Bollywood has begun the new year on a sour note. Once again, it is a story of shattered hopes and dismal performance. Once again it is a big crash at the box office. Will 2003 prove to be yet another disaster for Bollywood?
None of the new releases can be called a smash hit. Even the much-awaited "Kaante" of Big B has been a failure at the box office and distributors say that they will be lucky if they recover their investment.
Film critics as well as film enthusiasts say Shaad Ali’s "Sathiya" has a strong and uncomplicated storyline, catchy music, meaningful lyrics and good performances by Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherjee.
Vivek succeeded with his "Dum" opposite Diya Mirza, who until now has only a couple of flops to her name. "Dum" is doing average business and make small profits. Vivek has come in for high praise from the critics but Diya Mirza has once again disappointed them. The music is catchy and the title song is among the top ten.
Another release this month is "Dil Ka Rishta" starring Aishwarya Rai and Arjun Rampal. Critics say that the film is not balanced and the second half is very slow and weak. Aishwarya disappoints the people who had high hopes from her after "Devdas." Arjun Rampal has certainly matured and each of his films is an improvement over the one before.
Balaji Film’s "Kuch To Hai" is a straight lift from Hollywood’s "I Know What You Did Last Summer." Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor have proved themselves on small screen with hit serials. Their first attempt on the big screen "Kyun Ki Mein Jhooth Nahin Bolta" was a failure but the promos for "Kuch To Hai" have aroused audience curiosity. Film lyrics and music are good and one song, "Tere Ishq Ki Dewaangee" can be termed the superhit of the month!
Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt’s experimental film "Jism" has proved a success at the box office.
So none of the four big releases this month have been a big hit. "Khushi," starring Kareena Kapoor and Fardeen Khan, and "Talash", starring Kareena Kapoor opposite Akshay Kumar, are also being released. It is too early to assess reaction but the directors and producers are hoping for the best. They will be happy if the film breaks even and a few extra rupees will make them even happier.
What Bollywood needs is the arrival of a big blockbuster. Ironically no big name has yet announced anything for 2003. To name three, Karan Johar, Yash Chopra and Aamir Khan are all playing waiting games. So must we.
— Arab News Features 30 January 2003