FILM INFORMATION’S BESTS OF 2000

Best Film
KAHO NAA…PYAAR HAI

Best Producer
RAKESH ROSHAN
(KN…PH)

Best Director
RAKESH ROSHAN
(KN…PH)

Best Actor
SHAH RUKH KHAN
(Mohabbatein)

Best Actress
TABU
(Astitva)

Best Supporting Actor
AMITABH BACHCHAN
(Mohabbatein)

Best Supporting Actress
SONALI KULKARNI
(Mission Kashmir)

Best Villain
DANNY DENZONGPA
(Pukar)

Best Comedian
PARESH RAWAL
(Hera Pheri)

Best Story
HONEY IRANI
(Kya Kehna!)

Best Screenplay
HONEY IRANI & RAVI KAPOOR
(KN…PH)

Best Dialogues
O.P. DUTTA
(Refugee)

Best Music Director
RAJESH ROSHAN
(KN…PH)

Best Lyricist
JAVED AKHTAR
(Refugee – Panchhi nadiya)

Best Song
Ek pal ka jeena
(KN…PH)

Best Male Playback Singer
ABHIJEET
(Tum dil ki – Dhadkan)

Best Female Playback Singer
ALKA YAGNIK
(Na na karte – Dhadkan)

Best Background Score
SANDEEP CHOWTA
(Jungle)

Best Action Director
ABBAS ALI MOGHUL
(Aaghaaz)

Best Sound
DARAK WARRIER
(Jungle)

Best Cinematographer
KABIR LAAL
(KN…PH)

Best Choreographer
FARAH KHAN
(KN…PH)

Best Editor
CHANDAN ARORA
(Jungle)

Best Art Director
NITIN DESAI
(Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar)

Best Male Newcomer
HRITHIK ROSHAN
(KN…PH)

Best Female Newcomer
KAREENA KAPOOR
(Refugee)

Best Special Effects
RAJU CHACHA

Best Make-Up
VIKRAM GAIKWAD
(Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar)

Best Climax
KAHO NAA…PYAAR HAI

Best Promotion
VASHU BHAGNANI
(Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa)

LATEST POSITION

Both the major releases of last week have turned turkeys at the turnstiles.

Raju Chacha has been rejected except to some extent by the kids. 1st week Bombay 62,47,828 (83.23%) from 12 cinemas (6 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 29,10,473 from 7 cinemas, Vapi 3,86,138, Rajkot 2,05,150, Jamnagar 1,22,570 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee), Adipur 1,82,086, Bhuj (23 shows) 1,51,340; Solapur 1,68,556; Bijapur 1,13,409 from 2 cinemas (1 in noon); Delhi 58,23,695 (61.43%) from 13 cinemas (2 on F.H.); Kanpur 3,51,217 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 4,89,956, Agra 3,28,000, Allahabad 1,66,872, Bareilly 1,15,000, Hardwar 50,000; Nagpur 4,71,406 from 3 cinemas, Jabalpur 1,60,092, Amravati 1,58,014, Akola 1,05,167, Raipur (gross) 2,29,564, Bhilai 1,05,315, Jalgaon 1,25,320, Wardha 72,126, Bilaspur 1,00,485; Indore 1,50,000 (2 unrecd., 1 on F.H.); Jaipur 10,08,670 (78.06%) from 2 cinemas, Ajmer (gross) 1,96,569, Bikaner 2,43,080; Hyderabad (gross) 23,94,181 from 8 cinemas; Guntur (gross) 88,239.

Khiladi 420 is also not up to the mark. 1st week Bombay 35,88,132 (59.52%) from 11 cinemas (11 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 3,76,715 from 3 cinemas, Baroda 1,61,923, Vapi 3,56,842 from 2 cinemas, Jamnagar 1,92,829 from 2 cinemas (1 in matinee), Bhuj 1,49,950, Anjar 79,365; Solapur 2,91,133 from 3 cinemas (1 in matinee), Miraj 67,164; Delhi 31,93,511 (38.93%) from 13 cinemas (3 on F.H.); Kanpur 3,53,393 from 2 cinemas, Lucknow 4,38,891, Agra 2,26,450, Allahabad 2,00,047, Bareilly 1,45,794, Hardwar 40,000; Nagpur 2,46,392 from 4 cinemas, Jabalpur 94,513, Amravati 1,62,565, Akola 1,07,870, Dhule 1,39,587, Raipur 1,20,039, Bhilai 57,419, Jalgaon 1,54,780, Bilapur 46,127; Jaipur 4,54,388 (40.70%) from 3 cinemas, Ajmer (gross) 2,34,895; Hyderabad (gross) 28,96,925 from 13 cinemas.

……….

Champion gets knocked out dramatically. 2nd week Bombay 18,92,828 (36.70%) from 11 cinemas (5 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 4,24,588 from 2 cinemas (1 unrecd.), Solapur 1,91,257; 1st week Bijapur (32 shows) 1,39,328 (nett); 2nd week Delhi 6,60,949 from 5 cinemas (3 on F.H.); Kanpur 2,29,739 from 3 cinemas, Lucknow 3,76,477 from 2 cinemas, Agra 1,70,000, Allahabad 1,42,500, Bareilly (6 days) 71,117, Hardwar 40,000; Nagpur 75,419, Jabalpur (6 days) 68,986, Amravati 1,25,359, Akola 49,522, Bhilai 27,213, Jalgaon about 70,000, Wardha 35,627; Indore 55,000 (1 unrecd.; 1 on F.H.), Bhopal 87,591; Bikaner 1,15,418 (1st 3,33,567); Hyderabad (gross) 6,39,770 from 2 cinemas.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (dubbed, TF) continues to do well in C.P. Berar but is not good elsewhere. 3rd week Bombay 3,73,234 (26%) from 3 cinemas (2 on F.H.); 1st week Ahmedabad 76,000; 3rd week Nagpur 2,63,635 from 2 cinemas, Akola 86,977, total 4,94,742, 2nd week Amravati 1,90,547, 1st week Wardha 78,881, 3rd week Chandrapur 86,620, total 3,75,977.

Mohabbatein gets the advantage of poor oppositions. Is steady and also picked up at places. 10th week Bombay 25,87,343 (81.20%) from 9 cinemas (8 on F.H.); Ahmedabad 3,79,406 from 3 cinemas (1 unrecd.), Jamnagar (noon) 12,277; Solapur (matinee) 62,513; Delhi 13,23,125 from 5 cinemas; Kanpur 3,85,531 from 3 cinemas, Lucknow 4,86,234 (9th 3,72,520), Agra 2,46,000, Allahabad 1,38,223, Meerut 2,08,740, total 15,45,147, Bareilly (6 days) 53,409; Nagpur 2,09,200 from 2 cinemas, Jabalpur (6 days) 1,20,884, 1st week Balaghat 94,983, 10th week Amravati 1,37,271, total 18,88,324, 2nd week Kamptee 62,659 (1st 61,993), 10th week Akola 98,535, total 12,70,225, Dhule 89,260, total 10,72,037, Raipur (6 days, gross) 1,04,039, Bhilai (6 days) 25,508, 5th week Durg 41,070, 10th week Chandrapur 44,198, total 10,68,244; Ajmer (21 shows) 57,217; Hyderabad (gross) 9,64,438 from 4 cinemas (1 in noon).

______

Dikri To Parki Thaapan Kahevay (Gujarati; TF) entered 2nd week at Bhavnagar and Rajkot with ordinary collections.

Mor Chhainha Bhuinya (Chhattisgarhi) 10th week Raipur (nett) 1,28,781, total 19,48,138, city record, 6th week Rajnandgaon 1,13,565, total 9,16,218, city record, 8th week Bhilai 57,480.

NEPAL LIFTS BAN ON HRITHIK-STARRERS

The government of Nepal has lifted the ban on Hrithik Roshan starrers in the country. The ban had to be imposed early last week, following Nepali students’ protest over the anti-Nepal and anti-Nepalese “utterances” alleged to have been made by the star in a recent TV interview.

The protestors, realising that Hrithik had not made any such statements, gave up their anti-Hrithik stance and agitation. Following this, the Nepal government on 4th January lifted the ban on the screening of Hrithik starrers in the country.

FILM CITY TO ISSUE RS. 20 CRORE BONDS

The Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation (Film City) will approach the debt market shortly with an issue of non-convertible bonds worth Rs. 20 crore. The issue is being lead-managed by Allianz Securities. It has been unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Maharashtra government. The rating for the 10-year bonds programme is based on a structured payment mechanism. Interest will be paid at 13% p.a. The repayment of principal amount of the bonds and the interest thereon have been secured by the guarantee enforced through a tripartite agreement signed between the state government, Film City and the trustees.

RS. 7 LAKH STOLEN FROM SHAKTI KAPOOR

Shakti Kapoor’s briefcase, containing Rs. 7 lakh, was stolen from his car on 3rd January in Bombay. Police are on the lookout for the culprit.

HARISH SUGHAND’S PREMISES RAIDED

Officers of the Criminal Intelligence Unit of Andheri, Bombay, raided the office and residential premises of Harish Sughand on 5th January. Harish was not present at the time of the raid but some important documents and a diary were seized by the raiding unit. Deputy commissioner of police (detection) Pradip Sawant said that Harish Sughand was being summoned for inquiry in connection with financing of a recent film. The raid comes close on the heels of the arrest of producer Nazim Rizvi and subsequent seizure of the negative of Chori Chori Chupke Chukpe.

ANUPAM KHER DRAGGED TO COURT IN CHEQUE DISHONOUR CASE

Anupam Kher appeared in an Indore court on 2nd January in a cheque bouncing case. Film financier Parmanand Tharani had filed a case against the actor under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Anupam had allegedly taken a loan of Rs. 5 lakh from Tharani for his media entertainment company about two years back. He returned Rs. 2 lakh by a cheque which was dishonoured by the bank.

The next hearing has been fixed for 3rd February.

RUCKUS AT INDORE CINE CLUB MEETING

An extraordinary general meeting of the Cine Club of Indore was held on 2nd January in Indore to decide on the matter of buying new premises for the Club. The meeting took an unsavoury turn when some members started using unparliamentary language. The club’s president, Vedprakash Mendiratta, became so agitated that he withdrew the proposal of acquisition of new premises and declared the meeting as concluded. He subsequently also resigned in disgust from the Club’s presidentship.

Later, on 4th January, at the executive committee meeting of the Club, it was, however, unanimously decided to not accept the president’s resignation.

YOU ASKED IT

For a script to be known as a ‘bound script’, is a detailed screenplay enough or must the dialogues also be a part of it?

– Dialogues are necessarily part of a bound script. Without them, the script is incomplete.

Why do most mainstream filmmakers in India ignore the international film festivals?

– Because festivals have more academic value than business value. And mainstream filmmakers are hardcore businessmen too!

What should the new year resolution of the film industry be?

– For producers and directors: Make films with stories, not merely proposals with stars. For distributors: Don’t buy films merely on the ‘strength’ of star-names. For exhibitors: Give better service to patrons. For stars: Treat producers as annadaatas.

DO YOU KNOW?

* DDLJ (tax-free) finally equalled SHOLAY by entering into combined 269th week at Maratha Mandir, Bombay in matinee shows on 5th January. SHOLAY, in its first run at Minerva, Bombay, had run for a total of 269 combined (regular and matinee shows) weeks. Thus, DDLJ, which continues in matinee shows at Maratha Mandir, will prove to be the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema. DDLJ has, in 268 weeks, collected in Bombay city and suburbs (excluding Thane district and FH cinemas) an astounding 10,26,33,275/-! Just next to HUM AAPKE HAIN KOUN..! which had collected over 12 crore!!

* A print of an English film, MODEL GIRL, reportedly supplied by Daylight Films, Jabalpur was seized at Shree Talkies, Gondia. The print, it is learnt, has been sent to the CBFC for verification. According to the CBFC, the film was never viewed by it! In another case, a print of BHOOT KA DAR was seized, alongwith interpolations, at New Radha Krishna Talkies, Sirajgaon (Amravati district). The print, allegedly supplied by Harnam Films, Amravati, has been sent for verification of the CBFC. Also, a print of RAAT KA DARINDA, alongwith ‘bits’ was seized at Jai Hind, Balaghat. It was supplied by Aabha Raj Films, Amravati, it is learnt. 

* Monica, who is being introduced as the leading lady in Balvinder Sandhu’s KAMA SUNDARI, is being ‘introduced’ as Devi Sri in Tahir Husain’s DIL DHOONDTA HAI.

CLASSIFICATION: 2000
(Total 217 films, including 74 dubbed films)

AAA (Super-Duper Hit)

KAHO NAA…PYAAR HAI

AA (Super-Hit)

–

A 1 (Hit)

–

A (Semi-Hit)

MOHABBATEIN (‘B1’ in Delhi-U.P., C.I., ‘B’ in Bihar)

BB (Overflow)

BADAL (‘A’ in Delhi-U.P. & East Punjab)

KYA KEHNA! (‘A’ in Bombay, ‘B1’ in East Punjab, Eastern Circuit, C.I. & Rajasthan)

SAALI POORI GHARWALI

MERI JUNG KA ELAAN

KAMESHWARI (dubbed)

B1 to BB (Commission-Earner to Overflow)

DHADKAN (‘A1’ in Bihar, losing/average in some circuits)

JUNGLE (losing in Delhi-U.P., ‘B’ in East Punjab & Bengal)

KURUKSHETRA

THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (dubbed)

CHOTE MIYAN (dubbed)

DASI (dubbed)

B1 (Commission-Earner)

MISSION KASHMIR (‘BB’ in Bombay & West Bengal, losing in a couple of circuits)

FIZA (‘BB’ in Bombay, losing in a couple of circuits)

B to B1 (Coverage to Commission-Earner)

HAMARA DIL AAPKE PAAS HAI (‘A’ in Bombay, ‘BB’ in C.P. Berar, & losing in a couple of circuits)

KUNWARA (losing in a couple of circuits)

REFUGEE (‘BB’ in Bombay)

HADH KAR DI AAPNE (losing in a couple of circuits)

BICHHOO (‘BB’ in East Punjab & Rajasthan, losing in some circuits)

JIS DESH MEIN GANGA REHTA HAI (losing in a couple of circuits)

VIJETA THE GLADIATOR (dubbed)

X-MEN (dubbed)

ANHONEE (dubbed)

TRISHAKTI (dubbed)

JAI MAA DURGA (dubbed)

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-2 (dubbed)

B (Coverage)

KAALI NAGIN (dubbed)

DEVI (dubbed)

YEH KAISA PYAR (dubbed)

THE REST

…………..

3-E
Education-Entertainment-Enlightenment

Happy New Calendar

Director Rajiv Rai, whose Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, is complete, has brought out a 12-month calendar embellished with the pictures of the film’s artistes — Sunil Shetty, Aftab Shivdasani, Arjun Rampal, Kirti Reddy, Monica Bedi and Isha Koppikar — all caught in romantic moments. The calendar informs, ‘Coming to cinemas June 29, 2001’.

Another calendar, which is a table calendar of one month (January 2001), has, on its flip side, a sepia-toned reproduction of the still of the very first cinematographed film, made by Lumiere Brothers. The accompanying text informs that Lumiere Brothers held the first public show of their 2-minute feature film on 28th December, 1895. And that cinematography first came to India on 7th July, 1896 at Waton’s Hotel in Bombay. “The Lumiere brothers rightly called their invention, ‘The Marvel Of The Century’,” says the text. This unique uni-monthly calendar has been sent by Satyashwami Entertainment (P.) Ltd. But whose company is this? Mahesh Manjrekar’s!

2000: Nightmare For Most Stars

STAR POWER

The year 2000 belonged to Hrithik Roshan. It started with his debut in dad Rakesh Roshan’s Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai that catapulted him to superstardom overnight. The attempt on Rakesh Roshan’s life just a week after the film’s release, his hospitalisation and consequent bypass surgery of the heart kept the Roshans in general and Hrithik in particular in news. Every story about the Roshans was pegged around the new star on the horizon, Hrithik. His subsequent two films, Fiza and Mission Kashmir, whipped up more excitement because of Hrithik’s presence than for any other reason. Even their mediocre business was thanks only to Hrithik without whom they would’ve had to bite the dust. The star’s marriage to Sanjay Khan’s daughter, Sussane Khan, was grist for the media for a couple of months as the two families refused to divulge any information — the date, the venue, the honeymoon location, everything was speculation till the wedding happened on 20th December in Bangalore.

Even before the cute couple could fly off for their honeymoon and just before the curtains were drawn on the year 2000, Hrithik made headlines once again — this time without doing anything! That’s star power. The kingdom of Nepal was rocked by anti-Nepal and anti-Nepalese statements alleged to have been mouthed by Hrithik on a television interview. Innocent students, misled by vested interests (as yet, it is not known who the vested interests were), died in police firing, many were injured, the Koirala government was asked to step down for not being able to control the law and order situation and all this even though Hirithik had never uttered any statement concerning Nepal or the Nepalese — anti or pro! Thankfully, it’s all over now.

STAR-KIDS

Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor were the two other new faces of 2000 who attracted media and audience attention. Although their first film, Refugee, was an average fare at the box-office, it did bring the two debutants in the limelight. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that but for Amitabh’s son and Raj Kapoor’s grand-daughter, J.P. Dutta’s Refugee would not even have reached the average mark.

While Kareena Kapoor went on to sign big-banner films like Subhash Ghai’s Yaadein and Karan Johar’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Abhishek delivered two duds in Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa and Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke. The audience tore Bachchan Jr. apart, the media was even more inconsiderate. The silver lining came when Abhishek was signed by Sooraj Barjatya for his new film, Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, never mind if Hrithik Roshan has a presumably meatier role in it. Kareena Kapoor is the common love angle of the two star-sons in the film that will launch in May 2001 and see release only in 2003.

TALE OF TWO BEAUTIES

Amisha Patel debuted in KN…PH but the Jaaneman jaaneman girl made up for the low media hype she got here in Bombay by following her ship song from KN…PH — Palat teri nazar. She looked Southwards and acted in a couple of Telugu films which did pretty well. The other debutante on the Hindi screen moved up from Andhra to Bombay, but Kirti Reddy, the heroine of the Telugu hit Tholi Prema, fared so badly in Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa that she had to pack her bags and rush back to Hyderabad. Well, almost.

PHIR BHI SHAH RUKH….

Shah Rukh Khan started the year as the producer of a flop, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. Hrithik’s emergence had SRK’s critics swearing that it was curtains down for the Khan superstar. Phir bhi, Shah Rukh kept going until Happy Diwali brought happier tidings for SRK. Not only did the Shah Rukh starrer Mohabbatein outscore Hrithik’s Mission Kashmir at the ticket-windows, it also brought in accolades for Shah Rukh’s performance as a music professor. The debacles of Gaja Gamini and Hey! Ram hardly made a difference to SRK’s star status as he played guest roles in both the films. Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega also saw Shah Rukh in a tiny guest appearance. His only other release, Josh, didn’t really shake the box-office anywhere, doing well only in major cities.

AB, KB, YEH BHI, WOH BHI

The most remarkable comeback of recent times was that of Amitabh Bachchan. The Big B, with his charisma and star power, made the small screen big enough to pose a serious threat to the big screen. His hosting of the game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, on Star Plus, resulted in the following:

* Box-office collections on the days the game was aired took a beating in the first two months at least.

* TRPs of the game show soared to unbelievable heights.

* Film stars, who had all along thought, they were too big for television, found themselves signing contracts to host game shows, chat shows or to act in TV serials.

* Rival television channels launched game shows, at least one of which — Zee’s Sawaal Dus Crore Ka — fell flat on its face. Knockout was knocked out by DD when it was about to go on air. The reason, according to Doordarshan, was that it abetted gambling. So what did DD think all along — that host Kabir Bedi would sing bhajans on the game show or what?!

If television treated Amitabh so well, the big screen couldn’t be far behind. His solo release in 2000, Mohabbatein, won more praise for Bachchan (and Shah Rukh) than for the faces it launched/re-launched or for its director, Aditya Chopra.

BAD SCORE

For Salman Khan, the year 2000 was the worst as far as the box-office fate of his starrers was concerned. His last release — Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye — was also his biggest disaster of the year. David Dhawan’s Chal Mere Bhai was pretty bad and the director’s other Salman starrer, Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, barely trudged along to the average mark in a couple of territories. Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega took the best start among all Salman starrers released in 2000 but even despite the extraordinary initial, all distributors didn’t make money on the expensive love triangle. Some of those who did make money, did it at the cost of exhibitors who stood to lose a part of their hefty MGs and FHs. Salman made a small guest appearance in the damp squib, Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke. He now needs to pull up his socks and not pull out his shirt. His crazy mannerisms in front of the camera have not only become repetitive but also extremely stale and irritating.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Like Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgan, too, played a double role in 2000. But unlike Shah Rukh, he was plain unlucky in both the roles. As a producer, his ultra-expensive Raju Chacha, starring himself and wife Kajol, failed to excite the audiences despite the huge sets and slick computer graphics. Even the kids, at whom the film was targetted, seemed to want a more cohesive script! As a hero, Ajay Devgan’s Deewane bombed miserably. In this film too, Ajay played a double role — not of actor and producer, but of actor and actor.

TOTAL FAILURE, PARTIAL SUCCESS

Bulandi and Karobaar, the first and last release of Anil Kapoor during the year, were among the biggest disasters of 2000. The two films between the two debacles were his home productions. Pukar managed to remain afloat in some territories only, because of the tax exemption it got. Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai did very well in Bombay and Gujarat-Saurashtra but the response in other circuits was not as encouraging.

SO MUCH FOR THE NO. 1!

Hero no. 1 Govinda had six releases but none hit a sixer. Hadh Kar Di Aapne, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai and Kunwara were among his best starrers of 2000 but even they couldn’t do uniformly plus business in all the circuits. The poor ones were Beti No. 1, Shikari and Joru Ka Ghulam. His game show on Sony TV was the happiest news for him and his fans in 2000.

DUTT TERE KI!

Khauff, Baaghi, Chal Mere Bhai and Jung did nothing to further Sanjay Dutt’s career. Nidaan had a small guest appearance by the actor and so did Raju Chacha. Kurukshetra was a commission earner but what brought praise for the Dutt was his superlative performance in Mission Kashmir. Although the film wasn’t an all-round winner, Sanjay Dutt made his mark in it.

UNLUCKY KHILADI

For Akshay Kumar, the collections of last year’s last release — Jaanwar — was the most heartening news this year. It was this year that Jaanwar became the biggest ever blockbuster of Bihar. But Akshay didn’t deliver any hit in 2000. Hera Pheri scored in Bombay and Maharashtra but in most of the other circuits, it bombed. Dhadkan took a dull start outside of Bombay but its super-hit music saw the film do exciting business in Bombay, Bihar, C.P. Berar and C.I. In some circuits, it lost money. The year-end gave Akshay the biggest jhatka with the bombing of Khiladi 420 — even in Bihar.

MIXED FEELINGS

Sunil Shetty shared his fate with Akshay Kumar in Hera Pheri and Dhadkan. But he was luckier than the Khiladi Kumar as his character roles in Refugee and Jungle won him praises, and the films also did reasonable business. His solo starrer, Aaghaaz, didn’t do well in the cities but at smaller centres in Maharashtra and Bengal, the film managed decent shares. Elsewhere, it bombed. Sunil’s Krodh was a damp squib.

‘B’ FOR YOU

‘B’ for Bobby Deol. And ‘B’ for Badal and Bichhoo. Badal did wonders in Delhi-U.P., East Punjab, Rajasthan and the Eastern circuit. Bichhoo was an average fare (losing at places) but one which managed better in North, thanks only to its action. Bobby’s only other release, Hum To Mohabbat Karega, proved a highly forgettable disaster. That was B for you!

BREATHLESS IN BOLLYWOOD

Aamir Khan and Sunny Deol had just one release each. While Aamir’s Mela did badly in Bombay, it managed to scrape through in circuits like Delhi-U.P. Sunny’s Champion is just about average in circuits like U.P. and Rajasthan but elsewhere, its exciting start was followed by a steep drop in collections. The champion ran out of breath!

RAI — NO PAHAD — OF SUCCESS

Aishwarya Rai had three releases in 2000 and two more — one in which she made a ‘ghost’ appearance (Mohabbatein) and another in which she made a very tiny guest appearance (Mela). Mohabbatein clicked, Mela didn’t. Her Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai was a partial success. Josh was even lesser. Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke was a total failure.

JUST SOME FIZZ

Like for Aish, the year 2000 wasn’t too good for Karisma Kapoor either. Fiza was the only film which did above average business in some circuits. Chal Mere Bhai, Shikari and Hum To Mohabbat Karega were sad experiences for Karisma. Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge too couldn’t remain afloat in most circuits.

SEVEN WONDERS OR BLUNDERS?

The actress with the maximum number of releases in 2000 was, surprisingly, Tabu. Hers was a very consistent record — all seven flops! Hera Pheri was an exception in Bombay. The other disasters: Tarkieb, Shikari, Astitva, Ghaath, Biwi No. 2 (dubbed) and Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar. Dil Pe koi kaise nahin le, yaar! Especially when Tabu’s performance was first-rate in more than half the above!

RANI RULED… BUT NOT REALLY

Close on Tabu’s heels was Rani Mukerji with six releases. But while her Badal did pretty well in half the circuits of the country, Bichhoo was a fair fare in North India only. Hadh Kar Di Aapne managed a decent run in Bombay and U.P. Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega started like a rocket and thereafter, in some circuits, it plummetted like the Diwali rocket which comes down but goes God knows where! If Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye was a catastrophe, Hey! Ram was a calamity which had no cure whatsoever. That Hey! Ram is India’s entry to the Oscars may be the only consolation for Rani. Or is it?

TWO BAD BUT NOT TOO BAD

For Mahima Chaudhry, it was a very average year. A reasonable Dhadkan, a fairly good Kurukshetra and two miserable maladies — Khiladi 420 and deadly Deewane.

RAVEENA’S FRIGHTENING FIVE

Raveena Tandon was plain unlucky. Every release of hers misfired. In that sense, she posed stiff competition to Tabu. Only thing, while Tabu delivered seven croppers, Raveena’s score was five! Bulandi, Jung, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, Khauff (guest appearance) and Ghaath (guest appearance). Take your pick if you aren’t already sick!

ONE, TWO KA SCORE

Shilpa Shetty came to be recognised as an actress of substance with Dhadkan. But save this one, her two other releases — Jung and Tarkieb — must’ve reminded her of old times.

JUNGLE BEAUTY

Urmila Matondkar played the frightened captive of the jungle brigand in Jungle beautifully, but the box-office fate of her Deewane frightened the distributors even more. Her Kunwara was so-so in some circuits only.

PRETTY REASONABLE

Not a pretty good year but at least a pretty reasonable one for Preity Zinta. Kya Kehna! was the best small-cast film of 2000, which became a hit in Bombay and also did very well in other circuits. Mission Kashmir was not mission accomplished but all the same, it wasn’t mission unaccomplished either. Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega was her only other release.

SAWAAL MANISHA KA

Khauff wasn’t Manisha Koirala’s only khaufnaak delivery in 2000. Baaghi, too, bombed. Champion was her third release. The supreme disaster, of course, was Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya. Manisha’s foray into television was worse than all the four releases put together. Sawaal Dus Core Ka, which she co-hosted with Anupam Kher on Zee TV, must’ve been the most khaufnaak experience, and not just for Manisha!

SONALI SPECIAL

Sonali Bendre made special appearances in three films — Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, Chal Mere Bhai and Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke. Her only two other releases were Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai, which was dubbed a mediocre fare, and the dubbed Dil Hi Dil Mein, a disaster by any yardstick.

– Komal Nahta

INFORMATION MEETS

“In five years, I have completed 3 Sunny-starrers…
How did I do it? By simply being professional.”

– BABLOO PACHISIA

GAJAA

In an industry where hypocrisy is the norm and mollycoddling the stars is the rule, Babloo Pachisia stands out as one of the few exceptions. Honest and blunt to the core, this 38-year-old producer may seem a bit of a misfit in the industry. But having known him for years, you realise that despite no hypocrisy, the guy has survived — and survived wonderfully — in this dog-eat-dog industry. Starting with Apradhi (Anil Kapoor and Vijayashanti), Babloo has produced Khuddar (Govinda-Karisma), Haqeeqat (Ajay Devgan-Tabu), Ziddi (Sunny-Raveena), Arjun Pandit (Sunny-Juhi) and is now ready with his sixth production, Farz (Sunny-Preity). The release is just 10 days away (this interview is taken on 2nd January) and with Sunny Deol’s 50% dubbing remaining to be completed, you’d expect Babloo to be biting his nails and tearing his salt-and-pepper hair apart. But nothing of the vision you have conjured greets you in his tastefully done spacious cabin. Babloo is as cool as cool can be if only because he is used to Sunny’s ways. After all, this is his third film with the Deol and all the three have been completed in reasonable time.

Babloo is the son of one of the leading finance agents of the industry, Bhaiji, but it is to his credit that he has also made his own identity, besides being known as Bhaiji’s son.

Over to Babloo alias Navratan Pachisia:

The credits of FARZ mention Sunil Saini as its producer. What is your role in the project?

This project was actually Sunil Saini’s. He had signed Sunny Deol and director Raj Kanwar and was supposed to make it with a Delhi-based guy. But the project could not move ahead, beyond the signing stage. It is then that I stepped in.

Why did you take over the project? Was it because of Raj Kanwar, Sunny Deol or your production chief, Sunil Saini?

I did it only for Sunil Saini because he has been handling my films since years.

So, you became a partner….

Not a partner, I took over the entire project. Vishant International is my banner. Since Sunil had put the project together, he shares a percentage in the profit.

You must have made a good packet even before its release?

It is a loss on the table!

Loss?

Yes, so far, it is a loss because the satellite rights are yet to be sold.

Surprising, because it is a star cast film. 

Sunny is not so hot where the sale of satellite rights is concerned. Similarly, audio and Overseas rights of Sunny starrers don’t sell for the sky. And, as you know, satellite, audio and Overseas rights are where the money is today.

Is it your first film which has shown a loss on completion?

No, Ziddi was also in minus. Arjun Pandit was just about okay. As for Farz, I have still to earn from satellite and, of course, I hold the Bombay distribution rights. I am also hopeful of getting good overflow from East Punjab. It is extremely hot there. In fact, the film has become pretty hot all over. I think, about 350 prints will be released on the opening day.

This is my first big star cast film where even the villain (Jackie Shroff) is a star. Also, the filming of the action scenes cost me a whopping Rs. 2 crore plus.

Here, I must say that Pretty Zinta worked at her committed old price even though she became a sought-after star after signing my film. She never asked for a hike in her price even though she is in demand today. And never has she hassled us for anything. I really appreciate her professionalism.

Since director Raj Kanwar’s last film, his own DHAAI AKSHAR PREM KE, did not do well, did your distributors feel shaky or apprehensive?

No distributor ever said anything post-Dhaai Akshar…. They consider this project as a combination of me, Sunny Deol and Raj Kanwar.

What kind of relationship do you have with your distributors?

I have my own set of distributors who’ve distributed all my five films and will be distributing the sixth too. Except one or two, who backed out for their own reasons.

Music has become a vital force for a film’s opening, but your film’s music is not very hot. Are you not tense about it?

It’s true that music plays an important role in boosting a film. But Sunny Deol is an action hero and we have relied on action and grandeur. Music is not as important in an action film as, say, in a romantic or family film.

What is the subject of FARZ?

Sunny Deol is a top police officer, but not the usual uniformed cop. The action is stylised.

Is it an original subject or a remake of a foreign film?

It is slightly inspired from an English film.

Which one?

You will come to know when the film comes on the screen!

What, according to you, ails the film industry? What corrective steps should be taken?

To me, filmmaking is fun. In which trade do you find people meeting and greeting each other so cordially and with so much warmth? But I must say, some people have now become too money-minded. These people believe in grabbing things — just khincho khincho! One can’t do anything about it. To each his own.

But one must appreciate you for having made three Sunny-starrers consecutively without any production delays. How could you achieve that? How long did FARZ take in the making?

Farz has been completed in 15 months. In five years, I have made three Sunny-starrers. I started Ziddi on 11th February, 1996 and now, on 12th January, 2001, I will be releasing Farz. How did I do it? By simply being professional. Each one has to play his own game here.

Are you taking any steps to save your film from video piracy?

This video piracy business is killing. When my film gets released, I will inform the police and take help of anti-piracy agencies.

How do you manage your finances? Does your dad help you?

No, he has retired from his finance business. He does not need to help me in anything. His blessings are enough.

What have you learnt from this industry?

I have been a producer for the last 10 years and I have learnt one thing very clearly: to be recognised in the trade, you have got to be big.

Is that the reason why you sign stars — to become big?

If that was the case, I would have now made a film with Hrithik Roshan whom I had signed six months before the release of KN…PH. I was the first to sign him. But my turn will come by the end of 2002 or in the beginning of 2003.

What explains your happy-go-lucky demeanour in the midst of pre-release tensions?

There is no point in crying about anything. What we have to face, we have to face.

You seem to be a strong believer in destiny.

Yes, I do believe in destiny. And I also believe in sincerity of work. Sincerity pays much more than your honesty.

Can you explain the difference between the two?

You see, an honest worker is the one who goes to work on time and leaves on time. A sincere worker is the one who, even if he does not go to his work place on time, completes his work much to his superior’s satisfaction and goes home early or late. It’s the quality of work that counts.