| Almost all major film makers and production houses will have at least one film hitting the screen this summer up to Diwali. Beginning with Shahrukh Khan's home production 'Main Hoon Naa,' virtually every week will see a new release. In true showbiz style a film is termed big if it features big stars or is produced or directed by a major film maker. |
| So get ready to see big stars in films made by big directors. Endorsing the fact that Bollywood is on its way to becoming a market savvy, professional and a better organised business today is that most of the these films, including large-budget ones, have been made on schedule and even their release dates are announced well in advance. The other interesting trend is that film makers and stars are willing to venture into new areas, both creatively and commercially. |
| Let's take a look at what's on offer. Veteran Yash Chopra has one of the few fully integrated film companies in India, Yashraj Films, though it is family owned. Yashraj produces and distributes its films not only in India but also overseas. It has just launched its own music label and is opening its state-of-the-art studio in suburban Mumbai. |
| This year Yashraj should have at least three releases, beginning with the Saif-Rani starrer 'Hum Tum'. Of course the film to watch out for is the still untitled film directed by the veteran himself after a gap of five years. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherji, this is a romance set against the backdrop of the Partition, quite different from the chiffon and Alps Yash Chopra films. |
| Interestingly, the film has songs composed years ago by the late celebrated music director Madan Mohan, recorded by his son Sanjeev Kohli especially for the film. This Rs 40 crore film will be released on Diwali day all over India and in over 50 other countries. Industry pundits are already calling it the year's most eagerly awaited film. |
| The other veteran, Subhash Ghai whose listed company Mukta Arts did not have a good year last year, is also directing an unusual film 'Kisna". This too is a period film and features Vivek Oberoi and two new girls, one of whom is British. The film tells the love story of a villager from Kumaon and an English girl in the twenties. Subhash Ghai is keen to market this film as a crossover and an English version is not ruled out. Mukta Arts also has other projects on the floor, including an Akshay Kumar starrer directed by hit makers Abbas-Mustan. |
| Like Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai has branched out into film distribution. His film school too, with its sprawling campus and studios, should also be functional this year. Mukta Arts has also started a few digital cinemas in association with Adlabs. |
| Three of the most acclaimed young directors, Ashutosh Gowarikar ("Lagaan"), Sanjay Leela Bhansali ("Devadas") and Farhan Akhtar ("Dil Chahata Hai") are getting ready with their latest blockbusters. |
| The first off the block is Farhan with "Lakshya" "� a war drama featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Hritik Roshan and Preity Zinta shot on location in Ladhak. The film, whose music is already out, is attracting viewers with its catchy promos. |
| Gowarikar is working with King 'Shahrukh" Khan in 'Swades,' a story of the return of a non resident Indian to an Indian village. Incidentally both these films are co-produced by UTV. |
| Sanjay Leela Bhansali is directing "Black," with Amitabh Bachchan in this dark brooding film. |
| Although all three are big-budget, star-studded films they are thematically quite adventurous. Also the film makers are quite clear about the market segment they are addressing and are going about marketing their films accordingly. |
| Amongst other major film makers whose films you will see in the coming months is Mani Ratnam. His 'Yuva' (there is also a Tamil version) stars Ajay Devgun, Abhishekh Bachchan, Vivek Oberoi, Rani Mukherji, Kareena Kapoor and Esha Deol, is shot on location in Kolkata and has music by A.R Rehman. |
| Offbeat film maker Govind Nihalani makes his big-budget debut with 'Dev.' This thriller has Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Fardeen Khan and Kareena Kapoor and is co-produced by Kumar Manglam Birla's Applause Entertainment and Adlabs. Nihalani's mentor Shyam Benegal, meanwhile, is giving the finishing touches to his multi-million bio-pic on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, produced by Sahara. |
| The next few months will also see the release of the Sunny Deol-Sunil Shetty starrer 'Lakeer,' directed by Ahmed Khan, and the Salman Khan starrer 'Garv,' produced by Cinevistaas. The masala king David Dhawan returns with "Mujhse Shaadi Karoge,' again with Salman Khan but with Akshay Kumar to give him company.'Deewar" teams up the Big B with Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Khanna. Then there are films produced by regulars like Barjatyas, Boney Kapoor, Mukesh Bhatt and Ram Gopal Verma and PNC. |
| Even niche film makers like Sudhir Mishra and Madhur Bhandarkar have films scheduled for release soon. There is also a bunch of NRI films led by Gurinder Chadha's Aishwarya Rai starrer 'Bride and Prejudice" which should hit the screens soon. |
| About 20-odd other films will try their luck at the box-office in the next few months. The stakes are high "� Rs 1,000 crore at least. Fortunately, the mood is more upbeat within the industry. The ever-increasing breed of multiplexes is infusing a fresh lease of life. |
| The overseas market too is looking up, as is corporate funding. A London-based private investor is launching a Bollywood-specific fund. Even India's Exim Bank is seriously looking at film financing. STAR TV and Sahara are investing big bucks in the movie business. Others like UTV, Adlabs, Tips and Zee are also increasing their spends on film production. |
| Improved marketing and promotion along with new revenue streams are all adding to the general upbeat feel. It is perhaps going to be the new beginning that Bollywood has been dreaming about. |
| (Amit Khanna is chairman of Reliance Entertainment and the views here expressed are his own) |
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