With the World Cup euphoria having come to an end, the box-office should be back on its recovery road what with the major impediments being cleared. But a section of the film industry is of the opinion that it may still be a few more weeks before the audiences start coming in, what with the examinations in progress.
This is also evident from the response to CHURA LIYAA HAI TUMNE, which opened to a dull response last week. According to a prominent exhibitor, who has released the film in some of his theatres, an upward trend in the collections seems remote “because the examinations are still on.”
But was it a wise decision to release the film just before the World Cup finals? “I don't think the response to the film has anything to do with the World Cup final. Besides, I doubt whether it would have made sense releasing the film next week,” says Vivek Singhania of Pantaloon, the producer of the film.
According to Vivek, the film is faring much better in comparison to the other films released in the recent past. “The distributors, Rajshris, are optimistic that the collections would pick up subsequently,” Vivek adds. Let's wait and watch!
KALPANA CONFIRMS MANISHA, RAVEENA FOR 'SINHASAN'
It's a known fact that financiers and distributors have become doubly cautious about investing in projects. Now it comes to light that the problem is even bigger for the makers of heroine-dominated films, who face a tough time in not only finding financiers but also heroes for their films.
Ask Kalpana Lajmi, who had to face an ordeal of sorts trying to assimilate the cast for one of her forthcoming projects, SINHASAN.
Kalpana had initially zeroed in on Aishwarya Rai for the film, with Ash taking an immense liking for the script. But as Kalpana puts it, Ash's formidable price proved to be a deterrent. “We all know that even the best of heroine-oriented films don't fetch a price in the distribution market. Moreover, I was fed up of doing the rounds of secretaries,” Kalpana reveals.
Kalpana has now confirmed Manisha Koirala and Raveena Tandon for the film. But her problem didn't end there since she had a tough time finalising the male lead, who could essay the role of the anti-hero in the film. “The role is something of a challenge. But not a single hero was willing to come forward to play it, firstly because it is a heroine-dominated film and secondly because it is not an out-and-out commercial flick. All of them told me that they were not comfortable playing an anti-hero, though they didn't mind doing anti-hero roles in recent films. We can't change the system, can we?,” Kalpana laments.
She finally opted for Rahul Dev to play the role and has no regrets about it. “If the subject and the performances are up to the mark, nothing can stop the film from being noticed,” she states. That's true!
