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Category: Hindi

  • Jab We Met back with a vengeance

    MUMBAI: Though Jab We Met was well-received it got the short end of the stick. It was the case of the sharks devouring the smaller fish when the two biggest films of our times bulldozed their way for a Diwali release. This rang the death knell for Jab We Met. Reduced to just two shows the film has now got sweet revenge by pushing its way back into business.

    The poor performance of Saawariya in the opening of the current week has forced multiplexes to increase the number of shows of Jab We Met.


    “JWM did well because it is a very good film and as there hasn‘t been a decent love story in a long time -only comedies and tragedies (pun intended) like Saawariya,” explains trade analyst Amod Mehra on the reason behind Jab We Met‘s bull run. “The chemistry of the lead couple was very good in the film and both Shahid and Kareena were excellent. I also think the Punjabi flavour of the film worked in its favour,” he surmises.


    Saawariya did very good business in the opening week but could not sustain itself at the beginning of this week. Box office collections dropped and the multiplexes were compelled to do some damage control. They increased the number of shows of Jab We Met which had been edged out by the two major Diwali releases.


    Mehra explains,” Jab We Met was doing well and had to go out because of the onslaught of Saawariya and OSO. This killed the film. It‘s all to do with the multiplex culture. Now as an apology they have brought it back. As people are still keen on seeing it this decision will help the film.”


    “We have increased the number of shows from two to four in multiplexes,” says Parag Desai, Media consultant to Ashtavinayak, the distributors of Jab We Met.


    In the modern day fight between David and Goliath, the small guy has won and how.

  • Carving Dreams signs up 5-movie deal with Hollywood Studios International

    MUMBAI: Celebrity and brand management firm Carving Dreams Entertainment Ltd is foraying into film production. The company has entered into a deal with Los Angeles based studio Hollywood Studios International (HSI) for a slate of five movies over the next four years.

    Says Carving Dreams Entertainment MD Afsar Zaidi, “It is an outsourcing deal and the project is going to be funded by HSI.”


    The total project cost for the five movies is around $100 million, adds Zaidi.







    Neeraj (Bunty) Bahl

    Carving Dreams has roped in Popcorn Entertainment CEO Neeraj (Bunty) Bahl to head the movie business. It has created a dedicated division, Carving Dreams Motion Pictures (CDMP).


    “We‘ve been in the business of brand management for a while. The tie-up helps us leverage HSI‘s strong distribution network for making international quality cinema, that will be made in English and Hindi.”


    The announcement comes in the backdrop of HSI‘s acquisition of Hollywood actor and producer Mark Damon‘s production house. CDMP will, however, be handling the production work for these films.







    Afsar Zaidi

    “The films will star a mix of Bollywood and Hollywood actors and the first project will go on floors in July 2008,” says Zaidi.


    Carvings Dreams Entertainment has most recently been involved in branded entertainment consulting for Spykar for in-film placements in Mahesh Bhatt‘s forthcoming film Jannat. It also manages celebrities like Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgan, Kajol, Bipasha Basu amongst others.


    Its foray into film production is a follow-up to its entry into ad-film production, wherein it shot a TVC featuring Hrithik Roshan for Macroman.

  • Mahindra Indo American Arts Council Film Festival honours Indians

    MUMBAI: The Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival culminated its five-day long festival of screenings and events.

    The winners for the eight award categories were announced at the Awards Ceremony, following the red carpet premiere of The Last Lear at the Asia Society.


    The MIAAC Film Festival screened 50 films which spotlighted the established and emerging South Asian independent filmmakers.

    The festival which included films from several countries including India, Kuwait, France, United Kingdom, USA and Canada     also saw a red-carpet screening of Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s Saawariya.


    A key initiative of this year‘s festival was ‘Script Link‘, a two day program designed to foster relationships between the film industry executives and 14 writers of South Asian descent.


    This first edition of Script Link provided the selected writers the opportunity to interact with potential investors, development executives, producers and agents such as Sony Pictures Classics, Magnolia Pictures and GreenStreet Films in over 200 meetings.


    Following are the eight awards and the winners:



    • Chandrika Tandon Best Film Award: Manorama Six Feet Under directed by Navdeep Singh.
    • Indira Mahindra Best Director Award: Rituparno Ghosh for Dosar.
    • Nationwide Actor Award: Danny Denzongpa for Frozen
    • Dina Kothari Best Actress Award: Konkana Sen Sharma for Dosar.
    • Analog Digital Inc. Best Documentary Award: India Untouched directed by Stalin K.
    • Metropolis Film Lab Best Short Award: Shanu Taxi directed by Vasant Nath.
    • Verizon People‘s Choice Award: Verizon presented the People‘s Choice Award to Love Story by Amit Gupta.
    • The Best Film Jury decided to give a special mention and award to Frozen directed by Shivajee Chandrabhushan.

      In addition to the cash awards, Time Warner Cable presented each of the winners Award Certificates for 24 free movies each on BODVOD, the South Asian channel.

  • Brillstein-Grey Entertainment to represent Hrithik Roshan

    MUMBAI: Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, Brad Pitt‘s management firm for 25 years, has recently made an offer to Hrithik Roshan to represent him in Hollywood across the boards.

    Brillstein-Grey is an industry powerhouse that represents A-list stars such as Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman, Adam Sandler, Nicolas Cage and produces successful feature films such as Troy and Charlie and the chocolate factory, in addition to critically acclaimed TV shows including The Sopranos.


    Hrithik, who has been approached numerous times by other major Hollywood firms for roles in films such as Pink Panther 2, rejected all previously presented opportunities. On the other hand, he agreed to pursue Brillstein-Grey‘s offers to lead him to a higher platform as India‘s first and only Bollywood actor to be represented by Hollywood‘s management and entertainment firm.


    Hrithik‘s US spokesperson was proud to announce that Hrithik was reassured that he will be considered at par with Brad Pitt‘s. “Hrithik is not in negotiations yet to do any film but currently reviewing abundance of screen plays constantly sent to him by his new managers in Hollywood for his debut project. He is taking his time and being selective to ensure the quality of his debut film.”


    Jai Khanna, Hrithik‘s international manager from Brillstein-Grey adds, “We are thrilled to be working with such an international star. Hrithik has a strong, authentic and cool personality. As an icon of masculinity and powerful character, he truly embodies the star quality of cinema‘s great leading men. Audiences have repeatedly flocked to his films throughout India, Asia and a number of other countries. We are excited to now introduce Hrithik to the US, thus giving his unique talents a much larger platform.”

  • Yash Raj Films inks VoD deal with TinselVision

    MUMBAI: Bollywood major Yash Raj Films (YRF) has signed a worldwide distribution deal with TinselVision , an online video-on-demand (VoD) channel available in the US, UK and Canada.
    The deal also makes for the creation of an ‘YRF Zone‘ at TinselVision.


    According to the agreement, TinselVision has obtained distribution rights of YRF‘s films which include Darr, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Mohabbatein, Silsila, Saathiya, Salaam Namaste and Fanaa.


    YRF director and CEO Sanjeev Kohli said, “Yash Raj Films through its digital strategy intends to offer the consumers its full films for online digital download across various sites, including TinselVision. Our aim is to reach our customers in every way possible, through all touch points – like movies, home entertainment, music amongst others. With the increasing demand of online digital downloads; offerings like online VoD and other new emerging mediums would be one of our key focus areas for expansion in the digital arena.”


    TinselVision chairman and CEO Chase Weir said, “We are honoured to be one of the first of Yash Raj Films‘ online distribution partners and look forward to working with them to expose a global online audience to their top notch Indian movies and content.”


    TinselVision has a similar tie-up with Zee TV and News Corp‘s Star.


    TinselVision VP of sales and marketing Pankaj Bhushan said, “Yash Raj Films understands blockbusters and box office sales. TinselVision understands hockey stick growth and recurring revenues. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a big win-win. The YRF Zone expands our content investment tactics from television to film and, might reveal an early glimpse of news to follow in the other content genres.”

  • All eyes on the next big Khan









    MUMBAI: Since the past three months Shahrukh Khan was all over. He stormed TV sets, went to cricket stadiums, got plastered on hoardings and backs of buses and even spoke to you on radio. Now it‘s the turn of yet another Khan, the reclusive Aamir Khan. The currently -in-the-news for all the wrong reasons, Aamir will be making his directorial debut with Taare Zameen Par.


    To be released on 21 December, the film has already been in the eye of many a controversial storm. From who is the original director of the film to Aamir‘s alleged tiff with the media and thus his decision to release the film‘s promo on the Internet.


    The film revolves around an autistic child and his teacher played by Aamir Khan. TZP which will see an end of year release will play a crucial role at box office collections. For the Hindi film industry Y2K 07 has not been a very exciting year financially. But the last quarter could prove to be a leveler. With over Rs 2.2 billion riding on just four end of year releases – Om Shanti Om, Saawariya, Goal and Aaja Nachle – November could set a spirited mood for Bollywood.


    The promos of Taare Zameen Par look very promising and with Aamir‘s track record it will be a must-watch film. The first phase of publicity and promotions that has rolled out sets an optimistic tone. The Internet community of film lovers is keenly awaiting the film.


    Trade analyst Amod Mehra is positive that TZP will do well. “It is Aamir‘s debut as director and he won‘t jeopardize it. It is not a light entertainer but a very emotional film. Now with the multiplex culture it does not make much of a difference if masses like it or not. Lagaan was declared a hit though it was a classy film. The bottomline is that a film should entertain as well as educate. Swades flopped as it was a documentary.”


    The actor on his blog writes about his debut as director, clears some controversies and plans on releasing the English- translated lyrics on the TZP website on 5 November. With PVR ‘s Ajay and Sanjeev Bijli as co-producers of the film, TZP may get the cash registers ringing. The advantage for TZP is the release timing. After the OSO Vs Saawariya, Goal Vs Dus Kahaaniyan and Aaja Nachle fever dies down, TZP will hit the marquee. Besides, Aamir‘s annual fare is always much-awaited by his fans. The Lagaan–Rang de Basanti–Fanaa euphoria is not forgotten in a hurry. His sense of film is his biggest draw. And with the actor now making his directorial debut in an emotional film it will not take much to entice audiences to watch TZP.


    The film industry has begun to stir towards the end of the year. The Bhool Bhulaiya, Heyy Babyy, Jab We Met earnings may mean a better 2008. “Though OSO and Saawariya have got good initials it is too early to declare them hits. One can assess only early next week,” says Mehra. “As for Aaja NAchle I am not too hopeful. And Goal is a sports film and many such films have flopped. More over after the debacle of No Smoking John Abraham may find it difficult to attract audiences.”


    And as the year draws to a close Anees Bazmee‘s comedy Welcome starring current rage Akshay Kumar and Sudhir Misra‘s Khoya Khoya Chand will release. Hit or miss? It‘s too soon to predict. But on the whole Mehra says that the end of the year looks promising.


    So after a bright Diwali its now time for Xmas celebrations. We just hope Xmas will be as auspicious for Aamir as Diwali may prove for Shahrukh.

  • After Deepika-Ranbir-Sonam, it’s time for Madhuri

    MUMBAI: The Deepika-Ranbir-Sonam dust is just settling down. Come 30 November and the original Bollywood diva is all set to storm her way back.

    After a 5-year hiatus, Madhuri Dixit will woo audiences in her comeback vehicle, the Yash Raj Film (YRF) Aaja Nachle.


    A lot is at stake both for the actress and the production house, Barring the successful Chak De, YRF has not done too well in 2007.


    As for Madhuri, her last release Devdas did well at the box office but the 5-year gap is a long one and to re-claim lost ground she will have to walk the extra mile.


    For Aaja Nachle, she has worked hard at knocking off weight that she had accumulated post motherhood. And the hard work shows. She looks like a million bucks in the hoardings and in the trailers.


    The theatrical trailers of the film were launched with Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and the teaser was released as early as with Chak de. Her star power is enormous and this is what the banner will be banking on.


    The blogging community is gung-ho about her comeback. Eagerly awaiting the film‘s release most of them write they are positively going to catch the film in a theatre.


    Talking about her charisma is her Aaja Nachle co-star Divya Dutta. “Looking at her one never felt she had ever gone away. She is the most talented actor in the industry and when one sees her perform she is just super. I was just watching the promos and she looks fantastic. She may have aged biologically but she looks as gorgeous as ever. We had a great time together – cracking jokes, playing dumb charades. When I watched her perform I didn‘t feel she had been away for 5 years. She is as exuberant as ever.”


    Roping in current favourite Vaibhavi Merchant to design the choreography will add a touch of novelty as Madhuri has more than often jived to Saroj Khan‘s dance moves.

    Trade pundits predict that the masses will flock to theatres to have a dekko at their one-time-favourite actress. And this is good news for the film.


    YRF spokesperson Monika Bhattacharya says, “The response to the promos has been very good right from the teaser stage.”


    As her fans await her return, this time around Madhuri may be as anxious as she was with her maiden film. After all she does not want Aaja Nachle to be her swan song.

  • Mukta Arts’ JV company inks Rs 400 million 4-movie deal with Eros

    MUMBAI: Soon after Mukta Arts stepped in to pick up a majority stake, Red Carpet Films has sealed a four-movie deal with Eros. Being medium budget projects, the total investment is expected to be around Rs 400 million.

    “The production cost of these four mid-budget films would be around Rs 400 million. We expect to complete them in a year‘s time. The first to come on floor will be in the next six months. ,” Mukta Arts CEO Ravi Gupta tells Indiantelevision.com.


    Red Carpet Films will produce the four films which are to be financed and distributed by Eros Multimedia. “We also have a profit sharing arrangement with Eros across all the revenue streams,” says Gupta.


    Mukta Arts recently acquired a 50.01 per cent stake in Red Carpet Films, a newly started movie company by Manish Goswami, for Rs 2,50,470.


    “We acquired a stake as Red Carpet Films had funding and distribution in place with Eros. We can increase the bandwidth of our production capability through this joint venture company. The Eros deal means that Red Carpet Films will have a film project every quarter,” says Gupta.

  • IFFI open to all for a fee

    NEW DELHI: Regular cinegoers will be able to see films in the forthcoming International Film Festival of India by registering themselves as delegates on payment of a one-time registeration fee.


    Festival Director Neelam Kapur told Indiantelevision.com that reports that the festival would only be open to film delegates and the media were incorrect.


    She did say, however, that ticketing had been introduced this year and no one would be able to see films paying the ticket charge.


    Clarifying the position, Kapur said that under rules of the Central Board of Film Certification, films not carrying the censor certificate of the CBFC were not open for screening to the general public.


    It had therefore been decided to register regular film buffs as delegates. This one-time registration fee of Rs 300 will allow cinegoers to see up to two films everyday, provided they have reserved seats in advance at any one of the 20-odd ticket booths being set up in Goa.


    Under the streamlined system, film delegates will be able to see up to three films a day while film critics can see up to five films. However, they will also have to get the seats reserved as the ticketing booths in advance. The booths will give seat numbers which will ensure place.


    Meanwhile, Kapur said that a decision had been taken to restrict the number of local viewers in theatres, in view of the complaint by the film industry last year to the effect that visitors from outside Goa were unable to see films because of the local cinegoers.

  • OSO and Saawariya neck-to-neck

    MUMBAI: As the race to the finish hots up, the advance booking figures of the two Diwali releases look promising.  Multiplex owners are gung-ho about the opening day collections. After all the long drawn out negotiations have resulted in a win-win situation for both the distributors and the multiplexes.

    As Saawariya has had a head-start by having opened bookings on Sunday, it will take a lead on the first few days. But insiders say that Om Shanti Om will definitely catch up.


    Devang Sampat Marketing VP Cinemax is excited with the Saawariya collections so far. “We opened bookings on Sunday and all are properties have registered 50 per cent bookings. As for Om Shanti Om the bookings began only this morning and people have already started coming in. In fact both the films are showing very good on-line bookings.”


    Telephonic as well on-line bookings for both the films are also picking up.


    What could be really interesting to watch is how the box office fares in the second and third week as by then the hype surrounding both the films would have somewhat died down.


    The marketing strategies for both the films have been unique and all touch points have been tapped. This is one the reasons that is drawing cinegoers to theatres in the first week. Over the years Diwali releases have proved to be good box office grossers and one hopes that these two films bring good cheer this festive season.


    Tushar Dhingra, COO Adlabs is a happy man. “The advance bookings have been very encouraging. It is going to be the biggest weekends of the year. If you see the amount of marketing and promotions behind both the films as well as the track records of both the directors the films are set for a good response. Adlabs Cinemas has a very solid advance booking at all our 35 locations and 111 screens. The smaller cities are doing well too,” says an excited Dhingra.


    For Fun Republic Cinemas Saawariya has grossed 70-80 per cent by way of advance bookings across all their screens informs Bhumika Tiwari, Programming Head. “Om Shanti Om has recorded 90-100 per cent bookings for the weekend. In fact we have nothing to sell in some of our theatres. Weekends do look good for both the films. Even in the smaller cities like Agra, Panipat, Lucknow and Gulbarga we are doing good business.”


    Looks like a Happy Diwali for all.