(From our issue dated 30th July, 1994)
JANTA KI ADALAT
B.M.B. Pictures’ Janta Ki Adalat is one more story of justice being meted out by the public. An evil minister perpetrates atrocities on a village and even murders a girl, framing her lover for the murder. How the beloved escapes from jail and seeks revenge on the minister, with the help of the entire village and a police officer, forms the crux of the drama. There is not much novelty by way of content. The dramatic scenes are subdued. Dialogues are commonplace.
Mithun Chakraborty does reasonably well. Madhoo is lively. Gautami is okay as the police inspector. Sadashiv Amrapurkar plays the minister quite well. Laxmikant Berde and Asrani are wasted. In fact, their comedy track looks contrived. Aloknath, Sulbha Arya, Shiva and Ravi lend the required support.
Direction is mediocre. Bappi Lahiri’s music score is the best thing in the film. All the five songs have appealing tunes, the best being ‘Tere har sawaal ka jawab ban jaaoongi’ and ‘Dil ki haalat’. Song picturisations are rich. Action is good. Production values are of standard. Camerawork is eye-pleasing. Other technical values are alright.
On the whole, a good dose of action and popular music make Janta Ki Adalat a film for ‘B’ and ‘C’ class centres.
Released on 29-7-’94 at Alankar and 31 other cinemas of Bombay thru Ethnic Enterprises. Publicity: good. Opening: fair. …….Also released all over. Opening was very good in U.P. and C.P. Berar.
LATEST POSITION
It was KRANTIVEER week all over. Not only did the film command a fantastic initial, it also maintained very well throughout the week.
Krantiveer has done excellent and proves class A. In Maharashtra, it is AA; 1st week Bombay 21,19,831 (99.75%) from 15 cinemas (13 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 5,38,706 from 6 cinemas, Surat 1,41,933 (100%) from 2 cinemas (2 cinemas unrecd.), Baroda 2,33,457 (88.51%) from 2 cinemas, Rajkot 83,304 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee, 1 on F.H.); Pune 5,87,539 from 7 cinemas (1 in matinee), Malegaon share over 90,000 from 2 cinemas, Solapur 61,870 (100%, excellent at 1 more cinema); Delhi 23,74,541 (86.24%) from 12 cinemas (2 on. F.H.); Lucknow 2,61,823 from 2 cinemas, Kanpur 2,95,316 from 3 cinemas, Agra 1,17,967, Allahabad 1,17,600, Meerut 1,25,211, Bareilly 70,159, Aligarh 1,00,962, Gorakhpur 1,26,000 (92.31%), theatre record, Dehradun 86,267; Amritsar 45,315; Calcutta 17,29,947 (94.49%) from 22 cinemas; Nagpur 3,99,154 from 4 cinemas, Jabalpur 1,31,024, Amravati 1,57,891 from 2 cinemas, Akola 83,000, Raipur 1,64,224 (78.73%) from 2 cinemas, Bhilai 1,01,269, theatre record, Dhule 1,75,669 from 2 cinemas, Jalgaon 87,374, theatre record, Chandrapur 91,659; Indore 2,16,670 from 2 cinemas, theatre record at both the cinemas (3 on F.H.), Bhopal 2,41,407 from 3 cinemas, Ujjain 1,70,000 from 2 cinemas; Jaipur 7,37,619 from 4 cinemas, Alwar (29 shows) 1,56,652, city record; Hyderabad 16,05,351 from 9 cinemas, share 8,50,000; Bangalore share 2,70,000.
…..
DO YOU KNOW?
* KRANTIVEER has created a theatre record by drawing all shows full (1,86,378/-) in 1st week at Hanjer, Jogeshwari, Bombay.
* KRANTIVEER has created a new record by drawing all shows full in advance in 1st week at Milap, Kandivli, Bombay. Collection: 1,70,002/-.
* KRANTIVEER has created a theatre record by collecting 1,26,000/- (against a capacity of 1,36,489/-, 92.31%) in 1st week at Vijay, Gorakhpur.
* KRANTIVEER has created a theatre record by collecting 96,417/- in 1 week at Shyam, Amravati.
* KRANTIVEER has created a Khandesh record by netting 1,02,541/- (all full) in 1st week at Jyoti Chitra Mandir, Dhule, in spite of heavy rains.
* KRANTIVEER has created a theatre record by collecting 1,01,269/- in 1st week at Venkateswara, Bhilai.
* KRANTIVEER has created a theatre record by collecting 87,374/- in 1st week at Chitra, Jalgaon.
* KRANTIVEER has created a theatre record by collecting 1,13,903/- in 1st week at Sangeeta, Indore. It has also created a theatre record by collecting 1,02,767/- at Yeshwant, Indore.
* KRANTIVEER has created a record by collecting 1,56,652/- (gross) in 1st week (29 shows) at Ashoka, Alwar.
MIX MASALA
BIG SCREEN APPEAL
The artistes and technicians of Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! have appealed to the cinegoers to see the film in cinemas only. They have informed them that its video cassettes would not be out simultaneously and those that surface clandestinely would be illegal.
YOU ASKED IT
Why have prices of films shot up these days?
– Because films like JURASSIC PARK, MOHRA and KRANTIVEER have done fantastic business, bringing in a new kind of confidence in the trade.
Will the tax-free status in most of the states make 1942 A Love Story an earning proposition?
– Looking to the high price, it doesn’t seem likely that it will even cover its cost despite tax exemption. This is because the masses and lower class audience have not come to the cinemas despite tax-free admission rates. The film is essentially appealing only to class audience.
What does the success of Krantiveer prove?
– That for a hit, you don’t need a star. And to become a star, one needs a hit.
CINEMA CLOSED
Shri Krishna Talkies, Jabalpur closed down on 27th July on account of expiry of the lease agreement of 49 years.
LONDON COURT ORDERS SHOW ORGANISERS
TO PAY DAMAGES TO SAAWAN KUMAR
The High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, London on 7th July ordered damages to be paid to Saawan Kumar by show organisers Nilesh Patel and Alan Corder.
Saawan Kumar had filed a suit against the aforesaid show organisers for unauthorised use of photographs of his Chaand Kaa Tukdaa (Sridevi and Anupam Kher) in their publicity of the show held in London some months back.
If this ruling can be quoted as a precedent, it would be imperative for all show organisers and artistes participating in shows, to henceforth seek permission from producers for using photographs from their (producers’) films.
SANJAY GUPTA APOLOGISES TO FMC
The FMC, at its meeting held on 25th July, took strong objection to certain statements made by director Sanjay Gupta in an interview published recently in a film glossy. There was a move to ask producers to refrain from signing him. Sanjay Gupta, however, met the FMC executive committee on 28th and apologised for the objectionable words (swear words) utter ed by him. He has also written an apology letter to the FMC.
‘BETI HUYEE….’ TAX-FREE IN RAJASTHAN
Mohan Singh Rathore’s Beti Huyee Paraee Re (Rajasthani) has been granted tax-exemption in Rajasthan. Rakesh Nahata and Shyamsunder Jalani’s Baba Ramdev (Rajasthani) was seen by the tax-exemption committee in Jaipur on 29th July. Both the films are due for release next week.
ENT. TAX RAID ON CINEMA
The deputy commissioner of entertainment tax, Lucknow, on 17th July raided Vishal Cinema, Laksar (district Hardwar). A case has been registered against the cinema.
RAIDED CINEMA REOPENS
Ashok cinema, Hardwar, which was raided by the commissioner of entertainment tax on 25th July and ordered to be closed, reopened on 27th. The cinema had to pay a penalty of Rs. 14,161 for permitting more persons in the auditorium than the tickets issued.
VINOD SHARMA ELECTED RAPA PRESIDENT
Vinod Sharma was elected president of RAPA for 1994-95 at its annual general meeting held recently in Bombay. Sarita Sethi was elected vice president, Brij Mittle, hon. secretary, and Purush Baokar, hon. treasurer. Surya Roy was elected hon. jt. secretary. Others elected on the executive committee were K.N. Goel, Vijay Bahl, Swadesh Chaddha, Keith Stevenson, L.N. Baijal, Suren Chawla and M.G. Radhakrishnan Pillai.
BABUBHAI DIXIT DEAD
Producer Babubhai Dixit died on 23rd July at his residence at Santacruz, Bombay. He had been suffering from jaundice. He was 73 and is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter and grandchildren.
Babubhai had produced the Bhojpuri film, Ghar Girhasti. He had also worked as Asha Bhosle’s secretary years back.
KANNADA FILM ACTOR DEAD
Upcoming Kannada film actor Sunil was killed, and actress Malashri sustained severe head injuries when the car in which they were travelling collided with a truck near a village near Bangalore on 24th July. The two were on their way to Bangalore.
‘1942’ TAX-FREE IN M.P. TOO
1942 A Love Story has been granted exemption from payment of entertainment tax in Madhya Pradesh for a period of one year from 27th July.
BOMBAY BAZAAR
Sultan Ahmed’s Jai Vikraanta, which was to have been released in Bombay by U.A. Thadani, is changing hands.
Sajid Nadiadwala’s Jeet has been acquired for Bombay by I.R.K., reportedly at a very good price.
Garma-Garam
** Seeing the 2-hour rushes of Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakeria’s Raja this week was a superb entertaining experience. The film, after completion, should turn out to be a complete entertainer. It has all the makings of a hit. For those who feel, Madhuri Dixit is on her way out, Raja (besides Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!) is the answer. She is truly fantastic in a role that gives her an opportunity to expose all shades of her talent. Sanjay Kapoor is good. He impresses in the scene of revolt. Paresh Rawal’s is an award-winning performance. Just as director Indra Kumar’s is a reward-winning endeavour.
** Nana Patekar has become hot property after Krantiveer. Fears that he ‘runs’ only in Maharashtra have been proved wrong now. Obviously then, producers are queuing up to sign Nana. That doesn’t mean, Nana has said “Haan, haan”. All the same, five to six producers are already finalising stories with Nana in mind. Writer K.K. Singh seems to be their first choice for dialogues.
** Mehul Kumar, K.K. Singh and Dinesh Gandhi have completed their hat-trick of hits with Krantiveer. The trio first came together in Marte Dam Tak. Their second was Tirangaa.
** It appears that Rajiv Rai is planning to add the female version of the ‘Mast mast’ song in Mohra soon.
** ‘Chura ke dil mera’ song of Venus’ Tu Khiladi Main Anari is stealing all hearts. The song is a super-hit number.
** The Barjatyas will be releasing just one print of Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! in Bombay (Liberty). In the circuit, they’ll be releasing 8 prints. In Delhi, Calcutta and Nagpur, they’ll release 2 prints each. A total of 30 prints only will be released in the first week. The film will not be released in East Punjab, Andhra and Tamilnad on 5th August. Similarly, its video cassettes will not be out simultaneously. However, the film will be released in cinemas in the U.K. on 5th itself.
** While the running time of HAHK..! is 3 hours and 27 minutes, two prints of a running time of 3 hours and 34 minutes will be released. The two cinemas which will screen this unabridged version are yet to be decided.
** There were trial shows of Shekhar Kapur’s internationally acclaimed film, The Bandit Queen, this week in Bombay. And the reports are unanimous. People have loved the film for its uninhibited depiction of stark reality, focussing on the life, trials and tribulations of the dacoit queen, Phoolan Devi. Swear-words have been used unabashedly, and those who’ve seen the film feel, censors should make an exception and pass them without cuts, so that the film can make the desired impact.
** The officers of all the regional offices of the CBFC have reportedly been summoned to Delhi. Are they going to be asked for explanations for having passed “objectionable” songs and scenes in films? There’s a whisper to that effect.
** Maybe, it is just a lapse but a glaring one at that. A preview theatre like Dimple does not have slippers outside its two toilets (gents and ladies). And the pee-basin in the gents toilet has a broken pipe so that all that one brings out, comes back to him right at his feet. Don’t say “yuck”. Leave that for the actual wet experience.
3-E
Education-Entertainment-Enlightenment
Ball In Exhibitors’ Court
There is no denying the fact that people have started coming to cinemas again. The initials commanded by Mohra and Krantiveer in recent times have shown that there is an audience for cinemas. What they want are good fares and well-maintained cinema houses. Exhibitors cannot blame dwindling business for lack of upkeep and maintenance. They must pull up their socks and make their houses places where cinegoers would like to spend three hours.
A Sound Answer
For those disillusioned by the Dolby sound in 1942 A Love Story, director Sanjay Gupta has an answer. He is making Ram Shastra in Dolby sound system and he is sure, he will not make the mistake made by 1942 people. For one, while in 1942, the dubbing was not in Dolby sound, in Ram Shastra, the entire dubbing will be done in Dolby sound. The effects would also be recorded in Dolby stereophonic sound unlike in 1942. Says Sanjay Gupta, “In 1942, it was only the mixing that was done in Dolby sound. And even that was not in proper density.”
Sunil Shetty ‘Cleared’
Nitin Mavani’s Surakshaa was being directed by Anand Singh (Mama) but the latter’s busy schedule as producer (of Himmat) prompted him to opt out as director. S.J. Talukdaar, the writer of Surakshaa, and Nitin’s brother, Raju Mavani, have now taken over as joint directors of the film. Incidentally, the FMC has cleared Sunil Shetty for the film after levying a penalty of Rs. 5,000 on Nitin Mavani who shot with Sunil without the FMC’s clearance.
Tit For Tat?
Shah Rukh Khan to Govinda: “You are a damn good actor, and I admire your versatility. If there’s any actor, after Johny Lever, whom I admire, it is you.”
Govinda to Shah Rukh: “I admire your range too. You are next only to Kanhaiyalal. Even he could fit in a positive role as well as he could, in a negative role, and the same is with you. If I admire anyone after Kanhaiyalal, it is only you.” The above is no filmi scene. The exchange of dialogues took place at Mehboob Studios a few days back when the two stars were shooting for two different films.
