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Journalism of Courage
Thirty-four release including dubbed films and just one hit 8212; Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya. That8217;s the story so far for Bollywood 8217;98. But with the holiday season round the corner, the industry8217;s big banners and bigger stars wait with bated breath as their collective fate hangs in balance. A round-up of the summer8217;s mega releases.
Keemat: Akki and Saifu bhaiyya must be hanging on to this film, and how. After a nightmarish run at the box-office both heroes desperately need a boost 8212; making Keemat a abhi nahin to kabhi nahin project. Sold at over Rs one crore per territory, this film is also crucial for it8217;s producers, United Seven, who haven8217;t had a major hit since Baazigar.
Kabhi Na Kabhi: Producer R Mohan and director Priyadarshan must have kept their fingers crossed that kabhi na kabhi their much delayed project would make it to the theatres.
quot;Launched over four years ago, the film kept getting delayed as the stars8217; dates went haywire,quot; says industry analyst Amod Mehra. Incidentally, the film8217;s songs suggest a distinct Rangeela hangover. Looks like Priyadarshan is trying to do an Urmila to a Pooja Bhatt. Says Mehra, quot;Expected to go at a little under Rs one crore per territory, it is an important project for all its stars,quot; 8212; Anil Kapoor who has to maintain last year8217;s improved showing, Jackie, who is slowly but surely slipping into the Mithun Chakraborty groove, and Pooja Bhatt, who needs a hit or she8217;s likely to fade from public memory completely.
Chota Chetan: This 1984 3-D hit is back with new special effects and a sizzling Urmila towoo audiences once again. Well, the question is can Bollywood8217;s sex siren make this film worth a second look?
Salakhen: quot;Director Guddu Dhanoa has to prove that Ziddi was not just a flash in the pan, especially after the disasterous Aflatoon,quot; says Mehra. Starring his favourite hero Sunny Deol, and Deol8217;s once favourite heroine Raveena Tandon, the film has reportedly been priced at a whopping Rs two crore per territory.
Duplicate: quot;Mahesh Bhatt and Yash Johar haven8217;t had a hit in years. Their last film together, Gumrah didn8217;t do particularly well 8212; so both have a lot at stake,quot; says Mehra. Priced in the region of Rs 1.5 crore per territory, the film has Shah Rukh Khan in a double role for the first time, with Juhi Chawla and Sonali Bendre in tow. And if it clicks, Khan will definitely consolidate his position in the top spot.
Aunty No 1: Contrary to popular belief, Govinda8217;s drag act is not inspired by Mrs Doubtfire 8212; but by a popular Marathi comedy,Moruchi Mavshi. Nevertheless, this film will finally end the debate on who is the best drag queen of them all 8212; while Kamal Haasan has already proved himself, it8217;s now Chichi8217;s turn to showcase his assets. And if Aunty is unable to drag audiences to movie halls, brother Kirti Kumar would have a hat-trick of flops against his name 8212; after Radha Ka Sangam and Do Aankhen Barah Haath.
Satya: Ram Gopal Varma needs to quickly wipe out memories of Daud and he must hope that this underworld thriller will do just that. After the debacle of his previous film, Varma brought back his leading lady, Urmila, and added a few songs to this stark and realistic8217; project.
Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai: quot;Tips Films8217; second release after Auzaar, it is again very crucial for the music company and for its lead pair 8212; Salman Khan and Twinkle Khanna. If it clicks, Salman will certainly join the superstar league,quot; says Mehra. As for Twinkle, well, people might finally take notice ofthis star daughter. The film8217;s music is already making a mark after a hesitant start. Director Deepak Sareen8217;s second venture after Aaina is priced at Rs 1.2 crore per territory.
Jeans: Touted as the costliest film ever made in the country, this Rs 20 crore project could give Aishwarya Rai8217;s career a much needed boost. quot;Likely to go at Rs 80 lakh per territory, the outcome of Jeans could well determine the future of the dubbed films market,quot; says Mehra.
Dushman: Pooja Bhatt8217;s second production directed by Tanuja Chandra, has Kajol in a double role along with Sanjay Dutt playing a blind man and Jas Arora. quot;Vishesh films hasn8217;t had a hit in a long long time and Mukesh Bhatt must be hoping to revive his flagging banner with Dushman which is likely to go at Rs one crore per territory,quot; says Mehra.
Ghulam: Directed by Vikram Bhatt, Aamir Khan has reportedly taken the task of shaping the film in his own hands. Apparently, the star actually sat on the film8217;s storysittings 17 times. Co-starring a relatively unknown Rani Mukherjee, this Vishesh Films project may fetch a price of Rs two crore per territory.
Lal Baadshah: K C Bokadia8217;s mega project along with the Big B seems to be in a state of limbo 8212; reportedly because one of its leading ladies is waiting for her dues to be settled before she completes the shooting. quot;Likely to fetch a price of Rs 2.5 crore per territory, the course of Bachchan8217;s career hinges on the outcome of this film,quot; says Mehra.
Kareeb: quot;Vidhu Vinod Chopra has priced this film at Rs three crore despite the fact that both his earlier films Parinda and 1942-A Love Story didn8217;t do well at the box-office,quot; says Mehra. Starring Bobby Deol and newcomer Neha, the junior jat must be hoping that this film will put him one step ahead of the other star son, Akshaye Khanna.
Gharwali Baharwali: David Dhawan is rumoured to have outdone himself with his trademark double entendres in this film which is priced at Rs 1.25 perterritory. So we may see Anil Kapoor trying to step into Dhawan8217;s favourite hero, Govinda8217;s, multi-coloured outfits and match the dancing stars pelvic thrusts, with Raveena Tandon and Rambha.
Pyaar To Houna Hi Tha: Ajay Devgan and Kajol get together once again after Ishq in this film which is apparently inspired8217; by French Kiss. Directed by Anees Bazmee and shot extensively on picturesque foreign locations, Pyaar8230; can give Devgan8217;s chequered career a shot in the arm.
