Focus group screenings and divine blessings for Radio!

By Joginder Tuteja Bollywood Hungama News Network

Radio arrives on Thursday, 3rd December, instead of seeing a conventional Friday release. While the makers are executing promotional plans for the last few days before the film hits the screens, they have already hosted some hush-focus group screenings. While Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots was pretty much in news for the similar 'feedback-seeking' exercise that was done a few weeks back, Himesh and Co. have already held three such screenings since 21st November.

Ishaan Trivedi, director of Radio that stars Sonal Sehgal and Shenaz Treasuryvala as the leading ladies confirms, "We wanted to be quiet about the whole affair rather than making it a media event. The purpose was to get some genuine feedback and hence select people, from all walks of life, were invited to comment on the final product."

As turned out to be the case, the film was given a Thumbs Up by the urban youth (the film's target audience) that appreciated the manner in which the film dealt with today's relationships, where issues like chemistry and compatibility are pretty much in the forefront.

"I was clear about one thing that I didn't want anyone to go unnecessarily gaga about the whole affair", confesses Ishaan, "There is no point in doing that because the real junta will anyways announce their verdict once the film hits the screens. So, I invited some of my closest friends and colleagues to watch the film and be extremely blunt about what they felt."

Meanwhile, Himesh Reshammiya is doing his own to ensure that Radio gets it's due at the box office. While he is happy about the profit zone that the film has entered, courtesy all the pre-release rights bringing in the moolah, he is also travelling to Shirdi for the blessings. "I would be visiting Shirdi on the day Radio releases. Thursday is anyways Saibaba's day so it can't get more auspicious than this", confirms Himesh, "I am praying to God that the film works for all of us."

Confident about the prospects of the film which would be seeing a limited release even in multiplexes, Himesh comments, "We have tried to do something very fresh with the subject, treatment and lingo in the film. I have tried to be as natural as possible and Ishaan has done a fabulous job. Moreover, Vivan's character is someone with whom audiences can easily relate to. I have complete confidence in Radio clicking with the audiences."

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