Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged rampage
Hope better sense prevails: SRK
Feb 11th
OFF-SCREEN DRAMA: An armed policeman stands guard as movie-goers purchase tickets at a theatre on Wednesday
Jittery Theatres Don’t Offer Advance Bookings For Shah Rukh’s ‘My Name Is Khan’ Despite Govt’s Promise Of Security
Bharati Dubey | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 11, 2010)
Mumbai: On the eve of the release of one of his biggest films, actor Shah Rukh Khan was reportedly living in hope in Abu Dhabi that the controversy surrounding the Friday release in Mumbai would be resolved shortly. Khan was in Abu Dhabi for Wednesday night’s premiere of the film there.
“I hope better sense prevails in Mumbai. We have worked really hard on the movie and we just want people to watch the movie,” Shah Rukh said at a press conference in Abu Dhabi. ‘My Name is Khan’ has a budget of about Rs 50 crore and was bought by Foxstar Studio for distribution for Rs 90 crore. Generally, about 35% of the all-India business comes from the Mumbai territory. But trade analyst Amod Mehra said, “‘My Name is Khan’ is more of a multiplex film and being a Shah Rukh Khan film nearly 45 to 50% of the all-India revenue could come from the Mumbai territory. It is estimated that the business the film could do in the Mumbai territory could be at least Rs 10 crore to Rs 12 crore in the first week of release. Besides, it is Shah Rukh Khan who has always given the maximum business and no exhibitor wants to miss the chance this time too.’’
The revenue sharing between the exhibitors and distributors for the film is 50:50. With the industry incurring losses of nearly Rs 150 crore in January, exhibitors have been looking forward to the release of ‘My Name is Khan’. A multiplex source said, “Unfortunately, because of the trouble, we have not been able to open the advance booking of the film in Mumbai, but the film’s advance booking in other place is extremely good.’’
Some multiplexes which opened advance bookings on Tuesday had to stop after the Sena went on a rampage against cinemas in the western suburbs. The multiplexes had a conference call with Khan and the distributors of the film.
The police have promised extra security, including guards near screens, but exhibitors are reeling under the fear spread by the Sena. An exhibitor of a national multiplex chain said, “If the problem does not end by 12 noon on Thursday, it will be difficult to screen the film in Mumbai on Friday morning. One hopes the issue is resolved soon.’’
Interestingly, the losses may not be complete for the distributors. Sources insist that they must have insured the film against rioting and political strikes. However, if the film does not release on Friday, cinema halls will face losses that cannot be regained. A source said, “The first weekend of business is very crucial for cinema halls as the business of entertainment is mainly in the first two weeks.’’
About 70 cinema halls are scheduled to screen the film in Mumbai and each would earn a minimum of Rs 2 lakh per day. A distributor would get about Rs 60 lakh a day and the government about Rs 30 lakh a day.
Director of an insurance firm, Aaatur Thakkar, said, “The expected loss in ticketing revenue can be covered for distributors. Movies like ‘3 Idiots’ are covered by us similarly and the Telengana issue triggered claims from big movies. Now, more cinema halls are getting cover.’’
In Navi Mumbai, while there is heavy deployment of police, cinema managements have decided to stay clear of political controversy and are not opening advance bookings. “We have assured all cinema theatres of their safety. From our side, there will not be any law and order problem in Navi Mumbai,’’ said DCP Dattatray Shinde.
The film is releasing in Pakistan. Nine prints sent there will show in places like Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.
—With inputs from Vijay Singh and agencies
CM threatens to snap Uddhav’s Z-plus security
Feb 10th
ADVANCE WARNING: Sainiks tore posters and vandalised the booking counter at Mehul cinema in Mulund on Tuesday
Sena Renews Warning To Disrupt SRK Film, Attacks 2 Theatres
Prafulla Marpakwar | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 10, 2010)
Mumbai: With the Shiv Sena on Tuesday resuming its attacks against the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name Is Khan, embattled chief minister Ashok Chavan warned that if the party did not allow the smooth screening of the film he would ask the lawenforcing agencies to immediately withdraw the Z-plus security cover of Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray. Incidentally, the CM’s threat comes a day after the government withdrew the security cover of nearly half a dozen Shiv Sena legislators.
On Tuesday, Sainiks went on the rampage, attacking several halls where advance bookings for the film were on, even ripping the screens at two theatres—Huma Adlabs at Kanjurmarg and Metro Cinema in south Mumbai. Following the attacks, producer Karan Johar, along with distributors, met Mumbai police commissioner D Sivanandan to seek security for screening the movie. Chavan met multiplex owners and distributors later in the evening on the issue. He told them that his government was committed to ensuring the safe release of the film.
“My government will not allow anyone to take the law into their hands. If the Sena is indulging in violence and halting the film’s release, we will have no option but to withdraw the special security cover provided to Uddhav Thackeray,’’ Chavan said.
Uddhav, along with his father Bal Thackeray, has the highest security cover in Maharashtra with over 100 constables in each shift and 15-16 constables to guard him. Chavan is probably the first Maharashtra CM to threaten Uddhav with withdrawal of security cover.
Sources said Shah Rukh Khan had taken up the issue of security for his film with Rahul Gandhi who, in turn, asked Chavan to initiate stringent measures against the Sainiks.
Miffed Uddhav gives up cop cover
Late on Tuesday night, miffed Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray gave up the Maharashtra government’s security cover provided to him, reports Ambarish Mishra. “I don’t need your security. I am returning your constables,’’ he said. The state has already withdrawn the official security given to Sena leaders Prakash Bala Sawant, Anil Parab and Ravindra Waikar. All three had taken the lead in organising black flag demonstrations against Rahul Gandhi during the Congress leader’s Mumbai visit last Friday.
Multiplexes in Mumbai stop MNIK bookings
Feb 10th
Despite halls being vandalised, and threat of Sena protests, Shah Rukh and Karan Johar say… Khan WILL release this week
By Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 10, 2010)
With the Shiv Sena going on the rampage against the theatres screening My Name Is Khan, the sudden and violent change of stance after indicating a truce has shocked the film industry.
Several Sena dominated pockets of the city including Mulund, Kanjurmarg, Ghatkopar and Chembur witnessed attacks on theatres planning to screen My Name Is Khan. Huma Adlabs, Shreyas, Ashish and Metro were among the theatres attacked.
Yesterday, the film’s producer Karan Johar met up with Police Commissioner D Sivanandan to discuss the situation. While the police has warned of strict action against troublemakers and over 200 arrests were made on Tuesday, the situation remains volatile. And bearing the brunt are the theatres.
“We are waiting to hear from the distributors (Fox Cinemas) to take an official stand on whether or not to go ahead with the release of My Name Is Khan. It is as much their decision as ours,” said Shunali Shroff of Fame Big Cinemas, adding, “Hopefully, by Wednesday morning, things should get resolved.”
Devang Sampat, GM Marketing, Cinemax said, “We are yet to take a call on this. I have still to speak to the operation team since this is more of an operation call.”
Meanwhile, in an interview to a television channel, Shah Rukh Khan said that while he has had a warm relationship with Bal Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, he didn’t feel there was anything he had said which he should apologise for. He also said that he had not sought any appointment with them to sort out the issue.
It may be recalled that the Shiv Senas had taken an objection to Shah Rukh’s comment that Pakistani cricket players should be allowed to play in the IPL.
At the time of going to press, representatives from all the multiplexes were in a meeting with Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to find a solution to the impasse.
If I get any thinner, I’ll be a hanger-Kareena Kapoor
Jan 30th
‘SAIF’ AND SECURE: Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor talks about her figure(s) — size zero, 7-crore fee and the three films that’s going to keep her on the top
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; January 30, 2010)
At beau Saif Ali Khan’s high-rise apartment in Mumbai, the lady-in-charge is Kareena Kapoor. Looking fresh as a daisy (without a dot of makeup) Bebo is internet browsing. The view from the 10th floor, an aesthetically done up home, is breath-taking. On second thoughts, so is Kareena. Back in the saddle after 3-Idiots, she has 2010 sorted out. She’s flying to Bangkok, then Paris, then Switzerland for her various commercial endorsements. Yes Queen Bee has renewed as many as 10 advertising contracts and will fly across the globe lending brand value to lifestyle and fashion products. As far as the movies go, she’s on a rampage too.
If Katrina Kaif issues ultimatums to film-makers like Prakash Jha, Abbas-Mustan and Farah Khan asking them to increase her role in the movies, Bebo does better. Trade sources say director Rohit Shetty who is making Golmaal-3, will have just her, and her alone as the female lead.
When asked if she’s the one who’s issued a dictat to the Golmaal-3 guys, Bebo says, “Of course not. I’m not the sort who tells film-makers what to do. The script is around this one girl. And yes, there are no other heroines in the film because that’s the way they wanted it.” She refuses to confirm her fee but she doesn’t dismiss the trade tattle on her being the highest paid Bollywood heroine either. Refraining from commenting on the Rs 7-crore price tag (a bit far-fetched honestly) that is being talked about, Bebo says, “God, I never asked to be in the papers everyday. If the media keeps writing about my price or even my size what can I do?” Flaunting her size zero measurements (that are still intact) she says, “I was amused to read somewhere that I had put on weight. If I get any thinner then I’ll be a hanger. Designers can hang their clothes on me.” As if on cue, boyfriend Saif who dashes in to get a cup of tea, says, “I’d like her to be slightly more rounded; but well, she knows best.” In three weeks time, Kareena will romance Bollywood’s biggest star Shah Rukh Khan in his home production RA 1. And there are rumours that she may team up with Hrithik Roshan in Karan Johar’s remake of Agneepath.
“Look I don’t want to dignify rumours,” she pleads. “Why talk of films that may or may not happen when there is so much already happening. I’m finishing the Hindi version of Step-Mom which is turning out to be fabulous. It’s a highly emotional film. And, with
Kajol and me there, you know it will have the required drama. Then, there’s Saif ’s Agent Vinod. With three major films happening, I don’t think I’ll be able to accommodate a fourth. But if I can, then I’ll be only too happy.” That then is Kareena for you. Avaricious to a fault; always hungry for bigger and better films. Somewhere she reminds you of being a female SRK. Everytime a newbie raises her head, Bebo plays demolition woman.
