(From Our Issued Dated 31st December, 1994)
A French journalist, Ms. Connie Hahm, has written a book on late Manmohan Desai and his formula of filmmaking. Entitled Enchantment Of The Mind: Manmohan Desai’s Films, it is an analytical study of the late filmmaker’s work and is being brought out as a tribute to him.
The book will be released on the first death anniversary of Manmohan Desai i.e. on 1st March, 1995. It will be published by Manohar Publishers & Distributors.
DO YOU KNOW?
* The year 1994 saw several Indian film directors make an international mark. Shekhar Kapur hit the headlines for his BANDIT QUEEN. Shaji N. Karun’s SWAHAM made waves in the competition section of the Cannes film festival. Buddhadeb Dasgupta’s CHARACHAR won critical acclaim at the Berlin film festival. Mani Ratnam was paid a special tribute at the Toronto film festival. At the same festival, Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s VIDHEYAN and Dev Benegal’s ENGLISH AUGUST drew huge crowds.
* According to an FMC communication to its affiliates, Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty have the maximum number of films signed but awaiting FMC clearance.
* Producers Anil Sharma and Anuj Sharma have parted ways and have separated their businesses now. Anuj Sharma, whose JAWAB is ready for release, has changed the banner from Shantketan to Shivam Chitra Mandir.
* Channel 4 has signed a deal with famous writer Vikram Seth to produce a 13-episode celluloid version of his book, ‘A Suitable Boy’. Shekhar Kapur is being considered for the director’s job. The producers will be David Puttnam and Verity Lambert.
* Kannada cinema has completed 60 years of its existence. Cinemas in Karnataka play host to films in as many as six languages viz. Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi and English.
* It is, perhaps, the success of JURASSIC PARK in India, which has inspired Bihar to have its own version of Jurassic Park. The fossil remains of the later Jurassic period and of the Cretaccous period found in Sahebganj will be collected and put up on display in natural surroundings.
* For the first time in the history of Bijapur (Karnataka), a Hindi film’s tickets have been sold at the advance booking window. The film is HAHK..! which opened at Amir Talkies on 30th December. The revised rates of admission are Rs. 10 for balcony and Rs. 7 for comfort & ladies. Capacity for 28 shows: 1,48,239/-.
‘CINEMA CINEMA 100’ PREPARATIONS ON
Hectic preparations are on for the celebration show of 100 years of cinema, to be held on 15th January at the NSCI, Bombay. A huge stage, said to cost Rs. 50 lakh, is being erected under the supervision of art director Nitin Desai.
Laxmikant Pyarelal have recorded the title song, ‘Cinema Cinema 100’, penned by Javed Akhtar, at Mehboob Recording Theatre. About 150 musicians played for the title song. They will also perform live at the show.
Anu Malik and his orchestra will play on stage the tunes of legendary music composers from 1935 to 1995. Action director Tinnu Verma will stage a live action sequence with stars and using helicopters, horses and bombs.
Among the stars who are expected to make appearances are Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Vyjayanthimala, Madhuri Dixit, Rishi Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Govinda, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon, Manisha Koirala, Mamta Kulkarni and others.
The audio-visual show is being organised by the NFDC and will be directed by Subhash Ghai. Kamlesh Pandey is writing the script. Yash Chopra, Yash Johar, Asha Parekh, Anand Girdhar, K.K. Talwar, Johny Bakshi, Satish Khanna and Kiran Shantaram are the major organisers of the show. Ketan Mehta and Aruna Raje are incharge of the creative inputs. Ravi Gupta of the NFDC is the chief convenor of the show.
Shiamak Davar and his troupe will present dances from world cinema. Bhanu Athaiya’s costumes will be displayed by young stars.
Besides these, there will also be a fashion show by Achla Sachdev, and a laser show.
‘HAHK..!’ MUSIC CASSETTES: COURT RESTRAINS SUPER CASSETTES
HMV on 29th December moved the Delhi high court against Super Cassettes over the issue of sound track rights of Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, alleging copyright infringement, passing off and unfair competition. The court passed an order restraining Super Cassettes from selling or distributing cassettes of the film. The ad interim ex parte order has given Super Cassettes time till 16th February, 1995 to show cause why the order should not be confirmed.
According to HMV, Super Cassettes had been selling cassettes of HAHK..! in a package similar to HMV’s own. On the inlay card of the cassettes sold by Super Cassettes, pictures of Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan from different films were shown, it was alleged on behalf of HMV.
HMV’s legal counsel said that HMV had sold about 50 lakh audio cassettes, and 40,000 compact discs of the film. The sale of the film’s audio cassettes by Super Cassettes had eaten into the sales of HMV, it was argued.
The high court appointed five local commissioners who went and checked with nine local dealers. Some cassettes of HAHK..! were also taken in possession from the factory premises of Super Cassettes.
3-E
Education-Entertainment-Enlightenment
Writing On The Wall?
There are two striking features about the new advisory panel of the Central Board of Film Certification, constituted by the central government. One: more than 50% of the panel members are women. Two: there are hardly any film personalities on the panel this time. Both these are the result of the hue and cry raised all through the year over the passing of some allegedly vulgar/obscene songs and objectionable scenes. Is it a warning of strict censorship in the days ahead?
Fascinating Tunes
Among the forthcoming films, one film of which the music stands out is Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakeria’s Raja. The sampler cassette, brought out by Tips, contains six of the eight songs in the film and it must be said that the cassette is veritably a listener’s delight. Nadeem Shravan are in great form and at least four songs of the film should soon be on top of the popularity charts. The ‘Love you Raja’, ‘Zara phir se kehna’, ‘Bina payal ke baje ghunghroo’ and ‘Shahar chhod chali jaaoongi’ numbers are superb. Its music cassettes, when released, will sell like hot cakes.
Release Strategy
Unlike Mani Ratnam’s Dal-pati (dubbed) which has been released in 19 cinemas in Bombay city and suburbs, Mani’s Bombay (also dubbed) will be released with a very limited number of prints — maybe just 3 or 4 — in the city and suburbs. The video cassettes of Bombay will be withheld indefinitely rather than being released simultaneously.
The Midnight Shows
What better way to spend New Year’s eve than by watching the film of the century, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!? Yes, the Barjatyas have planned midnight shows tonight (31st December) at two cinemas of Bombay, Liberty and Tilak, Dombivli. Ringing out the old and ringing in the new with didis, devars and deewanas, this!
Watch Out………They’re Coming!
Big industrial houses are making inroads into the cable business in a big way. The Hindjuas have set up a Rs. 500-crore project. K.K. Modi has announced plans of a Rs. 600-crore project. R.P. Goenka has signed an agreement with United International Holding of the USA for a Rs. 100-crore cabling operation in Calcutta.
Small Screen Becoming Big
With the launch of Apstar 2, PanAmSat 4 and AsiaSat 2 satellites early next year, 1995 will be the revolutionary period for Indian television. The beginning of a change will take place with the launch of India’s first pay channel by Zee TV next March. It is feared that at least 15, and may be 20, networks will be in operation by next year.
Tinnu Verma’s New Role
Have you heard of an action director picturising a song? Well, that’s exactly what action director Tinnu Verma is going to do for Vicky Kumar’s Angrakshak. He will be picturising a song on Sunny Deol and Pooja Bhatt. And that song is no ordinary song. It is an action song, hence Tinnu Verma. The lyrics of the song go thus: ‘Aa ab aa sun le sada dil ki’.
Two Together After Two Years
Sridevi and choreographer Saroj Khan, who had patched up their differences many months ago, have come together again now, after a gap of two years. Saroj Khan picturised a song-dance on Sridevi last week at Filmistan Studios for Vasant Doshi’s Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha.
Birthday In Sikkim
Twinkle Khanna was in for a pleasant surprise on 28th December while shooting for Vipin Handa’s Uff Yeh Mohabbat at Chandivali Studios. The unit members celebrated her birthday on the dot of 12 midnight in quite a unique way. Twinkle was participating in a chase scene for the film. The ‘robbers’ who were chasing her, caught hold of her and burst into the ‘happy birthday to you’ song, much to Twinkle’s astonishment. Incidentally, Sikkim has been re-created at Chandivali for the film’s shooting. An earlier shooting schedule of the film had been held in Sikkim.
Rumoured Weddings
Rumours were rife in the industry this week that wedding bells would soon chime for two heroes and two heroines. Akshay Kumar was supposed to be getting married to his mast mast heroine, Raveena Tandon, and Ajay Devgan, according to the rumour mills, was tying the knot with Kajol. Sounds like the happy ending of a multi-star-cast film, doesn’t it?
New Titles
Finally, a look at some interesting new film titles registered by the title registration committee in its meeting on 13th December:
Mr. Aids Se Rahna Bach Ke, Namard, 1947 To AK 47, Mardo Ne Bazaar Diya, TADA, Ramayan, Punjab, Devar Diwaana, Marta Kya Na Kartaa, Mr. Natkhatlal, Jab Bhi Koyee Ladki Dekhun, Khoya Khoya Chand, Pradhan Mantri Chaudhary Charan Singh, Chupp, Naagin Ka Suhag, Parsa Parsu Parasram, Udhar Ki Taqdeer, Bibi Jawan To Pati Pareshan, Jabde Mout Ke, Haaroongi Nahi, Hero-Heroine, Duplicate, Leaderon Ka Leader, Agar Tum Na Aate, Mile Jo Tere Naina.
PEOPLE
Are talking about
** Aditya Pancholi’s childishness and desperation in making threatening anonymous telephone calls to Anil Kapoor to refrain from acting in Subhash Ghai’s Trimurti. The fortnight-long drama ended when the crime branch traced the anonymous calls to a hotel in Juhu and revealed the identity of the caller. Aditya, perhaps, thought that if Anil would chicken out of the film, it would fall in his lap. A bad joke best forgotten!
PEOPLE
Are whispering about
** The title of Gulshan Rai’s new film, starring Bobby Deol and Kajol. It is called Gupt but the title is being kept a closely-guarded secret (gupt) by the makers. It will be announced at an opportune time. Till then, it is like an open gupt (secret)!
** The unpleasantness between the producer of a recently released film and that of a to-be-released film. Both the films star the hero settled in the South. He plays a don in the unreleased film but his get-up in that film has been used in a song in the released film. The publicities of the to-be-released film were supposed to show the hero in that get-up but the publicities of the released film show him that way. What say?
PEOPLE
Are unaware about
** Subhash Ghai’s Drishti India Ltd. having bought over the Chitrahaar programme of Doordarshan for an astronomical price. Drishti will present Chitrahaar from February. It is likely to be revamped.
** The tension brewing between the distributor of a major circuit and the producer of a mast mast hit of 1994. Reportedly, the distributor did not submit true accounts to the producer, and the latter investigated the matter, much to the former’s embarrassment. The producer has, it is learnt, now also gone to the court.
** Telugu film hero Nagarjuna having slashed his price by an appreciable amount because of the crisis through which the Telugu film industry is passing. In recent times, Nagarjuna is the only star whose Telugu films have done well. And ironically, he is the first star to have reduced his price! Will any Hindi film star follow suit? He’ll be the real hero!
‘TEESRA KAUN?’ VIDEO PIRACY
Pirate Kaun?
Pirated video cassettes of Teesra Kaun? have surfaced in the market. The Eastern circuit, especially, has been flooded with the illegal cassettes which have reportedly been made in Dubai.
The home video rights of Teesra Kaun? are held by Shemaroo Video. Since Teesra Kaun? was covered by the FMC-FDC resolution to delay video cassettes of films launched on or after 1st January, 1994, by two weeks, its video cassettes had not been released. Shemaroo was to release the cassettes after two weeks of its theatrical release. But before that, the pirated cassettes have reportedly made their way into the market.
It is pertinent to note that while the FMC-FDC agreement entails the responsibility (of delaying the video cassettes by two weeks) upon the producer, it is silent about the Overseas distribution rights. That is to say, it does not stipulate delay in Overseas delivery. Teesra Kaun? was released in the Overseas simultaneously with its theatrical release in India.
Just as the industry had begun to realise and reap the benefits of delayed video release, has come the news of piracy of Teesra Kaun? video cassettes. Will this spell the beginning of the end of delayed video release? Because, if all producers were asked to also delay Overseas deliveries by two weeks, it would be too much.
Mix Masala
GHAI, CHOLI & PANCHOLI
The togetherness of Subhash Ghai and choli is like choli-daaman ka sath. Before the release of his Khal-nayak, its choli song had been at the centre of a major controversy. Now, during the making of his Trimurti, the film has made headlines again, thanks to Pan-choli. Aditya Pancholi made threatening anonymous phone calls to Anil Kapoor and his family members, asking Anil to refrain from acting in Trimurti. With so much of choli, Subhash Ghai may have a choli bash this March (1995) instead of his usual Holi bash.
SORRY, NO ROOM FOR SUPERSTAR
Saawan Kumar has replaced his hero of Sanam Harjai and will now introduce Himanshu as the lead man. Himanshu is the son of star-secretary Ved Sharma. When the earlier hero, Faraaz Khan, was to be introduced in the film, Saawan Kumar used to say, “He (Faraaz) is the superstar of tomorrow.” Then why has he replaced him today?
YOU ASKED IT
Is it true that the Rajshri people have acquired Filmistan Studios?
– There have been rumours to that effect in trade circles, but they are baseless. Nevertheless, the Rajshris do have plans to build a studio.
How does the producer of a film like Majhdhaar recover his production cost by giving the film for premiere telecast on Doordarshan?
– Even otherwise, how does he recover his cost in the absence of buyers?
Will the music (A.R. Rahman) of Subhash Ghai’s Shikharalso have a South flavour?
– Since SHIKHAR is a film with a North Indian atmosphere, its music will also have North flavour.
CINE WORKERS’ CESS NOW RS. 2,000
The CBFC will henceforth collect Rs. 2,000 by way of cine workers’ welfare cess per film. But every producer will be required to sign an undertaking that if the cess amount is increased, he would be responsible for payment of the difference.
It may be recalled that the I & B ministry had a while ago stayed the increase in the cess from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 10,000. Pending reconsideration of the appeal presented by the film industry in respect of the sharp increase of the cess, it has been fixed at Rs. 2,000 now.
GUDDU DHANOA TO WED
Producer-director Guddu Dhanoa will wed erstwhile film journalist Santosh Sud on 9th January at Holiday Inn.
GULSHAN RAI FINE
Gulshan Rai, who had had a paralytic attack a while ago, is fine now. He is attending office regularly.
SHIVAJI AWDHUT NO MORE
Veteran film editor Shivaji Awdhut passed away on 23rd December at 3.10 p.m. in Bombay. He had suffered a severe heart attack about a week before the end came and had been admitted to Ramakrishna Mission Hospital where he died after he suffered another heart attack. He was cremated at Santacruz cremation ground the same day. He was 74 years old and leaves behind his wife, three sons and a daughter.
Shivaji Awdhut was one of the outstanding film editors of his time. He became an independent editor in 1945 and edited almost all films produced by L.V. Prasad, such as Sharda, Chhoti Behen, Sasural, Humrahi, Khilona, Bidai, Dadi Maa, Beta Beti, Jeene Ki Raah etc. He also edited other films like Duniya, Izzat, Vaasna, Amanatand Raja Aur Runk.
Shivaji was instrumental in the formation of the Association of Film Editors, first as a Society in the year 1953, which was thereafter converted into a trade union in 1956. He was the first among the founders of the Association and held the office of its general secretary for five terms. He was also the general secretary of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees for some time.
The 10th day ceremony will be held at Shivaji Park cremation ground on 1st January between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
‘Bandit Queen’ Is Among Ten Best Films Of 1994
Time magazine, the reputed weekly of America, has put Bandit Queen among the ten best films of the year. The other films are: Pulp Fiction, Heavenly Creature, Yvonne’s Perfume, The Lion King, Once Were Warriors, Wild Reeds, Cairo Diary, White and The Silence Of The Palace.
Praising Bandit Queen, it has observed, “Rape Vicitm. Marauder. Murderer. Super Star! In the early ’80s, Phoolan Devi, an outcast Hindu woman, became a legend as the leader of a gang that preyed India’s corrupt elite. Director Shekhar Kapur is fair to both, the legend and the brutal facts. He dispassionately shows the mean and mythic elements in her story, which make the film a galloping horror show. Phoolan Devi surely thought so. She threatened to sue if the film was shown abroad. And when the Indian authorities saw Bandit Queen, they banned it. In some countries, alas, any brave director risks being an untouchable.”
