(From our issue dated 1st April, 1995)
Govind Nihalani’s Drohkaal has been exempted from payment of entertainment tax in Maharashtra for a period of one year from 28th March. The film is scheduled for release on 5th May.
RELEASE OF HINDI FILMS IN KARNATAKA:
31ST MARCH FIXED CUT-OFF DATE
Kannada film producers have fixed 31st March, 1995 as the cut-off date for registration of Hindi films for simultaneous release in Karnataka. Films purchased or registered after 31st March will not be allowed to be released simultaneously in the state.
It may be recalled that the Kannada Film Producers’ Association had held a demonstration in Bangalore on 25th February to seek a control on release of language films other than those in Kannada in the state of Karnataka. The aim was promotion of Kannada films. The Association had demanded that films of other languages be screened in Karnataka only after 100 days of their run in the respective states.
Mix Masala
SUPER ZEAL
We’ve heard of enthusiastic heroes who like to do their own stunts without the use of duplicates. But it’s rare to hear about such zeal in a heroine. Sonali Bendre, on 30th March, jumped from a height of 40 feet alongwith Akshay Kumar for a scene of Vimal Kumar’s Tarazu which was being picturised at Madh fort. The breathtaking action scene was being directed by Akbar Bakshi.
ENTERTAINMENT TAX RAIDS IN GUJARAT
Entertainment tax raids were conducted simultaneously on several cinemas in various centres of Gujarat on 31st March. The cinemas raided were those which indulge in tax evasion. Some cinemas of Baroda had been similarly raided a couple of months back. The present raids were conducted in Nadiad, Anand, Baroda and other places.
IMPDA ON WARPATH WITH FDC
Shot In The Arm For AMPTVPP
The rejuvenated Association of Motion Picture & TV Programme Producers (AMPTVPP) got a shot in the arm when the IMPDA, the Association of Bombay distributors, on 31st March resolved to recognise it. At an emergency meeting of the Indian Motion Picture Distributors Association, it was decided to register all films irrespective of the Association to which the producer of the film belonged. This is in sharp contrast to the claim made by the Film Distributors’ Council (FDC), of which the IMPDA is an affiliate, that it would have nothing to do with the AMPTVPP and would ensure that its affiliates would not register films produced by members of the AMPTVPP.
The IMPDA also decided to inform the FDC of its resolution. According to IMPDA president N.N. Sippy, “If the FDC does not approve of our stand, we might have to even break ties with the FDC.”
The IMPDA decision has to be viewed in the light of what transpired in the meeting of a committee of the Film Makers Combine (FMC) on 29th March. The meeting took up the matter of N.N. Sippy’s Teesra Kaun? vis-Ã -vis his Delhi-U.P. distributors, Super Art International. It may be recalled that the Delhi-U.P. Association, MPA, had converted Sippy’s MG royalty agreement with Super Art Intl. into an advance agreement. This decision was taken unilaterally by the MPA because Teesra Kaun? came to be shown on cable TV in the first week of its release. At the FMC committee’s meeting on 29th March, Sippy appealed for a ban on Super Art Intl. But seeing G.S. Mayawala (of MPA), who was present in the meeting, take a soft stand, the FMC did not deem it fit to take the extreme step of banning the distributor.
This infuriated N.N. Sippy who also felt hurt at “being humiliated” by members of the committee in the meeting.
In the meantime, Sippy has moved the Bombay high court against the decision of the MPA, Delhi and against his Delhi-U.P. distributors, Super Art Intl. He has filed a notice of motion which is likely to be taken up early next week.
DOORDARSHAN’S NEW POLICY
FOR HINDI FILMS
There is a change in Doordarshan’s policy regarding Hindi films. It has now decided to accept films that are not more than ten years old, that is, Hindi features censored after January 1, 1985.
In the policy for the period June 1995 to May 1996, Doordarshan has also announced that commercial feature films accepted on sponsorship/royalty basis from the right holders will be entitled to only one telecast, and films telecast earlier are not eligible. (Doordarshan has stopped purchasing telecast rights for telecast of films.)
However, films that are taken for premiere telecast on Friday nights (blockbuster slot) will be entitled to two showings, one on Friday and another on a subsequent Saturday.
‘BOMBAY’ CHANGES HANDS
Amitabh Bachchan Relinquishes Rights
Release On Schedule * VIP Steps In?
Mani Ratnam’s Bombay has changed hands in Bombay. Amitabh Bachchan, who held the film’s distribution rights for Bombay circuit, has relinquished the rights. It is now expected to be released thru VIP Enterprises. Earlier, Shringar Films was to have released the film in the account of Amitabh’s new company, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd. (ABCL).
While the exact reason for the change at the eleventh hour is not known, there are at least three stories in circulation in the market. Repeated attempts to verify the authenticity of the story and the reasons for the change drew a blank. While Amitabh’s office refused to comment, saying “Mr. Bachchan is not in town,” Balkrishna Shroff and Shyam Shroff of Shringar Films were non-committal. The last one heard from them at 12.15 last night (Friday, March 31) was, “Nothing is certain now. Please check up with Amit-ji.”
It is believed that Mani Ratnam was in Bombay on Friday and had a closed-door meeting with Amitabh on the issue. Besides the two, Kirit Trivedi (a close friend of Bachchan) and Jhamu Sugandh, who was partner with Bachchan in Bombay, attended the meeting. Insiders reveal that the meeting, which started at 4.15 p.m., got over at 9.45 p.m. Mani Ratnam, who is putting up at Hotel Centaur, is likely to meet Bharatbhai Shah of VIP today (Saturday) before leaving for Madras tonight. It is rumoured that he had already sounded Bharatbhai of the impending change. Bharatbhai reportedly agreed to release the film in Bombay.
The change of hands is, however, not likely to result in a change in the date of release. Bombay will hit the screens on 7th April, as scheduled.
One story has it that Amitabh has relinquished the distribution rights at the behest of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. The closeness of Bachchan and Balasaheb is too well-known. Apprehending tension from the minority community on the release of Bombay in Bombay, Amitabh called on Bal Thackeray on 29th March to request him to ask his government to take adequate security measures. Know-alls insist that it was in this meeting, which lasted well over an hour, that the Sena chief asked the superstar to “leave the film”. Whether Bal Thackeray liked the film or not has been a question mark ever since he saw its Tamil version in Bombay about a month back. Conflicting press reports have failed to indicate rather accurately his actual views on the film. Just yesterday, The Times Of India (Bombay edition) carried an interview of Thackeray in which he said, Bombay was a good film. If the story about Thackeray asking Bachchan to leave the film is correct, it would imply that the Shiv Sena leader was far from happy with the film. It may be mentioned here that Tinnu Anand plays the Sena supremo in Bombay, and Bal Thackeray had suggested some cuts in the dialogues spoken by Tinnu in the film.
Another story goes that Bal Thackeray has nothing to do with the relinquishment of rights by Amitabh. According to this story, Amitabh had sensed trouble to brew up after its release in Bombay, other parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat. As this could result in losses to him, he had had a meeting with Mani Ratnam, asking him to be relieved of the distribution obligations. A source, wishing to remain anonymous for obvious reasons, informed that Amitabh did not wish to take any chances where the name of his company was concerned, especially because a public issue of ABCL was in the offing.
Another story goes that the price of Bombay for Bombay territory had not been finalised. Although the deals of the Hindi version for all-India were concluded on behalf of Bachchan himself, the price for Bombay circuit had been kept open for negotiation. It is believed that Ratnam flew to Bombay on Friday for finalising the price, but no decision could be arrived at. According to this theory, Bharatbhai Shah was contacted by Mani Ratnam, only after talks with Amitabh failed. This story, however, lacks credibility as it is unlikely that a common price, agreeable to both the parties, could not be arrived at and even more unlikely that Amitabh would give up the rights on this count.
Whatever the reason or reasons, it is now almost certain that ABCL would not be distributing the controversial Bombay in Bombay. As Shringar Films was to release it for ABCL, even Shringar is now out of the picture.
The new Bombay distributor will honour the contracts entered into by Shringar Films with various cinemas. Mani Ratnam will now reportedly deal directly with the film’s all-India distributors as Amitabh Bachchan is no longer associated with the film.
And if you’ve come to this point, you should be ashamed of yourself. For, you’ve been taken for a royal ride. And why not? It’s April 1 — April Fool’s Day — today. Hope, you’ve enjoyed becoming an April Fool. Come on, don’t sulk. After all, this day comes only once a year. So carry on the good work — of fooling the world!
YOU ASKED IT
The FDC says that it will not recognise the rejuvenated association of producers — the AMPTVPP — since it has broken away from the FMC. Does it mean, films produced by members of the AMPTVPP will not be registered by distributors’ associations?
– Yes, it means so. But it seems impractical also, because a number of producers have become members of the AMPTVPP and so many films cannot possibly be left unregistered. It the FDC remains adamant, even it (FDC) might break — like the FMC.
Do song picturisations on scenic locations abroad help?
– They enhance the visual appeal of the songs. But the visual impact can only complement the audio value of a song.
‘PARAM VIR CHAKRA‘ TAX-FREE
Major Ashok Kaul’s Param Vir Chakra has been exempted from payment of entertainment tax in Maharashtra (for a year) and Delhi.
JUHI LOSES COURT BATTLE:
‘MAHASHAKTI’ TELECAST PERMITTED
A division bench of the Delhi high court on 24th March allowed the appeal filed by Saibaba International and set aside the order dated 10th March passed by a single judge of the court.
The single judge had allowed the prayer of Juhi Chawla and had restrained Saibaba International as well as Doordarshan from telecasting the teleserial Mahashakti. The division bench, while setting aside the order of the single judge, observed that Juhi Chawla had given her consent to the conversion of the film Vaada Hai Milan Ka into the teleserial Mahashakti, which was clear from the receipt she had signed and an interview she had given to a magazine.
PEOPLE
Are talking about
** The wrong choice of the main cinema in Bombay for Jai Vikraanta. The right cinema would have been Super. But not surely Metro.
** Govind Nihalani’s Drohkaal. Those who’ve seen the film’s trial are singing its praises.
PEOPLE
Are speculating about
** The reaction of the minority community to the Hindi version of Bombay. Will there be an agitation against its screening in Bombay and other places? Or won’t there be any agitation whatsoever?
** The response to the public issues of BMB Music and Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd. (ABCL). The public issue of BMB will open on 2nd May. ABCL and Sridevi Securities Ltd. would follow suit.
PEOPLE
Are waiting for
** Bobby Deol and his Barsaat. Those who’ve seen the songs/rushes of the film are spreading the good word that Bobby is too dashing to be true.
MANSOOR BHAI PASSES AWAY
A. Mansoor, the seniormost action co-ordinator of the Hindi film industry, passed away on the night of March 25 at 9.30 in Bombay following heart failure. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons.
Mansoor Bhai, as he was popularly known in the industry, started out as a fighter under veteran fight master (late) Azimbhai and later turned an independent action co-ordinator. He had executed action sequences in over 200 films including all films of B.R. Chopra, Harmesh Malhotra and Mehul Kumar and also some films directed by Manmohan Desai and Subhash Ghai (Karma, Vidhaata, Meri Jung). He was the guru of the Verma brothers, Pappu, Bhiku and Tinnu, who are today sought-after masters in the field. Among his films were Tirangaa, Krantiveer, Don, Marte Dam Tak, Aatish, Bobby, Nagina, Ajooba, Katilon Ke Kaatil, Kalabaaz, Sultanat and Kalinga.
Amiable and quiet by nature, Mansoor Bhai was always concerned about the safety of his fighters and actors doing hazardous action scenes. No actor or fighter had ever sustained injuries in the scenes executed by him, howsoever risky.
For the last two months, he had been directing action scenes for an international TV serial in Muscat. The serial, titled History of Oman, was his lifetime’s prized assignment. For the first time, an Indian action co-ordinator had been assigned an international project. He had also composed the action scenes of the epic serial, Mahabharat.
Mansoor Bhai was the president as well as general secretary of the Movie Stunt Directors Association.
His funeral on Sunday, March 26, at Marine Lines cemetery was attended by a large number of stuntmen, action directors and filmmakers including Ravi Chopra, Harmesh Malhotra and Mehul Kumar.
3-E
Education-Entertainment-Enlightenment
Each Case, An Individual Case
Increasing cinema admission rates of films which are eagerly awaited is a common practice in major cities like Bombay. But this system of hiking admission rates does not succeed everywhere, especially in small centres. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! was released recently at Morena Talkies, Morena (C.I.). The cinema, which had acquired the film on payment of a fantastic MG, hiked the admission rates to Rs. 15 for balcony, Rs. 10 for First Class and Rs. 8 for second class. The new rates were found so high by the audience that the film did not draw a full house even in the opening show! The cinema had to bring the admission rates down after three days.
Why in small centres, even in a city like Bombay, Metro cinema had to bring down its admission rates in the second week of Jai Vikraanta due to lack of audience at the enhanced rates. The new rates are Rs. 41 (old rate Rs. 61), Rs. 31 (old rate Rs. 41) and Rs. 21 (old rate Rs 31). As against this, there is a heavy demand for tickets (priced at Rs. 150) of Bombay at Bombay’s New Excelsior cinema, such is the craze for this film.
Investing For Earning
With so many satellite channels opening up and with film-based programmes being made for them in large numbers, it would be in the interest of producers and negative rights holders of films to get their films transferred on U-matic and Betacam. Programme producers are ever in need of film clippings, and producers could earn revenue by supplying clippings from their films. Often, producers don’t have even a single print of their films (especially old films) and, therefore, lose out on the revenue. In the case of successful films, investing in a new print could also be profitable.
Flying High
Kewal Suri is flying high these days. His Mahua (re-issue) is doing very well in Bombay. With the collections being as encouraging as they are (it collected 1,60,124/- in the first week at Maratha Mandir, Bombay), he is hopeful that distributors would come forward to buy the re-issue rights of other films too. Kewal Suri holds the negative rights of a total of 40 films including all films of Venus (except Suraj), Do Aur Do Paanch, Mera Rakshak, Aadmi, Mere Mehboob, Gunga Jumna and Shaheed. Interestingly, Bengal distributor Sanjay Roy had acquired the re-issue rights of Mahua three years back — and that too, for Bengal, Delhi-U.P., East Punjab and Rajasthan. But he has not yet released it anywhere. The results of Bombay have inspired him enough to plan its early release in the four circuits. By the way, Mahua stars Shiv Kumar and Anjana Mumtaz in the lead.
