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August 17, 2000

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Dhadkan skips a heartbeat!

Komal Nahta

Of Missed Heartbeats

Dhadkan Seeing is disbelieving. The makers of Dhadkan certainly have their wires crossed. Sunil Shetty is shown as the hero of the film even though his deeds befit those of a villain. And all this, because he loves Shilpa Shetty madly. Come on, that's not love, it's lust!

Would a hero ask his girlfriend of three years ago to return to him, knowing she's happily married to another man? And we thought we'd learnt the Hindi film credo: Love is synonymous with sacrifice!

True, director Dharmesh Darshan might have wanted to be different, but in his quest, he has delved into the realms of the ridiculous.

Had Sunil Shetty been shown as either repenting for his deeds or repaying for them, the film might have worked. His ire is against Shilpa's father (Kiran Kumar), but he wreaks revenge against her husband, Akshay. He stops just shy of calling Shilpa a gold-digger, since she married a rich man. And then proceeds to tell her that she should now leave her husband to marry him (Sunil)!

Good God! Hindi film heroes don't talk like that! Then, Sharmila Tagore (Sunil's mother) bemoans to Shilpa, "Who will explain to my son that love is never illegitimate?" Hello? What is the institution of marriage all about? Is that illegitimate? The least she could have said was that her love was not illegitimate.

But, as I said, the urge was to generalise in a way nobody had earlier. So what if the end result looked silly? All in all, the viewer is apt to skip many a heartbeat after seeing Dhadkan.

Old Is Gold?

Believe it or not, the second week collections of Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega are better than the first week collections of Dhadkan and Deewane. After the initial lead by the two new releases of this week, last week's Har Dil Jo… steadied while the former two crashed. That's not to say Har Dil… has hit big time, it only nly shows how the two new films have been rejected.

100 Marks For Mahesh Bhatt!

Mahesh Bhatt Though director Mahesh Bhatt seems content after having bid 'bye to direction, he remains very concerned about the content of today's films.

Commenting on today's dazzling publicity gimmicks and forceful marketing strategies, several of which sadly have no worthwhile stories, he said something that film-makers are sure to sit up: "Good handwriting never guaranteed any student 100 marks."

This thought has content in good measure -- 100 marks to Mahesh Bhatt for that!

Kaun Karega First Move?

There is not an iota of doubt that Kaun Banega Crorepati has become a national craze. Whether in cosmopolitan cities like Bombay or Delhi or small-time towns like Bhusawal or Bhilwara, whether it is corporate executives or uneducated kirana dealers, children or adults, women or men, the topic of discussion is the numero uno television show.

Host Amitabh Bachchan's "Positive?", "Sure?" and "Confident?" have become catch-phrases. The three questions have also spawned a number of jokes.

Which brings a thought to mind: How about a director incorporating KBC-oriented jokes in a film slated for an early release, say, within six months? That would have the germs of becoming a highlight comedy!

For example, a character could be shown as a KBC fan who only speaks like Amitabh Bachchan does in the game show. Many jokes could be 'invented' around KBC. In fact, Govinda or Johnny Lever would carry it off brilliantly.

What's Happened To 'Sholay 2000'?

G P Sippy August 12 sparked off memories for the industry folks of the day Sholay was released: August 15, 1975.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the historic blockbuster, producer G P Sippy and Sippy Films hosted "a gala evening of revelry and reminiscence" (as quoted by the host himself) at Gabbar's Den.

This den was a lavish set especially erected for the occasion. The invitation described Gabbar's Den as set in "a buzzing cityscape.... veiled in anonymity". It proved not so anonymous, though, at Bombay's Regent Hotel Ballroom.

The people who were sorely missed were music director R D Burman, Sanjeev Kumar and Gabbar himself -- Amjad Khan. But the sad part was that the other stars of the film also chose to stay away from the party. Perhaps it was the press conference hosted by G P Sippy some months ago to announce mega plans for the 25th anniversary of the film prompted them to avoid it. The stars did attend the press conference, but were shocked to find that the creator of the blockbuster, Ramesh Sippy, was missing! Imagine celebrating 25 years of Sholay without the man who made it!

Further, all the tall claims about a sequel, Sholay 2000, announced at the said press conference, remained just announcements. No headway seems to have been made on that front.

The Naked Truth

Salman Khan And here's one to keep you smiling through the week: After Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai, an enterprising producer is planning to announce a film with a similar, though shocking, title.

He has even signed Salman Khan for the film. It is titled Jis Desh Mein Nanga Rehta Hai. Who better than Salman to play the lead role, what with his penchant for taking off his clothes on screen to flaunt his body!

You all have seen the Salman-starrer Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, haven't you? Or any recent Salman film, for that matter? I rest my case.

A look at the week

**Ratings based on box office collections and cost of the film**
Rating Film Production House Verdict Position Last Week No Of Weeks Since Release
1 Dhadkan Venus Records & Tapes Ltd Disaster New New
2 Deewane S P Creations Disaster New New
3 Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Average in some circuits and above average in some 1 2
4 Kunwara Tips Films Loser
(Average in a couple of circuits)
2 4
5 Jungle Varma Coporation Ltd Above average
3 5
6 Refugee J P Films Above Average
(fantastic initial)
Average in a couple
of circuits
4 7
7 Josh Venus Above average in Bombay
& South (Average to
losing in all other
circuits)
5 10
8 Bichhoo Bhagwan Chitra Mandir Above Average in
North India, average in some circuits
6 6
9 Kaho Naa
Pyaar Hai
Film Kraft Superhit 7 31
10 Kya Kehna! Tips Films Overflow
(Hit in Bombay)
8 14

Komal Nahta edits the popular trade magazine, Film Information.

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