What’s the reason for the slow start of Judgementall Hai Kya and Arjun Patiala this week?

– The trailers of both the films had not found universal acceptance. The trailer of JUDGEMENTALL HAI KYA was too bizarre for people’s liking. The public generally does not go to watch a bizarre film immediately; people wait for the reports to emerge. As for ARJUN PATIALA, the trailer gave away the fact that it was a spoof. People in India are not fans of spoofs.

Has the tax exemption of Super 30 in various states helped its box-office performance?

– Only marginally, because the tax exemption is only of SGST in each state, not the CGST component. Frankly, the central government should exempt CGST on the film all over India.

Why do we refer to cinema of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s as the golden era of cinema?

– It’s human nature to praise the past while looking down upon the present. That could be one reason. The other reason could be because some landmark films like MOTHER INDIA and MUGHAL-E-AZAM were made during this period.

Has Saaho been postponed because of the opposition of Mission Mangal and Batla House on 15th August?

– SAAHO is postponed because its visual effects and computer graphics are taking longer to com­plete.

What is Sooraj Barjatya planning now?

– Sooraj Barjatya is busy with the script and casting of his son’s debut film. It is being written and directed by his younger son, Avnish Barjatya.

Which is the next big film which will hit the screens?

– It will be WAR, starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff. Before that, there’ll be MISSION MANGAL, BATLA HOUSE (both on 15th Aug­ust), SAAHO (on 30th August) and PRASTHANAM (on 20th Septem­ber).

With three films slated for release on Independence Day, what do you envisage?

– Fireworks at the box-office on 15th August, of course. But before that, nightmare for exhibitors in trying to accommodate all the three films. And an equally nightmarish time for the distributors of the three films in trying to get the best shows for their films.

When will Sunny Deol release Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas now?

– On 20th September.

Why has Dinesh Vijan’s Arjun Patiala been postponed by a week?

– It was to release on 19th July with PAL PAL DIL KE PAAS and THE LION KING. But despite PAL PAL DIL KE PAAS being postpon­ed, the makers of ARJUN PATIALA want to steer clear of the date because THE LION KING may prove to be a formidable opposition. Al­though THE LION KING was always scheduled to hit the screens on 19th July, the producers of ARJUN PATI­ALA now feel, it would not be advi­sable to take on THE LION KING.

Will Kabir Singh open to good houses?

– It should open to decent houses. Although Shahid Kapoor is not known to be an ‘initial’ star, the curiosity and excitement among the public for his KABIR SINGH are high.

Why has Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas been postponed?

– Its shooting is still remaining to be done. The film has gotten delayed because Sunny Deol was busy through April and May with the general elections as he was contesting from Gurdaspur con­stituency in Punjab.

What did you think of the teaser of Saaho?– The film appears to be very stylish and thrilling.

Barely had Bharat been released this Eid than Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced that his Salman starrer, Inshallah, would come on Eid next year. Comment.

– Even before he announced the release date officially, it was known – although unofficially – in trade circles that INSHALLAH would come on Eid next year.

Is it true that Anees Bazmee’s Pagalpanti has been preponed?

– Yes, it will release on 8th November now. Only a few days’ shooting remains to be done to complete the film.

People were raving so much about Korean film Ode To My Father. Then what happened to its Hindi adaptation, Bharat?

– Perhaps, lost in translation. Or rather, adaptation!

Will Jabariya Jodi be postponed, now that Super 30 is releasing on 12th July?

– Probably yes. One has to wait and watch but that seems likely. After all, while SUPER 30 stars Hri­thik Roshan, JABARIYA JODI has Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra in the cast.

What is the charm in announcing release dates so many months in ad­vance when they could change closer to the announced dates?

– You are right. This phase of announcing the release dates mon- ths in advance shall also pass. It’s afad and it’s away of warding off competition by producers of big films.

Going through your review of India’s Most Wanted last week, I wondered how a studio like Fox Star Studios could greenlight such a half-baked script? I couldn’t get over the fact that the actor playing the title role had barely 5 min­utes of screen time!

– It is indeed shocking how Fox passed this script. Every film of a studio cannot be a hit but some­ times, there’s loss in translation while at other times, the theme may not work but in the case of INDIA’S MOST WANTED, the script was worth nothing, which makes one actually wonder on what basis must a studio like Fox have given the green signal. Would you believe it if I told you that the name of the actor playing the title role is not even mentioned in the opening or closi­ng titles of the film?!?