Punjabi in Essence, Emotional in Content
For long the world of Punjabi Films has been searching for a script, which can appeal to a wider audience. The fact that romance is accepted world wide as an imperative part in the making of a good film, it is high time that script-writers explored a few unconventional topics on hard facts prevailing today in the society as well as in the country. So thinks the Delhi based Producer & Writer of ‘Sajna Pardesi’- the latest Punjabi Film.

Praveen Kakkar is all set to tread this new path along with his team, which includes Ashish Khurana as the Director assisted by Ravi Rai & a Punjabi dialogue writer Bhupinder Bali. Music shall be provided by Harpreet Singh and Playback by Lucky Singh. The film is essentially emotional, with its content having been drawn from the true case histories of displaced Punjabis who in the urge of leaving their motherland to make it big in foreign land are often taken for a ride by the mafia involved in illegal immigration. Consequently, the mafia takes undue advantage of their vulnerability & leaves them as a stranger forever in an alien country. The film shall also trace the pain undergone by the families of people adamant on seeking a living abroad.

Kakkar who is currently in town to hold auditions for his film, talked about the script, which was completed in six months. He remarked, “I was myself living abroad for a long time. I came across various Punjabis who narrated their heart-rending stories of their journey to the foreign land from away from their home-town. They described about “how they were cheated by fraud immigration agents & robbed of their hard earned money”. “Touched by their pain I felt it was important to convey this message that if you have enough land to till back home, why wash utensils in an alien land just to earn few bucks?” The movie is an attempt to pass this message across the country.

The film shall be entirely shot in Punjab, to be released in March 2003. Casting for the film is under process while talks are on with Rajeshwari Sachdeva, Divya Dutta, Rakesh Bedi etc. The film will have six lead characters out of which two will be the ones who will play displaced Punjabis.

Makdee castes its web on film festivals
‘Makdee’ the web of the witch - The film directed by music director Vishal Bhardhwaj has entered into several international film festivals like The Cairo International Film Festival, The Roshd International Film Festival, Teheran, The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival & the Lucas International Children’s Film Festival. The film casts Shabana Azmi in the main lead with Makrand Deshpande and child artiste Shweta Prasad. The film is presented by Percept Picture Company and will be released in India on the 14th of November –The Children’s Day. Vishal Bhardhwaj has also written the story, screenplay and composed the music with lyrics by Gulzar. The Cinematography credit goes to Hemant Chaturvedi.

‘Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story’
At this time of recession faced by the Indian film-industry, producer-director Akbar Khan is busy shooting his next grand new venture ‘Taj Mahal–An Eternal Love Story.’ This ambitious venture of Akbar Khan promises to be the most expensive film in Indian cinema. The film stars Pooja Batra (Empress Noorjahan) Arbaaz Ali (plays Jehangir), Arbaaz Khan (Aurangzeb) Kim Sharma (Ladli Begam) Manisha Koirala (Princess Jahanara) and Kabir Bedi (plays the older Shahjahan) .The names of the lead pair is yet to be announced. It will possibly be a debut duo, according to the maker Akbar Khan. There will be no stone left unturned for the world class quality in production of ‘Taj Mahal – An Eternal Love Story,’ and would be the first film to be released simultaneously in India and the U.S.

New Comedy !
The comic duo of ‘Chashm-e- Baddoor,’ Farooque Shaikh and Rakesh Bedi will once again create their magic in an untitled T.V. comedy. The serial marks the debut venture in direction for producer, Hemant Seth (Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin/Sony and Baap Numberi Beta Dus Numberi/Sahara). The plot revolves around the duo, who return to earth after being wrongly picked by Yamdoot only to land in funny situations one after another. Other star cast includes Virendra Saxena, Viju Khote, Firozeh Khusboo, Murli Sharma, Ashish Roy and Razak Khan.

Balaji drops Telefilms project
Finding no takers Balaji Telefilms has dropped the idea of producing telefilms. The company’s initial plan to get into the telefilms segment during the 2nd or 3rd quarter of the current financial year take off due to lack of demand.

I-dreams & B4U to co-produce films
I-dreams and B4U television network have signed an agreement to co-produce films and jointly operate a film fund. The funds are estimated to be around Rs.100 crores & shall finance 12 to 15 films in a year to start with. The deal gives B4U television network the exclusive telecast rights for all movies produced by the I-dreams banner. B4U channels will also promote the music and theatrical release of the new films.

Multiplex in Bhavnagar
Construction work of a 3-Screen Multiplex at Bhavnagar is completed. It will be called Top 3 and will be inaugurated in Diwali this year. The multiplex is jointly owned by Babubhai Latiwala and Goswami Group (Bhavnagar).

DEVGAN’S foray into TELEVISION SOFTWARE
‘Devi’ marks the foray of Ajay Devgan’s, Devgan Software and Television Footprints Production into satellite television. Directed by Anant Mahadevan (A Mouthful of Sky, Darpan) lead characters are played by Saakshi Tanwar and Mohnish Behl. The serial airs on Sony TV on Fridays at 9.00 p.m.

We stand corrected……..
As mentioned earlier in this column, Salman Khan and not Sharukh Khan will play the leading man opposite Britney Spears, Gwyneth Paltrow or Jennifer Love Hewitt sin a Hollywood-Bollywood Production Titled ‘MARIGOLD,’ produced by Hyperion Films. Preity Zinta & Rani Mukherji are expected to play supporting roles in this $10 million project. The movie shall be produced in English & Hindi versions with duration of one hour & 45 minutes & two & a half hours respectively. A.R. Rahman is expected to compose the music for 6 songs in the Hindi version. The film will be shot entirely in India.

NFDC delaying release of award winning Kashmiri Film ‘Bub’
The first Kashmiri Film since last 38 years, ‘Bub’ (father), is awaiting its release in its native state despite acquiring the Censor Board Certification 8 months ago, thanks to the officials of NFDC and I&B Ministry. The film is being entirely financed by the National Film Development Corporation and made by Jyoti Swaroop who has made serials like Buniyaad in the past. The film has won the Nargis Dutt Award for the best film on national integration at this year’s National Film Awards. According to the NFDC officials the reason behind the delay is the requirement of a political clearance from the I&B ministry. The entertainment tax exemption of the film is by virtue of the film being a national award winner. NFDC also feels that the current period for the film is not feasible due to elections in the valley. Jyoti Swaroop is however not pleased and believes the delay to be unnecessary on part of the NFDC officials. Their inaction will certainly sabotage the release of a Kashmiri film after such a long time. The story of the film revolves around a fourteen-year old Hindu Kashmiri boy whose family has been massacred by militants.

Rakesh Roshan’s most expensive film so far
‘KOI MIL GAYA’ is supposed to be the most expensive film Rakesh Roshan had ever made so far. The budget is approximately Rs.35 crores with the major chunk being spent on the special effects alone, which is handled by an American company. The unique feature of this venture is an extra terrestrial Australian designed character, who plays a significant role in the film. The characters cost the maker Rs.10 crores. The film being 40% complete is scheduled for 2003 release.

Line Out Of Control
‘Lakeer’ a film based on Writer-Director Aamir Raza Hussain’s play ‘The 50-Day War,’ has created more heat off-screen than on-screen. In November 2001, Cinevista stepped in as producers of the film with Aamir Raza Hussain as the director. Now both the parties are entangled in a legal battle with Cinevista filing an arbitration claim of Rs.3 crores on Aamir Raza Hussain for breach of agreement. Cinevista pulled out as producer in June. On Saturday 21st of September Cinevista had a press meet to make their stand clear and the reason why they pulled out of the film. The meet was attended by Cinevista’s managing director Sunil Mehta, finance director, Sunil Sangra, director of photography, Sunil Sharma and actors Shahbaz Khan and Sudhir Matto. According to the actors it was a traumatic experience working with Hussain and he was rude and uncouth in his behaviour. Cinevista had also received reports of high-handed behaviour of Hussain with his crew. Hussain has also not been able to give details of expenditure amounting to Rs.65 lakh according to Sunil Sangara, director finance. All such incidents resulted in Cinevista to walk out of the film.

But Hussain has a different story to tell according to him Cinevista wanted a more commercially viable film to compete with J.P. Dutta’s L.O.C. as it was also on the same story line and to rope in stars like Aishwarya Rai for a walk-in role. In June when Cinevista parted ways they had a memorandum of understanding (with police as witness) that they where parting due to temperamental differences and the story belongs to Hussain.

However, The Bombay High Court in its September 18 judgement has allowed Hussain to go ahead and shoot the film setting aside the stay on the film by stating that the copyright is not vested with Cinevista.

Now, Hussain is definitely going to shoot the film all over again as whatever footage, he has belongs to Cinevista.

Indian entries for Cairo Fete
A total of seven films – Paromitar Ek Din Bengali), Abidha (Bengali), Kannathil Muthamittal (Tamil), Sesham (Malayalam), Mitr – My Friend (English), Leela (English) and Makdee (Hindi) – have been selected under the Spotlight on Indian Cinema section of the 26th Cairo International Film Festival, to be held between October 15 and 25. The Films where selected from the recommendations made by R.A. Jalan of Gaurang Films, Kolkatta.

New Multiplex in Pune
Producer Nitin Manmohan’s new multiplex called E square is coming up in the heart of Pune city, the multiplex will have 5 screens, food courts, game parlours, restaurants, a small shopping mall, swimming pool and also a 40-room executive hotel.
It will be ready for inauguration by or before ‘Id’ in December. The first film to be released will be Nitin Manmohan’s own production ‘Dewangee’.

RIP: PRIYA TENDULKAR
Well-known Film, TV and Theatre personality Priya
Tendulkar passed away due to cardiac arrest, at her Bombay residence on the afternoon of 19th September, she was 45. She was suffering from cancer. Starting her film career way back in 1974 with Shyam Benegal’s Ankur, Priya shot to fame in the eighties as the crusader housewife in Basu Chatterji’s famous TV serial, Rajni. She later married Karan Razdan, who played her husband in the serial. Although Priya only occasionally acted in Hindi films, she regularly performed in plays and regional language films including Gupt, Mohra, Trimurti and Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya. She also acted in Kannada film, Minchina Oata and scores of Marathi and Gujarati films. The Priya Tendulkar Show, which she hosted on television, became immensely popular and won her the Screen Videocon Award for the best talk show some years back. Daughter of eminent playwright Vijay Tendulkar, Priya also had to her credit several books in Marathi.

Second ITA Awards in November
The second Indian Television Academy awards function will be held on 30th November in Mumbai. The jury members will be finalized by the month-end. Apart from the two main categories viz. the popular and the jury, the Academy will also award the heads of various channels this year. The Academy has introduced the popular south awards this year.

Mukta Arts Ltd. Launches Television Software making company
Mukta Arts Ltd. launched its television software making subsidiary Mukta Prime 3 Teleworks P. Ltd., its first venture which is being shot from September 3, is titled ‘Archana Aaa –Haa’. The company will be headed by TV actor Parmeet Sethi with Archana Puran Singh as its Commercial Director.

TV Today Network plans English News Channel
After the successful launch of its Hindi news channel Aaj Tak , TV Today Network will have an English news channel by January next year, just before the proposed launch of the Prannoy Roy promoted NDTV’s news channel by March.

I & B Ministry to introduce Anti-Piracy Bill
The Ministry of information and broadcasting is shortly planning to introduce an Anti Piracy Bill in order to curb piracy in the fields of cinema, video and music. According to some ministry sources the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sushma Swaraj is also planning to include special provisions in the bill, to make it more effective by providing a lot of incentives which would comprise of awards for TV viewers, who inform the authorities about piracy on their cable network, and stringent punishment to erring cable operators.

Hindujas and CNBC in cable war
CNBC India on September 20 decided to cease the coverage of the commercial activities of Hinduja group of companies following the decision by the Hinduja-owned Incable network in the city earlier this week to black out the television channel.
CNBC had earlier carried out an agency report on September 16 on submissions made by the CBI in a Delhi High Court in the Rs.64 crores Bofors payoff case against the Hindujas.

‘Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon’
This is the title of Ram Gopal Varma’s film to be directed by his assistant Chandan Vora. Antara Mali is expected to play the title role, whereas Rajpal Yadav plays the role of a pimp who promises the aspiring actress a career in Bollywood.

Ek chhoti si …. Love story ka bada sa halla
Many Film Industry people voiced their opinion on the ongoing controversy of Ek Chhoti si….. Love Story. Here’s what the Director General of AMPTPP, Mr. Anil Nagarath had to say about it. “In my opinion, the way the events have turned around is a sad reflection of the present situation and the government in power. What is the significance of obtaining CBFC certification for a film when a bunch of goons can disrupt the screening of a film in cinemas in the presence of the police?. It was wrong on the part of Manisha to have approached Bal Thackeray in the first place, and as bad on the part of the latter to interfere in the issue and react in a violent manner. Earlier, the cine artist Association had forwarded a letter to us (AMPTPP) and Shashilal Nair had agreed to delete scenes found to be objectionable. Now, that the matter is sub-judice, it is said that extra-constitutional authorities have intervened in the process of Law.” Asha Parekh, Actress and former CENSOR BOARD Chief voiced,“I would not like to comment on this issue, because I am not aware of the entire story, from both Manisha Koirala and Shashilal Nair ‘s prespective. But this (controversy) has certainly given an added publicity to the film. I think Manisha should have gone and approached associations like the cine artistes association of which she is a member, AMPTPP, the producers Guild or IMPPA. These are the suitable bodies for redress.”

Can Government recall censor certificate ?
The Appellate Tribunal of the Central Board of film Certification (CBFC), was granted supremacy in December 2000 by the Supreme Court. It declared that the union government has no power to review its decision. The apex court thus declared section 6(1) of the cinematograph Act, 1981, which empowered the central government to recall any movie at any stage as unconstitutional.

The division bench comprising Justice VN Khare and Justice Variava said in their judgement, ‘The executive has to obey the judicial orders, section 6 (1) of the Cinematograph Act is a travesty of the rule of Law, which is the basic structure of the constitution.’ Dismissing an appeal by the central government, the bench said that once a film was cleared by an expert body like the CBFC or The Appellate Tribunal, who have considered the effect of the film on the public, it is the responsibility of the government to maintain law and order.

More than 30 years ago Justice Mukhi of the Bombay High Court struck down section 6 of the cinematograph Act in the case of Devendra Goel’s ‘Ek Phool Do Mali’ (1969). Later this section has been challenged by a number of producers in Mumbai and the southern film production centers.

‘Ab Aayega Mazaa’ a crusade by Sony to lure in viewers.
With the competition getting stronger by the day and learning from the mistakes of ‘Kahin Na Kahin Koi Hai’. Sony had come up with ‘Ab Aayega Mazaa’ a campaign to woo in audiences. The unique offering included Aamir Khan’s Blockbuster film ‘Lagaan’ which will be aired on October 27 at 9 p.m. Before that on 19th October another hit film ‘Chori Chori Chupke Chupke’ will be aired. Apart from this, the viewers will also be experiencing many interesting twists and turns in plots as well as in the characters of the channel’s popular dailies ‘Kkusum, Kutumb, and Heena.

Above all Sony is introducing a string of programmes in their 8 pm slot which includes ‘Bachke Rehnaa Zara Sambhalna, Meri Biwi Wonderful and the formerly launched ‘Kya Hadsa Kya Haqueeqat’. Another series of new programmes are expected in November, including the music-based show called ‘Kuch Kehti Hai Dhun’ will be launched. It will also supposedly be the end time of ‘Kahin Na Kahin Koi Hai’, which according to the officials will be revived.

Record deal of Buddhadeb Das Gupta’s Bengali Film ‘Mondo Meyer Upakhyan’
An estimated $ 2 million deal, has been signed between U.S. based Cinema World and Buddhadeb Das Gupta for the highly acclaimed Bengali film ‘Mondo Meyer Upakhyan’ (Tale of a Naughty girl). The film which has received rave reviews at the recently concluded Venice and Toronto film festival, where it got a rare rating of 4 and was among the 13 in the Masters category, chosen from a total of 330 films. The film which also features the directors poems is based on a short story by Praffulla Roy where a girl trapped in a brothel escapes the same time when Neil Armstrong set his foot on the Moon in 1969.

Salman Khan faces 10 years imprisonment.
Trouble doesn’t seem to elude Salman, now he is being arrested under fresh charges of IPC section 304(ii)- culpable homicide not amounting to murder. He has been remanded to custody and is being kept in the Santa Cruz police station lock-up. Maximum sentence Salman faces under section 304 (ii) is 10 years imprisonment or fine or both.

Earlier the Bombay high court directed Salman Khan to pay interim compensation to the sum of Rs.10 lakhs to the family of the deceased Nooru Behra, Rs.3 Lakhs to the seriously injured Abdulla Abdul Rauf Shaikh and Muslim Niyamat Shaikh and Rs.1.5 lakh to Karim Abdul Akbar Pathan and Mannu Madar Khan who sustained minor injuries.

Besides Section 304 (ii), the other charges against Salman include – Section 279(rash and negligent driving endangering human life), Section 337(causing hurt by an act endangering human life) and section 338 (causing grievous hurt) of IPC. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, Salman has been charged under Sections 134 (a) and (b) – failing to rush the injured to the hospital and failing to report the accident to the police, 3 read with 181 (driving without license), 5 read with 177 (permitting to drive without license, 130 (i) read with 179 (failing to produce driving license ) and 185 (driving under the influence of an intoxicant). The next hearing of the case is on November 27.

$500 Million Suit against the creators of Addictive
Saregama India (HMV) has filed a $ 500 million suit against the creators of the song Addictive, singer Shari Watson, producer Dr Dre, Interscope Records and its parent company Universal Music Group, for using a sample of Lata Mangeshkar song ‘Thoda Resham Lagta Hai, composed by Bappi Lahiri and penned by Late Anand Bakshi in the Jeetendra, Hema Malini starrer film ‘Jyoti’.

The album Truthfully Speaking which contains the controversial number was a rage in U.S.A. in June and sold an estimated 273,000 copies in the U.S.A. spokesperson for Saregama India confirmed that the company filed the suit against Truth Hurts(Shari Watson) and the others in a district court in Houston, Texas, asking for damage arising out of copy right infringement, among other things. Saregama had constantly asked Interscope Records both in U.S. and U.K. to stop further sales or hearing of the song but they continued to infringe on the copyright which resulted in Saregama filing the suit.

Lata Mangeshkar is unaware that Saregama India had filed a suit, she is upset that she has not been given the due credit by the music company who had taken the sample and since the right is with Saregama India.

Bappi Lahiri agreed to the act of Saregama HMV, but is however glad that the song has helped him in gaining an instant international recognition. The song was constantly on No. 9 or 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and lot of people abroad inquired about the creator of the original song. Interestingly, Addictive was further remixed by Mumbai based producer Harry Anand to create Kaliyon ka Chaman in the Universal Music album UMI 10 Volume 3. This remix currently tops the chart on music channels & has become a big hit in India.

Faiz Anwar ventures
as a Producer with Chand Bujh Gaya
Chaand Bhuj Gaya marks the debut of lyricist Faiz Anwar, as a Producer. Faiz Anwar has been in the music field for the last 15 yrs and has given hits like (Deewana, Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, Saajan, Vijaypath, Tum Bin etc.)

The idea of making a film was on his mind for quite some time but he was not keen on making a routine film, with a conventional love story. His vision was to make an offbeat film with a social message, which is also commercially viable and backed by good music.This resulted in making ‘Chand Bhuj Gaya’ a film on the Godhra Train Carnage and the events, which followed there after. It’s a love story in the backdrop of communal riots. The inspiration to make such kind of film had come to him from Manoj Kumar and Mani Ratnam, whose films according to Faiz are not only message oriented butcommercially viable too.

The major highlight of ‘Chand Bhuj Gaya’ according to Faiz Anwar is the subject, which is a real life incident and music. Written by Falak Zuber and Kamruddin Falak, the film stars Pratap Singh, who not only resembles Narendra Modi but also plays the Chief Minister. Other main star cast includes, Faisal Khan, Shama Sikander, and Faraaz Khan. The film is 90% complete and has been shot in places near Gujarat, Daman and Diu. The film is slated for January 2003 release.

Faiz Anwar’s next venture will be based on cross border terrorism which will be titled either ‘Yeh Apna Hindustan’ or ‘Akshardham.’ He is also keen in making a multi starrer film which will certainly be a message oriented film.

Award winner Shaji Karun’s maiden Hindi venture.
Film Maker Shaji Karun’s first Hindi Film Nishad (Octave) was premiered at the International Film Festival of India starring Rajit Kapoor and Archanaa, the films revolves around a lonely couple awaiting a telephone call from their only child, on the front line.
Shaji Karun stormed onto the International Festival scene in 1989 with his debut film Piravi (The Birth) which premiered in Cannes in 1989 and traveled to over 50 venues and bagged over 30 awards. Like his subsequent ventures Swaham (My Own) in 1994 and the National Award winner Vanaprastham.
A cinematography graduate from FTII, Karun was recently decorated with Chevalier of Arts by the French Government. He has shot over 40 films for acclaimed directors like G Aravindan and Vasudevan Nair before venturing into direction.
Karun is waiting for a distributor for his maiden Hindi venture Nishad (Octave).

AMPTPP Anti Piracy Raids
Piracy is one of the main reasons for the downfall of the Film and Music Industry. In a year the government loses thousands of Crores of Rupees due to piracy. In the past three years, 59 theatres have closed down in the state of Maharashtra alone. The state which collects approx, 65% of the revenue as Entertainment tax, is a mere sleeping partner.

The modus operandi of the pirates is simple. While a movie releases in Indian theatres on Fridays, the prints for the overseas market is dispatched a couple of days earlier. Within the next few days, VCDs and DVDs of the movie are made and smuggled through the border into the country and distributed. So, the very next day after the movie release, It is exhibited by Cable Operators and also circulated by Video Libraries.

In the continued fight against Piracy, the AMPTPP Anti Piracy Cell headed by its President Pahlaj Nihalani has created a cadre, having led a series of raids. On 4/10/2002 the Crime Branch, Ulhasnagar led by ACP Shri Amar Jadhav, assisted by A.P.I. Kinge and B.R. Ghadge succeeded in confiscating 26 nos. of Computer CD writer and more than 4000 pirated VCDs of latedt Hindi and English Films.

Three persons namely 1)Laxmandas Tejumal Ghambani 2) Mahesh H. Punjabi alias Mahesh Panni and Santosh Vinodkumar Tolani has been arrested and 2 persons Shankar and Vinod are absconding.
Latest Hindi & English films ‘ROAD, SHAKTI,CHOR MACHAYE SHOR, HAMRAAZ, SIGNS,SPIDERMAN among many others including Blue Films and MP3s were seized during the raid. In the meantime 2 more arrests were effected by the Police and presented before the Magistrate today, i.e. 08/10/02 and all of the above were again remanded to custody till 10/10/2002.

We would like to add that one arrested person, by name Mr. Rameshkumar Daulatram Bachawani @ Mukri, holds the copy-right power of attorney authority of same company from Dharavi area, Mumbai, but he is involved in piracy activities. He is the co-ordinator between Ulhasnagar & Mumbai-Lamington Road area pirators.

33rd International Film Festival
The 33rd International Film Festival took off on October 1 in New Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium with a Brazilian Film ‘Brainstrom’ made by Lais Bodanzky which has won several awards at other film festivals including Biarritz (France), Trieste (Italy) and Cartegena (Colombia).

Lata Mangeshkar was the chief guest, who alongwith Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukherjee lit the ceremonial lamp. Film buffs were able to see 65 new films from around 40 countries across the world. In the Asian Competition section which had 15 entries, there were only two Indian Films - Madhur Bhandarkar’s Chandini Bar and Revathy’s Mitr-My Friend. It is quite surprising that top notch Indian Films from the likes of Girish Kasaravalli, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Mani Ratnam and Sumitra Bhave, Sunil Sukthankar were not in the Asian competition.

The Indian Panorama had 20 entries including Mrinal Sen’s Aamar Bhuvan (This, My Land) and others. For the first time the festival has incorporated a unique segment-The Film Bazaar, a joint effort by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), FICCI and CII. This section houses 16 stalls from both private and government agencies covering a range of film industry activities.

No Agreement with Zee: Producers
Zee Telefilms mega strategy of showing newly released movies, starting with ‘The Legend Of Bhagat Singh’, has embroiled in a controversy with producers such as Venus Records and Tapes Ltd. Hathyar,(to be telecast on 2nd January 2003), Yash Raj Films, Mujhse Dosti Karoge,(to be aired on November7)Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi(November 21), Puja Films, Deewanapan, (schedule to be telecast in December 19) Rehna hai Tere Dil Mein,(November 28) Om Jai Jagdish(Oct 31) and Mujhe Kuch Kehnaa Hai (Oct 24). alleging that no agreement has been signed with the satellite channel.

Venus issued a public notice on Thursday 10th of October saying that the company has ‘neither assigned or entered into an agreement for assignment of satellite broadcasting right of ‘Hathyar’ with any person, firm and/or company’. Mr.Ratan Jain said that they had been negotiating on the film but nothing has been finalized till yet and is quiet surprised that Zee is already publishing the name of the movie in the press advertisement with the date. But Jain confirmed that the channel has received the rights to telecast another of his films, Hamraaz, on October 17. In a statement Yash Raj, Films has denied having entered into an agreement for the satellite rights of its films, Mujhse Dosti Karoge and Mere Yaar ki Shaadi. Yash Chopra confirmed that no agreement has been signed with Zee and the Channel had advertised these films without our authorization.

Producer Vashu Bhagnani have also denied any agreement with Zee regarding the telecast of his films and said that nothing has been finalized yet. However, Ramesh Taurani of Tips said that the Satellite rights for both his Films ‘The Legend Of Bhagat Singh(was telecast on October 10 and Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai (Premiering on December 26) are with Zee. Apurva Purohit, President, Zee TV said that as far as they are concerned there is no issue with any of the producers. Zee Telefilms had earlier announced the telecasting of 16 movies starting from October 10, which will be telecast every Thursdays in the prime slot of 8pm.

Dina Pathak passes away
Noted Hindi and Gujarati theatre, television and film actress Dina Pathak (82) expired on Friday 11th of October at 5.30 pm after a prolonged illness at her daughter Ratna’s Bandra residence. she was the founder member of the IPTA and while in Ahmedabad she was associated with the theatre movement called Natya Vidya Mandir.

Her Hindi film career began in 1965 with the film ‘Us Ki Kahani’ for which she won the Bengal Journalist’ Association Award. Her notable Hindi Film where Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli, Gol Mal, Koshish, Mirch Masala, Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho, Khoobsurat to name a few. Pathak is survived by daughters Supriya and Ratna and son-in-laws, Pankaj Kapoor and Naseeruddin Shah.

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s next
Aks fame Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has once again roped in Amitabh Bachchan with son Abhishek for his next film which will be a coproduction with ABCL, a multistarrer with a budget of Rs 25 crore. The film is an escapade with the central theme revolving around thieves. Mehra’s third project is bilingual (Enlish and Hindi versions). An Indo-UK production which will have a mix cast of Indian and Foreign actors. The Indian star cast includes Vivek Oberoi, Manoj Bajpai, Atul Kulkarni. The rest of the film details are yet to be finalised.

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