(From our issue dated 7th May, 1994)
YEH DILLAGI
Aditya Films’ Yeh Dillagi is a musical, youthful love story. Music is its biggest scoring point and it must be said to the credit of music directors Dilip Sen Sameer Sen that they’ve come up with some fantastic songs. The picturisations match the quality of music, thereby making the songs a veritable audio-visual treat.
The story deals with a poor girl and two rich brothers – one, a Casanova, and the other, a straightforward and sober businessman. The Casanova brother rubs the girl the wrong way but falls in love with her once she becomes a top-ranking model. The other brother, unaware of his brother’s one-sided love story, also falls in love with the girl who reciprocates his love. Finally, one brother sacrifices his love for the sake of the other’s love.
Although the story has hardly any novelty, the scripting is fresh and the drama has been presented well. The light scenes, the fun and frolic, the songs (well spaced out) and dances, all of these make the film an entertaining experience. The comedy scene with the gay and Saif is hilarious. Climax is predictable. Dialogues are good.
Akshay Kumar does a fine job, acting with just the right amount of restraint. His single action scene is superb and so is his dance. Saif Ali Khan is cute and acts very well. He is excellent in the ‘Ole Ole’ dance. It is Kajol who gets the best foot age and she comes out with flying colours. Her performance is praiseworthy and she looks stunning as the model. Saeed Jaffrey and Deven Varma provide good light moments. Reema, Achyut Potdar, Neena Softa and the rest lend able support.
Debut-making Naresh Malhotra’s direction is competent. Music, as said above, is super-hit. The ‘Ole Ole’ song is already a rage with youngsters and its picturisation is superb. ‘Hothon pe bas’ is also wonderful and has been sexily picturised. ‘Barkha ki ghadi’ and ‘Naam kya hai’ are well picturised. The title song and Pankaj Udhas’ ghazal are lyrically rich. Camerawork is very effective. Simla locations are a treat to watch. Production values are very good.
On the whole, reasonably priced Yeh Dillagi is a racy musical entertainer for teenagers and masses. It will bring in rich dividends and can prove class ‘A’.
Released on 6-5-’94 at Novelty and 20 other cinemas of Bombay thru A.A. Films. Publicity: excellent. Opening: very good. …….Also released all over. 1st day Indore 47,367/- from 3 cinemas, Bhopal 35,715/- from 2 cinemas, Jaipur 79,397/- from 3 cinemas, C.P. Berar excellent.
DO YOU KNOW?
* HMV, in a bid to promote Vinod Chopra’s 1942 A LOVE STORY and its music, has got printed special picture postcards of the film, having pictures of scenes from the film on one side and a little explanation of the picture on the reverse.
* Allahabad may be topping the list of cities in India as far as closure of cinemas is concerned. It had 18 cinemas not long ago, of which seven have downed shutters. The closed cinemas are Naaz, Rupbani, Vishwambhar, Payal, Jhankar, Vishwa mitra and Kalpana.
* Mehul Kumar has completed the entire shooting of his KRANTI VEER in just 6 months. It took him 72 shifts, spread over 62 days, to complete the film.
* On the last day of shooting of KRANTIVEER, Nana Patekar bid a tearful farewell to all the unit mem bers. He became emotional while taking leave of the cast and crew of KRANTIVEER.
* Dimple Kapadia participated in a Holi dance for KRANTIVEER last week at Aram Nagar, Versova, Bombay. And she will go through the Holi revelries all over again at the same venue from May 9 to 12, this time for PATHREELA RAASTA.
* JURASSIC PARK (Hindi) is creating records at Sadhna, Baroda. It had collected 96,436/- in 1st week and 1,03,507/- in 2nd week. In the 3rd week, it has collected 1,12,395/-.
* JURASSIC PARK (Hindi, TF) has created a record by collecting 42,928/- in 3rd week at Circle, Nasik. It has also created a record by collecting a total of 3,50,050/- in 3 weeks (3rd week TF) at Anuradha, Nasik Road.
* JURASSIC PARK (Hindi) has created a record by collecting 1,20,180/- in 3rd week (36 shows) at Regal, Kanpur. 1st week (28 shows) was 1,15,680/- and 2nd week (28 shows) was 1,06,152/-.
* JURASSIC PARK (Hindi) has created a city record for dubbed films by collecting 53,049/- in 2nd week at Balram, Bilaspur. 1st week was 62,300/-. 3rd week 1st day 5,210/-, record.
MIX MASALA
CALCUTTA CALLING
Both, Dilip Kankaria and Salim Akhtar, have released their films (Mohabbat Ki Arzoo and Aa Gale Lag Jaa) this week in a couple of cinemas only, while the actual release will be next week. This has been done with a view to circumvent (without flouting) the FMC regulation that no deliveries will be effected after 6th May. Interesting to note that both the producers hail from Calcutta.
NO DELIVERY,
ONLY RELEASE
Heard of a film’s release without its delivery being effected? Qatil Husn Ka, a dubbed film, was released last month in C.I. although its distributor (Ankit Enter prises) did not take delivery thereof from the producer. Reportedly, the prints were taken from the Rajasthan distributor and screened in Indore and Bhopal. Qatil producer ka!
YOU ASKED IT
Is the Hindi dubbed version of Jurassic Park expected to cross the business of the dubbed Roja?
– Yes, it should.
I want to make a Hindi film with Arvind Swamy of Roja as the hero. Is it advisable to sign him?
– After the success of ROJA, Arvind has become a favourite at many places.
When films dubbed in Hindi from South languages don’t all fare well, do you think, dubbed foreign films will affect the Indian film industry adversely?
– Dubbed foreign films with an element of novelty can be expected to score in India.
POOJA BEDI WEDS
Pooja Bedi got married to model Farhan Ibrahim on 6th May in Bombay.
GULSHAN KUMAR’S STUDIO AT NOIDA INAUGURATED
Gulshan Kumar’s new studio at NOIDA (U.P.) was formally inaugurated recently by his father, Chandrabhan. The first film to be shot there is Gulshan Kumar’s own film, Suryaputra Shani dev. A 14-day schedule is in progress at the studio on two different sets. The film stars Puneet Essar, Adarsh Gautam, Sunita Rao, Dinesh Kaushik, Dharmesh Tiwari, Vaishali, Arvind Kirad, Naresh Suri, Rooplata, Brijesh Tiwari and Sudhir Dalvi. Director: Uday Shankar Pani. Music: Nandu Honap. Art: R.K. Handa.
I-T RAIDS ON SUBHASH GHAI, ASSOCIATES
The income-tax department carried out raids on Subhash Ghai, his office in Delhi and Bombay, as also on his associates – his distributor-partner, Tolu Bajaj, his Bombay distributor, Bharat Shah, and Tips, the music company which released the cassettes of his Khal-nayak – on 4th May.
‘JURASSIC PARK’ TAX-FREE IN MAHARASHTRA
The Hindi dubbed version of Jurassic Park has been granted 100% tax exemption in Maharashtra for a period of one year. It is being screened at tax-free rates from 2nd May.
BABUBHAI PATEL NO MORE
Babubhai Patel (Krishnakant A. Patel), proprietor of Gopal Talkies, Cambay, passed away on 3rd May at Cambay (Gujarat).
VULGARITY IN FILMS: MPS TO MEET INDUSTRY
Vulgarity and obscenity in films will be the topic of discussion in a meeting of the film industry with members of Parliament (including lady MPs) on 11th May in Delhi. The I & B minister and the ministry’s secretariat will also attend the meeting. A delegation of the film industry will leave for Delhi on 11th morning.
DD TO DO AWAY WITH CUT-OFF YEAR
The cut-off year for the telecast of feature films under Doordarshan’s sponsored films’ scheme is likely to go soon. This assurance was given by Mr. R. Basu, additional secretary, I & B ministry, and director-general of Doordarshan, Miss S. Gokhale (joint secretary of I & B ministry), and R.K. Singh (additional director-general of DD), to a delegation of the film industry on 5th May in Delhi. The industry delegation comprised G.P. Shirke and K.D. Shorey. According to Shorey, “The meeting was very fruitful.”
Doordarshan has fixed 1984 as the cut-off year for purposes of this scheme but there may soon be no restriction on the year. The minister assured the delegation that good films produced before 1984 (from 1964 to 1979) would be telecast on national holidays and Wed nesday nights, while the cut-off year would be considered for Saturday screenings till the restriction was re moved completely.
The officials also assured the team that the rates for telecast of Hindi as well as regional films would be increased. The new rates for regional films would be two-and-a-half times the current rates but DD would be entitled to telecast them thrice (instead of once only) at the concerned regional centre. The rate for ‘B’ category Hindi films would be enhanced from Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh.
Award-winning films would be permitted to be telecast after being dubbed in various languages for different DD kendras. Half the cost of dubbing would be borne by the I & B ministry.
NO NEW RELEASES AFTER 6TH MAY
FMC GETS STRICT, REBUTS FDC
No Early Solution In Sight
Even six days after the Film Makers Combine’s decision to postpone indefinitely all releases after 6th May, no headway has been made in settling the dispute between the FMC and the Film Distributors’ Council (FDC). No early solution also appears to be in sight, with the FDC taking a couldn’t-care-less stand vis-à-vis the FMC decision. The FMC, at the general meeting of producers held on 1st May at ISKCON, Juhu, Bombay, resolved that no producer would directly or indirectly allow the release of his film after 6th May. The extreme step has been taken by the producers due to the “unprecedented attitude of confrontation, high-handedness and harmful interference by the Film Distributors’ Council (FDC) in the activities of the production sector.”
The atmosphere was charged at the well-attended meeting of producers held under the aegis of the FMC, and the mood was upbeat. Producers decried the FDC resolutions of (i) delay of video cassettes by three months from the date of theatrical release, and (ii) producers having to seek clearance of the FDC before starting new films. Besides deciding to stop all releases of new films after 6th May, it was also resolved that no producer would deliver any new print of old films also.
TOKEN RELEASES
Producer Salim, whose Aa Gale Lag Jaa was scheduled for release on 13th May, announced amidst applause at the meeting that he did not mind if releases were suspended from 13th, even if that meant his release being affected. Later, however, Salim effected deliveries of his film to his distributors before 6th so that it could be released on 13th. It was also released at Metro, Bombay on 6th and will be released all over next week. Likewise, producer Dilip Kankaria, too, effected de liveries of his Mohabbat Ki Arzoo before 6th and released it in a distant suburb of Bombay (one print) and a small centre of Rajasthan. Mohabbat Ki Arzoo would also be released all over next week.
MIXED REACTIONS
The convenient way in which the two producers have circumvented the FMC resolution, without technically flouting it, met with mixed reactions in trade circles. While some felt, the two were justified in doing what they had done, many others opined that it was not right.
SONKIYA APOLOGISES
The general meeting of producers felt that a three-month delay in release of video cassettes was impractical. It also condemned and decided to punish those producers who had sought FDC clearance before starting their new films despite FMC directions to the contrary, as they had thereby accorded recognition to the fdc. One of the producers who sought FDC clearance, Sunderdas Son kiya, has since tendered an apology to the FMC and has written to it that his application to the FDC for clearance stands withdrawn. On its part, the FDC has already cleared Sonkiya’s film and granted him permission to shoot.
NO FURTHER RELEASES
A meeting of the executive committee of the Film Makers Combine was held on 6th May at IMPPA House and it was decided that nobody would be allowed to effect their deliveries hereafter. The cases of producers Salim and Dilip Kankaria were also discussed and it was decided that since they had technically released their films on 6th, they should not be stopped from actually releasing them on 13th. Barring these two films, it was deci ded that no other films should be allowed to be released till a settlement was reach ed at.
ASSURANCES
The meeting also took up for consideration rumours that G.P. Sippy was going ahead with the release of Aatish on 20th May. Sippy, who was present at the meeting, assured the FMC that he would not release his film till the latter and FDC did not settle the dispute. Gulshan Rai’s Mohra was scheduled for release on 27th May but he, too, gave an assurance that the film would not be released if there was no settlement.
RUMOURS
Rumours were rife all through the week that Sippy was planning to release Aatish on 6th at a station of Gujarat so that he could release it all over on 20th May even if the FMC resolution was not withdrawn till then. Insiders, however, reveal that although Aatish has been censored, some re-shooting was still to be done, and the film could not be released prior to that.
SHIRKE BLASTS
In a chat with Information, G.P. Shirke lamented that G.P. Sippy was thinking of releasing Aatish on 20th at the cost of unity. He condemned Sippy’s plans in no uncertain terms.
LAST CHANCE
J. Om Prakash was concerned for the production sector and prayed that unity would be maintained in the FMC. “No body must flout the FMC resolution,” he said, adding, “This is the last chance for producers. If there surfaces a Vibhishan among producers, our Lanka will be burnt.”
FDC NOT IN HURRY
Reacting to the FMC resolution, Santosh Singh Jain, speaking on behalf of the FDC, said that it (the FDC) was in no hurry. “If the FMC will not allow its members to release films after 6th May, let that be, we don’t mind,” he said. According to Jain, it may take two months before a solution is arrived at. “Good construction can come only after a good destruction,” he said, adding, “A strong foundation must be laid for a strong structure to be built. Putting off the releases is like destruction or, in other words, a good foundation.”
Distributors’ Misdirected Enthusiasm
It has happened for the second time in seven months. In November ’93, producers were involved in a battle with cine workers and had to ultimately resort to suspension of all production activities. This time, they are engaged in a battle with distributors and have had to call for suspension of releases of films after 6th May.
The present dispute with distributors is mainly on two issues – one, release of video cassettes, and two, clearance to producers for their new films. It is the contention of the Film Distributors’ Council (FDC) that video cassettes should not be released for three months from the date of theatrical release of a film. The FDC also wants that producers should seek its clearance before starting any new film so that it (FDC) can monitor the star ceiling scheme. The FDC has alleged that star ceiling was its baby and it was taking its possession back from the Film Makers Combine (FMC) as the latter had failed to take care of it or, in other words, had not implemented it properly.
The FDC seems to have taken these unilateral decisions because the FMC went back on its agreement with it on the point of delaying video cassettes by three months.
Whatever the reasons for the actions and counter-actions of the two parties, some re-thinking needs to be done on both the sides. Confrontation benefits none. Both, producers and distributors, must bury their egos for the common interest of all.
The FDC’s move to delay the release of video cassettes is no doubt laudable, but isn’t it getting too impractical in asking for a three-month delay? Delaying videos by three months is fraught with at least two dangers – (i) surfacing of pirated video cassettes, and (ii) video distributors refusing to take delivery after three months in a majority of the cases as 85% of the films are flops/disasters/losers. To begin with, a two-week delay would be ideal. If the idea clicks, producers would themselves be open to delay for a longer period.
The FDC’s bid to monitor the star ceiling scheme is nothing but misdirected over-enthusiasm. Producers sign stars, they produce films, then on what basis can the distributors appoint themselves as the clearance authority? Next, they may say, all scripts must be approved by the FDC. The distributors’ involvement is praiseworthy, but let them not usurp the powers of the producers. Because, finally, it is the producer who is the principal, and a distributor is but his agent. And nowhere in the world does an agent wield more power than the principal. The film industry is no exception.
– Komal Nahta3
3-E
Education-Entertainment-Englightenment
I-T Sleuths Impressed
On Thursday, May 5, the national dailies of Bombay carried the news of income-tax raids on Subhash Ghai and his associates, on their front pages. And what exactly did the I-T sleuths think about Ghai and his accounts? Well, they were mighty impressed with the meticulous functioning of the showman’s office. Reportedly, the cash in hand tallied paisa to paisa with that shown in the accounts book. The I-T officials got whatever information they wanted, in seconds, thanks to the data fed into Ghai’s computer. And about Subhash Ghai himself, they said, they’d never met a more simple person.
Moral of the story: If you don’t want the I-T people as your guests, don’t be a Simple Simon. Right, Mr. Ghai?
Record Tax!
And while on Ghai and the income-tax raids, it wouldn’t be out of place to mention here that the showman has paid income-tax of Rs. 72 lakh last year.
Keeping I-T People Away… The Ghai Way
Overheard after the income-tax raid on Subhash Ghai and his associates, reportedly initiated by the department due to the outstanding sale of the music of Khal-nayak: “Now, just to spite the income-tax department, Subhash Ghai must make a film with poor music.” Na rahegi (bajegi) music, na aayen ge income-tax wale.
White Cars
There’s a shortage of white Ambassador cars in Madras! A total of 300 such cars were required for the climax shooting of Pranlal Mehta’s Mafia, but the makers could manage to get only 194. The cars are being used in the shooting from 3rd to 9th May.
Inspired From….
Of course, this is a sheer coincidence, but both the releases of this week, Pehla Pehla Pyar and Yeh Dillagi, are inspired from Audrey Hepburn starrers of the fifties, viz. Roman Holiday and Sabrina respectively. The Bombay distributors of both the films (Kanak Films and A.A. Films respectively) have their office in Naaz building in the same premises.
Personal Touch
Kajol visited Gaiety cinema at Bandra, Bombay on 2nd May, the day on which the advance booking of Yeh Dillagi opened, and personally autographed the tickets. There was almost a stampede to see Kajol, and police had to be called in to control the crowd.
Jugal Hansraj, too, visits Metro, Bombay daily and is there from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. while the advance booking of his Aa Gale Lag Jaa is on.
Considerate Pahlaj
There are few producers like Pahlaj Nihalani who think of their distributors so considerately. Realising that his distributors would lose in Andaz mainly because of its high price, he has promised to adequately compensate their losses. Naturally, his distributors are thrilled with Pahlaj’s concern.
IFDA Decries Obscenity
The Indian Film Directors’ Association has expressed grave concern over obscenity on cinema screens. In a press release issued by general secretary Madhusudan, it has put the blame on the I & B minister, K.P. Singh Deo, and the CBFC chairman, Shakti Samanta, “who is holding an elected position in the film producers’ apex organisation. He is in no position to annoy or alienate any of the producers who are his electoral constituency.” The release adds that the crying need is the strict and uniform application of guidelines. No one should be allowed to circumvent. “It is not that cinemas will empty out if cinegoers do not see forward thrusts of the pelvis or gruesome, blood-splattered violence…… There are a host of producers who feel revolted at the kind of films they have to compete with. They should not be left to feel helpless.”
New Titles
Let’s have a look at some of the interesting new titles registered by the title registration committee in its meeting held on 18th April:
Dear India, Race Course, Aaj Ka Nayak, One Way Traffik, Herapheri Master, Vijay Ki Vijay, Calendar 1995, Bharat Mein Mahabharat, Hum To Mohabbat Karega, Hinsaraaj, 1 Dn. – Calcutta Mail, Conductor, Bus Stop, Laila Chhaila, Buckle, Drummer, 1-13-7, Fauladi Mard, Bangali Babu, Bangali Babu Bombay Mein, Laadla Beta, Love Ticket, Gunda Vakil, 13 Khoon, One More Idea Sir, Sali Ras Ki Pyali.
Frighteningly Crazy
A distributor of Rajasthan telephoned his producer on the day of release of their film. “How is it?”, questioned the excited producer. As the public response was dismal, the unhappy distributor replied, “Darr lagta hai….” The producer shot back. “Oh, great! I’ll be happy if it is as good as Darr. Mujhe bhi meri film Darr lagti thi.” The distributor banged down the receiver in disgust.
