RE: August 2007 - News - 5

Box office analysis

First weekend performance of latest release:

All talks revolved around CHAK DE INDIA in the weekend gone by. And no, for a change (thankfully), there weren't mixed reports that were making the rounds around the town. No one stood up and said that 'maza nahi aaya'! In fact it was heartening to see that both industry as well as audience was unanimous in hailing it as a landmark film for everyone involved.

And no, it wasn't just a case of only critics giving it a 4 star rating and audience appreciating it just for an 'effort'. Instead the film has proved to be a wholesome massy entertainer with even commoners accepting it wholeheartedly with feedback ranging from very good to excellent.

The film opened to a positive note and by the time Friday dawned, the word of mouth had spread like a wild fire. As the nation woke up on Saturday morning, the SMSs and calls were the order of the day as everyone acknowledged the fact that Shimit Amin and Jaideep Sahni had done which other film makers had mainly tried in the past when it came to making a film for the house of Yash Raj Films.

They ensured that a film was made which stayed rooted to it's theme without being trapped in the world of glitz and glamour. A win for Shimit, Jaideep and of course Shahrukh Khan without whom CHAK DE INDIA wouldn't have been what it is today, the film has proved to be a surprise of the season and is poised to be a big hit in the coming weeks.

The kind of product KAAFILA is, it wouldn't have met with a different fate even if it came as a sole release of the month, let aside a week. A film that came with a unique theme, it was hampered by substandard execution which proved to be it's undoing. The film's USP, Sunny Deol, was conspicuous by his lack of prominent presence in the film's publicity while his late entry in the film too didn't quite amuse his fans. The result was that a) film took a poor opening and b) it is garnering bad word of mouth that doesn't promise a rosy picture for the film's prospects.

While CHAK DE INDIA was talked about for it's high quality and KAAFILA for the lack of it, THE BLUE UMBRELLA wasn't talked about at all. Now this is a scenario of the worst kind since it means that a) audience hadn't even heard about it's release and b) they were just not interested in giving it a dekko. Result? A near to negligible opening for this Vishal Bhardwaj film that could see it coming on home video sooner than expected.

Last week's movies:

When CASH opened last Friday, many talked about the film as being disaster of the year. It was always a good idea to at least wait for the film's first week and as things stand today, a 17 crore first week total isn't what disasters are made of. While Mumbai saw an excess of 2.5 crores coming in, Delhi was good too at 1.5 crores + with NCR bringing in another 75 lakhs. A high print count coupled with a good opening weekend has ensured that the film scrapes through to being coverage at the least.

Sadly, at the moment it seems that 'coverage' is the box office status with which it would have to content itself since CHAK DE INDIA has opened to a tremendous response with all other movies in the running getting impacted in the big way. Anubhav Sinha should now quickly move to his next venture and forget the CASH making experience as a bad dream!

Miracle, and only a miracle can save GANDHI MY FATHER from being a box office failure that it may turn out eventually. Opening to a poor response and garnering more of appreciation than good box office prospects, this Anil Kapoor production has just not picked up at the box office. In spite of very good performances, the film's collections were only in the tune of 2.25 crores with Mumbai being foremost at 75 lakhs. Delhi came second with 30 lakhs but that's about it. Even in the second week, there aren't many who are patronizing the film which means that the film would be remembered for it's class but would now have to search for an audience in the home video circuits.

Releasing in a 'naya daur', i.e. 21st century, NAYA DAUR failed to entice audience to the theaters and couldn't even touch the 1 crore mark. At 90 lakhs and a slashed print count in it's second week, NAYA DAUR couldn't come remotely close to the kind of box office performance that MUGHAL E AZAM boasted of when re-released two years back. An unexciting promotion is the biggest reason for the film hardly creating a buzz. Also, the film hardly had a grandeur appeal which could have excited the audience to visit this film coming from the 50s.

From the past:

In spite of being in the running for third week and CASH proving to be a competition, PARTNER boasted of another 7 crores coming in. When compared to the week gone by, it may appear to be a 60% fall but if one looks at yet another great week bringing in the kind of collections that number of films bring in their first week, PARTNER is nothing short of a blockbuster already.

While Mumbai enjoyed yet another 1 crore + week, Delhi had 65 lakhs to boast with NCR bringing in 25 lakhs more. At 55 crores and all set to cross the 60 crore mark, PARTNER would go down as one of those films that arrive as a hurricane, make a big mark, create a sensation all over and register themselves firmly in the history books. PARTNER would go down as a surprise blockbuster of the decade so far!

The only other film that managed to record some good collections amidst all the competition in the week gone by was APNE. The film has been doing quite steady business even in it's 6th week with 30 lakhs more added to it's total. At 27 crores, the film is now looking at ending it's theatrical run. Still, for weeks to come the film would be seen by audience all over as it's DVDs have been out on the stands for around a fortnight and have been doing wonderfully well.

In the future:

On any given day, a Salman Khan film would have created more hype than the one starring Rakhi Sawant. Well, this Friday the trend may just change as BUDDHA MAR GAYA clearly seems to be in a much comfortable state than MARIGOLD. While BUDDHAR MAR GAYA has benefited from it's limited but good publicity of just three weeks, MARIGOLD has suffered due to being in the news for so long that it almost seems like a dated product.

As of today, the film is carrying near to negligible buzz with hardly the kind of promotion which befits a Salman Khan starrer. Expect a poor box office start for the film. On the other hand BUDDHA MAR GAYA should open decent as the comedy featuring Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal and Om Puri has managed to attract good eyeballs.

Quelle: http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/33033.html

Now, get your cell phones ringing in RGV Ki Aag songs - August 17, 2007

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is pushing his much hyped Aag with the help of mobile games, ringtones and a whole lot of cellular gimmicks.

At an event to unveil mobile games and ringtones from Ram Gopal Verma ki Aag, the reticent filmmaker spoke up.

And this time, he sang a new tune about the inspiration for his new film.

"I haven't remade Sholay. I don't think me or anyone else can remake the film. What I have done is picked on the same premise, of a revenge drama of a cop who hires two brave guys to do his job, but I haven’t remade the film,” said Varma.

The film's ‘bad man’, Amitabh Bachchan honoured Ramu in his usual witty style.

"I thank and congratulate Ram Gopal Varma not for making Aag but for making the longest speech ever made by Ramu. I didn't know he could speak for so long. He is a very talented filmmaker,” Bachchan quipped.

While the mutual admiration society carried on, the mock mobile phone played out many songs, dialogues from the yet unreleased film.

And the question now is, if so much can be seen or heard on your phone, how much will be left to watch on the big screen when the film actually releases?

Quelle: http://www.ibnlive.com/news/now-get-your...gs/46996-8.html

Das Video dazu: http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/46996/now-...-aag-songs.html

Nisha Kothari- It was fun to jig along with Fardeen Khan - August 18, 2007

Petite Nisha is hardly able to catch any sleep. Keeping extremely busy for promotion of three of her films coming one after another starting 31st August, she is longing for a break from her hectic schedule.

"I wish I could catch a breather but then I am not complaining either", says Nisha while trying her best to sound all energetic and excited, "It is getting a little too grueling but I am enjoying every minute of it."

Doesn't it become difficult to manage promotion for 'Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag', 'Darling' [where she appears in an item number with Fardeen Khan - 'Aa Khushi Se Khudkhushi Kar Le'] and her long delayed 'Go'?

"I guess it is all about adjusting yourself to the situation and giving your best to each and every promotional event or interview calls that come your way. You have to honor your commitments and not get bogged down by pressure. Time management is the key thing here", says Nisha like a pro in spite of being in the industry for just 3 years.

Talking about her three films she says, "'Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag' has me playing one of the characters in the film. I won't even say that I am the lead heroine of the film. It is Sushmita who plays a major role in the film. Having said that I thoroughly enjoyed working for my part in the film. Ajay Devgan was a good co-star to have."

How about Gautam and Fardeen? "'Go' is a film in which I started working when I was shooting for 'James'. In fact both the films were being shot parallel to each other. It is good to see the film now getting ready for release. It was fun to jig along with Fardeen in 'Aa Khushi Se Khukhushi Kar Le' for 'Darling'. It is a promotional number and I am glad that it has caught on quite well," she signs off.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07...n_go_080708.asp

Bollywood Kundli 2007

Launched in 2006, Euro RSCG Predictameter, a forecasting tool that provides useful consumer insights into any given category predicted the fate of 18 movies, at a strike rate of 83% in 2006. This year the Predictameter has turned bigger and forecast the fate of 30 movies to be released in next four months.

According to the Predictameter, 2007 won't be as hot as 2006 was - this will be a year of flops and average grossers, no super hits and a few hits.

In the year 2006 fate of movies like UMRAO JAAN, OMKARA, GOLMAAAL, MUNNABHAI, KANK, SALAAM-E-ISHQ and NISHABD were predicted. Predictameter had successfully estimated that mega budget films (SALAAM E ISHQ and OMKARA) would not do well at the Box Office. As was forecast, OMKARA recorded Box Office seat occupancy of merely 25% in the first week of its launch and UMRAO JAAN recorded occupancy of just 30-40% and BAABUL of 40%.

With the rapid pace at which Bollywood movies are being made and released, every movie just gets one week to perform at the Box Office. And its just first week Box Office seat occupancy that makes a movie a hit or a flop.

To predict the fate of the movies to be released in 2007 a study was conducted in five markets; Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Bangalore and Ahmedabad. The respondents were first exposed to critical information about each movie before their opinions were recorded.

A large percentage of respondents indicated that CHAK DE INDIA would at best be an average grosser and SAANVARIYAN, the much touted launch vehicle of Ranbir and Sonam would just about break even at the turnstiles. Other films deemed to be about average grossers include- The big budget OM SHANTI OM and RAM GOPAL VARMA KI AAG among others.

It has been predicted that HEY BABY, Sajid Khan's directorial venture will do well at the box office. The other films expected to do well this year are JODHA AKBAR and DARLING.

One of the biggest releases of the year, AAJA NACHLE (Madhuri Dixit's comeback) has been deemed a flop apart from KAAFILA (already released), LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG and DRONA.

Some of the other movies covered in the study are DHAMAAL, SPEED, AGGAR, LOVE STORY 2050, BUDDHA MAR GAYA, VICTORIA NO 203, etc.

Quelle: http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/07...2050_080707.asp

Sushmita praises new Sholay’s Jai

Sushmita is all praise for her Sholay co-star Prashant Raj, who is essaying the role of original Sholay’s Jai.

“He’s very good. In his very first film he has to stand next to stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Mohanlal and Ajay Devgan. That isn’t easy. ”

Sushmita laughed away the fact that her co-star in RGV Ki Aag is a little younger in age. She said, “Trust me he looks really nice with me.”

Quelle: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...80%99s-jai.html

Mauj with RGV Ki Aag

Bollywood remains the most popular source of entertainment in India, and hence many mobile phone entertainment companies are working towards bringing an increased number of Bollywood content.

When Ram Gopal Varma was asked about his decision to tie up with Mauj, he said “We have worked with Mauj earlier when Sarkar was being launched, and are happy to tie-up with them again for Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag. Mobiles have become more than just a means of communication, they have become entertainment consoles for millions of people in India.

With the content developed by Mauj, the characters of Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag will come alive in the hands of the audience and such innovative promotions are a part of our promotional strategy”.

Quell: http://www.radiosargam.com/films/archive...rgv-ki-aag.html

Amitabh: I hope they understand my work

Landing at a presscon first has its advantages. For me, it took a trip to Ram Gopal Varma’s Oshiwara office on a rain-swept afternoon to realise that. Thanks to my early arrival, I not only got to chat with the candid filmmaker over a cup of coffee but also, much to my delight, almost ended up helping him with his next script.

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The filmmaker, whose Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag is ready to hit the marquee on August 31, was running back-to-back press interviews that day. And he could hardly wait to get started though he still had not rehearsed his script. “This is a test shot. I think we should have a clap and action sequence at the beginning and end of such press dos. It’s quite an act, which I’m doing only for today.”

I’m treated to more frankspeak. “I do feel put on the spot sometimes. When you become famous, people scrutinise your every expression,” he says. In his characteristic manner, Varma pauses to ponder and casts a blank stare, before he speaks again. “Maybe I should make a movie on that. It would be interesting to explore the story of an on-the-run gangster. Maybe you could be a part of it,” Ramu yells for coffee and a notepad.

I wonder if this would turn into a storyboard development meeting. “That is what happened with Aag. I was talking to someone and the idea struck. I have seen Sholay a million times. I can recall each scene, sequence, transition and dialogue. But I have moved on from gangster to Babban. I hope people understand what I am doing,” says Ramu, exposing fears regarding the response to his remake of Sholay.

“I wanted to make the movie, because I wanted to see my interpretation of the love between Jai and Veeru, the women in their lives, the fear of Gabbar, Thakur’s plight and the landscape of Ramgarh. Sholay leaves a lot to be desired. I wanted to simply extend my vision,” he admits. This is followed by some more introspection. “I have phases. I want to be a big star on the basis of my script. I love to tell a great story.”

Love stories seem to have taken a backseat post-Rangeela while real cinema is his calling for now. “I’m a wealthy man. I have always had the liberty and courage to do all that I have wanted to do,” says Varma, who eagerly await August 31 to see Aag first day first show with the audience. Now that he is done with his “most ambitious work”, the 45-year-old wants to move to another story. He picks up the notepad. I, feeling lucky, get ready to brainstorm on an original script.

But soon my luck ran out. Varma’s PR man interrupted. “Sir, there are people waiting.”

As Varma walked me out, an assurance came with a smile. “Some other day then. I’ll keep the story for you.”

Quelle: http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=90822

No hot stuff for Anjana Sukhani

She is beautiful and sexy. But Anjana Sukhani doesn’t want to use these assets to create an image of a sex kitten for herself in Bollywood.

Here is a girl who doesn’t want to go the Rakhi Sawant way. While the latter takes pride in her sex appeal, Anjana wants to carve a niche for herself by her performances and not by skin show.

She makes it absolutely clear that she has “no intention of wearing skimpy clothes or playing the sex bomb”. Rather she is “happy being known as a girl-next-door”.

Anjana was part of inconsequential films like ‘Hum Dum’ ‘Jaana - Let's Fall In Love’ and ‘Sun Zarra’ before Salaam-e-Ishq happened. Although the movie was a dud, it did bring recognition to Anjana.

Now, Anjana is part of two big projects Sunday and Golmaal Returns.

‘Golmaal Returns’ is the sequel to last year’s comedy Golmaal . The sequel, to be directed by Rohit Shetty, will be bigger than the first film. While Ajay Devgan , Arshad Warsi and Tusshar Kapoor will reprise their respective roles, Kareena Kapoor and Shreyas Talpade have been added to the film’s cast.

Incidentally, Anjana got the offer to act in ‘Golmaal Returns’ while she was doing ‘Sunday’ with Rohit Shetty.

Her role in the sequel will have some doses of comedy too.

Signing off, she says she prefers humour to ‘hot stuff’ any day.

Point taken.

Quelle: http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20070819-1.html

Ajay confirms his film's an original

Ajay Devgan denies that his directorial debut, U, Me Aur Hum, is based on the Hollywood film, The Notebook, and says it’s an original story.

People, these days, seem to be enjoying running down Ajay Devgan’s directorial debut, U, Me Aur Hum , reported to be a copy of the Hollywood flick, The Notebook .

However, AD says, “Contrary to reports, my film is an original screenplay.”

As director, Devgan seems to have impressed his team. “He’s simply great to work with,” says Divya Dutta who is a part of the film.

So there, as against his detractors, there are AD’s admirers too.

PS: Achtet mal auf den Text unter dem Ajay-Bild " THE REAL MCCOY!: Ajay Devgan"

Quelle: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Enter...how/2292347.cms

Ajay Devgan confirms non-plagiarism of directorial debut – August 18, 2007

It's the nature of many to pull down people at the top. And may are doing just that by running down Ajay Devgan's directorial debut, U, Me Aur Hum. The effort has been reported to be a copy of the Hollywood flick The Notebook. However AD confirms, " Contrary to reports, U, Me Aur Hum, is not based on The Notebook. The film written by Robin Bhatt, Sutanu Gupta, and Akarsh Khurana is an original screenplay." As director, Devgan seems to have impressed his team. "He's simply great as a director, producer and actor," says actress Divya Dutta who is a part of the film. So while there are those who are keen to run him down, there are others who will go all out to support him. Now that's some balancing act.

Quelle: http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2291169.cms

Ajay Devgan: My film is an original screenplay - August 21, 2007

Ajay Devgan's directorial debut 'U, Me Aur Hum', reported it is a copy of Hollywood hit 'The Notebook'. Ajay confirms, "Contrary to reports, my film is an original screenplay." His cast and crew are already impressed with him. Divya Dutt who is one of the lead female reveals, "He's simply great to work with."

Quelle: http://www.bollywoodpremiere.com/movies/...aug/ajay-21.php

Sushmita Sen is opening up to the life!

Sushmita Sen have always been in relationships. She have never has this kind of space for herself before. She is opening up to the life! Her relationship with Manav Menon is over. She is being linked up with Bunty Sajdeh now. When asked about it, she says, "Manav and I remain great friends, pf course. And as for Bunty, he is my manager and people had better get used to the idea of him escorting me around. Just because I put my arms across any man's shoulders doesn't mean I am seeing him. Leave Bunty alone, he has a wonderful girlfriend." She plays a widow named Durga in 'Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag, the remake of super hit film 'Sholay'. On this part she shares, "It's every actor's dream to be a part of a classic. But I have always been pestering Ramu because I wanted to work under his direction. When he narrated the subject to me, I just stared blankly at him. But he convinced me, and here I am."

Quelle: http://www.bollywoodpremiere.com/movies/...sushmita-21.php