Lights, camera, Bollywood back in action

On Sunday, the launch of Sudhakar Bokade’s new film, Mera Joota Hai Japani, which also marks the debut of Rahul Roy as a director, punctuated a long run of gloom in the industry in much the same way as a song brings relief in a tense thriller.

It was probably the first big filmi party after Gulshan Kumar’s murder and the lawns of Bokade’s spacious bungalow at Oberoi Complex, Versova were overflowing with guests – some with their bodyguards.

Some of the biggest names in the industry were there. Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff faced the camera for the mahurat shot, while Sushmita Sen gave the clap. Ketan Desai broke the traditional coconut and Lawrence D’Souza directed the mahurat shot. Tabu and Suma Ranganathan, who play the female leads in the film, were also there. Shakti Kapoor was the master of the ceremony (the poor chap must look for more friendly characters now, what with somebody else playing his role sitting in the middle-east).

Jackie Shroff, who played with children as everybody waited for Sanjay Dutt (who came an hour late), said he was happy to see the crowd. Producer Mehul Kumar said the launch augurs well for the industry, though it would take some time before things become normal.

But, a gung-ho Bokade is not waiting for anything. He said he would release two more of his films – Sambandh and Kanyadaan – by the year end. “Even Kalinga will be completed within a few months…it has only ten days of shooting left,” he added.

An industry observer said that with the festival season approaching the industry cannot afford to remain inactive.

Whatever may be the reason, the mood is catching on. K K Gupta’s Jaane Jaana was also launched the same evening at Chandivali Studios. Model-turned-actor Jas Arora and newcomer Aboli Patil play the lead role in this film, which is being directed by Adesh Verma. Rajesh Roshan is scoring the music. Aruna Irani, Sushma Seth , Laxmikant Berde and Mohan Joshi form the supporting caste.

Meanwhile, reports say that Subhash Ghai `s launching his new film on October 29, though everything is being kept under wraps. His last film Pardes starring Shah Rukh Khan has done well. Kamal Kumar Barjatya has said his next film, tentatively titled Hum Saath Saath Hai, will be launched soon, but he would not commit on a date. The cast, he said, was being finalised. Insiders said Shah Rukh Khan will play the lead role in the film.

Producer Yash Johar is starting shooting for his film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai at Mehboob Studios with Shah Rukh Khan soon, while N N Sippy is beginning shooting from Monday in Mumbai for his yet-untitled film starring Karisma Kapoor and Chandrachur Singh. Song recordings for his film have already begun.

And as the clouds of gloom lift, two big-banner releases are slated for Diwali – Yash Chopra’s Dil To Pagal Hai and Nana Patekar-starrer Ghulam-e-Mustafa. One hit and Bollywood’s recovery would be complete.