By Suhel Johar
Magic Lantern
click for larger view)
Last year, producer Vashu Bhagnani set a record for the number of releases in one calendar year with three releases. These included 'Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai', 'Rehnaa Hain Terre Dil Mein' and 'Deewanapan'. This was a feat not achieved by any producer earlier. But it seems that this record will not stand for long. In fact, it looks certain to be broken by maverick producer Boney Kapoor, who plans to release as many as five films this year.
click for larger view)
It's another thing that Vashu did not quite achieve the success at the box office that he would have wanted. Barring 'Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai', his other films missed the bull's eye. So one hopes that Boney has a better track record this year. The new year, of course, has not seen a good start for him with the debacle of 'Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche'.
click for larger view)
His next release for the year will most probably be the co-production, 'Company', that he has made in partnership with Ram Gopal Varma. This will be followed by a film featuring Nana Patekar, Karisma Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan. Although Boney is through with its filming, the film is still without a proper title. The working title is 'Shakti', which cannot be used because it is registered in the name of producers Mushir-Riyaz. Directed by Krishna Vamsi, a former assistant to Ram Gopal Varma, the film is a remake of a Telugu film 'Anthapuram'. If Boney hits upon the title of his choice, he might even release this film before 'Company'.
click for larger view)
The fourth release of the year will be 'Khushi' starring Fardeen Khan and Kareina Kapoor. A remake of the Telugu superhit of the same name it is fast heading towards completion. The film, directed by Surya, was earlier going to star Abhishek Bachchan, who backed out of the project in favor of Dharmesh Darshan's 'Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya'. Abhishek has now agreed to do another film with Boney that should soon mount the sets. 'Khushi' should release in June/July this year.
Boney's last release of the year will be a 'Hinglish' film, 'Take It Easy', which is in the same genre as Nagesh Kukunoor's 'Hyderabad Blues'. It is being made with a new cast under the direction of an ad filmmaker from Hyderabad. This one will release in December.
click for larger view)
Boney, it may be recalled, started his career as a producer with an offbeat film, 'Hum Paanch', which was a surprise hit. Following its success, he made another film to launch actor-brother Anil Kapoor as a hero. With 'Woh Saat Din', he had a winner on his hands. After this, came 'Mr India', a blockbuster, originally written with Amitabh Bachchan in mind but which finally starred Anil. These three films consolidated Boney's position as a successful producer.
His next production, 'Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja' was one of the most expensive films ever made. But it flopped. 'Prem', which introduced his youngest brother Sanjay, didn't do well either. But Boney bounced back with 'Loafer' (starring Anil once again). This was followed by 'Judaai', 'Sirf Tum', 'Pukar', 'Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai' and 'Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche'.
