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July 18, 2000

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Hrithik sizzles

Komal Nahta

Hrithik Roshan The lad is all set to make an impact. Again. Seems Hrithik Roshan has given an incredible example of his dancing prowess in Khalid Mohammed's Fiza. After strenuous rehearsals, he has performed a four minute taandav dance under a waterfall. The result, say those who have seen it, is out of this world and is expected to be a high point of the film. We're sure all those Hrithik-maniacs will be thrilled to know that their heart-throb has doffed his shirt for this particular sequence.

Ramu's thrilled with Jungle

Jungle Ramgopal Varma has finally delivered a successful film! Jungle, which opened to good houses, is doing reasonably well across the country. Though this small-budget venture is not a big hit, the film is finding patronage not just in Bombay and the south (where it is doing very well), but even in territories like Delhi-UP, east Punjab, CI and the like.

Which should thrill Fardeen Khan, who was banking heavily on the success of this film. It also augurs well for Urmila Matondkar, all of whose recent releases have bombed badly at the box office. And is a shot in the arm for Sandeep Chowta, whose background score helped in no small measure to create the right atmosphere in the cinema halls.

Crorepati is Abhishek's biggest competition

Kaun Banega Crorepati The Amitabh Bachchan-hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati on Star Plus is becoming more and more popular with every passing episode. And is, as a result, affecting the box-office takings in the last shows at cinemas across the country. People are staying put in their houses at 9 pm from Mondays to Thursdays -- which is when the show is on air.

It's rather strange that the game show went on air the same week as son Abhishek's debut film, Refugee. Since it was a big hit right from the premiere show itself, it's his dad who's proving to be Abhishek's most formidable opposition!

Who's the chief guest?

Aishwarya Rai The invite to the muhurat of Shankar and A M Rathnam's Nayak -- The Real Hero mentioned the date: July 15; the venue: Filmistan Studios; and the chief guest: YOU! It was a nice way of making each invitee feel important and wanted. Of course, the real chief guest was about half-an-hour late; her blue car was snarled in traffic. But ex-Miss World Aishwarya Rai still received a warm welcome.

Vashu predicts Darbar win

Ismail Darbar Call this a coincidence if you want. Not many days before Ismail Darbar bagged the national award for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, he was depressed about not having won a notable award for his music score. Vashu Bhagnani, whose Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya has also been scored by Ismail, tried to pep him up.

Vashu told Ismail that, one day, he would bag an award that would make everyone look up to him. Sure enough, Ismail won the national award a few days later. And it was Vashu who broke the news to him on the phone. Ismail promptly burst into tears. And celebrated later at a party organised for him by Vashu. The party also witnessed the formal release of Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya's music.

Title tattle

For your amusement, we present a list of the titles registered this month with the Title Registration Committee.

First, the No 1 titles: Dil No 1, Majnu No 1, Aashiq No 1, Jeweller No 1, Bhawji No 1, Super Star No 1, Dulha No 1, Bazaar No 1, Lady Inspector No 1, Dosti No 1, Dost No 1, Khalnayak No 1, Ladki No 1, Mastana No 1, Bhai No 1, Fraud No 1, Bookie No 1!

Now for the appended titles: Thug -- The Con Man, Faasle -- The Distance, Talaash -- The Hunt, Tan Badan -- The Body, Aas -- I Still Love You, Harjana -- Blood Money, Antim Yudh -- The Last War, Dost -- A God's Gift.

While Rakesh Roshan's Filmkraft has booked Karodpati, Pragati Chitra International has registered three 'karod' titles: Kaun Banega Karodpati, 24 Ghante Mein Karodpati and Millionaire In 24 Hours (English).

Show World Television has cornered the sabse bada/badi label by registering as many as half-a-dozen such titles: Sabse Badi Ganga Ki Saugandh, Sabse Bada Baazigar, Sabse Bada Gunda, Sabse Bada Badshah, Sabse Bada Mawali and Sabse Bada Ustad.

Subhash Ghai, who made Ram Lakhan, now seems to be fascinated by Ravan. Mukta Arts Ltd has registered Ravan, Shiv Bhakt Ravan, Ravan Ki Aatmakatha, Shri Ravan Sanhita, Lankapati Ravan, Ravanwadh and Ram Aur Ravan. Looks like Ghai is planning to enter the television business as well.

Gordhan Tanwani's Baba Films is so possessive of Mohabbat Tumse Hai Sanam that it has registered three combinations of the same: Mohabbat Hai Tumse Sanam, Tumse Mohabbat Hai Sanam and Tumse Hai Mohabbat Sanam. While Tips Films Pvt Ltd has re-registered as many as 27 titles!

If you were interested in Pati Naram Patni Garam, it has been booked by Paras Productions. While Kalyanji And Anandji has been registered by Puja Films. And that's for this month only!

A look at the week

**Ratings based on box office collections and cost of the film**
Rating Film Production House Verdict Position Last Week No Of Weeks Since Release
1 Jungle Varma Corporation Ltd Above average New New
2 Bichhoo Bhagwan Chitra Mandir Above average in north India, average in some circuits 1 2
3 Refugee J P Films Above average
(Fantastic initial, average in a couple of circuits)
2 3
4 Josh Venus Above average in Bombay,
south (Average to losing in all other circuits)
3 6
5 Kya Kehna! Tips Films Overflow (Hit in Bombay) 4 9
6 Kaho Naa...
Pyaar Hai
Filmkraft Superhit 7 27
7 Joru Ka Ghulam Noorani Film Corporation Average to losing (Above average in Maharashtra) 5 5
8 Tarkieb Jay Movies Loser (Average in Bombay, Delhi-UP) 6 4
9 Dulhan Hum
Le Jayenge
Baba Films Average (Losing in
some circuits)
8 17
10 Hadh Kar
Di Aapne
R R Productions Loser (Average in
some circuits)
9 14

Komal Nahta edits the popular trade magazine, Film Information.

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