By Fuad Omar
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is really a huge success and carried forward the
national wake-up call delivered by Lagaan and Asoka before it, announcing to
the Western world that Bollywood is a force to be reckoned with. It entered
the UK Box office top ten at number 3 which is phenomenal given it beat
competition from Bruce Willis' new venture Bandits and even beat the
Brit-flick starring Samuel L Jackson - The 51st State, and grossing a
per-screen average higher than Harry Potter.
Asians in the UK literally went
K3G Krazy and the frenzy was mirrored in India. The advance booking offices
opened the Monday before the film released and paying a visit to the
theatres there revealed how much hype the film had generated. The queues
were as long as the eyes can see and people were chanting 'Shah Rukh' or
'Hrithik' or whoever they were watching the film for. The queues were really,
really long going all round and through various places and one theatre owner
even said "On Sunday night people came to see Tera Mera Saath Rahein knowing
the advance for K3G opened today. They then slept outside the theatre's
booking kiosk and waited till morning to buy tickets, it's madness!". The UK
sales of tickets too reveal that people aren't just buying two or three
tickets but ten to fifteen at a time with audiences bringing their entire
families along to share in the movie's masti and magic. The second week
proved the film is no fluke with it being expected to be ousted from the UK
top five with the arrival of the much touted Lord of the Rings, but the year
's biggest film only slid one place down to number four. It's all set to
become the UK's biggest and most successful Hindi film and people are loving
it. I've met a few people who have given it a mixed response, not entirely
happy with it but the overall view is that people love it and want to see it
again and again. K3G has strong repeat value because the first time you see
it you laugh and cry and leave the cinema being blown away by what you've
seen. The next time you'll remember more of what you loved the first time
and notice more, as well as laughing at the old jokes too. It really is a
film that unravels the more you watch it. There's so much up there on the
big screen that a single viewing cannot reveal it's entertainment and
filmmaking skill fully. Karan Johar has successfully repeated what Sooraj
Barjatya did in 1994 with Hum Aapke Hain Koun and brought the family
audience back to the cinemas. If you haven't yet seen Kabhi Khushi Kabhie
Gham, go see it on the big screen. I've heard there are some pirate copies
lurking around but apparently they are heavily cut and so the film's
continuity is lost and you don't get to see the vision Karan has made and
will definitely not enjoy it as much. A big tip of the hat to producer Yash
Johar for the gamble he took with the film. He spared no expense for his son
's film and every penny is up there to see on screen in a lavish
presentation. The most expensive film of Indian cinema is deserved of its
success. So go see it. Laugh, cry and let us know what you think.
As a result of the film's release, many of the other films to be released
in December have been delayed. The release of Boney Kapoor's Koi Mere Dil Se
Pooche (starring Aftab and Esha Deol), which was scheduled for 28th December
has now been postponed to January 11, 2002, as has the much awaited Meghna
Gulzar directorial debut and Tabu-Sushmita starrer Filhaal. January 25th
will see the release of model turned actor Dino Morea's film Raaz, and also
releasing in Jan is the fast-becoming-ultra-hot Salman-Sushmita-Diya film
Tumko Naa Bhool Paayenge.
Hrithik Roshan's film should release at the end of Jan too, Vikram Bhatt's
Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage with his Kaho Na Heroine Hai, Amisha Patel,
which the cast can't stop screaming about. Two sponsors who are hoping to
make Indians' Valentines Day even more memorable than ever have teamed up:
Hallmark Greeting Cards and Hero Honda (who Hrithik models for), have
organised a transparent bus to take Hrithik around the city and after the
tour he'll meet and greet his fans at the Lobby Bar, Sea Rock Hotel and give
them Valentine Day cards. Hrithik has a big year in 2002 as he has a few
solo films releasing, whereas in 2001 he had mostly multi-starrers. His
performances have always been consistently good and I'm sure the audience is
craving for a solo Hrithik film soon. He's also begun shooting for his home
production Koi Mil Gaya with Preity Zinta, which should release in Jan 2003.
But next year look forward to Aap Mujhe Achchey Lagne Lage, Na Tum Jano Na
Hum (with Esha) and Sooraj Barjatya's Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon with
Kareena. And if that wasn't enough, May will see the superstar's first world
tour, so get ready fans, Hrithik is coming to the UK! Alongside him will be
that other megastar of the moment Aftab Shivdasani who UK fans have loved in
2001 with Pyar Ishq aur Mohabbat and especially Love ke Liye Kuch Bhi
Karega. Seems we're in for a treat!
2002 is REALLY beginning to look good with even more fantastic things to
look forward to! Yash Chopra's next venture 'Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi' is
progressing fast and shaping up pretty darn well. Directed by Sanjay Gadhvi
and reuniting the Mohabbatein kids Uday Chopra and Jimmy Shergill, the film
has been having long shooting stints at Goregaon's Film City throughout
November and December. Newcomer Tulip makes her debut (yes that is her name,
but I think they'll probably change that) and Bipasha Basu puts in a special
appearance. Yash Chopra is still finishing the script to the film he'll
direct himself which will undoubtedly be eagerly awaited, and
early next year we should finally see Rachel Dwyer's book on the living
legend also release, sometime in February. Seems next year could just belong
to the King of Romance and his sons! Aditya Chopra's Dilwale Dulhania Le
Jayenge is almost set to finally make its DVD debut. A lot of pirate copies
have been around for a while, but the official 2-Disk version will be worth
the wait. Including the 'Making of..', deleted scenes and possibly
interviews with cast and crew on the film it could be the DVD everyone's
been waiting for.
One actress who people are beginning to miss is none other than Karisma
Kapoor, who has given audiences hits such as Dil To Paagal Hai, Zubeidaa,
Raja Hindustani, Fiza and more. While some were saying she had taken a step
back from the limelight to allow lil sis Kareena to establish herself,
Karisma herself says that's not true at all.
Karisma has basically been sifting through scripts and has decided only to
do the right films and roles. As an actress who entered the industry at a
time when actresses were more or less required to be glam dolls she wasn't
allowed to show her full potential until the 90s when she began to get roles
which were based on filmmaker's faith in her talent, and she gave Raja
Hindustani and has never looked back since. For the next couple of years
Karisma is only doing good films with good roles and so if you hear the
announcement of her doing a movie it will receive prestige immediately that
she thought it worth her while doing it. The girl has finally been getting
the acclaim she deserves and is all set to ensure the next few years
consolidate her name as an actress in history books. Another Kapoor has done
it!
And on that note I'll wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us at
Asiangigs.com and look forward to giving you much more exclusive news,
reviews and interviews in 2002! Have a blast and wish you all the very best!
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