The 1997 Roll call half yearly report (IndianExpress Article)

 The 1997 roll call

Last year, Bollywood was in the throes of depression as one big-budget film after another wilted at the box office, barring notable excepti...

Last year, Bollywood was in the throes of depression as one big-budget film after another wilted at the box office, barring notable exceptions like Raja Hindustani,Agni Sakshi,Jeet,Ghatak ,Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi and Saajan Chale Sasural.

1997 too, began on a sour note as theatres downed their shutters for over a month to protest against the entertainment tax hike. When business resumed in the first week of February, there were as many as six big films lined up for release. But despite stiff competition and box-office pressures, the first six months of 1997 brought good tidings to the industry.

Forty-eight Hindi films, (including dubbed versions) have been released so far. And as many as six big budget films have struck gold at the box office. The first in line was Sajid Nadiadwala’s Judwaa starring Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor and Rambha, directed by David Dhawan. The film has already done business worth Rs 2.90 crore per territory. Nana Patekar carried Yeshwant through on his reliable shoulders and the film was a big hit, especially in the Mumbai territory, where it made over Rs 2 crore. The Govinda-David Dhawan magic worked yet again with Hero No 1, which has raked in a whooping Rs 3 crore per territory.After a slow start, Boney Kapoor’s Judaai, the Indianised version of Indecent Proposal directed by Raj Kanwar, caught the fancy of cine-goers and is still going strong after completing 100 days, and earning over Rs 2.5 crore, per territory. Sunny Deol’s Ziddi, which was packed with Hollywood-style stunt sequences, managed to make close to Rs 3 crore, per territory. Anil Kapoor’s ambitious attempt to step into Kamal Hassan’s shoes with Virasat too proved successful, and the Hindi re-make of the Tamil hit Thevar Magan is expected to average over Rs 1.5 crore, in every territory. Among the small budget films, Basu Bhattacharya’s Aastha, which was sold for just Rs 15 lakh per territory, has managed to do business of about Rs 50 lakh. Gulzar’s Maachis too did well at the box office.

BUT just as there were hits and unexpected success stories, the sun dipped on what the market considered sure hits. On the darker side of the spectrum was the Big B’s comeback attempt, Mrityudaata which was the biggest flop in the first half of 1997. Sold at a price of Rs 3 crore per territory, distributors could barely recover half the sum they had invested in the film. Rakesh Roshan’s Koyla too ended up on the losing side. Distributors stand to lose about Rs 1 crore in every territory and Rakesh Roshan’s `K’ magic failed him dismally. Vinod Khanna’s Himalayputra had a similar fall.

His home production to launch his son, Akshaye Khanna, touched no zeniths.Jostling for space with the long line of losers are films like Aar Ya Paar, Lahoo Ke Do Rang, Sapnay, Duniya Dilwalon Ki, Mahaanta, and Insaaf. David Dhawan, Raj Kanwar, and Priyadarshan have proved to be the successful directors of the year so far. And among the stars, Sunny Deol ,Salman Khan, Govinda and Anil Kapoor have got a new lease of life with a couple of hit films under their belt and established their position in top brackets.In fact, this is probably the best phase of their careers with all the heroes not seeing hits like this even at the beginning of their careers expect the silent Khan. David Dhawan has once again proved that he’s a number one crowd puller, earning the title of paisa vasoola place. 

Karisma’s charisma has kept her in the top slot with Hero No 1 and Judwaa. The failure of films like Mrityudaata and Lahoo Ke Do Rang hasn’t made much difference to her newly-earned status of reigning queen. Urmila has earned the unique distinction of scoring three hits in a row Rangeela, Hindustani and now Judaai. And Tabu is earning kudos and raking in the mega bucks with her stylish performance in Maachis and Virasat.

But the year so far has been harsh on ex-super star Madhuri Dixit. With the debacle of disaster Koyla, and stiff competition from younger, more svelte stars, Madhuri’s radiant smile seems to fading as she lagged behind in the numbers game. She has three films lined up for release later this year Mrityudand, Mohabbat, and Dil To Pagal Hai, and their outcome could well determine the fate of this actress who once seemed set to rule the roost for time to come. The other hero who is no longer a top khiladi is Akshay Kumar who needs a hit film to revive his flagging career. After three consecutive flops, he is looking to Daava and Tarazu to restore his position in the top bracket.The second half of the year is packed with mega-budget projects which will probably hit the screen in quick succession. J P Dutta’s multi-starrer war film, Border opens today. Sold for over Rs 1.5 in each territory, the film seems to be heading for success, with the first week’s plans filling up well in advance. Raj Kanwar’s Itihaas too has sold for the same price and will be released next Friday. Distributors have paid close to Rs 3 crore for Rajiv Rai’s Gupt starring Bobby Deol, Manisha Koirala and Kajol which will be released on July 04, 1997. And with the lilting music of the film already being touted as a success, expectations from the much-hyped project are very high. This will be followed by Yes Boss from the house of Venus, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla, which is slated for release on July 18, 1997.

Subhash Ghai who is trying to put Trimurti behind him, has pinned his hopes on Pardes which opens in the first week of August. And close on its heels comes Rahul Rawail’s romantic saga, Aur Pyar Ho Gaya featuring Bobby Deol and Aishwarya Rai. Ram Gopal Varma’s Daud, starring Sanjay Dutt and Urmila is also likely to be released in the middle of August. While Indra Kumar’s Ishq which boasts of an impressive star cast Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla, Ajay Devgan and Kajol is expected to hit the theatres in September. Ketan Desai’s Deewana Mastana starring Anil Kapoor, Govinda, and Juhi Chawla, directed by David Dhawan will also be released at about the same time.The outcome to these films is crucial not only to the fortunes of big stars, but to the entire industry which has pinned its hopes and money on these mega-budget projects.