Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged tuesday
Top 5: Lamhaa 8.5 cr, TBL 5.61 cr, Udaan 2.5 cr, Inception 9.6 cr
Jul 24th
- By Taran Adarsh, July 24, 2010 – 08:46 IST
1. LAMHAA: Has been rejected outright. Collected approx. Rs. 6 cr. nett in its opening weekend and approx. Rs. 2.50 cr. nett from Monday to Thursday. The Week 1 collections stand at approx. Rs. 8.50 cr. nett on 922 screens, which is shockingly low. The film will entail huge losses
2. TERE BIN LADEN: Is a success story. Collected approx. Rs. 90 lacs nett on Friday, approx. Rs. 1.35 cr. nett on Saturday, approx. Rs. 1.49 cr. nett on Sunday, approx. Rs. 45 lacs on Monday, approx. Rs. 52 lacs on Tuesday, approx. Rs. 46 lacs on Wednesday and approx. Rs. 44 lacs on Thursday. The Week 1 total stands at approx. Rs. 5.61 cr. nett on 344 screens. The cost of investment to the distributors is approx. Rs. 7.5 cr. [incl. P. & A.] and the returns from theatrical and non-theatrical avenues should ensure profits to its distributors and also its producers
3. UDAAN: Collected approx. Rs. 1.25 cr. nett during its opening weekend and approx. Rs. 1.25 cr. nett from Monday to Thursday. The Week 1 total stands at approx. Rs. 2.50 cr. nett on 150 screens. The cost of production was around Rs. 3 cr. and UTV spent another Rs. 2 cr. on P. & A., so the total cost is around Rs. 5 cr. The Satellite rights have been sold [to Colors] for Rs. 3.5 cr., music [T-Series] and Home Video [Disney] together will fetch around Rs. 75 lacs. The theatrical revenue from India will be around Rs. 1.5 cr. and other rights and Overseas revenue combined will fetch another Rs. 50 lacs. The recovery is around Rs. 6.25 cr., which means a 25% return on investment
4. MILENGE MILENGE: Profitable venture for its producers, due to its low costs and returns from non-theatrical avenues mainly
5. I HATE LUV STROYS
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INCEPTION, released in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu versions simultaneously, collected approx. Rs. 5.60 cr. nett in its opening weekend and approx. Rs. 4 cr. nett from Monday to Thursday. The Week 1 total stands at approx. Rs. 9.60 cr. nett on 240 prints [271 sites] in India. It was the first choice of moviegoers last week.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Subhash Ghai buys IHLS’ UP/Delhi distribution rights
Jun 22nd
Bowled over by Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor’s on-screen chemistry, Subhash Ghai buys distribution rights of Karan Johar’s next, IHLS
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 22, 2010)
Subhash Ghai is reliving his Ram Lakhan days. He is so impressed with Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor that he feels “They’re like Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit, a pair that has terrific chemistry and will sustain.” Fingers crossed.
So smitten was Ghai that he wasted no time in buying the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh distribution rights of Karan Johar’s forthcoming film, I Hate Luv Storys from UTV for Rs 3.5 crore.
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| Subhash Ghai | Sonam Kapoor in I Hate Luv Storys |
The deal between Mukta Arts and UTV was cracked on Tuesday. Confirming the same, Subhash Ghai’s cousin Sanjay, who handles these territories says, “I think I have bought it for a very economical price. We run many cinemas in the North. We should be doing very good business with this purchase. I shall recover my money in the first week itself.”
Sanjay also confirmed the fact that his cousin Subhash has been very impressed with Imran and Sonam’s chemistry. “We were thinking of buying the rights of this film for a month-and-half now.”
Accident on sets of Rakta Charitra
Jun 15th
Vishwajeet Pradhan, who was seriously injured on the sets of Rakta Charitra, needs plastic surgery after a choreographed blast sequence went horribly wrong
Kunal M Shah (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 15, 2010)
Actor Vishwajeet Pradhan was seriously injured yesterday afternoon while executing a stunt scene on the sets of Ram Gopal Varma’s Rakta Charitra.
He was shooting the climax where he was supposed to be shot dead. The blast was so intense that he had a huge cut along his jaw line that requires surgery. He has been admitted to an emergency ward.
Our source said, “It was a normal blast scene that went haywire as the impact was very powerful. It hit his face, leaving him bleeding. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where they suggested that he should be taken to a bigger hospital.
He was admitted to an emergency ward but was later shifted to a normal ward. Surgery will be performed on his face on Tuesday and subsequently he will require plastic surgery to hide the scar.”
Naturally, the actor and his wife are worried as the wounds require serious attention. Vishwajeet’s wife Sonalika Pradhan elaborated, “He was shooting at Kamalistan when this injury happened. The doctors have asked us to wait till Tuesday before they perform the surgery. They have told us that the injury is pretty serious and we will have to go in for plastic surgery.”
Vishwajeet Pradhan has bigger problems on hand. He said, “It was my death sequence in the film. The blast was very powerful. I am worried as it has impacted my face and there will be many continuity issues with my other films.”
Ram Gopal Varma was not on the sets when the accident happened and the shoot was being handled by action director duo Aejaz-Javed.
Strict Farah chreographs new version of Laawaris song
Feb 18th
Farah Khan was at her tyrannical best while choreographing the new version of the Lawaaris song Apni to jaise taise
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 18, 2010)
Farah Khan is putting her best foot forward (literally) to ensure that the new version of the song Apni to jaise taise from Prakash Mehra’s Lawaaris in her brother Sajid Khan’s Houseful is high in spirit and style, just like the original.
Farah played a tough taskmaster while choreographing the song on Tuesday afternoon with Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Ritesh Deshmukh and Jacqueline Fernandez at Filmistan studio, Goregaon.
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| Akshay Kumar and Farah Khan |
As soon as Farah said, ‘Action’, a group comprising mostly of foreigners dressed in skimpy outfits started dancing. Barely 10 seconds later, Farah ordered, “Cut. Why are the guys not dancing with vigour? Toss your hair and let it go. I want everyone jumping up and down.”
Take 2. 10 seconds later, she again thundered, “Cut again.” A girl in a violet dress who was struggling to get her steps right was taken off the frame and a male dancer who had worn a sweater was told that he is ‘not happening’.
Take 3. “Hold it,” she hollered a little later. “Akshay, Arjun and Ritesh, you guys are supposed to look drunk. So please, can I have you looking and feeling cooler please? Or else I will call Sajid Khan.” The three actors couldn’t hide their grins after which they got the steps right.
While the film’s actresses Deepika Padukone and Lara Dutta were at the studio too, a source from the sets revealed, “They are in this song for only one shot.”
As we left, Farah said, “I intend to complete shooting this song in three days.”
That explains her hurried orders.
Ramu to make a film on My Name Is Khan controversy
Feb 12th
While the entire country was glued on to their television sets since the last 48 hours to ascertain whether Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan (MNIK) will see the light of the day in Mumbai and Maharashtra, filmmaker Ram Gopal Verma was in action. No, he wasnt calling the shots; he was noting down little details of the MNIK controversy and even took a tour around the city multiplexes to gauge the situation. Sources close to RGV confirm that the director is all set to come up with a film on this entire episode.
According to a close associate of RGV, “It was when news came that Shiv Sainiks have protested in some theatres in Mumbai that Ramu’s mind started ticking. He realized a film on this episode can turn out to be engrossing, thrilling as well utmost realistic, on the lines of his past hit Sarkar and the recent Rann. He immediately swung into action and called his writers to discuss about it. On Wednesday and Thursday, he toured some multiplexes in Mumbai and even interacted with the management, ticketing staff and constables stationed outside. All this reminded us of the ‘Terror Tour’ that RGV supposedly and reportedly undertook after the 26/11 incident at Taj”.
The source continues, “Last night, Ramu and writers zeroed on ‘Main Sorry Nahi Bolunga’ as the title of their film. Soon they would shortlist actors who they feel would carry out the role of Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, the Thackerays, Ashok Chavan and R R Patil.”
However, keeping in mind the consequences of his tour in Taj, a cautious RGV will keep the film under wraps and will see to it that no one gets the slightest hint of what he’s upto until the film is ready for release. “Shooting of Main Sorry Nahi Bolunga would be completed with utmost privacy. Ramu is thinking of shooting the outdoor scenes using hidden cameras on the lines of Rajeev Khandelwal’s Aamir. He doesn’t want to take any chances.”
Also, this film will not get a theatrical release. “Ramu knows that certain political elements won’t allow Main Sorry Nahi Bolunga to release and it may result in a situation similar to the present one involving MNIK. Hence, RGV is thinking of giving it a direct television release.”
Ram Gopal Verma remained unavailable for comment.
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
Sena tears up truce, screens
Feb 10th
CM Assures Multiplexes of Adequate Security, Cops Make Preventive Arrests Across City
Bharati Dubey, V Narayan & Mateen Hafeez | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 10, 2010)
Mumbai: The terror after the truce on Tuesday took everyone by surprise. After promising to let Shahrukh say My Name Is Khan, the Shiv Sena went on the rampage again, attacking movie halls across the city where advance bookings for the film opened, prompting producer Karan Johar, distributors and multiplex owners to seek police protection.
Halls like Shreyas, Mehul and Huma Adlabs in the eastern suburbs and Metro in South Mumbai were attacked by Sainiks. Shiv Sena activists posing as cinegoers bought tickets to a show of Striker at Metro cinema, entered the hall and tore the screen in the evening. Earlier in the day, Sainiks barged into Huma Adlabs and tore up the screen during a show of 3 Idiots. The booking counter of Mehul Cinema at Mulund was ransacked, additional commissioner of police (east region) Ritesh Kumar told TOI.
Karan Johar alongwith distributors and exhibitors of the movie met police commissioner D Sivanandhan on Tuesday asking for security. “The police commissioner has assured us of adequate security,’’ said Johar.
The police, initially caught unawares by the Sena’s assurance not to disrupt the film, swung into action later. After the attacks, cinema halls had mobile police vans with about 18 policemen stationed outside them.Till late at night,over 350 Shiv Sainiks were arrested from across the city as a preventive measure. “Some were arrested for rioting while others were picked up as a preventive measure,’’ said Sivanandhan.
Deputy commissioner of police (Zone IX) K M M Prasanna held meetings with theatre owners under his jurisdiction (Bandra to Juhu), comprising 17 screens. “We assured theatre owners of adequate police protection.’’ “Till 8pm we arrested 45 people for rioting, unlawful assembly and as preventive measures,” additional commissioner of police (West region) Amitabh Gupta said.
Cinema halls closed advance bookings after Tuesday’s incidents. Vishal Kapoor, COO, Fun Cinemas who attended the meeting on Tuesday morning, said, “We have been told there will be enough police security at the time of the relase and asked to open advance bookings. We did so on Monday but stopped it now. If things get better we shall open advance bookings on Wednesday.’’
Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police (law and order), said distributors had given police a list of 63 cinema halls where the movie is to be screened. “We will deploy police at distributors’ offices and cinema halls and provide personal security to them if required. We have already given security to some distributors,’’ said Roy. He indicated cops in muftis will be present in cinema halls. “Before the audience is allowed in the cinema hall, there will be frisking,’’ he said. He added state reserve police force will be called in.
The film industry is not surprised. Mahesh Bhatt said, “In 1989, when Pakistan cricketerturned actor Mohsin Khan acted in my film Saathi, it met a similar fate.It was forced out of halls by the Sena because of his nationality.We spoke to Thackeray and got the impression the matter was resolved but later Mohsin was attacked outside RK Studio.’’ Film writer Dilip Thakur hopes it will be like Amitabh Bachchan’s Shahenshah.He said,“Maratha Mandir was cordoned off by the police, the film released smoothly and Bofors was forgotten.’’
Chavan assures protection
In a late-night meeting with distributors and multiplex owners, CM Ashok Chavan said the government is prepared to protect multiplexes. The meeting was attended by home minister R R Patil, minister of state Ramesh Bagwe, director-general of police A N Roy, additional chief secretary Chandra Iyengar.
Yogesh Naik | TNN
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.
Producer wins case against scriptwriter
Feb 4th
FWA bars Raakesh Paswan from writing for TV for a year after complaint filed by Manish Goswami
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 04, 2010)
Of late we have had several cases where writers have accused producers of stealing their scripts. In a strange case of reversal, Manish Goswami producer of TV shows Parampara, Aashirwad, Swabhimaan and Kittie Party had accused writer Raakesh Paswan of directly lifting an important plot of his show Shraddha and introducing it in the show Bhagyavidhata. Incidentally, Paswan is the scriptwriter for both the serials.
The producer, who had filed a case against Paswan in the Film Writers’ Association, won the case on Tuesday. As per the verdict, Paswan has been barred from writing for any show for a year and has also been asked to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh. If he is found violating the punishment, his suspension will be extended to six years.
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| Raakesh Paswan |
An incensed Goswami said, “A few months ago, I paid Rs 20 lakh to Paswan while his outstanding amount was not more than Rs 8 lakh as he said he needed money for a house and I trusted him. He betrayed my trust. I knew he was writing for Bhagyavidhata but I didn’t expect that he would end up giving them the same story. He was responsible for Shraddha going off air. What I had planned to show in 250 episodes in Shraddha, Paswan put it in a concise form in 25 episodes for Bhagyavidhata.”
Confirming the verdict of the FWA against him, Paswan said, “Haan, aisa kucch hua hai but I don’t want to say anything more.”
Imtiaz Hussain, Vice President of FWA, did not deny the story, “I am not supposed to talk about this.
Ahmedabad gets ready for satellite movies
Jan 28th
New theatre will not have film reels; it will screen movies that are transmitted via satellite from Mumbai
By Shraddha Singh (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 26, 2010)
Imagine a movie with no film reels or grainy images. Instead, a satellite beams a new film straight to a large screen while you dig into a tub of cheese popcorn.
From Tuesday, Amdavadis will get to experience it. Film production and distribution company K Sera Sera has set up such a hi-tech system in its two-screen theatre in a mall near SG Highway. Interestingly, the company is calling it a ‘miniplex’, a concept it plans to introduce across the country within three years.
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| Company officials promise that you will never see a dark or grainy picture in the miniplex, which is to be inaugurated by Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday |
But, why visit such theatres? For a start, it’s because of the picture quality.
The process does away with the traditional projection system involving film reels. Instead, digital projectors connected to servers receive seamless transmission from a satellite. These projectors give high-definition pictures, so you will never see a dark and grainy picture on the big screen.
K Sera Sera CEO Sanjay Gupta claims that the resolution and picture quality would be similar to that of a Blue Ray DVD. The miniplex is expected to be inaugurated by Shah Rukh Khan. Such theatres are common in the US and a few other countries, but, as of now, no other city in India, not even India’s film hub Mumbai, has such a cinema.
Transmission via satellite helps production houses pare down distribution costs. It also cuts the risk of piracy, as reels are eliminated.
Explaining the process, Gupta said that once a movie is complete, it would be ‘digitised’ and then uplinked to a satellite. The satellite would transmit it to a theatre where servers would decode the encrypted information and pass it to digital projectors.
“Our control centre will be based out of Mumbai and operate 24×7,” he said. “We will offer the multiplex experience at half the cost.”
