Bollywood enters crucial phase...

By Priyanka Khanna, IANS

New Delhi, (IANS) A good week's run at the marquees by action-packed "Tango Charlie" and some not-so-poor box-office collections by small-budget films have provided a much-needed relief to Hindi filmdom even as the trade enters a crucial phase starting April.

After a slow beginning in the first quarter, a usual annual feature, the trade is looking forward to making merry from April to June when school and college summer vacations in most parts of the country come to an end.

"Tango Charlie", which released recently and stars Ajay Devgan and Bobby Deol among others, has faired reasonably well at the turnstiles and the industry is hoping that the upbeat mood will continue.

Another recent release - "Zeher" - has also done good business in spite of getting into a controversy for its allegedly obscene promotional posters.

"Zeher" by debutant Mohit Suri is a Mahesh Bhatt production and carries the signature of the filmmaker, known for his romance and thriller combinations. The film is an interesting take on the interpersonal relationship between the lead pair and their subordinates at the workplace.

A case filed in Mumbai alleging that the posters of "Zeher" are obscene is only likely to get it more free publicity.

A plethora of films are ready to go on the marquees in the coming months. INOX's programming manager Arun Sharma says April has six major films confirmed and that there are 11 films, including Vidhu Vinod Chopra's "Parineeta", still awaiting release.

"This is an annual feature. Filmmakers try to release their films to coincide with less academic pressure on youth and students as it is the beginning of a new academic session. Even the ongoing cricket series between India and Pakistan is not seen to have the potential to dampen business," Sharma adds.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says: "Over the years, the months of April, May and June have witnessed a plethora of movies vying for audience attention. The trend was no different in the 1970s. It continued in the 80s and the 90s... This year is no exception either!"

Although the film industry has been badly hit by flops and to a certain degree by the India-Pakistan cricket matches, there is a strong air of optimism that the releases in the next three months will bail the film industry out of its current crisis.

A lot rides on the April 8 release of "Lucky: No Time for Love". The film stars Salman Khan who has been enjoying an exceptionally good phase at the box-office. His rebellious and unconventional real-life behaviour has fetched him a strong following among the youth who constitute a major chunk of the movie-going public.

The film by SCI-Sohail Khan Production is directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru. The cast of the film includes newcomer Sneha Ullal who has an uncanny resemblance to Salman's real-life ex-girlfriend Aishwarya Rai. Salman has had a messy and much-publicised break-up with the former beauty queen.

Another release next week is likely to be Amol Shetge's "Naam Gum Jaayega", which stars former beauty queen Dia Mirza with Rakesh Bapat and Aryan Vaid.

April will also witness the release of Kamal Haasan's "Mumbai Xpress". The promos of the film are very enticing and rib tickling. The Singeetham Srinivasa Rao film may well be the film that opens the hearts of north-Indian moviegoers to the phenomenon of Kamal who is revered in the southern parts of the country.

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In April, moviegoers will be treated to small doses of superstar Shah Rukh Khan as he appears in bit roles in two films slated to release simultaneously. The promos of "Kaal", made by director Soham and producers Red Chillies Entertainment and Dharma Production, feature King Khan prominently.

"Kaal" stars Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi, John Abraham, Lara Dutta and Esha Deol.

But what is lesser known is that the promoters of "Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye," which is slated for an April release, also managed to convince Shah Rukh to put in a cameo. The film stars the talented actor Arshad Warsi opposite Mahima Chaudhary and the cast includes Parvin Dabas and Sachin Khedekar.

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If Salman Khan, Kamal Hassan and even small cameos by Shah Rukh Khan are unable to set fire to the box-office in April, then it will be left to "Waqt - The Race Against Time" to do the honours.

The film by producer-director Vipul Amrutlal Shah has a stellar cast in Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani and Shefali Shah. Akshay may not be a huge crowd-puller on his own, but films where he is cast alongside Amitabh have had a good run at the marquees.

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Before April-end, it is hoped that "Mohabbat Ho Gayi Hai Tumse," starring another box-office favourite Sanjay Dutt, will be ready for release.

After a long gap, macho man Sanjay will be seen in a romantic role. The film by Rishi Talwar and producer Satish Khanna also stars Chandrachur Singh and Shamita Shetty. It has music by Sanjeev-Darshan.

All the big boys of Bollywood, including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan (in cameos), Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and even southern film industry's stellar performer Kamal Hassan are vying to charm the box-office in the month ahead and for the star-obsessed industry, there can be no better prospect.

IANS