FILM FLOPS…BLAME GAME BEGINS!

In the last 4 weeks, two big films directed by two seasoned filmmakers bombed. In both cases, the experienced directors blamed the producers/leading actors for its fiasco. The first case is that of Tezz. Starring Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Sameera Reddy, Kangna Ranaut, Boman Irani and Zayed Khan, its director Priyadarshan was disappointed with the producers (Venus Movies) as they were in charge of editing. Also, the director was hell bent in chopping off Mallika Sherawat’s item song ‘Laila’ from the final cut. Sadly, his efforts proved futile and the song was incorporated in the film. And it was the worst placement ever for a song, if you ask me! Priyan says that from now on, he’ll ensure that he himself is in charge of shoot and post-production and not the producer.

The controversy involving Department was even spicier! Before the release of the film, there were reports that there was tension between Sanjay Dutt and director Ram Gopal Varma. The film released and was badly panned by viewers and critics alike. Sanjay Dutt’s manager-turned-producer Dharam Uberoi blamed RGV for the debacle, saying that ‘we (he and Sanju) told Ramu countless number of times not to use the small cameras to shoot but he didn’t relent, ultimately resulting in disaster’! Ramu on the other said that Dutt restrained his creative freedom and forced him to drop Kangna from the film. Moreover, Abhishek Bachchan was a part of the film and he had convinced RGV to sign Sanjay Dutt. Abhishek ultimately left the film due to date issues and the role went to Rana. And hence, Ramu blames Abhishek for the debacle as well saying that ‘if Dutt wasn’t in picture, the film would have been better’! And he signed off with a dhamakedaar statement, “Don’t want to see Sanju’s face for the rest of my life”!

It’s really sad to see professionals fighting in such a manner in the open. Use of 5D cameras didn’t make the film bad, as alleged by Dharam Uberoi. 5D cameras were successfully used in Ramu’s Not A Love Story, Amole Gupte’s Stanley Ka Dabba and many other films worldwide. However, it was the overuse of these cameras in a very bad way that turned out to be the biggest negative point in the film. Also the manner in which Dutt was promoting Department before the release and then turning against it after bad response doesn’t look good. And is he really against the director as alleged by Uberoi? This is because till now Uberoi is talking on behalf of Dutt. So is the manager denting the actor’s image?

Even RGV criticizing Dutt and Uberoi draws a sad picture. After all, both RGV and Dutt have different sensibilities and different approach to cinema. Instead of fighting in the open, they should have accepted their mistakes and moved on in life. Sad and sorry state of affairs, indeed!

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6 HINDI FILMS TO RELEASE TOMORROW!

As the season of biggies commence from next Friday (June 1) with the end of IPL 5, small-budget films are trying their best to make use of the final Friday of this ‘dry period’. As many as 6 Hindi films are scheduled to hit screens tomorrow – Arjun, Love Recipe, Love Wrinkle-Free, MLA, Rakhtbeej and Yeh Khula Aasmaan! Sadly, all of them are heading for disaster as there’s very little hype (and even awareness) for these films. The animated film Arjun is the one that can have the best opening. Its trailer was unveiled way back in 2008 and was loved by viewers. It’s also the first animation venture of UTV with Disney. MLA stars Natha of Peepli [Live] Omkar Das Manikpuri and from the trailers, looks like a hard-hitting film. Yeh Khula Aasmaan reminds of Udaan and could be the sleeper surprise of the week. Rest of the films sadly won’t be able to attract footfalls! It’s a common knowledge that so many releases in a week equal disaster. Yet, something like this keeps happening multiple times, year after year!

WHICH FILM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE OUT OF THESE AND WHY? DO LET ME KNOW!