GUPT
Trimurti Films P. Ltd.’s Gupt (A) is a musical suspense drama made on a lavish scale. The governor of a state is murdered and the one arrested for the murder is none other than his innocent stepson. The only clue about the actual killer is a gold chain with a locket which the step-son finds in the dead governor’s hand. Arrested and put behind bars, the step-son escapes from there to track down the murderer. In this, he is assisted by his college friend who is silently but madly in love with him. The guy, however, loves another girl, his childhood friend, and the two even have plans of marriage. After a crazy hunt, the actual murderer’s identity is revealed and it leaves the guy shocked.
Being a whodunit, the writer has kept the film’s pace fast, with an intelligently written screenplay. Of course, there are some flaws (as, for instance, why the hero does not give the locket to his girlfriend or never mentions about it to her ever) but they don’t matter much, mainly because the film doesn’t give anybody time to think. The audience gets involved in the guessing game and keeps moving with the characters and incidents. Although the suspense is good, its revelation could have been more chilling.
Bobby Deol acts well. He looks very handsome and dances beautifully. He is brilliant in action scenes. Manisha Koirala and Kajol look sexy, glamorous and bewitching and perform excellently. Om Puri takes the cake for the most wonderful performance. He plays to the gallery and does a marvellous job, making every scene in which he appears memorable. His dialogues are very well penned and will draw thunderous applause. Sadashiv Amarapurkar and Ashok Saraf’s comedy is very enjoyable. Raza Murad impresses and evokes laughter with his shair-o-shairi. Prem Chopra is too good. Harish Patel leaves a mark simply by laughing! Paresh Rawal is restrained. Sharat Saxena, Dalip Tahhil, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Tej Sapru, Anjan Srivastava, Usman Khan, Vishwajeet Pradhan and Dinesh Hingoo lend admirable support. Priya Tendulkar does a fair job. Raj Babbar is very good in a guest appearance. Mukesh Rishi (special appearance), Dinesh Anand, master Harsh Lunia, Aparajita, Ram Mohan, Vikas Anand, Anil Nagrath, Sanjeeva, Bob Christo and the rest are adequate.
Rajiv Rai’s direction is truly praiseworthy. His narration is clear and devoid of confusion. He has interwoven comedy into the main track rather ably. Rajiv has given the film gloss and admirable finesse. Viju Shah’s music is hit. All the songs are very well-tuned and their picturisations are a veritable treat. The title song (picturised on the titles) is masterly, both in tune and visual appeal. ‘Duniya haseenon ka mela’, ‘Bechainiyan’, ‘Mere khwabon mein tu’ and ‘Ye pyar kya hai’ are the best numbers. Lyrics (Anand Bakshi) are rich. Action (Amin Gani) provides tremendous thrill. Ashok Mehta’s camerawork, as also the locations, are mind-boggling. Sets (Bijon Dasgupta) are heavenly. Production values are grand. Technically, top class. Background music is remarkable. Mixing in DTS sound is wonderful.
On the whole, Gupt has taken a flying start and has the merits to prove a richly rewarding film for all concerned, despite its high price. Youngsters and ladies will form its main clientele.
Released on 3-7-’97 at Liberty and on 4-7-’97 at 21 other cinemas of Bombay thru Modern Movies. Publicity & opening: excellent. …….Also released all over. Opening was extraordinary in Bihar, Rajasthan, Mysore, Kerala, Tamilnad and excellent in the rest of the circuits except C.I. 1st day Jaipur about 99% from 4 cinemas, over-capacity at stations like Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar (Rajasthan) and Hajipur (Bihar); over 80% at Gangtok (Sikkim) despite torrential rains and flooding.
SHEKHAR KAPUR TO LAUNCH ABHISHEK BACHCHAN
So the acting bug has bitten the son of Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan. Reportedly, Abhishek Bachchan is getting geared up to make his debut into films. Shekhar Kapur will launch Bachchan junior, reveal insiders. It is learnt that Amitabh and Shekhar met in London where it was decided that Abhishek would make his debut in a film to be directed by Kapur.
‘PARDES’ MUSIC RELEASE IN DELHI
Subhash Ghai will formally release the music of his Pardes tomorrow (6th July) in Delhi at Hyatt Regency. The official release will be done at the hands of chief of the army staff, General S. Rowchowdhury and Mrs. Krishna Rowchowdhury, chairperson, Army Wives Welfare Associaton. The film has lyrics by Anand Bakshi and music by Nadeem Shravan.
DOLBY-DTS AT TOPIWALA CINEMA, BOMBAY
Topiwala cinema at Goregaon, Bombay, owned by Mr. N.S. Desai-Topiwala, has been equipped with Dolby and DTS surround sound system. Spanish make KCS speakers have been installed for surround sound effects. The cinema will shortly import Schneider German lenses for good picture quality.
STUDIO LINK IN NEW PREMISES
Publicity designers Atmanand and Vivek have shifted their Studio Link to a new address. The inauguration of the new place (13, Blue Moon Estate, off Link Road, near Monginis, Andheri (W), Bombay-53) will be held today (5th July).
TAX EXEMPTION FOR ‘AAI’, ‘GANPATI BAPPA…’
In accordance with the policy of the Maharashtra government to fully exempt Marathi films from payment of entertainment tax, Aai and Ganpati Bappa Moriya have been granted 100% tax exemption for a period of one year each.
GULSHAN KUMAR, JHAMU ACQUIRE ‘GENES’ HINDI DUBBING RIGHTS
Gulshan Kumar and Jhamu Sugandh have jointly acquired the Hindi dubbing rights of the Tamil film Genes, being made by Shankar. It stars Aishwarya Rai and Prashant. Music is scored by A.R. Rahman.
NEW OWNER, NEW NAME FOR RAIPUR CINEMA
Hora’s Amrit Talkies in Raipur has changed hands and has also got a new name. Its new licencees are Jasbir Singh Chawala and his partners. The cinema is now Krishna Theatre.
R.R. KHAJANCHI NO MORE
Veteran C.P. Berar distributor R.R. Khajanchi breathed his last on the afternoon of 29th June in Amravati. He was in his seventies and had suffered a heart attack a few days before the end came. He had been hospitalised following the attack but had returned home. He was cremated the same day.
R.R. Khajanchi is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.
Roopraj Khajanchi was a self-made man. He started as a stenographer in a film distribution office and rose to become the manager. He thereafter started his own distribution concern, Khajanchi Film Exchange, for C.P. Berar. His office has distributed a number of films including many hits like DDLJ, Aankhen, Darr, Chandni, Qurbani, Pyar Jhukta Nahin, Ilzaam, Shola Aur Shabnam, Ghar Ek Mandir, Swarg Se Sunder, Khudgarz, Taj Mahal etc. He had also released Taj Mahal in Bombay circuit.
Khajanchi Sahab’s distribution office, after several years of its opening, went through such a low phase that he stopped buying films altogether. He banked upon re-issue films and luck favoured the man. Slowly but surely, his office turned the corner and he again started buying new films. He struck gold with Feroz Khan’s Qurbani and K.C. Bokadia’s Pyar Jhukta Nahin after which there was no looking back. Releasing hits, flops, average and above-average films became his life.
Khajanchi was a simple and humble man. He believed in doing everything himself. Whether it was buying a film, finalising terms, preparing bills or cheques, he used to do it himself, never bothered about his status. No work was too small for this large-hearted and helpful man. Another admirable quality of R.R. Khananchi was his quick decision-making. If he had to buy the distribution rights of a film, it wouldn’t normally take him more than a few minutes to finalise the deal. He was soft-spoken and a man of few words. He was a good paymaster.
R.R. Khajanchi was an active member of the executive committee of the Central Circuit Cine Association for many years. He was also its president in 1982-83 and 1983-84.
Khajanchi Sahab was very close to the Information family and was among its first subscribers. Information family offers condolences to the bereaved family and prays that the departed soul rest in peace.
A meeting of the Amravati film trade was held on 30th June in the CCCA office to mourn the demise of and pay homage to R.R. Khajanchi. The meeting, chaired by CCCA vice president Vijay Rathi, recalled how Khajanchi Sahab had guided the Association with great success at different times, and remembered him as a leader and a sincere devoted worker, the void created by whose loss would be difficult to fill up. All cinemas of Amravati suspended their 3 p.m. shows on 29th June as a mark of respect. A condolence meeting will be held on 11th July at 11 a.m. at the residence of the Khajanchis. A pooja will be held before that at Dadawadi, Badnera Road, Amravati.
SHIVABHAI DEAD
Bombay and C.I. distributor Shivabhai Sharma died on 3rd July at his residence in Bombay following a heart attack. He was cremated on 4th. He was in his early forties. He had quit the film industry some years ago.
Shivabhai had distributed Aayee Milan Ki Raat and Sahibaan in Bombay under the concern of Matushree Pictures. In C.I., his office, Guddi Films, had released Khuda Gawah, Locket, Paraya Ghar and other films.
He is survived by his wife, three daughters and one son.
BBC CELEBRATES INDIA’S 50TH YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE
BBC World is celebrating India’s 50th year of independence by broadcasting a series of short films from June 25 to Aug. 13. The films chronicle India’s emergence under Nehru as a leading player in the non-aligned movement as well as the region’s continuing links with Britain, with the Queen visiting India and Pakistan in 1961.
TOO LATE?
Rajesh Jain has sought an order to restrain the release of Mrityudand, from the Bombay high court. But since Prakash Jha had already obtained a caveat, the case will come up for hearing only on Monday, the 7th of July. With the film due for release on 10th/11th July, deliveries for the various circuits, in all probability, will have been effected before Monday. Which would mean that for all practical purposes, Rajesh might not really achieve much from going to court.
JAYANTILAL GADA’S HOUSE-WARMING CEREMONY
Jayantilal Gada of Popular Entertainment Network Ltd. has shifted to a new flat at JVPD Scheme. The vastu poojan of the flat (at Darshan, opp. Bank of Maharashtra, N.S. Road no. 6, JVPD Scheme, Juhu, Vile Parle (W), Bombay-56) will be held tomorrow (6th July).
SIGNED
Gulshan Kumar Signs Priyadarshan And Mahesh Bhatt
Producer Gulshan Kumar has signed two directors, Priyadarshan and Mahesh Bhatt, to direct Super Cassettes Industries Ltd.’s forthcoming films. They will be launched very soon. Cast and credits for the films are being finalised.
TV & VIDEO INFORMATION
ONE ARRESTED IN RAID ON VIDEO LIBRARY
The Legal Action Against Copyright Theft (LAACT) raided a video library at Vasai, Bombay, recently and seized pirated cassettes of Border, Virasat, Hero No. 1, Koyla, Rangeela, Zameer and Lahoo Ke Do Rang, besides those of blue films. One person was arrested.
YOU ASKED IT
Is it sensible to make a film with a hero/heroine who plays a role in it which is contrary to his/her image?
– Why not? Mithun Chakraborty played a family man in PYAR JHUKTA NAHIN when he had the image of a dancing-action hero.
Is Mahesh Bhatt really giving up direction?
– Nadeem Shravan and Sunil Shetty too had, at different times, announced that they would be giving up their respective professions. But they are very much around. Mahesh Bhatt is even now signing new films.
Has cost of production really gone up so much as to warrant such high prices of films?
– Cost of production has definitely gone up tremendously mainly due to increase in star prices, remunerations of technicians and cine workers’ wages. Alongwith the costs, the greed of producers has also shot up!
HERE & THERE
Lata Mangeshkar: From Singer To Writer
On Friday, the 4th of July, the nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar, became a writer too. A Marathi book, Phule Vechita, written by her, was to be released in Boston, USA, at the bi-annual convention of the US-based Brihan Maharashtra Mandal, better known as the BMM Convention. The book, compiled from Lata’s jottings, has 18 chapters, in which she has revealed her feelings about the happenings from her childhood to the present age. One chapter deals with her sister, Asha Bhosle, whose relationship with her (Lata) has become a topic of discussion with the release of Saaz, a film made by Sai Paranjpye and alleged to be based somewhat on their relationship.
DO YOU KNOW?
* Padmalaya’s ENCOUNTER (Telugu) is in great demand as far as its audio rights are concerned. But the Padmalaya people have decided to release the music themselves and, towards this have also opened their own music company, Padmalaya Audio.
* GUPT has created history by collecting the highest figure ever in Baroda on the opening day at Apsara cinema.
* BORDER has created a Kutch district record by collecting a total of 4,34,478/- in 3 weeks at Vinay, Adipur.
* BORDER has created a city record in 3rd week at Krishna Palace, Dehradun, by collecting 1,78,943/-. 2nd week was 2,02,195/-.
* BORDER has created a city record by collecting 1,41,000/- in 3rd week at Raj, Gorakhpur.
* BORDER has created a city record by collecting 75,000/- in 3rd week at Ashoka, Hardwar. 1st week was 1,23,060/-, and 2nd week, 96,910/-, both city records.
* BORDER has created a theatre record by collecting 2,18,845/- in 3rd week at Panchsheel, Nagpur.
* BORDER has created a city record by collecting 1,98,148/- in 3rd week (27 shows) at Rajlaxmi, Amravati.
* BORDER has created a theatre record by collecting 1,20,875/- in 3rd week at Rajkamal, Akola. Total: 5,62,359/-.
* BORDER has created a C.P.C.I. record and a city record by collecting 2,24,428/- in 3rd week at Jayanti, Jabalpur.
* BORDER has created another theatre record at Jayant, Chandrapur, by collecting 1,55,913/- in 3rd week. Total: 5,88,366/-.
* BORDER has created another city record by collecting 84,967/- in 3rd week at Swaroop, Durg.
* BORDER has created a city record by collecting 66,950/- in 3rd week at Amar, Dhamtari.
* BORDER has created a city record by collecting 2,00,910/- in 3rd week at Jyoti, Bhopal. It has also created a theatre record at Bhopal Talkies, Bhopal, by collecting 1,49,870/-.
* BORDER has created a city record by collecting 2,43,260/- in 3rd week at Minerva, Bikaner.
* ZIDDI has created a city record by collecting 92,010/- in 1st week at Alankar, Sagar. 2nd week 5 days: 45,000/-.
FMC-AMPTPP V/S. CINE AGENTS
Cine Agents Cry Foul
Cine agents (suppliers) whom the Film Makers Combine (FMC) and the Association of Motion Picture & TV Programme Producers (AMPTPP) have severed ties with are a picture of mixed emotions today. They are unhappy with the treatment meted out to them by leaders of the two producers’ organisations, but, at the same time, they are glad that members of the FMC and the AMPTPP have ignored the directive of their Associations and, in defiance thereof, continue to hire junior artistes and dancers through them (cine agents).
The two Associations of the producers just last week resolved to do away with suppliers and hire junior artistes and dancers directly for shootings.
The Cine Agents Combine, which is the Association of the suppliers, was affiliated to the FMC until recently. According to Devraj, president of the Cine Agents Combine, and G.D. Sharma, the problem has arisen because of G.P. Shirke who is both, chairman of the FMC as well as of the Cine Agents Combine. According to them, it is Shirke’s politics which has made the FMC and the AMPTPP take the extreme step of derecognising the Combine which has had ties with producers’ organisations since years.
Says G.D. Sharma, “The problem started when we stopped collecting Re. 1 from junior artistes for the Combine, since we weren’t sure about the money being put to fruitful use.” Shirke, it is alleged, objected to this and insisted that the practice of collecting Re. 1 not be discontinued.
G.D. Sharma has also alleged that almost Rs. 2 lakh of the Cine Agents Combine were transferred from its bank account to the account of one Ambalal, employed in the CAA by Shirke. “We do not know what has happened to the amount transferred and why, in the first place, it was transferred,” lamented Sharma who also now questions the action of Shirke in opening a new bank account of the Combine in a co-operative bank although an account in a scheduled bank existed. “According to my information, a union cannot have a bank account except in a scheduled bank, and the Cine Agents Combine is a union,” says Sharma, adding., “The cooperative bank employees insist that the monies were transferred to Ambalal’s account on the basis of duly signed cheques of the Combine.” Interestingly, according to Sharma, the persons whose signatures are on the cheques with which the monies were transferred insist, they haven’t signed them.
According to Sharma, when these “discrepancies” came to light, matters erupted. The cine agents, according to him, were sought to be dislodged. On 15th June, the Combine wrote to the FMC, breaking its affiliation with it (FMC). On 27th, FMC and the AMPTPP took a combined decision to do away with cine agents.
G.P. Shirke, however, refutes every charge against him. Says he, “Yes, Ambalal has run away after embezzling monies of the Cine Agents Combine, but I do not know where the money has gone nor was I a party to the withdrawal. My name is unnecessarily being dragged into the controversy by G.D. Sharma and others to tarnish my reputation.” On being told that producers were still hiring the services of cine agents, Shirke said, “Producers are free to use the services of cine agents. What the FMC and the AMPTPP has done is only to tell producers that they are now not bound to hire junior artistes and dancers through cine agents.”
The cine agents ruefully state how they’ve virtually bailed out many producers in difficult times. “It is not rare when we pay junior artistes from our pockets and settle accounts, running into lakhs, after a film’s completion. It will not be an exaggeration to say that our crores are stuck up in films, which makes us financiers of sorts,” explained G.D. Sharma. “We least expected such a shabby treatment from producers.”
Speaking on behalf of producers, Saawan Kumar, however, said, the FMC and the AMPTPP had done nothing wrong in refusing to henceforth entertain cine agents. “Pappu Verma, the new FWICE president, acted pretty tough during the talks with us for wage revision of cine workers this time,” said Saawan Kumar. “The producers had no alternative but to form their own body of cine workers.”
According to Sharma, with the FMC having closed its doors to the Cine Agents Combine, it may now seek affiliation to the FWICE.
MIX MASALA
CHOR MIYAN
Amitabh Bachchan lost his gold watch in Hyderabad last week during the shooting schedule of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Actually, it disappeared from his hotel suite. Obviously, it must’ve been the handiwork of a staffer of the hotel.
ARTISTIC CARD
The invitation card for the inauguration of the new premises where Atmanand-Vivek’s Studio Link has shifted is beautiful and classy. A pencil-shaped strip locks the card which, when opened, has the following well-worded message from the two renowned artists: Slowly, steadily, step by step / we have followed the designs of destiny / your appreciation, your trust, your affection / has encouraged us to form a link / a link that has grown stronger, will last longer. We are all set to take one big step / we are moving into a bigger place. We need your blessings, / we need your good wishes, / we believe you are our inspiration. Come, colour our lives / come, brighten our smiles / you are a great artist / your presence on our big day will prove it.
HALF-YEARLY CLASSIFICATION: 1997
(Total Releases: 53 films, including 12 dubbed & 1 animated)
AA (Super-Hit)
BORDER (‘AAA‘ in Delhi-U.P & East Punjab)
A1 (Hit)
JUDAAI (Average in West Bengal; ‘BB’ in Rajasthan)
HERO NO. 1
ZIDDI
JUDWAA
A (Semi-Hit)
VIRASAT (‘A1’ in Bombay; Average in West Bengal)
BB (Overflow)
Yeshwant (‘A1’ in Bombay; ‘B1’ in Delhi-U.P. & East Punjab)
Aastha
Coverage To Commission
Koyla (losing in some circuits)
Kaalia (losing in some circuits)
The Rest (43 Films)
Ganga Maange Khoon, Bandit Lovers (partly in Hindi), The Rock (dubbed), Nazarr, Jai Mahalaxmi Maa, Darawani Haveli, Aar Ya Paar, Love Birds (dubbed), Jaya Ganga, Chupp, Lion Heart (dubbed), Auzaar, Salma Pe Dil Aagaya, Tamanna, Sabse Bada Shaitaan (dubbed), Jeeo Shaan Se, Lahoo Ke Do Rang, Himalay Putra, Agnee Morcha, Gudgudee, Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha, Dil Ke Jharoke Main, Khilone Ki Chahat Bani Papa Ki Aafat (dubbed), Suryaputra Shanidev, Mrityudaata, Ramayan Shri Ram Katha (animation), Sapnay (dubbed), Duniya Dilwalon Ki (dubbed), Dragonheart (dubbed), Sanam, Chudail, Zameer, Maun (dubbed), Mahanta, Sardari Begum, Insaaf, Zabardast Khatra (dubbed), Babe (dubbed), Gundagardi, The Phantom – Vetal (dubbed), Itihaas, Suraj, Allah Meherban To Gadha Pahelwan.
SAAWAN KUMAR THANKS SAJID NADIADWALA
Dear Sajid Bhai,
Thank you very much for giving me the title ‘MOTHER‘ for my film. I will always appreciate your gesture.
Yours sincerely,
SAAWAN KUMAR
3-E
Education-Entertainment-Enlightenment
Examination Time
The premiere or trade show of a big film is always an event to remember. Not only because the film may be good or bad or because of the guests who attend the show but also for the scene during the interval and after the end of the film. The excited audiences exchange notes among themselves about their views on the film. “I found so-and-so damn good, that one was terrible, that song was so-o-o-o sexy, how did you like so-and-so’s dress in the dance, that action scene was mind-blowing, but the climax was okay, this song is lifted from that number, it’s better than his last film, he has lost his touch, his last film was any day better, I think the film was superb, I found it okay, I didn’t care much for it, I think it’ll run, I don’t think it has any chance, ……,” these and many like comments are common. The best part is the seriousness with which people like to compare their personal views with those of others. The scene reminds one of that outside the examination hall of a tough examination like SSC to CA. The seriousness with which the students compare their answers is much like the seriousness after the film show. But then, for its maker, a premiere or trade show of his film is not less than an examination, right?
Launched In A Jiffy
After a fairly long break following the failure of Daraar, Sujit Kumar is back in the news with his new film, Champion. The actor-producer launched Champion in a jiffy on 29th June. A pandit forecast 29th as an auspicious time for Sujit Kumar to start his film and told him that if he let that day slip, he would have to wait until Diwali to launch the film. Sujit Kumar preferred to get started on 29th June itself and organised the recording of a shlok on the auspicious day and had a small party in the evening to celebrate the occasion. Champion, being directed by Padma Kumar, stars Sunny Deol in the title role. No, he doesn’t play a sportsman in the film, but a police inspector. Urmila was to play Sunny’s heroine but her price factor reportedly came in between her and the role. The choice has now fallen on Raveena Tandon. To take care of the music, it is today’s hit team of Javed Akhtar (lyrics) and Anu Malik (music). At the party, Sujit Kumar informed that the film would take a flying start on September 1 with a 45-day shooting schedule.
Mother’s Day
July 1 may well go down in 1997’s Bollywood history as Mother’s Day. For, two films launched on 1st July have mothers as the central character and ‘mother’ in their titles. Saawan Kumar’s film, launched with a song recording, is titled Mother. And Govind Nihalani commenced the shooting of his film which is titled Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Ma. Another coincidence is that both the films have unusual casts. The former stars Jeetendra, Randhir Kapoor and Rakesh Roshan with Rekha, and the latter marks the comeback of Jaya Bachchan.
Breathtaking Price
Do you know what the ratio of Dharmendra’s London, starring his two sons, Sunny and Bobby, with Karisma Kapoor, is? Hold your breath! For, it’s an unheard of 5 crore!! Reportedly, a Delhi-U.P. distributor has offered 4 for his circuit but Sunny Deol isn’t giving the nod. A leading Nizam distributor is contemplating offering 1.15 but it doesn’t seem likely that Sunny is even going to consider the offer.
Film Man Who Doesn’t See Films
Art director R. Verman believes in doing his work and leaving the rest to God. Why else would he never see films including those which have sets erected by him? Believe it or not, Verman has not seen a complete film for at least 18 years now! “Where’s the time?”, he asks in all humility. “I see glimpses here and there but a whole film for three hours — never!” The coming days will see the release of two big films with R. Verman’s sets — Pardes and Daud.
Tol Mol Ke Bol
Vimal Kumar’s Tarazu is due for an early release but deals for some territories are yet to be finalised. And is Vimal Kumar nervous about it? Not in the least bit. In fact, the film is open for some circuits because the producer is asking for a price revision. Those distributors who weren’t willing to hike the price — of Delhi-U.P., West Bengal, C.P. Berar and Rajasthan — relinquished the rights, and Vimal Kumar was more than happy. He is now keeping open trials of the film and is demanding his price. So far, he has succeeded in closing Delhi-U.P. and Rajasthan, and is confident of striking fresh deals for the other two territories very soon. “Let them see Tarazu, weigh its merits and pay the price,” says Vimal Kumar. Tol mol ke bol, what?
