JOSH
Venus Records & Tapes Ltd.’s Josh (UA) is the story of two rival gangs who try to outdo each other at the slightest provocation. Set in Vasco (Goa), the film has its two biggest stars playing twin brother and sister. The brother is the leader of one gang and he is over-protective about his twin sister who is beautiful and bewitching. The brother of the leader of the other gang falls in love with the beautiful girl and tries to woo her. At first, hard to come by, the pretty girl finally reciprocates his love, but her twin brother will not hear anything of the alliance. In the meantime, the leader of the other gang hatches a conspiracy to kill the twin brother. Around the same time, the twin brother decides to exterminate his sister’s beloved.
In the confusion that ensues, the leader of the rival gang is killed at the hands of the twin brother. Obviously, the relationship between the two lovers is soured. How the two come together again forms the climax.
The film, inspired from the Hollywood film, The Westside Story, has a routine story, and a screenplay that does not really boast of novelty. The Christian background and the odd pairing of the two stars (Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai) as brother and sister may have been handled cleverly by director Mansoor Khan but they do trouble the viewer mentally. Dialogues are natural.
Music (Anu Malik) is one of the biggest plus points of the film. Not only are most of the songs very well-tuned, they also come at proper situations and ensure the smooth flow of an otherwise ordinary drama. Local gang rivalries have been seen umpteen times on the screen. What’s more, since the real cause for the rivalry is not shown in action, the impact is diluted.
The first half is lengthy but it has its share of comic relief and pleasant songs. The post-interval portion is fast-paced, but the pre-climax and climax are dull and predictable. The track of Shah Rukh and Aishwarya’s father does not interest the audience even one bit. Emotions, therefore, fall flat.
Shah Rukh Khan does a wonderful job as leader of one gang and as Aishwarya’s twin brother. Aishwarya Rai looks gorgeous and extremely charming. She too acts pretty confidently. But showing them as brother and sister will disappoint their fans. Chandrachur Singh, as Aishwarya’s lover, does a good job but looks too fat. Pairing Priya Gill with Shah Rukh is almost a tragedy! Priya Gill is average. Sharad Kapoor springs a surprise; as leader of the other gang and as Chandrachur’s brother, he leaves a mark with his villainy and absolutely natural performance. Viveck Vaswani is funny and cute. Sharat Saxena does a fair job. Nadira, in a special appearance, is alright. Anjan Srivastava, Suhas Joshi, Kumar Bhardwaj and the rest lend admirable support.
Mansoor Khan’s shot-takings are excellent. But his choice of subject leaves plenty to be desired. Giving the film a period flavour and setting the drama in Vasco limits the film’s appeal. K.V. Anand’s camerawork complements wonderfully the eye-filling locations. Action (Abbas Ali) has thrill but no novelty. Song picturisations are eye-pleasing.
On the while, Josh lacks in merits except for superb performances of all the lead players, and an excellent music score. Nevertheless, it has taken an absolutely brilliant initial, breaking records at many places. Considering the flying start it has taken and the lack of big oppositions for two more weeks, it will do average business on the strength of audience patronage in ‘A’ class centres mainly. Its shares of the first week should be historic at several places. But its sustaining power is less. Business in Bombay and South will definitely be better (above average) than in the rest of India.
Released on 9-6-2000 at New Excelsior, Novelty and 21 other cinemas of Bombay by Venus Records & Tapes thru V.I.P. Enterprises. Publicity: extraordinary. Opening: bumper. …….Also released all over. Opening was earth-shattering everywhere.
LATEST POSITION
The fantastically phenomenal opening of JOSH this week has brought joy in the industry. Collections are historic at many places.
Sabse Bada Be-Imaan is dull. 1st week Bombay 6,16,794 (49.11%) from 4 cinemas (2 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 1,87,986 from 4 cinemas; Solapur (matinee) 23,035 (1 in regular unrecd.); Delhi 4,94,218 (21.21%) from 5 cinemas (2 on F.H.); Kanpur 41,430; Calcutta 3,78,078 from 6 cinemas (8 on F.H.); Nagpur 89,294 from 2 cinemas, Amravati (6 days) 58,264, Raipur (6 days) 52,196; Jaipur 1,34,250 from 2 cinemas.
Dalaal No. 1 is a disaster. 1st week Bombay 5,60,555 (27.31%) from 6 cinemas (3 on F.H.); Delhi 1,52,655 (17.45%) from 3 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Calcutta (approx.) 60,100.
Deep Rising (dubbed) is so-so. 1st week Bombay 9,35,798 (32.32%) from 5 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Pune 1,00,862; Amravati (6 days) 1,28,106, 2nd Akola (2 days) 18,359 (1st 1,00,018), 1st Bhilai 1,86,258, Bilaspur (8 days) 80,765; Jaipur 1,36,058.
Hum To Mohabbat Karega 2nd week Bombay 10,68,340 (31%) from 6 cinemas (7 on F.H.); Rajkot 89,000 (1 in matinee unrecd.), Jamnagar 51,150 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); Pune 1,26,804 from 3 cinemas (1 in matinee), Solapur 1,16,791; Hubli (noon) 21,386, 1st Bijapur (28 shows) 92,276; 2nd week Delhi 11,41,675 from 10 cinemas (1 unrecd.; 1 on F.H.); Kanpur 1,28,206 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 1,47,897 (1st 2,90,985), Bareilly (6 days) 50,878 (1st 1,30,355), Hardwar 20,000; Calcutta 1,46,781; Nagpur 1,22,808 from 2 cinemas, Jabalpur (6 days) 52,912, Amravati (6 days) 73,757, Akola 54,468, Raipur 64,397, Bilaspur 46,577 (1st 85,601); Jaipur 2,54,054, Jodhpur 68,515; Hyderabad (gross) 2,08,491.
Kya Kehna! is very good. It has collected better in 3rd week than 2nd week at several places. 3rd week Bombay 35,00,997 (75.18%) from 9 cinemas (5 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 7,04,094 from 4 cinemas (1 unrecd.), Baroda (28 shows) 1,88,167 (1 unrecd.), Jamnagar 77,000, 1st Adipur 96,485 (54.44%); 3rd Pune 4,68,388 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee), 2nd Solapur 1,86,700 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); 3rd Delhi about 31,55,164 from 9 cinemas; Kanpur 2,18,697, Lucknow 3,56,550 (2nd 3,41,086), Agra 1,02,000 (2nd 1,28,000), Bareilly (6 days) 59,900 (2nd 87,391); Calcutta 14,13,360 from 11 cinemas (1 in noon); Nagpur 4,64,863 from 3 cinemas, 2nd Jabalpur 1,38,123 (1st 1,22,342), 3rd Amravati (6 days) 1,29,202, Raipur 88,141 (2nd 87,304), total 3,08,845, Chandrapur 1,10,615, total 4,30,543, Bilaspur 76,738 (2nd 80,101); Indore 2,90,314 from 2 cinemas, Bhopal 1,52,000 (2nd 1,63,000); Jaipur 3,07,430, Jodhpur 80,084; Hyderabad (gross) 6,57,053 from 2 cinemas.
Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai 21st week Bombay 7,98,527 (50.02%) from 3 cinemas (5 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 4,29,318 from 3 cinemas, Baroda (28 shows) 1,54,884; Pune 4,96,644 from 3 cinemas, Solapur 1,11,823; 8th Bijapur (28 shows) 66,765; 21st Delhi 1,16,068; Kanpur 78,979, Lucknow 1,56,486 (20th 1,60,908), Agra 45,000, 1st Bareilly (revived) 1,04,402, 1st week Hardwar (3rd run) 30,000; 21st Calcutta 1,76,521 from 2 cinemas; 5th Puri 38,380; 21st Nagpur 1,37,077 from 2 cinemas, Jabalpur 63,586 (20th 63,345; total 23,86,194), Amravati (6 days) 70,204, Akola 78,188, total 24,36,262, Raipur 74,791, total 24,27,082, Jalgaon 88,728, 20th Chandrapur 86,491, total 25,30,713; 21st Bhopal 84,415 (20th 87,960); Jaipur 1,54,930, Jodhpur 50,532 (20th 47,330); Hyderabad (gross) 3,85,437 from 2 cinemas (1 in noon; 2 on F.H.).
KRISHAN KUMAR FREED ON BAIL
The Delhi high court on 9th June freed actor Krishan Kumar on bail. Krishan was granted bail in both, the cricket match-fixing as well as the FERA cases.
MOVIE GEM AT DAHISAR
Movie Gem, a new cinema with 500 seats, will likely be inaugurated next week (it was scheduled to open on 9th June with Josh) at Dahisar, a distant suburb of Bombay. The cinema is owned by Lalit Kapoor of Continental Films.
CINE MAGE AT BHIWANDI
A new cinema, Cine Mage, is coming up near the premises of Haseen Cinema, Bhiwandi, a far-off suburb of Bombay.
CINEMA OWNER SHANTARAM BHATT PASSES AWAY
Shantaram M. Bhatt, who built Nandi and Vijay cinemas in Bombay, and Bhiwandi Talkies, Bhiwandi, passed away on 8th June at his Shivaji Park residence in Bombay. He was 91 years old and is survived by his wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. A prayer meeting will be held today (10th June) at Maharashtra Scouts Pavilion Hall, opp. Mayor’s bungalow at Shivaji Park between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
JACK GAUD NO MORE
Actor Jack Gaud passed away in the early hours of 7th June (1 a.m.) following cardiac arrest at his Tarapore Garden residence at Oshiwara, Bombay. He was 42 and is survived by his wife, two sons and parents. The last rites were performed on 8th.
Jack Gaud had acted as villain in over a hundred films including Tezaab, Karan Arjun, Mard and Vaastav, besides doing a few television serials. He also worked in some Telugu and Malayalam films. He was introduced by Manmohan Desai in Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi. He was producing a film, Kaaldev (earlier titled Aakhri Inteqam), at the time of his death. He had earlier produced Jungle Ka Beta and a Haryanvi film, Chhori Natki.
Tall and well-built, Jack was a national boxing champion. He was also a part of the Indian Navy for a while. Jack used to organise shows too and owned a club in Bombay and another in Surat.
SENIORMOST C.P. EXHIBITOR MOTIDASJI UDASI NO MORE
The seniormost exhibitor of C.P. Berar, Motidasji Udasi of Chitra Talkies, Amravati, passed away on 3rd June following brain haemorrhage. Born on September 2, 1916, he started his long journey way back in 1935 with Sudarshan Theatre (now Chitra Talkies), aided by his elder brother, Arjundasji Udasi. In 1945, he formed a partnership firm alongwith the founder-president of the CCCA, late H.N.S. Subbarao. The partnership flourished for 29 years. Motidasji left no stone unturned to make Chitra Talkies the best threatre in Amravati.
He was actively involved with various committees of the CCCA. He was also a member of the executive committees of the famous Ambadevi Trust and Brijlal Biyani Shikshan Samiti and president of Rotary Club of Amravati (1974-75). He established a school for the deaf and dumb in Amravati. A graduate from King Edward Memorial College (presently Vidarbha Mahavidyalaya), Motidas was a man of principles and a man of vision. He was fond of wrestling and astrology.
He is survived by his wife, Sumitradevi, son (Dr. Harish), daughter-in-law (Dr. Rajani) and grandchildren (Anurag and Ambika). His funeral the same day was attended by members of the entire distribution and exhibition trade and dignitaries from all walks of life. A condolence meeting was held after the funeral and it was conducted by Bharat Khajanchi and CCCA vice president Vijay Rathi.
SANDIP MUKHERJEE NO MORE
Sandip Mukherjee (Tutu), youngest son of veteran director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, expired in New Delhi on 6th June.
DO YOU KNOW?
* JOSH collected an unbelievable 94,650/- on the opening day at Raj, Raipur.
* JOSH has created a theatre record at Krishna, Akola by collecting 63,000/- on its opening day.
* JOSH has created an all-time city record by collecting 1,13,535/- on its first day at Premprakash, Jaipur. It has also created a new record by collecting 2,75,617/- on 4 prints in Jaipur city.
* KYA KEHNA! has created a record by collecting 80,083/- in 3rd week at Darpan, Allahabad, despite heavy rains and stormy weather. Better than 2nd week’s collection (70,000/-).
* KYA KEHNA! has collected more in 2nd week (1,38,123/-) than 1st week (1,22,341/-) at Vineet, Jabalpur. 3rd week 1st day: 13,000/-, better than 1st day of the 1st week.
* KYA KEHNA! has created a theatre record by collecting 76,738/- in 3rd week at Bihari, Bilaspur.
* KYA KEHNA! has collected 2,97,349/- (64%) in 3rd week at Smruti, Nagpur. 3rd week’s distributor’s share from Smruti alone is above 8,00,000/-.
* KYA KEHNA! has done better in 3rd week than in 2nd week at Gem, Jaipur, by collecting 3,07,430/- in 3rd week.
* HOT GAMES (English; re-issue) has created a theatre record by collecting 2,07,553/- in 1st week at Rivoli, New Delhi. It has entered 2nd week in regular shows.
* Govinda plays a Gujarati character, Raju Patel, in JORU KA GHULAM which is due for release next week. Distributor Dilip Dhanwani (Dilsa Distributors) saw the film and acquired it for Gujarat and Saurashtra.
* HADH KAR DI AAPNE has created a record by collecting more than 7,90,000/- (nett) in 8 weeks at Sangeet, Allahabad.
PRODUCTION NEWS
10-Day Stint Of Vijay Galani’s Film
A 10-day shooting stint of Film Folks’ Prod. No. 2 started on June 6 on a huge set at Filmistan Studios and at other places in Bombay. Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Kareena Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Dalip Tahhil, Narendra Bedi, Amita Nangia, Sheela Sharma, Mink, Sharat Saxena and Johny Lever are participating. Being directed by Abbas Mustan, the film has music by Anu Malik, and lyrics by Sameer. Writers: Shyam Goel, Neeraj Vora, Sanjeev Duggal and Robin Bhatt. Cinematography: Rajan Kinagi. Action: Kaushal Moses. Editor: Hussain Burmawala. Choreographer: Saroj Khan. Art: R. Varman. Sound: Jitendra Chaudhary. The film is presented by Venus.
12-Day Schedule Of ‘Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai’
A 12-day shooting schedule of Super Good Films’ Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai in Delhi, Agra, Simla and Bombay commenced on June 1. The entire cast, including Govinda, Rani Mukerji, Apoorva Agnihotri, Johny Lever, Deepak Tijori, Laxmikant Berde, Farida Jalal, Kishore Bhanushali and Om Puri, is participating. Producer: R.B. Chaudhary. Director: Kirti Kumar. Story-screenplay: S.M. Ahale. Dialogues: Javed Siddiqi. Music: Uttam Singh. Lyrics: Anand Bakshi. Cinematographer: Peter Pereira. Dances: Ganesh Acharya and Chinni Prakash. Co-producer: Balram Sharma.
‘Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage’ Song Picturised
The first song and scenes of Mohan Kumar and Emkay Films (P.) Ltd.’s Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage were picturised in a 10-day shooting schedule ending today (June 10) at Filmalaya Studios. Hrithik Roshan, Ali Asgar, Vrajesh Hirjee, Jasbir Thanda, Mushtaq Khan, Suchit, Hemant Pandey, dancers and junior artistes participated. The film stars Amisha Patel in the female lead. Being produced by Rohit Kumar and directed by Vikram Bhatt, it is based on story-screenplay by Robin Bhatt and Sanjeev Duggal. Dialogues: Girish Dhamija. Music: Rajesh Roshan. Lyrics: Ibrahim Ashq. Cinematography: Pravin Bhatt. Dances: Raju Khan. Editor: Amit Saxena. Art: Gappa Chakraborty. Sound: Murari Krishna. The film is presented by Gautam Kumar.
YOU ASKED IT
Why don’t you start an astrology column predicting what’s in store for people under various Indian zodiac signs?
– Why don’t you become my astrologer? And before starting this column, can you please predict whether this weekly bit of information will find favour with our readers?
The trend these days is to give double titles like Mrityu – The Truth, Sandeh – The Doubt, Jaal – The Trap, Taandav – The Dance Of Revenge. Which film set off this trend? Since I am not getting an appropriate title, I intend to title my film Anaam – The Untitled. Please tell me whether I should go ahead with this title?
– The answer to your first question is that DAAG – THE FIRE set off the trend. Producers generally give double titles to their films to circumvent the non-availability of titles. One can use the unavailable title by adding the English suffix to it. Your title, ANAAM – THE UNTITLED, is quite mazaakiya – the funny!
Who, according to you, is the most well-behaved, decent and considerate star who does not do more than 2-3 films at a time and who does not quote a high price?
– All these attributes in one star?! Good day-dreaming!!
TAX PAID BY AMRAVATI CINEMAS
BETWEEN 1-4-’99 AND 31-3-’00
Rajlaxmi Cinema 39,13,299
Prabhat Talkies 36,62,395
Chitra Talkies 35,74,391
Panchsheel Cinema 29,68,015
Shyam Talkies 28,78,988
Vasant Talkies 21,84,138
Saroj Talkies 12,36,038
Priya Talkies 10,03,104
3-E
Education-Entertainment-Enlightenment
Power Of Promotion
At a time when many producers don’t even bother about a decent pre-release promotion of their films, the attitude of Tips’ Ramesh and Kumar Taurani comes as a pleasant change. Not only did they spend a fortune on the pre-release publicity of their Kya Kehna! (which ensured a brilliant opening to the small star cast film) but they are, even now, leaving no stone unturned to further publicise their film. Earlier this week, Ramesh Taurani, director Kundan Shah and Preity Zinta went to Jaipur and attended a show at Gem cinema. They also addressed a press conference in the pink city. The trio now plans to visit Baroda, Surat and Ahmedabad to interact with the public. Little wonder then that more number of prints of the film are being added every week. In the second week, a total of 22 prints were added in the whole of India, taking the number of prints in circulation to 175. A further 21 prints were taken out in the 3rd week and now, in its 4th week, four extra prints have been employed. As Kumar Taurani puts it, “Producers are not realising the importance of publicity. Sustained promotion even after a film clicks is very very necessary.”
Excellent Promotional Materials
Both, producer Sajid Nadiadwala and Super Cassettes, which holds the music rights of his Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, are going all out on the film’s promotion. Sajid has got made extraordinary photo-sets, printed on silver paper, which gives a metallic look to them. The photo-sets and posters have been designed by Soham. The music hamper from Super Cassettes contains not just the film’s music cassette and CD, but a number of other things — a calculator, a writing pad, a note pad, coasters, a pen and a trendy baseball cap. Most of the items are in shocking pink colour. While the pink shocks, the efforts and the expenditures shock even more.
From Condemnation To Commendation
The film industry is very impatient. Nobody here has time to wait and watch, it would appear. As soon as the music of J.P. Dutta’s Refugee was released, trade people lost no time in pronouncing that it would not work. The only reason for the combined condemnation was that the music was slow. But nobody had the patience to appreciate the old-world charm of the music. Very few in the industry were confident that the music would grow — and grow surely. Today, the music has, in fact, become popular and is gaining in popularity day by day. In fact, the music and the promotional trailers of Refugee have generated so much craze among the trade and the public alike that people are now eagerly awaiting its release. An indication of the excitement the debut film of Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor is generating is the scene in Nagpur: reportedly, about 15 shows of the film have been booked completely by various organisations. And this, almost a month before the film’s release (on 30th June)! Yes, Refugee, like Josh, will also take a flying start! In Delhi too, the film is being booked at fantastic terms!
Mission: Piracy Destruction
Here’s an example which the Indian film and music industries must emulate before the devil of piracy devours the Indian entertainment industry.
The film and music industries in Hollywood have decided to put up a determined fight against international optical disc and internet piracy. The Motion Picture Association (MPA) of the USA and International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) have signed a memorandum of understanding for a joint anti-piracy battle. The chairman of MPA, Jack Valenti, like a wounded tiger, has sworn, “We will use every option available to us to protect the sanctity of the copyright.”
According to reports in Hollywood, one in three recordings sold worldwide is a pirated copy. Globally, music piracy is valued at US $4.5 billion. The loss, due to audio piracy, totalled $2.5 billion in 1999.
In a joint statement, the MPA and the IFPI have observed, “Music and audio-visual piracy has proliferated in recent years, driven by a huge optical disc manufacturing over-capacity and the widespread involvement of organised crime.”
MPA, which represents seven major US motion picture companies internationally, has pledged its support to stamp out piracy of CDs and DVDs. Some other associations like International Recording Media Association (IRMA) and International Digital Software Association (IDSA) have also backed the move to protect copyright on digital products.
An Apology, A Gesture
It is now common knowledge that Salman Khan had replaced Chandrachur Singh in Tips Films’ Kya Kehna! mid-way during its making. Of course, Salman arranged a meeting between producer Ramesh Taurani and Chandrachur and saw to it that they settled their differences so that Chandrachur was back in the film, and Salman (who had not shot for it) was out. But not many may be aware that even before the film was started with Saif Ali Khan and Chandrachur Singh, the original choices for the two roles were Samir Soni (of China Gate) and model Vishal. But both declined the offers. Samir, who had been offered the negative role, did not want to play a villain in the film and so refused the offer. Of course, even before Kya Kehna! could be released, Samir felt, he had committed a blunder. To apologise to Taurani, Samir acted in two video albums of Tips and did not charge them a single rupee for it! A good gesture, this.
Permanent Sets
A new studio, housing permanent sets of the interior of a bungalow and an office, is coming up on Andheri Kurla Road, Andheri (East), Bombay. Located opposite the erstwhile Mohan Studios, the new Chetan Studio is owned by the KLJ group of companies chaired by K.L. Jain. The sets have been tastefully created under the supervision of art director Pradeep Singh. The studio is less than a minute’s drive from the highway and has a very easy approach. It is to be inaugurated very shortly. Sunil Kumar (phones: 826-4195/96 or 98200-21330) is looking after the management and bookings.
Industry Heaves A Sigh Of Relief As.…
MAHARASHTRA GOVT. HOLDS SALES TAX IN ABEYANCE
The cloud of uncertainty and anxiety, which loomed large over the film industry for the past two weeks, cleared on June 5 when a delegation comprising representatives of all trade associations of the film industry were told by Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh that the issue of 4% sales tax on film transactions had been kept in abeyance for two months. The state government had decided to levy the tax on all film transactions in the state, reportedly in order to tide over its financial crunch. While announcing the keeping in abeyance of the sales tax, the chief minister asked the industry leaders to formulate some alternate ways to augment resources from the film industry to help the state to tide over its financial crisis. A 9-member committee, under the chairmanship of the state finance minister and comprising industry people, has been formed by the CM to suggest and recommend alternative sources of revenue for the state government as well as for the film industry. The committee comprises N.N. Sippy, Subhash Ghai, Shakti Samanta, U.A. Thadani, Santosh Singh Jain, Pahlaj Nihalani, Madhusudan, Kiran Shantaram and Amit Khanna. The committee’s first meeting with the state finance minister, Jayant Patil, will be held on 14th June.
The issue of imposing sales tax on the film industry has its genesis in the announcement made by Maharashtra’s minister of finance in the legislative assembly while presenting the Budget for the year 2000-2001. In pursuance of the finance minister’s announcement, the commissioner of sales tax, Bombay issued a circular (13.T of 2000 dated 3rd May, 2000) that copyright, as described in section 14 of the Copyright Act, 1957, had been added in the schedule to the Sales Tax Act and accordingly, sales tax at 4% is leviable on the turnover of sales in respect of transfer of the right to use the goods covered by new entries w.e.f. 1st May, 2000.
SALES TAX IN ABEYANCE
The Inside Story
On 5th June, representatives of the various sectors of the Maharashtra film industry went to Mantralaya to hold discussions with Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on the issue of 4% sales tax on all film transactions in the state. As soon as the CM came out of his office, even before the representatives of the industry could initiate the talks, he declared, much to everybody’s relief, that the proposed sales tax on film transactions would be kept in abeyance for two months. The industry leaders must have patted their own backs for bringing about a change in the CM’s heart. But the industry owes a lot to Avinash Adik, son of Maharashtra’s political luminary, Govindrao Adik. Yes, it was he who had brought about a change in the CM’s attitude. Before the CM came out of his office to declare the ad hoc withdrawal of the 4% sales tax, Avinash Adik, accompanied by CCCA president Santosh Singh Jain, Kiran Shantaram and Balkrishna Shroff, briefed Vilasrao Deshmukh on the repercussions of the sales tax on the film industry. They cautioned the CM that the imposition of sales tax on film transactions in Maharashtra may force the film industry to shift base to Gujarat, or Goa, Daman and Diu. They impressed upon him that Bombay, being the film capital of the country, had assumed the sobriquet of Bollywood even in the domain of international cinema, adding that the shifting of the film capital to any other state would rob Maharashtra of its pristine glory. After being convinced of the four men’s concern for the film industry and the state, the CM made the happy declaration.
Avinash Adik reportedly holds the agency for Kodak film alongwith Santosh Singh Jain and Hira (of Filmcenter).
BENEFITS BOTH
Balakrishna Shroff (Shringar Films, Bombay) has a surefire formula by which the Maharashtra government as well as the film industry can benefit. Says Shroff, “No state in India has so far imposed sales tax on film transactions. If the state wants to raise revenue from the film industry, the ball lies in the government’s court. Set the ball rolling. Let the government deal with film piracy with an iron hand. If the government strictly deals with the infringers of the Copyright Act, the business of films will definitely zoom up. And then the industry will surely contribute a great deal to the state treasury. If the state expects, say, 10 crore, we might be in a position to pay even 100 crore. Let the state display its might in effectively dealing with the video and cable pirates, and the industry will surely contribute its mite to the state’s coffers. Ek haath do, do haath se lo!”
