Bollywood Bakwas

What’s the common factor between ‘I See You’, ‘Shikhar’ and ‘Dil Maange more’?

Well, each of these films came on the last Friday of the past three years-December 29, 2006, December 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 respectively. Secondly, the three films were box-office failures.

Fact vs fiction

Trade pundits and soothsayers have maintained that the last Friday of the year is not a good time for a film to arrive.

The reason cited is that audiences stay away from theatres and choose to be friends and enjoy the New Year revelry.

But this doesn’t seem convincing when you consider ‘Bhagam Bhag’, which was released on December 22 last year but was a hit.

However, film-makers seem to have dropped the towel for December 28 2007, the last Friday of this year.

With just three Fridays at Bollywood’s disposal, there is a sudden rush with as many 10 films releasing between the available days.

Friday, December 7

December 7 will see four films hitting the marquee. Says Sanjay Gupta, whose bouquet of 10 stories spanning different genres ‘Dus Kahaniyaan’ is the biggest release of that week, “I am not worried about the releases alongside my film. I am expecting a fairly neat run.”

Sudhir Mishra’s ‘Khoya Khoya Chaand’ (Shiney Ahuja-Soha Ali Khan), ‘Rama Rama Kyaa Hai Dramaaa’ (Rajpal Yadav, Neha Dhupia and Ashish Chaudhary) and ‘Strangers’ (Jimmy Shergill, Nandana Sen, Kay Kay Menon) will also release during the same week. Asserts Jimmy, “The twists are terrific and director Anand Rai has made a stylish thriller.”

Friday, December 14

A week later things seem to be settling down as Subhash Ghai, Nagesh Kukunoor and Shreyas Talpade come together after ‘Iqbal’ with ‘Bombay to Bangkok’.

But a lot needs to go into the promotion of this film, if it has to make it’s presence felt. The reason-a week later four high-profile films will be brushing shoulders.

December 21
Akshay Kumar’s ‘Welcome’ leads the bunch. Director Anees Bazmee says, “Akshay has delivered three hits this year— ‘Namaste London’, ‘Heyy Babyy’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’.

The audiences would love to say goodbye to 2007 with him.”

Aamir Khan fans have a lot to cheer as the actor rolls up his sleeves as a producer and director for ‘Taare Zameen Par’. Another children’s film expected to release alongside is ‘Hanuman Returns’, a sequel to the successful ‘Hanuman’.

Last but not the least, there is ‘Halla Bol’, which has just five weeks in hands to create a buzz. With the last week (December 28) jinx not allowing a release, the task further becomes difficult for newly announced films like ‘Strangers’, ‘Bombay To Bangkok’, ‘Hanuman Returns’ and ‘Halla Bol’ to make their mark!