Aamir has hurt the people of Gujarat...
By: Upala KBR
June 5, 2006
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Taking a stand: Mahesh Bhatt

Last week Mahesh Bhatt filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Gujarat government in the Supreme Court in support of Aamir and for the screening of Fanaa in Gujarat. The case comes up for hearing today.

Bhatt has pledged support for Aamir in his tussle with the “fascist forces� in Gujarat who’ve been advocating a hate-campaign against Aamir’s latest film, Fanaa.

Says Bhatt, “After eight years, I sent a text message to Aamir asking if we could talk. He called back immediately and I told him that we might have had differences on a personal basis, but I stand by your right to say things without being penalised. I also told him that I was filing a PIL along with the Jan Sanghursh Manch, an NGO group in Gujarat which is fighting against social evils.

We need to have faith in our courts. Some members of the film industry wanted to take a delegation to CM Narendra Modi, but I say how can you go to a state government who has been a mute spectator to everything that has been going on in Gujarat?�

Last week Bhatt met senior BJP leader, Shatrughan Sinha. Says Bhatt, “Shatru told me that I have done the sanest thing by going to court and it’s been a courageous step to take � to believe in a cause so much and file a PIL.


Fanaa, which is being talked about and doing very well is thanks to the controversy surrounding the film which in common mass lingo is called 'free publicity.' About the film, the lesser said the better
� Shatrughan Sinha

‘Free publicity’

Says Shatrughan Sinha, “I hold Mahesh Bhatt in high esteem. He’s an intellectual in a true sense and a very dear friend of mine. He has done the right thing by going to the court � the Supreme Court. In such matters or confusion, it is better to get clearance from the courts.

Having said this, I will, however, add that Fanaa, which is being talked about and doing very well, is thanks to the large number of prints and of course, the controversy surrounding the film which in common mass lingo is called ‘free publicity.’ About the film, the lesser said the better.�

He adds, “The film hasn’t been allowed to release in Gujarat because of emotional upheaval. The people of Gujarat have felt hurt as Aamir, by his body language, and statements showed as if he was against the Sardar Sarovar dam project, in short the Narmada project, which has been like a lifeline to the people in Gujarat.

As such, there is no ban in Gujarat on Fanaa. The people of Gujarat on their own and in consultation with the multiplexes and theatres in Gujarat, have decided not to run Fanaa.�

Right of rejection

Will Mahesh Bhatt through his PIL, be able to influence the ban in Gujarat? “I respect Mr Bhatt’s approach but Fanaa dekhna har Indian ka birthright nahin. It’s their choice. It’s difficult for a court to direct someone to watch a film if they don’t want to. While agreeing with my friend Mahesh Bhatt on every citizen’s right to freedom of expression in a democracy, I also disagree.

In a democracy, every citizen has also the right of rejection. People have the right to reject a film because of emotional reasons. Not just Mahesh Bhatt, but the people should and could have gone to the courts for the Da Vinci Code,� says Shatrughan Sinha.

__________________
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.

Theatre in Gujarat to release 'Fanaa'
By: PTI
June 6, 2006
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Ahmedabad: After the Supreme Court issued directions to the Gujarat Government to provide police protection to cinemas screening 'Fanaa', a theatre in Jamnagar has decided to break the ban and release Aamir Khan starrer movie.

"On the demand of the people of Jamnagar, we have decided to release Fanaa today and will screen three shows daily," said the manager of Ambar theatre Mansur Sheikh while talking to PTI over phone.

"After Supreme Court's order yesterday, we had asked for police protection and the administration has provided us with it," Sheikh said.

"We had put up the posters of Fanaa long back and had not pulled them when the controversy surrounding Aamir was at its peak," he said.

"Jamnagar is a silent city and we are not expecting any trouble," Sheikh said when quizzed as to if there was an opposition to the theatre's decision. "People in the city had long been demanding the release of the movie and we could not screen the movie earlier."

Ambar is slated to become the first theatre in Gujarat after all the multiplexes and the theatre owners decided not to release Fanaa after Aamir made controversial remarks regarding Narmada Dam and supported the Medha Patkar led Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA).

__________________
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.

Fanaa makes debut in Gujarat amid tight security
07th June 2006 09.01 IST
By Agencies

A theatre in Jamnagar city in Gujarat on Tuesday decided to screen Fanaa starring Aamir Khan , whose remarks on Narmada dam oustees rehabilitation triggered sharp reaction in the state, under police protection following the Supreme Court directive.

The decision to screen the movie was taken by Amber theatre in Jamnagar after the Supreme Court on Monday issued directions to the Gujarat government to provide police protection to theatres willing to screen Fanaa.




"On the demand of the people of Jamnagar, we have decided to release Fanaa and from today will screen three shows daily," said the manager of the single screen theatre Mansur R Sheikh.

"Over 400 people watched the first show of the movie this afternoon," Sheikh said. "The response of the fans has been very good so far and we are expecting a bigger turn out in the coming days," he added.

"People have also done advance booking for the movie," he said.

Sheikh said the first show of the movie had passed off peacefully and he was not expecting any trouble from groups opposed to the screening of the movie.

"After Supreme Court's order yesterday, we had asked for police protection and the administration has provided us with sufficient security," Sheikh said.

"Moreover, Jamnagar is a peace-loving city and we are not expecting any trouble," Sheikh said when asked if there was an opposition to the theatre's decision.

"Even if there is any trouble, we have police protection," Sheikh said.

"People in the city had long been demanding the release of the movie and today it has become a reality," Sheikh said.

Ambar has become the first theatre in Gujarat to screen Fanaa after it hit theatres across the country on May 26.

The multiplexes and the theatre owners' associations of the state had refrained from releasing the movie after Aamir made controversial remarks regarding Narmada Dam and supported the Medha Patkar led Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA).

Video parlour associations in some of the cities had also decided not to sell DVDs and audio CDs of Fanaa after the actor refused to apologise.

The youth wing of the BJP which had led the anti-Aamir protests in the state on Tuesday said that they will oppose the screening of Fanaa in Jamnagar.

__________________
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.

Great Words… Not Great Business! - OMKARA

-indiafm


Suddenly, the tide has changed…

Post FANAA, PHIR HERA PHERI and KRRISH, the mood in the industry was upbeat, buoyant, positive. But things started changing gradually. The absence of a major, universal hit in the recent weeks -- CORPORATE [decent at multiplexes], GOLMAAL - FUN UNLIMITED [best in Mumbai], THE KILLER [average to below average], YUN HOTA TOH KYA HOTA… WHAT IF? [disaster] and now OMKARA -- have acted as a dampener.

Much was expected from OMKARA. The Hindi adaptation of OTHELLO boasts of a formidable star cast and is directed by an accomplished name [Vishal Bhardwaj]. Besides, the film was amongst the hottest propositions in the industry and the producers were lucky enough to sell it for exorbitant prices to the distributors.

The pre-release hype was tremendous. Almost every newspaper, TV channel or website was full of OMKARA features/interviews. The film was expected to take the nation by storm with an earth-shattering opening and match up to the initial records set by the super-successful films this year.

But what's hot within the industry may not necessarily be hot with the movie-going junta…

The opening of OMKARA sent shockwaves. It was expected to embark on a 90% + start, but the opening day figures were dismal: 25% to 40% to 65%. Things improved during the evening shows on Friday [a normal trend these days!], while Saturday was no different. The film registered a fall at places and at some centres, was in the same range as Friday. Sunday was better, but not record-breaking -- something that was expected from a film of this stature. Clearly, there was all-round disappointment that OMKARA wouldn't emerge the powerhouse the industry had anticipated.

What went wrong? OMKARA may have earned glowing reviews [lavish praises, indeed!], but the audience feedback wasn't strong at all. Word spreads faster than fire these days and the mouthful of expletives and cuss words proved a major deterrent, keeping the family audiences at bay. As for the masses, OMKARA is not the kind of cinema they'd take to instantly. Agreed, the film appealed to the elite, but that's definitely not enough for a film that carries an expensive price tag. Let's face it, kewal taarifon se peth nahin bharta; you ought to have the active participation of the aam junta to qualify for the 'Hit' status.

Also, the dialect restricted the appeal of OMKARA to the U.P.-Bihar belt mainly. Expectedly, the response to OMKARA in other states wasn't as aggressive. In fact, even in a city like Mumbai, I know of people who found it hard to decipher/comprehend certain dialogues from the film.

The distributors of OMKARA were hopeful that the film would remain afloat on Monday and Tuesday, but the decline was inevitable. The film stumbled on Monday, but went downhill from Tuesday onwards. Its business at some multiplexes was fairly good, but at several screens, including single screens, it was disheartening.

__________________
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.

Popular movies from India, also known as "Bollywood," is becoming increasingly popular in the United States as the latest South Asian blockbusters bring in millions at the box office and new fans, especially the second generation Indian Americans, eagerly await the next release.

Yashraj Films , one of India's largest film producers and distributors, has reportedly said in September 2005 that Bollywood films in the US earn around 100 million dollars a year through theatre screenings, video sales and the sale of movie soundtracks.




Even though this is a small number compared to the mainstream US film industry, these figures contribute significantly to the bottom line of Indian filmmakers. Films from India do more business in the United States than films from any other country, according to the Internet Movie Database, an organisation that tracks box office sales in several countries.

The increasing popularity of Indian cinema, often called "Bollywood Mania" by the US media, is driving Indian filmmaking to new heights in terms of quality, cinematography and innovative story lines, critics say.

As technical quality advances, moviegoers come in ever increasing numbers to watch the latest movies arriving from India's largest city. The now 8 billion dollars Indian film industry produces more than 900 movies a year in more than 20 languages, which makes India the world's most prolific film producer, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Most of the movies are actually flashy ones that typically run more than three hours and showcase Indian culture, dance, songs and, most important, romance. Whether set in the modern day or in colonial times, most films boast a lavish wedding scene, as authentic Indian weddings still remain a highly valued tradition.

Realising the value of catering to the Indian American taste, many filmmakers from Mumbai have themes that could easily relate to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham , known as K3G, was released in December 2001 in the United States and grossed more than 1 million dollars in its opening weekend. It ended its one-month run in the United States with 2.9 million dollars in box-office sales. The appeal was not only the star-studded cast and the exotic scenes filmed at the pyramids of Egypt but the emotional story line of a well-to-do family torn apart when the eldest son rejects a prospective bride his father chooses and marries a woman of his own choice.

Veer Zaara , marketed to both Indians and Pakistanis, followed in K3G's footsteps with its November 2004 release in the United States, also bringing 2.9 million dollars during a two-month period. The familiar plot of a Hindu falling in love with a Muslim was filled with unfamiliar twists and turns.

"Seasoned Bollywood fans will be in heaven," said a New York Times film review.

The growing popularity of the films led to a joint Bollywood/Hollywood production, Bride and Prejudice , the adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It opened in the United States on February 13, 2005, and grossed 6.6 million dollars by May 22, 2005. The film starred the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai playing the part of Lalita Bakshi (the equivalent of Austen's Lizzie Bennet) with actor Martin Henderson playing the snobbish William Darcy.

Ash is the latest Bollywood "crossover" star in Hollywood, and will appear with actress Meryl Streep in Chaos, due out in 2007.

Currently, Bollywood's super hit movie, Krrish , is competing with America's own Superman. According to the Los Angles Times, the Indian film brought in 6,43,000 dollars (in 59 locations) in its first three days in North America, averaging about 11,000 dollars per theatre. It has been reported that tickets to the movie were sold days in advance and in New York, almost half the crowds were non-Asian. Globally the film brought in 15 million dollars in its first week, an all-time record for an Indian movie. ‘Krrish’, released June 23, is now playing on 75 screens across the United States and has topped the 1 million dollars mark. It is still playing in select theatres nationwide, according to media reports.

For the South Asian community in major US metropolitan cities like Edison in New Jersey, Chicago, Pittsburgh in Philadelphia, Houston in Texas, several cities in California, and New York, the names of Bollywood megastars Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan , Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan , are just as big, if not bigger, than Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, or Brad Pitt, but critics say much of the commercial potential of Indian movies remains untapped.

"If more improvements are made in marketing and distribution, Bollywood films can earn significantly more revenue," says Gitesh Pandya, editor of online movie sales-tracking site boxofficeguru.com. "Many of the bigger films are debuting in the Top 20 box office charts despite playing in only a few dozen theatres nationwide," he added.

According to the US operations of Yashraj films, no more than 80 theatres in the United States show first-run Indian movies.

Over the past 10 years, Indian filmmakers have set their sights on the United States also when it comes to location filming. With growing numbers of south Asians migrating to the West, plot lines increasingly include scenes in America. A few recent prominent films made in the United States include Kaante , Kal Ho Na Ho and Chocolate .

With its movie industry gaining popularity in the West, Bollywood enjoys instant access to American living rooms via "Bollywood On Demand" provided by Comcast Corporation, the largest cable television provider in the United States, and more movie titles are being offered through video rental companies Blockbuster Video and Netflix.

Not only have Bollywood films achieved million-dollar revenues in the United States, but Bollywood "star shows" featuring the much sought-after stars of Indian cinema are staged in different cities where tickets are sold out in advance. These shows bring old and new films to life with songs from popular movies, live dancing, pyrotechnics, costumes and audience participation. This brings a taste of Bollywood and all that it represents to an audience hungry for such shows.

__________________
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.

Last week, the producer and director of Omkara blamed rival camps of trying to sabotage Omkara. Kumar Mangat and Vishal Bhardwaj said them were spreading false reports of the film's failure at the box-office, even though trade reports suggest the film has done a reasonable business of 31 crore. Mangat was quoted saying that they feel a camp whose film releases this week was trying to damage Omkara. The only film releasing this week is the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. Which once again brings to focus the long-standing war between SRK and Omkara's lead Ajay Devgan.
Shah Rukh's close friend and director of KANK, Karan Johar rubbishes the rumours. "These rumours are ridiculous! I don't believe Ajay or anybody else could be saying such things. Omkara is a fantastic film, a film to be proud of! A film everyone has said wonderful things about. Why would anyone want to sabotage a brilliant film like that? Nobody can harm a superior product. It's got the ensemble cast giving great performances and is one of the finest pieces of works I have ever seen. Vishal is one of the finest filmmakers of our times. If I was the maker of Omkara, I would be proud."
Kumar Mangat is all praise for Karan too. "He's a brilliant filmmaker and we share a great relationship with him."
So what about the sabotage rumours? Mangat lays the matter to rest when he says, "I don't think Shah Rukh would do something like this. It was a misunderstanding."
But does the matter really end there?

__________________
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.