KAANTE’ POSTPONED TO NEXT WEEK

By Bollywood Hungama -

December 10, 2002 - 12:00 AM IST

The release of the much-awaited KAANTE has been postponed yet again. The film was scheduled to hit the screens on various occasions in the past. Of late, the makers had decided on releasing the film on December 6 the Idd week. However, the film did not make it, despite the fact that the theatres had been booked and the release date had been splashed in newspapers/trade magazines. The film was then scheduled for a December 13 release. We're definitely coming on this date, producer Raju Patel told this writer. The reason for the delay [from December 6 to 13] was attributed to the fact that the film had not been censored. Since the censors were supposed to view the film on Monday, December 2, its release on December 6, therefore, was completely ruled out. Monday, December 9 was crucial if the film were to release on December 13, for the advance booking at theatres opens on Mondays. But the Mumbai distributors of the film, Shringar Films, decided to open the advance booking of KAANTE on Wednesday, December 11. Advertisements to that effect were issued in newspapers as well. But the film is not releasing on December 13 it has now been postponed to December 20. To verify the facts, this writer spoke to KAANTE producer Raju Patel, who's currently in London, and he was honest enough to admit that the film had been postponed by one more week. Yes, it's coming on 20th now, he revealed. And what's the reason for the delay this time? Actually, the distributors in other countries didn't want to make it on the 13th. They are superstitious about the date [Friday the 13th]. As you know, we've to keep everyone's interest in mind before finalising the release date. Hence, we decided to postpone it by a week further. Meanwhile, Mumbai distributor Balkrishna Shroff looks least perturbed by the constant change in the release dates. The distributors and exhibitors are helpless, he states, But there's nothing to worry. We would've worried if KAANTE was releasing alongside a Yash Chopra film or J.P. Dutta's L.O.C. The exhibitors would've had a choice then. But none of the films lined for release in the coming weeks can match the star cast of KAANTE. That explains why they are not complaining and are very much with us. But what about the fact that the exhibitors had paid fantastic terms to screen the film in the Idd week and now that the film has been postponed twice, have the exhibitors demanded a refund of the surplus that was paid? With 99% of exhibitors, there's no question of a refund. Like I said, the exhibitors have confidence in us and also in the product, Shroff adds. In the meanwhile, Metro cinema, the main theatre of KAANTE in Mumbai, has booked MASEEHA for December 13 week.