LATEST POSITION
Pre-Diwali dullness is affecting the box-office rather badly.
Indian started to drop mid-week but was still very strong in East Punjab, U.P., West Bengal and Bihar. Should prove a commission earner in some circuits and will fetch overflow in others. 1st week Bombay 65,88,215 (74.43%) from 15 cinemas (8 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 21,44,366 from 9 cinemas (5 unrecd.), Rajkot 2,93,050 (1 unrecd.), Jamnagar 1,98,292 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); Pune 18,51,824 from 5 cinemas, Solapur 5,31,833 from 2 cinemas, Satara 2,03,161 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee); Bijapur 2,38,000; Delhi 68,26,371 (63.20%) from 14 cinemas (4 on F.H.); Kanpur 7,90,541 from 3 cinemas, Lucknow 8,88,288 from 2 cinemas, Agra 4,35,000, Varanasi 3,24,581, Allahabad 4,12,319 from 2 cinemas; Calcutta (9 days) 54,06,895 from 20 cinemas; Nagpur 12,61,719 from 5 cinemas, Amravati 3,17,177, Akola 2,24,799, Jalgaon 2,87,370, Wardha 1,46,958, Chandrapur 2,69,437, Yavatmal 1,66,982; Indore 2,52,440 (3 on F.H.); Jaipur 13,64,095 (77.71%) from 4 cinemas, Ajmer (gross) 3,95,164; Hyderabad (gross) 29,41,549 from 9 cinemas (4 unrecd.); Vijayawada (gross) 2,95,000.
Asoka has found very limited appreciation. Should fetch commission in Bombay but is either average or losing in most other circuits despite its low price of 1 crore. 1st week Bombay 60,13,368 from 11 cinemas (6 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 20,07,178 from 4 cinemas (1 unrecd.), Jamnagar 1,06,514, Adipur 1,38,293, Bhuj 3,25,566 from 2 cinemas; Pune 12,31,862 from 2 cinemas, Solapur 1,76,544, Satara (gross) 1,37,608; Delhi 60,69,605 (58.49%) from 11 cinemas (4 on F.H.); Kanpur 5,93,747 from 3 cinemas, Lucknow 7,72,849 from 2 cinemas, Agra 3,45,000, Varanasi 2,29,880, Allahabad 2,46,140; Calcutta (8 days) 27,77,216 from 9 cinemas; Nagpur 5,43,542 from 2 cinemas, Amravati 1,86,815, Akola 1,52,846, Jalgaon 1,72,558, Chandrapur 1,15,976; Indore 1,55,000 (3 on F.H.), Bhopal 1,61,000 (1 unrecd.); Jaipur 9,58,924 (65.11%) from 2 cinemas, Ajmer (gross) 2,04,154; Hyderabad (gross) 26,06,467 from 7 cinemas (1 in noon); Vijayawada (gross) 3,96,795.
Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein drops further. 2nd week Bombay 15,47,348 (36.71%) from 10 cinemas (1 in matinee, 6 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 4,57,174 from 3 cinemas; Pune 5,11,180 from 4 cinemas (1 in matinee), Solapur (matinee) 28,760; Delhi 5,90,140 from 6 cinemas (1 on F.H.); Kanpur 85,260 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 2,67,923, Agra 59,000, Varanasi 58,566, Allahabad 71,871; Calcutta 3,83,206 from 2 cinemas; Nagpur 1,22,635 from 2 cinemas, Akola 1,23,734, Yavatmal (4 days) 14,214; Jaipur 74,290 (11.62%); Hyderabad (gross) 3,87,757 from 3 cinemas (2 in noon).
SUSHAMA SHIROMANEE CHAIRS SELECTION PANEL
Senior vice president of IMPPA, Sushama Shiromanee, has been appointed chairperson of the Film Federation of India’s selection panel to consider Indian entries in the best foreign language film category of the Oscar awards. The screening of films for this purpose is in progress at B.R. preview theatre from 30th October.
The ten films which have been/are being seen for selection of one from among them are Lagaan, Asoka, Aks, Gadar Ek Prem Katha, Zubeidaa, Ek Rishtaa The Bond Of Love, Bawandar, Monsoon Wedding, Bariwali (Bengali) and Pandavan Bhoomi (Tamil).
‘EK RISHTAA….’ SILVER JUBILEE
Shree Krishna International’s Ek Rishtaa The Bond Of Love this week entered 25th combined week of its run at Sharad cinema, Chembur, Bombay. Produced and directed by Suneel Darshan from his own story, the film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee, Juhi Chawla, Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor, Mohnish Bahl, Simone Singh, Ashish Vidyarthi, Shakti Kapoor, and Naghma and Sunil Shetty in guest appearances. It has screenplay by Robin Bhatt, and dialogues by K.K. Singh. Sameer’s lyrics have been set to tune by Nadeem Shravan.
LATA, ASHA, OTHERS HONOURED AT CINTAA AGM
The 43rd annual general meeting of the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association was held on 28th October at Holiday Inn, Juhu, Bombay. Waheeda Rehman was the chief guest while Sunil Dutt was the guest of honour.
Amrish Puri, president of the CINTAA and secretary of the Welfare Trust, gave an account of the activities undertaken in furtherance of the interest of cinema and TV artistes. Eminent cardiologist Lekha Phatak assured members of subsidised medical aid in cases of cardiac ailments.
Several artistes were felicitated for their stellar achievements. Lata Mangeshkar was felicitated for being awarded the Bharat Ratna while Asha Bhosle was honoured for bagging this year’s Dadasaheb Phalke award. Asha Bhosle received both the trophies at the hands of Waheeda Rehman. Padma Bhushan awardees Pran and Amitabh Bachchan, and national award winners Anil Kapoor and Raveena Tandon were also felicitated. Veteran film artistes Dara Singh, Joy Mukerji, Biswajit, Feroz Khan, Sujit Kumar, Asha Parekh, Begum Para, Shubha Khote, Sandhya and Moushumi Chatterji were honoured for their outstanding achievements. Ram Mohan received the Manmohan Krishna award. Late artistes K.L. Saigal, Yakub and Raaj Kumar were honoured posthumously. Among the TV artistes honoured were Kanwaljit, Bharat Kapoor, Asha Sharma and Savita Bajaj.
Asha Parekh, Feroz Khan and Madhuri Dixit spoke on the occasion.
PRADEEP KUMAR PASSES AWAY
Well-known actor Pradeep Kumar, who starred in several Hindi and Bengali films, passed away at a Calcutta hospital on 27th October, following a massive heart attack. He had been admitted to the hospital on 22nd October with a cerebral-vascular problem. Subsequently, he suffered multiple organ failure. He was 76 and is survived by a son and three daughters, including actress Beena.
Pradeep Kumar began his film career in the ‘forties in Calcutta and shifted to Bombay in the early ‘fifties. He was accompanied to Bombay by his favourite director, Hemen Gupta, who was called to direct Filmistan’s Prithviraj Kapoor and Geeta Bali starrer Anandmath. Pradeep Kumar rose to stardom in 1953 with the musical hit, Anarkali, which co-starred Bina Rai. His prince-like demeanour soon made him a hot favourite for historical films although Noor Jehan, co-starring Meena Kumari, was the only other historical starring Pradeep Kumar, which proved successful. Nevertheless, his career as an actor continued for a long time. His leading ladies during his stint as hero included some of the top names like Nargis (Raat Aur Din), Vyjayanthimala, Mala Sinha, Meena Kumari and Nutan. Nagin (1954) was one of Pradeep Kumar’s biggest hits. Aarti, Kajal, Dil Ek Mandir, Grihadaho (Bengali) and Jagte Raho are among his better known films.
Pradeep Kumar later turned producer and made a number of films including Ek Jhalak and Ek Shola, directed by his brother, Kalidas.
A prayer meeting in Pradeep Kumar’s memory will be held on 6th November (Tuesday) at Satyashray, 8/B, West Avenue, Santacruz (West), Bombay.
ANUPAM KHER HEADS NSD
President K.R. Narayanan has appointed Anupam Kher chairman of the National School of Drama (NSD). The versatile actor, who has worked in over 100 dramas, besides films, is an alumnus of the NSD.
Anupam Kher expressed happiness over his appointment, saying, it could not have come at a better time. The actor was congratulated by many film and drama stalwarts.
METALIGHT OPENS DISTRIBUTION OFFICE
The distribution office of Metalight Productions Private Limited in Naaz Building in Bombay was inaugurated on 26th October (Dassera). Kamal Kumar Barjatya cut the ribbon while Jackie Shroff cracked the auspicious coconut. The concern’s film distribution activities have commenced since September in North Karnataka, East Punjab, Nizam and Bombay. It is also actively involved in film production, both, independently and through joint ventures with production houses such as Padmalaya, Popcorn Entertainment and Pinnacle Entertainment. The last-named is co-producing Metalight’s maiden venture, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, which is scheduled for release next year. Metalight’s film exhibition activities include acquiring cinema halls on lease, among others. It plans to continue negotiating leases so as to reach a target of 300 cinemas in 5 years.
According to senior vice president Anil Pandit, the main objective of Metalight is to produce, distribute and exhibit films in a vertically integrated manner. Says Ajai Shanghavi, executive director, “We plan to undertake all film production-related business activities under one roof in a fully transparent manner.”
YOU ASKED IT
The audience these days seems to be averse to Hindi remakes of South Indian hits. Comment.
– It is hardly so. A large part of the audience doesn’t even know when watching a film that it is a remake. The public likes to view a well-made film, whether it is a remake or not. In the recent past alone, the success of MUJHE KUCCH KEHNA HAI has amply proved this. So, if you are going by the failures of NAYAK, YEH TERAA GHAR YEH MERAA GHAR and REHNAA HAI TERRE DIL MEIN, you are greatly mistaken as they failed not because they were remakes, but due to flaws in them.
I want to start a film which will be released in November-December next year. What kind of film will run at that time? What should I make?
– Good films will always run. Therefore, rather than thinking about whether to make an action or romantic film or a family drama or comedy, plan a good film.
Which film is your preference for being sent to the Oscar awards as the Indian entry?
– Aamir Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker’s LAGAAN.
DO YOU KNOW?
* INDIAN has collected an extraordinary 91,000/- in 1st week (21 shows) at Asha, Mehemdabad.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 1,84,371/- in 1st week at Bharti, Navsari.
* INDIAN has collected an extraordinary 3,53,271/- in 1st week at Krishna, Padra.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 2,48,000/- in 1st week at Vaibhav, Vyara (Gujarat).
* INDIAN has collected an extraordinary 1,89,000/- in 1st week at Vasant, Asodar.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 4,12,000/- in 1st week at B.K., Mehsana.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 2,19,416/- in 1st week at Cine Plaza, Ankleshwar.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 1,54,000/- in 1st week (21 shows) at Naaz, Kheda.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 1,40,000/- in 1st week at Navratna, Cambay.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 2,05,638/- in 1st week (21 shows) at Alankar, Amboli.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 5,68,551/- in 1st week at Chanod Cine Park, Vapi.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 1,09,000/- in 1st week at Santosh, Rajpipla.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 2,38,269/- in 1st week at Mahesh, Ahmednagar.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 2,66,000/- in 1st week at Chandan, Belgaum.
* INDIAN has collected an extraordinary 1,25,000/- in 1st week at Sangam, Dharwad.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 2,28,000/- in 1st week at Apsara, Bijapur.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 1,28,000/- in 1st week at Arjun, Karwar.
* INDIAN has created a theatre record by collecting 3,91,368/- in 1st week at Vasant, Ghaziabad.
* INDIAN — which is being screened at Gautam and Darpan cinemas of Allahabad with a single print — has created an all-time city record by collecting 4,12,319/- in 1st week from the two cinemas.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 3,25,202/- in 1st week at Payal, Dehradun.
* INDIAN has created a theatre record by collecting 3,24,581/- in 1st week at Saraswati, Varanasi.
* INDIAN has created a theatre record by collecting 2,62,892/- in 1st week (26 shows) at Surjit, Aligarh.
* INDIAN has created a theatre record by collecting 2,94,376/- in 1st week at Darpan, Saharanpur.
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 1,76,908/- in 1st week at Khilona, Jhansi (U.P.). Twenty-six shows were full.
* INDIAN has created a theatre record by collecting 1,61,746/- in 1st week at S.C. Palace, Shamli (U.P.).
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 1,53,272/- in 1st week at Chandra, Muzaffarnagar (U.P.).
* INDIAN has created a record by collecting 1,76,668/- in 1st week at Sangam, Baraut (U.P.).
* INDIAN has created a theatre record by collecting 3,76,471/- in 1st week (29 shows) at Lakshmimandir, Jaipur. It has also created a theatre record by collecting 2,33,902/- at Lata, Jaipur in 29 shows.
* INDIAN has created a theatre record by collecting 3,95,164/- (gross) in 1st week (29 shows) at Mridang, Ajmer.
PRODUCTION NEWS
‘Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage’ 10-Day Schedule
A further 10-day shooting schedule of Mohan Kumar and Emkay Films (P.) Ltd.’s Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage commenced on Nov. 2. It is being shot at SNDT University, Fantasy Land and Sports Stadium (Pune). Hrithik Roshan and Amisha Patel are participating alongwith Ali Asgar, Hemant Pandey, Jasbir Thanda, Suchet Yadav and stuntmen. The film is being produced by Rohit Kumar and directed by Vikram Bhatt. Music: Rajesh Roshan. Story-screenplay: Robin Bhatt and Sanjeev Duggal. Dialogues: Girish Dhamija. Lyrics: Dev Kohli and Ibrahim Ashq. Cinematographer: Pravin Bhatt. Dances: Raju Khan and Ganesh Acharya. Art: R. Varman. Editor: Amit Saxena. Sound: Murari Krishna. Gautam Kumar presents the film.
‘Na Tum Jaano Na Hum’ Nearing Completion
An 8-day shooting spell of PFH Entertainment Ltd.’s Na Tum Jaano Na Hum in Jaipur and Delhi was completed on Oct. 24. Saif Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Esha Deol, Rati Agnihotri, Smita Jayakar, Anang Desai, Rajashree Solanki, Sonali Kapadia and Bhavana Ruparel participated. The film is nearing completion. Being directed by Arjun Sablok, it co-stars Moushumi Chatterji, Alok Nath, Ashima Bhalla, Achla Sachdev, Ameerzyade and Umesh Kariya. Music: Rajesh Roshan. Lyrics: Anand Bakshi. Editor: Shrish Kunder. Cinematographer: Manoj Soni.
‘Deewangee’ 8-Day Shooting Spell
An 8-day shooting spell of Neha Arts’ Deewangee began on a prison set at Filmalaya Studios on Oct. 29. A song and scenes are being picturised on Ajay Devgan, Urmila Matondkar, Vijayendra Ghatge, Akshaye Khanna and Seema Biswas who has recently been added to the cast. Being produced by Nitin Manmohan, the film is directed by Anees Bazmee who has also written the story and dialogues. Screenplay: Humayun Mirza, Neeraj Pathak and Anees Bazmee. Music: Ismail Darbar. Lyrics: Nusrat Badr. Cinematographer: Pushan Kripalani. Choreographer: Vaibhavi Merchant. Sound: Jagmohan Anand. Action: Bhiku Verma and Pappu Verma.
At Last, Kanpur Has Something To Rave About!
Kanpur will never be the same again. On 25th October, the eve of Dassera, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the city’s first multiplex — Rave 3 — promoted jointly by the Guptas of Dainik Jagran newspaper and Vikram Kothari of Rotomac Pens.
For a city which boasts of only four air-conditioned cinemas, the cineplex, constructed on a plot of land admeasuring 1,30,000 sq. ft., comes as great news. Rave 3, sponsored by Coca-Cola, has three screens, all of which were thrown open to the public on 26th. While Asoka is the opening attraction in two auditoria, Indian is the debut film of the third one. The screens have 263, 266 and 272 seats.
To say that the multiplex is extraordinary would be to understate its grandeur and beauty. A huge foyer with waterfalls on either side is just the beginning of the exhilarating experience of the entertainment complex. Besides the three auditoria, the cineplex houses a shopping mall, a banquet room, food courts, discotheque, bowling alley and other games parlour. The biggest store in the shopping mall is that of Pantaloon. Besides clothes, the mall has shops selling sports items, music equipments, computer items etc.
Rave 3, which derives its name from the children of the two promoters — Ravi, son of Vikram Kothari, and Vedant, son of Shailesh Gupta — has cost over Rs. 26 crore to come into its final beautiful shape. The idea for a multiplex took birth in Shailesh Gupta’s mind three years ago after which, as the 30-plus young Gupta says, “I made a 360-page project report. I put all my education into those 360 pages.” In a little less than two years after its construction began, the cineplex is ready and running!
Situated on the upmarket Parvati Bagla Road, the exterior of Rave looks majestic in all its yellow, red, blue and green colours. Fully air-conditioned, the entertainment complex also houses an HDFC ATM counter, coffee shop, cake shop etc.
The auditoria are as beautifully done up as the rest of the multiplex. Plush push-back seats with plenty of leg space between two rows make cinema viewing a pleasure! In fact, so comfortable and cool are the auditoria that if a film is boring, one can easily go off to sleep in peace! Jokes apart, the screens have Xenon projection, wide screens and the impeccable Dolby digital sound. Little wonder then that admission rates are Rs. 70 and Rs. 100. In each of the auditoria, there’s one (last) row which has king-size sofas. The rate for that row is Rs. 150 per person.
Vehicle parking can often be a problem in a cinema but not at Rave. Parked at Rave for the curtain-raiser function for the inauguration, on 24th October, were Twinkle Khanna, Pooja Batra, Sukhwindara Singh, Micky Narula, Sujata and Abu Malik’s troupe. They presented a musical programme, regaling invitees. Ruby Bhatia compered the show in her inimitable style. As if the evening of songs and dances was not enough, there was a splendid show of fireworks too when chief guest A.P. Verma, chief secretary, government of Uttar Pradesh, switched on the lights to give a glimpse of the exterior of the multiplex less than 24 hours before the chief minister inaugurated it formally. CBDT member Raj Narain was the guest of honour at the curtain-raiser function on 24th. Both, A.P. Verma and Raj Narain, praised the efforts of the Guptas and the Kotharis for building such a lavish multiplex in Kanpur. At last, Kanpur, which was so far mostly known for its IIT campus, has something more to be proud of. Why, Rave 3 has some trees in the lobby, specially brought from Thailand.
Yes, Kanpur will never be the same again!!
– Komal Nahta