Sahara One eyes Guinness slot with 'Bose' film premiere

Kolkata is banking on the late Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Sahara One Motion Pictures has planned the largest ever premiere show held for a film for Bose-The Forgotten Hero, directed by Shyam Benegal.

Sahara has approached Guinness World Records for the premier of 'Bose' in Kolkata, to be held at the Eastern Command Stadium in the presence of a record 30,000 viewers.

To make it into the Guinness Book of World Records, the film premiere would have to break the record set by the film 'Brewster McLeod' in Houston in 1970, which saw a turnout of 23,930 people.

The process will be audited by Ernst & Young, in accordance with the rules laid down by the Guinness World Records, said Preeti Shahani, marketing head of Sahara One Motion Pictures.

The premiere will be held on May 5 and the movie will be in theatres the following day.

Sahara is still undecided on whether the tickets would be priced or not.

Shahani explained it was essential for the audit to have tickets for the show but pricing of the tickets was yet to be decided.

Some of the tickets would be given away as prizes in contests.

To bring in the crowds, Sahara has approached the Union information and broadcasting ministry for a tax exemption certificate.

It would also like the film to be classified education tag, which would enable it to draw upon the school crowd.

"We will take it to as many people as possible" said Shahani.

Shahani said the decision to have the premiere in Kolkata was taken in view of to Netaji's connections with the city.

Sahara would also invite members of the disbanded Indian National Army (INA) to the premier.

In Delhi, it would hold special screenings for INA members and their families.

The promotions for the premier would start from next week.

The entertainment company was hoping to cash in on the Kolkata spirit and fervour for the leader.

The premier was likely to see some of the biggest names from the industry come to Kolkata, many of whom were associated with Sahara.

Shahani said the list of invitees would be finalised closer to the day of the premiere.

The film would be promoted through roadshows and high density retail chains.

While the promotion for the premiere would revolve around Kolkata, a nationwide promotion would be made for the film.

The total cost of producing the film had run into Rs 35 crore. Sachin Khedekar was playing Netaji.

The music was by A R Rahman. Shyam Benegal, director of the film, said it was a great experience for him to work in Kolkata.