LATEST POSITION
It was a normal week except in Bombay where the traders’ strike on 1st July saw a spurt in collections as it was almost like a holiday.
Haseena Maan Jaayegi has done extremely well in Bombay, U.P., C.P. Berar, C.I., Rajasthan and Nizam. It is, however, ordinary in West Bengal and so-so in East Punjab, Bihar (heavy rains) and Mysore. 1st week Bombay 59,24,202 (89.63%) from 13 cinemas (8 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 10,91,899 from 6 cinemas, Rajkot 1,62,400 (1 unrecd.), Jamnagar (matinee) 29,977; Pune 12,15,859 from 4 cinemas, Solapur 4,30,025 from 3 cinemas (1 in matinee); Hubli 2,41,199 from 3 cinemas (1 in noon), Belgaum 2,40,554 from 2 cinemas, Bijapur 1,32,630; Delhi 52,33,414 (88.91%) from 11 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur 7,37,663 from 3 cinemas, Lucknow 5,07,181 (100%), Agra 2,99,706, Allahabad 2,62,808, Bareilly 1,75,102, Hardwar 1,65,939; Calcutta 15,69,895 from 12 cinemas; Nagpur 9,23,037 from 4 cinemas, Jabalpur 2,43,117, Amravati 2,37,818, Akola 1,86,617, Raipur (gross) 4,01,676, Durg 1,40,171, Jalgaon 2,30,752, Yavatmal 1,87,514, Bilaspur 2,35,233; Indore 2,17,826 (3 on F.H.), Bhopal 6,03,504 from 3 cinemas; Jaipur 11,54,417 from 4 cinemas, Ajmer (29 shows) 1,87,176; Udaipur 2,35,870; Hyderabad (gross) 40,72,786 from 17 cinemas (1 in noon).
Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi… is ordinary in major cities but dull otherwise. 1st week Bombay 18,10,736 (66.42%) from 5 cinemas (3 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 1,90,667, Baroda 80,498; Pune 4,14,138 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); Hubli 1,08,347; Delhi 13,03,493 (76.74%) from 4 cinemas; Kanpur 77,665 from 2 cinemas, Allahabad 51,000; Calcutta 6,28,673 from 4 cinemas; Nagpur 2,29,172 from 2 cinemas; Hyderabad (gross) 8,77,600 from 4 cinemas (2 in noon); Vijayawada (gross) 97,063.
………
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is extraordinary in 2nd week in Bombay and Gujarat (expected to do 5 crore in Bombay circuit) but not very strong in the other circuits. It has maintained quite well in Delhi, parts of Bengal, C.P.C.I. Rajasthan and Nizam but in the rest of these circuits, the drop was quite noticeable. It is not faring well in smaller centres. 2nd week Bombay 64,14,816 (90%) from 12 cinemas (7 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 24,32,067 from 5 cinemas, Baroda 2,00,537, Valsad 3,30,578 (1st 3,10,908), Rajkot 2,52,584 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee), Jamnagar 1,14,342 (1 in matinee unrecd.), Bhavnagar 2,05,769, Bhuj 1,48,766, Adipur 1,59,587 (85.38%); Pune 11,26,781 from 5 cinemas (1 in matinee), Solapur 1,76,428 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); Hubli 1,25,436 (1st 2,50,425); Delhi 47,81,781 from 12 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur 3,52,706 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 4,85,107, Agra 3,55,780, Allahabad 1,57,683, Bareilly (6 days) 1,08,000; Calcutta 14,71,445 from 10 cinemas; Nagpur 4,49,995 from 2 cinemas, Amravati (6 days) 1,76,608, Akola 1,89,300, total 4,66,500, Raipur (gross, 6 days) 2,76,491, 1st week Wardha 1,24,353, 2nd Yavatmal 1,01,439 (1st 1,38,552); Indore 3,96,429 from 2 cinemas, Bhopal 1,47,627 (1 unrecd.); Jaipur 5,04,481 from 2 cinemas; Hyderabad (gross) 11,58,138 from 5 cinemas (1 in noon); Vijayawada (gross) 2,88,210.
Sirf Tum is doing steady business and, due to its low price, it will soon fetch good overflow from everywhere except, maybe, Rajasthan. 3rd week Bombay 6,02,667 (58.31%) from 2 cinemas (2 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 1,75,779 from 2 cinemas, Baroda 58,084; Pune 1,23,824 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee), Solapur (matinee) 58,135; Delhi 4,43,370 from 2 cinemas; Kanpur 1,41,080, Lucknow 2,54,979, Agra 1,46,362, Allahabad 80,598, Bareilly 65,246; Calcutta 1,97,235; Nagpur 76,164, Jabalpur (6 days) 90,503, Amravati 1,16,108, 1st week Akola 94,300, 3rd week Raipur 54,024, Jalgaon (6 days) 55,510, Chandrapur 1,38,244, total 4,64,119; Jaipur 1,16,044; Hyderabad (gross) 4,48,132 from 2 cinemas (1 in noon).
Biwi No. 1 5th week Bombay 27,98,193 (70.76%) from 8 cinemas (8 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 2,52,604 from 4 cinemas, Baroda 99,698; Pune 4,59,511 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee), Solapur 1,17,970 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee), 1st week Barsi (20 shows) 60,322; 5th week Delhi 21,76,292 from 7 cinemas (2 on F.H.); Kanpur 2,35,789, Lucknow 4,62,702, Allahabad 1,10,289; Calcutta 3,37,196 from 4 cinemas; Nagpur 88,023 from 2 cinemas, 4th week Jabalpur 1,26,695, total 7,81,693, 5th week Amravati (6 days) 1,03,063, Akola 98,018, total 7,50,070, Raipur (6 days) 52,524, Durg 30,646, 4th week Jalgaon 1,27,942, Wardha 35,493; 5th week Indore 90,000 (1 on F.H.), Bhopal 89,590; Jaipur 2,55,915, Udaipur 21,078; Hyderabad (gross) 3,25,586 from 3 cinemas (1 in noon); 1st week Guntur (gross) 88,742, Ongole (gross) 99,108.
Sarfarosh 9th week Bombay (now tax-free) 10,62,379 (66.95%) from 5 cinemas (2 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 32,141 from 2 cinemas (both in mg. shows); Pune 5,47,330 from 3 cinemas (1 in matinee), Solapur (7 shows) 57,312; Delhi (TF) 2,89,927 from 2 cinemas (3 on F.H.); Lucknow 1,39,122, Allahabad 58,500; Calcutta 1,79,065; Nagpur 71,319, 6th week Jabalpur 98,199, total 9,55,550, 9th week Amravati 54,724; Indore 32,000, Bhopal 30,688; Jaipur 6,57,268 from 2 cinemas; Hyderabad (gross) 4,17,052 from 2 cinemas; 1st week Ongole (gross) 97,566.
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Bindhast (Marathi; TF) is going great guns. 2nd week Bombay 19,07,819 from 13 cinemas; Pune 1,46,332, Kolhapur 1,05,892, Solapur 61,828, Sangli 1,05,356, Ichalkaranji 32,461, total in Bombay city-suburbs and Maharashtra 23,59,688 from 18 cinemas, total share about 11 lakh. 2 weeks’ billing is about 30 lakh.
TRIPLE CELEBRATIONS IN JAIN HOUSEHOLD
Sandeep, grandson of CCCA president Santosh Singh Jain and son of C.I. distributor Jitendra Jain, was blessed with a baby boy on 26th June in Jaipur. Siddharth Sacheti, another grandson of Santosh Singh Jain and son of Padam Sacheti, was also blessed with a baby boy on 27th in Jaipur.
Pooja, grand-daughter of Santosh Singh Jain and daughter of Narendra Jain of Sanman Films, Jaipur, will wed Ashwin on 10th July in Cuttack.
‘SARFAROSH’ TAX-FREE IN MAHARASHTRA
John Mathew Matthan’s Sarfarosh has been granted tax exemption in Maharashtra for a period of six months beginning 29th June.
ANTI-PAKISTAN PROTEST IN NAAZ COMPOUND
An impromptu protest against the Pakistani infiltration in Kargil was held in the Naaz cinema compound in Bombay on 1st July. The protest, which began with coolies shouting anti-Pakistan slogans and burning Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s effigy, was soon joined by several distributors who left their offices and gathered at the site on learning of the protest.
FIRE IN ZEE TV’S WORLI OFFICE
A major fire broke out in the Worli office of Zee TV on the morning of 27th June. Three tankers and four fire engines brought the fire under control in about four hours’ time. Property worth crores of rupees was damaged. The cause of the fire may have been a short-circuit.
FILM INDUSTRY AND KARGIL
No Consensus On Course Of Action
The Film Makers Combine has been holding meetings to decide on the industry’s plan of action for assistance to the Indian Army. A musical show is likely to be held in Bombay this month to raise funds for the jawans although industry leaders are divided over the idea of holding such a show.
Yash Chopra and Yash Johar have reportedly contributed Rs. 1 lakh each to the fund to be ultimately donated to the Army. While it had been decided that distributors and exhibitors all over the country would donate the collections of cinemas in the 3 p.m. show on 25th July (Sunday) to the Army Central Welfare Fund, it is not known whether the decision will in fact be carried out. Reportedly, leaders of the distribution and exhibition sectors in Bombay are having second thoughts in the matter. Confusion, therefore, prevails in that direction. In the meantime, some of our stars have been visiting hospitals where wounded jawans are being treated.
YOU ASKED IT
What does the success of Sirf Tum prove?
– That a film with a good/novel script, even in the absence of stars, has more chances of clicking than the other way around!
I want to produce a film. What kind of story do you suggest for a 2001 release?
– A story with Indian traditional values and sentiments and a modern look.
Why do trial reports of films differ so often from the public reports?
– Because public pays for the film while a trial show is for free. Therefore, public opinion is also genuine opinion as there are no strings attached.
DO YOU KNOW?
* Amitabh Bachchan has been voted the greatest stage and screen star of the millennium in a BBC Online (BBC’s Internet-based news channel) poll for the millennium. While Govinda squeezed in at no. 10 spot in the poll, the other positions were grabbed by Sir Laurence Olivier (2nd), Alec Guinness (3rd), popular cartoon character Homer Simpson (5th), Robert De Niro and Marilyn Monroe.
MUSICAL BONANZA FOR EXHIBITORS
* In a rare gesture, Miraj sub-distributor Dr. Sunil Patil of V.N. Films, Miraj-Shrirampur-Akluj last week gifted exhibitors of ‘B’ and ‘C’ class centres attractive packs containing audio cassettes of HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM, MANN, TAAL, SOORYAVANSHAM, SIRF TUM, HINDUSTAN KI KASAM and ANARI NO. 1. This novel gesture by a sub-distributor for the usually-neglected ‘B’ and ‘C’ class exhibitors has been receiving a lot of praise from all in the trade.
MIX MASALA
SAME OLD VEERU
It would surprise many to know that a top action director like Veeru Devgan, who has now also turned a producer and director with Hindustan Ki Kasam, even today travels on motor-cycle. He does have cars but it is not rare to see the stunt director atop a motorbike when travelling short distances. “It’s so handy,” smiles Veeru as he explains why he prefers a motor-cycle to a car. “You don’t have to wait for the driver to take the car out of its parking space, and there’s no problem of space when turning a motorbike.”
SURE FORMULA?
In this week’s release, Hote Hote Pyaar Ho Gaya, Aroona Irani keeps giving suggestions to her nephew (Atul Agnihotri) and his wife, Ayesha Julka — to the former on how to irritate his wife, and to the latter, on how to win her husband over. Every plan, according to her, is a formula to be applied for positive results. So it is quite often that Aroona Irani proclaims that she has thought of a lovely ‘formula’. As a wag remarked after seeing the film, “Now, I understand what a ‘formua film’ is!”
DICTION DEFECT
All those who have seen Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi… have been wondering what heroine Rinke Khanna thought her hero’s name was in the film! Almost throughout the film, she is heard addressing him as Sdhant instead of Siddhant. Is it that the name was to be pronounced with a silent ‘i’ and a silent ‘d’? Which would, in turn, imply that everyone in the film, except Rinke, pronounced the name wrong! Jokes apart, even a decent actress like Rnke Khanna — sorry, Rinke Khanna — falters in pronunciation kabhi kabhi…
HALF-YEARLY CLASSIFICATION: 1999
(Total Releases: 65 films including 13 dubbed)
AA (Super Hit)
–
A1 (Hit)
BIWI NO. 1
(losing in Bengal & Bihar and ‘BB’ in C.I.)
HUM AAPKE DIL MEIN REHTE HAIN
(‘BB’ in East Punjab, Eastern Circuit, Rajasthan & Nizam)
A (Semi Hit)
–
BB (Overflow)
Sarfarosh
(‘A1’ in Bombay)
Haseena Maan Jaayegi
(average in Eastern circuit and ‘B1’ in East Punjab)
Daag The Fire
Hogi Pyar Ki Jeet
(‘A1’ in Bihar and ‘B1’ in some circuits)
Sirf Tum
Commission To Overflow
Kachche Dhaage
B1 (Commission Earner)
–
Coverage To Commission
Tej Raftaar (dubbed)
Coverage
International Khiladi
THE REST
Sikandar Sadak Ka, Loh Purush, Lo Main Aagayaa, Jahan Tum Le Chalo, Aa Ab Laut Chalen (good in Bombay), Hu Tu Tu, Bade Dilwala, Khooni Aahat (dubbed), Shera, Chalo America, Bombay Boys (dubbed; ‘BB’ in Bombay), Gupt Sandesh (dubbed), Krantipath, Qatil Chandalini, Kaun (good in Bombay), Zameen Ke Neeche, Lal Baadshah (good in U.P.), Laawaris, Aaag Hi Aag, Kaala Samrajya, Aarzoo, Kahani Kismat Ki, Jaanam Samjha Karo, Putlibai, Purnasatya, Bhoot Ka Darr, Avaidh Sambandh (dubbed), Anari No. 1 (‘BB’ in Bombay), Tan Aggan, Zulmi, Silsila Hai Pyar Ka, Tower House, Shaitaani Khazana (dubbed), King Kong (dubbed), Jaihind, Ronin (Gehri Saazish, dubbed), Main Hoon Baazigar (dubbed), Beauty Palace (dubbed), Lafdaa, Hello Doctor (dubbed), Kartoos, Phool Aur Aag, Khooni Ilaaka – The Prohibited Area, Main Tere Pyaar Mein Pagal (dubbed), Sooryavansham (‘BB’ in Bengal, Bihar and ‘B1’ in C.P. Berar), Rajaji, Ganga Ki Kasam, Safari, Dracula, Zimbo, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (‘AA’ in Bombay), Anyay Hi Anyay, Nyaydaata, Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi…, The Terrorist (dubbed).
Second Quarter Of 1999: A Mix Of Joys & Sorrows
The second quarter of 1999 has been far more exciting for the industry than the first quarter. At least five films from those released in the months of April, May and June ’99 have proved successful. Biwi No. 1 is the biggest grosser of the second quarter and although its box-office performance in West Bengal and Bihar is not commensurate with its price, its business in other circuits is indeed very heartening. Bombay leads, followed by Delhi-U.P. Sarfarosh, too, is exceptionally good in Bombay and a fair earner in the rest of India. Again, it is far from encouraging in Bihar. Hogi Pyar Ki Jeet, on the other hand, is the best in Bihar and is expected to do over 1.75 crore in the territory! Although a slow starter in almost the whole country, the film picked up after 3-4 days of its release and will ultimately fetch commission in all circuits and even overflow from some. Haseena Maan Jaayegi was the other David Dhawan film of the quarter, besides Biwi No. 1, to do well at the box-office. Again, this David Dhawan film, too, is not as strong in East Punjab, West Bengal and Bihar as in the other circuits. Bihar, of course, had heavy rains and hence the film’s collections were adversely affected. Sirf Tum was the surprise packet of the second quarter. Not only did it open well — which was quite unexpected — but it also maintained very well almost everywhere. Rajasthan may not be as strong, but then, the rest of India will bring in good overflow cheques to producer Boney Kapoor.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam proved an extreme case. It is doing wonders in Bombay and Gujarat but the business in other circuits ranges from average to below-average. For example, if Delhi was very good in 2nd week too, U.P. was not too strong. Bihar has not been good from the start. In other circuits, collections in some stations are enviable but in other stations, they are dropping quite fast. Anari No. 1 also proved an earner in just a couple of circuits. Similarly, Sooryavansham. It is doing excellent in West Bengal and good in Bihar and C.P. Berar. But it is a heavy loser in most of the other circuits.
Jaanam Samjha Karo was the biggest shock of the quarter. Among the other losers are Silsila Hai Pyar Ka, Zulmi, Jaihind, Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi…, Safari, Rajaji etc.
While the industry earned very well in the line of successes of the three months, it also lost heavily — almost Rs. 25 crore — in the 32 damp squibs it gave in the three months. Yes, 32 losers out of the 38 films released in the second quarter of 1999!
3-E
Education-Entertainment-Enlightenment
‘Mann’: Listen To People’s Hearts
The immense craze for Mann among the public is indeed heartening. The songs, the promotional trailers, the street publicity and, of course, Aamir Khan have generated so much curiosity around the film that one expects it to take an absolutely bumper opening. Distributors of the circuits in which varying admission rates are permitted would do well to hike the rates in the first week at least, to take advantage of the craze for the film. For instance, a couple of cinemas of Bombay city and suburbs can do with an admission rate of Rs. 150 in the balcony. The response can be monitored and the rates for the second week, decided thereafter. Yes, this hike will not pinch the purses of Aamir’s fans and even if it does, nobody will complain about the pinch. That is the kind of craze one sees for Mann and, therefore, it would only be in the fitness of things if distributors cashed in on it.
Listen To Your Heart….
….But Also See His Art
Publicity designer J.P. Singhal is in great form. His designs for Mann are casting a magical spell on the public. The colour scheme as also the pictures used in the posters and hoardings of the film are beautiful and an absolutely soothing sight. Here, a special mention must be made of the film’s hoardings put up at Chowpatty (opposite Birla Kreeda Kendra) in Bombay. Each hoarding, in a series of four, depicts a different close-up of Aamir Khan and Manisha Koirala together with an alphabet from the film’s title. Thus, read from left to right, the hoardings read M-A-N-N while creating an impression of there being a single long hoarding! ‘Listen to your heart’ goes the catchline in the film’s publicities. Might we add to that: ‘Also see Singhal’s Art!’
Incidentally, a novel mode of publicity is being employed for Mann in Bombay. An attractive back-lit vinyl mega-poster, fitted into the back of a mini-truck, has begun doing the rounds of Bombay streets since July 2. The truck itself is covered on three sides with different mega-posters of the film and has been additionally fitted with sound equipment, which is used to air the film’s music. It shouldn’t be long before this new mobile publicity method becomes popular among the masses — earning mann-y kudos for those who devised it.
Rumours With Base
There are already rumours in trade circles that the release of Taal has been postponed. It is being said that instead of 6th August, as scheduled, Taal may hit the screens a week later. But then it is also being argued that 13th August is not a lucky Friday for Subhash Ghai and so the film may actually come on 20th August. Another argument being put forward for the postponement is that since the music of Taal is so good, Ghai will definitely like it to grow to the fullest before the film is released. Subhash Ghai had blundered last time when he released Pardes before its music could make a real mark. Ultimately, of course, the music grew to great heights but the harm in terms of a not-so-exciting opening to the film was done. Ghai couldn’t have forgotten that mistake, and, one is sure, he would like to play it safe this time. Since the music of Taal has all the potential to hit big time, the maker would, perhaps, like to wait a little longer so that the popularity of the music helps the film’s opening to the fullest.
Kargil Coincidence
Coincidences can never be explained but this coincidence beats all coincidences. Just before the India-Pakistan ‘battle’ at Kargil began, Sarfarosh, which openly talks of ISI agents disturbing the peace in India, was released. The Kargil battle is still on and two more films which deal with India-Pakistan war — Hindustan Ki Kasam and Kohram — are due for release. What’s more, Kohram has actually been shot at Kargil and Siachen, both of which are in news these days. And the shooting at these places was done months ago, when the Kargil tension had not even surfaced!
Big In Japan
Japan seems to have turned into a huge new market for Tamil films in the past year or so. The latest Rajinikanth starrer, Padayappa, has been sold for an astonishing price of US $50,000 — the highest ever fetched by any Indian film in Japan! The film’s Japan rights have been bought by G.V. Films which had entered the Japanese market in 1996 with the Tamil film, Indira. However, the film that really discovered the huge potential of this new market was an earlier Rajinikanth starrer, Muthu, which was released with subtitles in Japan in June last year. Believe it or not, Muthu has already posted a mammoth US $1.75 million in gate receipts and, a year later, is still showing at Japanese cinemas! The outstanding success of the film in Japan last year soon prompted other Tamil film producers to follow suit. Consequently, Tamil films have begun to be regularly screened in Japan. In fact, G.V. Films alone has exported Tamil films worth US $1,00,000 (excluding Padayappa) so far. Apparently, extremely high costs involved in producing Japanese films is the main reason for Japanese distributors having turned to foreign films. Even as distributors had been dependent mainly on Hollywood and South Korean films in the past, the box-office record of Muthu has helped India emerge as a strong contender in the Japanese market in the last one year. With Padayappa proving to be a huge grosser everywhere, India’s position should further consolidate in Japan. As the famous pop song goes, Big in Japan….
Mithun Starrers: A Sad Story
About six months back, Film Information had cautioned producers of Mithun starrers to be careful as they would find it extremely difficult to get buyers for their films. Our fears were based on the pathetic fate of several Mithun starrers released last year. And what is happening at the time of deliveries of Mithun starrers now, proves that our warning was not incorrect. There is a delivery hassle in every second Mithun starrer, Sikandar Sadak Ka, Aaag Hi Aag, Kahani Kismat Ki, Ganga Ki Kasam and Benaam — all these Mithun films have seen tension at the time of their deliveries. Why, some of the aforesaid films haven’t been released in some circuits as yet. Going by the trend, one can expect worse times for Mithun’s producers in the months to come. The hero has already had seven releases in 1999, and about 10 to 12 more of his starrers should see release in the second half of the year.
Height Of Arrogance
…And now, further proof of this top star’s arrogance and his utter disregard for the people who give him work. A couple of years ago, he had been signed by a popular actor-turned-producer-director for one of the two leads in his film. It so happened that, one day, the star sauntered in nonchalantly, more than four hours late for his shooting. Irked by the star’s unprofessional behaviour, the veteran producer-director sarcastically remarked to him whether he should ask the unit to pack up for the day since they had already lost a major part of the day. No words can precisely describe the anguish of the producer-director — and a senior one at that — when the star, instead of apologising, replied shamelessly, “Who the hell are you to tell the unit to pack up? I am calling for pack-up!” Did you say, “Shame shame!” Well, we won’t even say that for this act on the part of the shameless star.
Not Done
Then there’s this super-hero who thinks no end of his judgement on films starring himself. So far so good. He even goes to the extent of criticising films in which he acts. But who gives him the right to talk ill of those films even while they are under-production? Besides being unethical, it creates such a bad impression about those films because you have the hero himself bad-mouthing his starrer. At least two top producer-directors have faced this problem. The hero, even while acting in their films, used to quite openly tell trade people that those two films were not going to click. The funniest part of this entire episode is that both the bad-mouthed films clicked. One of them went on to become a blockbuster. Wonder whether these two films have taught the super-hero a lesson or not. For, not only is he exposing his unethical side and lack of judgement but also harming the interests of his own producers. All this, only because he is the top hero. The question which arises here is: why does he sign a film in the first place if he has to cast aspersions on its box-office potential even before it is complete?
Film Information’s Kargil Special
How often have we been moved to tears in scenes of death in films? How often has a separation/estrangement on the screen made us weep? How often has an accident in a film sequence made us close our eyes in dismay and sigh in disbelief? And all this when we know that what we are seeing is not true. In fact, who better than us film people to know that cinema is only make-believe.
It is said that creative people are the most sensitive too. If that is true, the havoc the current encounters between Indian army jawans and Pakistani intruders is wreaking on our country should strike a chord in our hearts. When we can cry so easily in films, tears should come naturally to us when we read reports of the killings of our jawans at Kargil. Hundreds of our soldiers have laid down their lives to protect the country’s honour, hundreds have been maimed or handicapped for life while fighting the enemies.
But as opposed to reel life, this is real life. Merely shedding tears will not be enough. The film industry has always risen to the occasion whenever the country has needed its services. Mother India needs the industry’s help once again. The families of jawans killed in the Kargil encounters need financial support. The injured soldiers need monetary help. The government today needs a helping hand. It is looking to the film industry with expectations and hope.
And like in the past, we can do it this time too. Various associations of the industry are collecting funds for the army and army wives. May they meet with tremendous success in their endeavours.
Film Information will bring out a special KARGIL ISSUE on 14th August, 1999. The earnings from that special issue will be donated to the Army Welfare Fund. For that, we need your support, your patronage. Come, advertise in our issue of August 14 and contribute to a noble cause. Only because we are not at the scene (Kargil), we should not underestimate the emotional drama being unfolded in armymen’s homes every day. Simply recall a scene from Haqeeqat which made you cry. Or a sequence in Border that shook you. And you will instantly feel like making some contribution, at least, to the Kargil cause. You will indeed feel like being a part of our Kargil Special of 14th August. So put pen to paper now. Remember, every assistance will go a long way in ameliorating the hardships of our jawans and their families.
Come on, we at Film Information stand with folded hands in anticipation. We need your helping hand. Our motherland needs it. Our jawans need it. For once, let us applaud the real heroes.
– Komal Nahta