback are doing the rounds again. Before Aditya Chopra’s Mohabbatein had started, it was being rumoured that Sridevi would be paired with Amitabh Bachchan in the film. The rumours now in circulation are that Subhash Ghai has signed the actress for a role in Yaadein. But in both the cases, the rumours are baseless as neither Chopra nor Ghai have approached Sridevi for acting in their films. Even otherwise, Sridevi, whenever she stages a comeback, is keen to do so in a film to be produced by husband Boney Kapoor. For the present, however, she has decided to remain away from the arc lights for a while. In the meantime, Boney, who had acquired the Hindi remaking rights of the Telugu hit, Anthapuram, will start the film with another actress in place of Sridevi, as originally decided.
Nadeem Shravan, Anuradha Together Again
Anuradha Paudwal, who had very lately decided to sing only devotional songs and not any film song, suddenly changed her decision to sing a film song under the baton of music director duo Nadeem Shravan, much to the shock of those belonging to late Gulshan Kumar’s camp. The last time Anuradha Paudwal rendered a song under the music direction of Nadeem Shravan was exactly four years back. It was a duet with Kumar Sanu, recorded on 28th March at Sunny Super Sounds. And it was again on 28th March (2000) that Anuradha rendered a song under Nadeem Shravan’s baton. It is again a duet with Kumar Sanu, and was, like the last time, recorded at Sunny Super Sounds. The song this time was for Aroona Irani and Kuku Kohli’s Dil Hai Aashiqana.
J.P. Dutta, Vashu Bhagnani In An Ugly War! ‘Tera Jadoo…..’ To Come Before ‘Refugee’
J.P. Dutta’s Refugee may not be Abhishek Bachchan’s first release after all. There are all chances of Vashu Bhagnani getting the credit for introducing Amitabh Bachchan’s son because the odds now are in favour of Vashu’s Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa hitting the screens before Refugee.
Tension between Dutta and Bhagnani had been brewing since the last couple of months although none of them was talking about it. The first showdown between the two producers took place at Film City on 25th March at the party hosted by Subhash Ghai to launch his telecine set-up.
J.P. Dutta and Vashu were invitees at the well-attended luncheon function. The cold vibes between the two at the said party did give an indication that all was not well between them.
It was an innocuous question by Boney Kapoor to Vashu Bhagnani, which actually started a terrible drama. Boney, sipping a cola, was talking to an Overseas distributor (reportedly, Kishore Lulla) who, perhaps, asked him about the release schedules of some forthcoming big films. Even while the conversation was on, Boney turned to Vashu, who was standing nearby, and asked him, “Vashu-ji, aapki film kab aa rahi hai? June mein ya July mein?” Vashu was quick to reply, “Main toh April aur May mein bhi la sakta hoon, par kuchh cheezein mere haath mein bhi nahin hain.” Some of those present felt that Vashu Bhagnani was hinting at his helplessness because Refugee was decided to be Abhishek’s first release. But another section of people present at the party said that Vashu did not mean to pass on any message to J.P. Dutta who was standing close to him.
Anyway, Dutta, who was involved in a serious conversation with Manmohan Shetty and Jackie Shroff, heard the comment of Vashu Bhagnani and said within hearing reach of Bhagnani, “I’ve not stopped anybody from releasing any film. But a commitment is a commitment, so what if it was an oral commitment.” Dutta was probably referring to an oral understanding between himself and Vashu that Refugee would be Abhishek’s first release.
Onlookers realised, it was battle time from then on. Vashu, leaving the plate from which he was having lunch, advanced towards J.P. Dutta and shouted, this time looking directly at the director, “Maine aap ko toh kuchh nahin kaha na, why are you trying to pick up a fight?” It was now Dutta’s chance to shoot back, “Samajhdaar ko ishara kafi hota hai. I’ve been hearing of the nasty comments you have been making about me and my film. I’m not retaliating, but that doesn’t mean that you can keep on saying anything. Bas, ab bahut ho gaya.”
“Kya bahut ho gaya?” thundered Vashu. One had never seen this side of the otherwise soft-spoken Bhagnani. “You please mind your tongue, Mr. Dutta. Can you prove that I have been speaking nasty things about you or your film. Dekhiye, aap jaan boojhkar jhagda mol le rahein hain.”
By now the tempers were running high and the entire scene of the party had shifted to the spot where angry exchanges were being bartered. Subhash Ghai, who had just seen off a government dignitary at the Film City gate, was aghast to see the ugly drama unfolding. Boney Kapoor tried to pacify Vashu. Ghai and Manmohan Shetty, with perplexed expressions on their faces, were pulling J.P. Dutta away from the scene, in a bid to calm him.
“Arre, what jhagda is he talking about?”, quizzed J.P. Dutta, looking intermittently at Ghai and Shetty. “Did I pick up the fight — aap boliye, Shetty Sahab,” he continued. Even before Manmohan Shetty could reply, Vashu came charging towards Dutta and, as if to answer the question, said, “Of course, you sowed the seeds of a fight the day you postponed the release date of Refugee. April, May, now June. How long can I wait? Had I known, you will come in June, I would have worked on my release strategy accordingly. Now I am ready. Main har mahine to apni film postpone nahin kar sakta, na?”
“You speak to Amit-ji then,” screamed Dutta. “How does Amit-ji come in the picture?” yelled Vashu. By now, it had become a free-for-all. The tension was too palpable to be true. For a couple of minutes, even the peace-makers were at a loss for words. Suddenly, one heard the click of a press photographer’s camera!
Shocked glances were exchanged between the onlookers who must’ve admired the guts of the lensman. The shock gave way to dismay as a new round of wordy duel commenced. J.P. Dutta turned towards Subhash Ghai and said, “We must take up this matter in the United Producers’ Forum, Subhashji.” This, perhaps, was too much for Vashu (who is not a member of the Forum) to bear. “Don’t try to scare me by dropping names,” he retaliated, shaking his index finger in a gesture to Dutta to not mess around with him. Sensing that things were getting too hot for comfort, Ghai left J.P. Dutta and advanced towards Vashu Bhagnani. “Vashu, Vashu, suniye….” But his voice was drowned in the angry exchanges between the two parties, which had by now turned into mild abuses too!
“Arre nahin, Subhash-ji, aap nahin jaante,” Vashu said, trembling with excitement. “Saari duniya jaanti hai, I have waited silently for far too long without uttering a word. But ab bahut ho gaya hai, paani sar se upar…..” Even before Vashu could complete his tale of woes, Dutta shouted back, “Okay then, I challenge you to release your film before mine. I’ll see how you can.” “How I can?” countered Vashu. “You are challenging me? Aap mujhe chunauti de rahein hain?” continued Vashu with the same fire. “Yes, yes, if you have the guts, go ahead and release your Jadoo before my film…. Dekhte hain, kya jadoo ho jaayega,” shouted Dutta, now livid. “See, don’t get personal,” threatened Vashu. “I can also do tukkbandi on Refugee. Will you like that? See, you mind your tongue….,” added Vashu.
It was now Boney Kapoor’s turn to intervene. “Yaar, mujhe maloom hota ki mera ek sawaal itna bada jhagda khada kar dega toh main….. J.P., Vashu, please yaar, stop it. Enough is enough….,” Boney tried hard to make the two see reason.
Vashu, without bothering about what Boney was trying to get at, declared with finality, “Now, I just don’t care. My silence all through the past three months has been misinterpreted. I am certainly going to release Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa on June 2. And my film will be Abhishek’s first release.”
So that’s that! But, but, wait a minute. Please look down a little lower than this line — at the date-line on this page. Yes, it is 1st April — All Fools’ Day — today. If you’ve believed this story, you qualify for the title of April Fool. But don’t sulk. There are thousands who share the platform with you. So sit back and laugh — at them, silly! And simply pretend that you did not read this page at all!!