Rajneeti takes huge opening - biggest of the year!

Reviews are mixed, but the film has worked really well with audiences all over!!

LINK

Rajneeti Super Strong Start Kites Crashes

Saturday 5th June 2010 09.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network

Rajneeti opened to excellent houses of 85% plus across the country. The film was strong from its first shows at multiplexes and single screens and at many centres in places like CP Berar, CI and Rajasthan it had a phenomenal opening. The multiplex release of Rajneeti was much smaller than recent biggies like Housefull and Kites. Rajneeti should emerge a big winner at the box office.

Kites crashed in week two with around 6.75 crore nett business. The two week business is around 46.50 crore nett and the film will not add much over its remaining run at the theatres. FLOP

LINK

Raajneeti Rocks The Nation

Saturday 5th June 2010 13.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network

Raajneeti has recorded by far the best opening of year by collecting nearly 10.50 crore nett on its first day. The collections are just extraordinary all over barring a few centres.

The collections are just huge in Mumbai, Delhi/UP, East Punjab, CP Berar, CI and Rajasthan with South being good but lower comparatively. The Raajneeti first day is humungous as it has collected the second highest first day total but with 30% lesser shows at multiplexes than films like Kites and Housefull which were the second and third biggest first day openers respectively before Raajneeti.

The film has simply surpassed all expectations and may be on its way to being the first big smash hit of 2010 in India.

Rajneeti takes huge opening - biggest of the year!

Reviews are mixed, but the film has worked really well with audiences all over!!

LINK

Rajneeti Super Strong Start Kites Crashes

Saturday 5th June 2010 09.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network

Rajneeti opened to excellent houses of 85% plus across the country. The film was strong from its first shows at multiplexes and single screens and at many centres in places like CP Berar, CI and Rajasthan it had a phenomenal opening. The multiplex release of Rajneeti was much smaller than recent biggies like Housefull and Kites. Rajneeti should emerge a big winner at the box office.

Kites crashed in week two with around 6.75 crore nett business. The two week business is around 46.50 crore nett and the film will not add much over its remaining run at the theatres. FLOP

LINK

Raajneeti Rocks The Nation

Saturday 5th June 2010 13.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network

Raajneeti has recorded by far the best opening of year by collecting nearly 10.50 crore nett on its first day. The collections are just extraordinary all over barring a few centres.

The collections are just huge in Mumbai, Delhi/UP, East Punjab, CP Berar, CI and Rajasthan with South being good but lower comparatively. The Raajneeti first day is humungous as it has collected the second highest first day total but with 30% lesser shows at multiplexes than films like Kites and Housefull which were the second and third biggest first day openers respectively before Raajneeti.

The film has simply surpassed all expectations and may be on its way to being the first big smash hit of 2010 in India.

All's well between Nana and Prakash Jha

One constantly keeps reading about the blow hot and cold relationship between thick friends Prakash Jha and Nana Patekar. During the shooting of RAAJNEETI in Bhopal, Nana and Jha reportedly had a massive showdown. Very recently, prior to the release of RAAJNEETI, there was talk that Nana felt cheated [about his role in the film] and decided to give the cast-n-crew screening a miss. But is the on-off friendship a reality or a figment of the media's overactive imagination?

On Friday, when RAAJNEETI opened to a thunderous response across the length and breadth of the country, an elated Nana couldn't control his emotions, when he spoke to this writer. "I never doubted Prakash's intentions while making the film. He deserves the credit for making it exactly the way he had envisioned it. I strongly feel that RAAJNEETI is not a film that would fetch a great start and fizzle out. This movie has long legs," Nana tells me.

Surprisingly, Nana hasn't watched the film yet, at least till the day the film opened. "Main kahan apni filmein dekhta hoon? But I must admit, my cellphone has been ringing non-stop from Wednesday/Thursday onwards, after people watched the film in select screenings. Hamara kaam hain director ke aadesh ka paalan karna. If he expects a certain performance from you, you need to deliver, come what may. So whatever praise coming my way should be directed towards Prakash Jha. He's the real hero of RAAJNEETI," Nana states with utmost modesty.

LINK

All's well between Nana and Prakash Jha

One constantly keeps reading about the blow hot and cold relationship between thick friends Prakash Jha and Nana Patekar. During the shooting of RAAJNEETI in Bhopal, Nana and Jha reportedly had a massive showdown. Very recently, prior to the release of RAAJNEETI, there was talk that Nana felt cheated [about his role in the film] and decided to give the cast-n-crew screening a miss. But is the on-off friendship a reality or a figment of the media's overactive imagination?

On Friday, when RAAJNEETI opened to a thunderous response across the length and breadth of the country, an elated Nana couldn't control his emotions, when he spoke to this writer. "I never doubted Prakash's intentions while making the film. He deserves the credit for making it exactly the way he had envisioned it. I strongly feel that RAAJNEETI is not a film that would fetch a great start and fizzle out. This movie has long legs," Nana tells me.

Surprisingly, Nana hasn't watched the film yet, at least till the day the film opened. "Main kahan apni filmein dekhta hoon? But I must admit, my cellphone has been ringing non-stop from Wednesday/Thursday onwards, after people watched the film in select screenings. Hamara kaam hain director ke aadesh ka paalan karna. If he expects a certain performance from you, you need to deliver, come what may. So whatever praise coming my way should be directed towards Prakash Jha. He's the real hero of RAAJNEETI," Nana states with utmost modesty.

LINK

The Signature Item Song in Rajneeti - Ishq Barse!

The Signature Item Song in Rajneeti - Ishq Barse!

"Audience acceptance came quite a bit before I got my industry acceptance" - Katrina Kaif

LINK

Bollywood correspondent DEVANSH PATEL chats to Katrina Kaif about the most challenging role of her career - Rajneeti, a film about politics and more

WHEN you meet Katrina Kaif, you do not become speechless but you do start to have problems with your speech. At 11am I am scheduled to meet her. I arrive on time. She doesn't. Not to worry. It is 11.30am by the time she arrives and the first thing she does is apologise.

That is something of a worry. What do I say? That is when you go speechless.

Then after looking at her for half an hour in a closed room you start experiencing speech attacks.

Instead of David Cameron, the Prime Minister, you say James Cameron.

That is exactly what happens when you are face-to-face with this beauty that cannot be described in words, poetry and art.

Kaif could have had little idea quite how much it would change her life when she entered the Indian film industry, and for the rest of us, like me, when we actually see her in the flesh.

She walks in without a smile. She has a bad headache with things not going her way. She orders her favourite green tea, sips it and then sits on the couch.

Q: As you play a politician, did speaking in Hindi publicly ever become an obstacle?

A: All languages make you grow as a person. It's not that I came from England to India. I was born in Hong Kong and then went to Japan, China, France, and so on. Before I was even 12 years old, I had travelled to 16 countries. The more you see in life, the more aware you become. I am more confident and understanding of the Hindi language and its importance. Rajneeti has polished my Hindi a lot.

Q: So is Katrina Kaif being redefined here?

A: (Laughs) I don't want to be redefined. If I say I want to redefine myself, then that would mean I am not giving respect on the appropriate amount of recognition and gratitude to every person in this country and the non-resident Indians in England who see Hindi films and who have made me successful. I cannot deny that the Hindi film industry has supported me and is supporting me. Audience acceptance came quite a bit before I got my industry acceptance.

Q: Brief us a bit about Prakash Jha, the director of Rajneeti.

A: All his films are rooted in an Indian flavour. He comes from a grass roots level - a very intellectual circle. He comes from this world of politics; not politics where you are sitting in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament). He comes from the local constituencies. He knows them because he has been there. He knows north India inside out. He knows the Indian political system and that is what his films reflect, the kind of person he is. Rajneeti is Prakash Jha's most complete film.

Q: Is Rajneeti too intellectual a film? A: Rajneeti isn't for 70 or 30 per cent of audiences, it is for 100 per cent of audiences. There are very few films that are rooted in the culture of India.

Rajneeti falls into that bracket and any film that showcases Indian culture will entertain audiences. Prakash has that reputation. His films are urban as much as they are rural. I am a fan of Prakash and it came as a shock to me.

Q: It is tough to win over UK audiences who love commercial films rather than going to watch one like Rajneeti, which deals with politics.

A: I think the UK audiences are looking for films that are true to India because most of the people who are going to see Hindi films are the ones who really love India, who have lived there for quite a bit. The non-resident Indians tend to have an even stronger love and fondness for their country than some of those who reside in India. They always want to see their country and cinema being represented fairly and respectfully. Most of the films I've done with Akshay Kumar have been hugely successful in the UK, irrespective of their genres. In terms of Rajneeti, it's something that we'll have to wait and see because the film is very rural. I think the UK audiences would like to know what is going on behind the scenes of politics in India.

Q: Are there any politicians you admire?

A: If it sounds very farcical and very politically correct, the only politician I look up to is Madam Sonia Gandhi, because she is an Italian who comes to India after her marriage to the then-Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, then sees him brutally assassinated by a terrorist and then she fights the system by being a politician. She learned the language of India and as a woman and a foreigner in India, she rose above the men. I say 'men' because India is a very male-dominated country. It's beyond incredible what she has done for India and for its citizens. People can talk all the rubbish they want but to maintain that level of power and to have held on to it, it takes extraordinary courage and confidence.

Q: Does politics concern you at all?

A: I don't watch television. You need to have a basic knowledge of what's going on in your country and who is running your country. Beyond that, whatever interests you, it then boils down to an individual. I don't think you need to watch any political debate or any active political programmes to understand the system and prepare for your role.

Q: How was it wearing a saree in the film?

A:I loved wearing the saree in Rajneeti. I think it is the most comfortable clothing you can wear. I am very good at draping it also. Those were the best days of my life when I was covered in a saree in Rajneeti, on and off set.

"Audience acceptance came quite a bit before I got my industry acceptance" - Katrina Kaif

LINK

Bollywood correspondent DEVANSH PATEL chats to Katrina Kaif about the most challenging role of her career - Rajneeti, a film about politics and more

WHEN you meet Katrina Kaif, you do not become speechless but you do start to have problems with your speech. At 11am I am scheduled to meet her. I arrive on time. She doesn't. Not to worry. It is 11.30am by the time she arrives and the first thing she does is apologise.

That is something of a worry. What do I say? That is when you go speechless.

Then after looking at her for half an hour in a closed room you start experiencing speech attacks.

Instead of David Cameron, the Prime Minister, you say James Cameron.

That is exactly what happens when you are face-to-face with this beauty that cannot be described in words, poetry and art.

Kaif could have had little idea quite how much it would change her life when she entered the Indian film industry, and for the rest of us, like me, when we actually see her in the flesh.

She walks in without a smile. She has a bad headache with things not going her way. She orders her favourite green tea, sips it and then sits on the couch.

Q: As you play a politician, did speaking in Hindi publicly ever become an obstacle?

A: All languages make you grow as a person. It's not that I came from England to India. I was born in Hong Kong and then went to Japan, China, France, and so on. Before I was even 12 years old, I had travelled to 16 countries. The more you see in life, the more aware you become. I am more confident and understanding of the Hindi language and its importance. Rajneeti has polished my Hindi a lot.

Q: So is Katrina Kaif being redefined here?

A: (Laughs) I don't want to be redefined. If I say I want to redefine myself, then that would mean I am not giving respect on the appropriate amount of recognition and gratitude to every person in this country and the non-resident Indians in England who see Hindi films and who have made me successful. I cannot deny that the Hindi film industry has supported me and is supporting me. Audience acceptance came quite a bit before I got my industry acceptance.

Q: Brief us a bit about Prakash Jha, the director of Rajneeti.

A: All his films are rooted in an Indian flavour. He comes from a grass roots level - a very intellectual circle. He comes from this world of politics; not politics where you are sitting in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament). He comes from the local constituencies. He knows them because he has been there. He knows north India inside out. He knows the Indian political system and that is what his films reflect, the kind of person he is. Rajneeti is Prakash Jha's most complete film.

Q: Is Rajneeti too intellectual a film? A: Rajneeti isn't for 70 or 30 per cent of audiences, it is for 100 per cent of audiences. There are very few films that are rooted in the culture of India.

Rajneeti falls into that bracket and any film that showcases Indian culture will entertain audiences. Prakash has that reputation. His films are urban as much as they are rural. I am a fan of Prakash and it came as a shock to me.

Q: It is tough to win over UK audiences who love commercial films rather than going to watch one like Rajneeti, which deals with politics.

A: I think the UK audiences are looking for films that are true to India because most of the people who are going to see Hindi films are the ones who really love India, who have lived there for quite a bit. The non-resident Indians tend to have an even stronger love and fondness for their country than some of those who reside in India. They always want to see their country and cinema being represented fairly and respectfully. Most of the films I've done with Akshay Kumar have been hugely successful in the UK, irrespective of their genres. In terms of Rajneeti, it's something that we'll have to wait and see because the film is very rural. I think the UK audiences would like to know what is going on behind the scenes of politics in India.

Q: Are there any politicians you admire?

A: If it sounds very farcical and very politically correct, the only politician I look up to is Madam Sonia Gandhi, because she is an Italian who comes to India after her marriage to the then-Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, then sees him brutally assassinated by a terrorist and then she fights the system by being a politician. She learned the language of India and as a woman and a foreigner in India, she rose above the men. I say 'men' because India is a very male-dominated country. It's beyond incredible what she has done for India and for its citizens. People can talk all the rubbish they want but to maintain that level of power and to have held on to it, it takes extraordinary courage and confidence.

Q: Does politics concern you at all?

A: I don't watch television. You need to have a basic knowledge of what's going on in your country and who is running your country. Beyond that, whatever interests you, it then boils down to an individual. I don't think you need to watch any political debate or any active political programmes to understand the system and prepare for your role.

Q: How was it wearing a saree in the film?

A:I loved wearing the saree in Rajneeti. I think it is the most comfortable clothing you can wear. I am very good at draping it also. Those were the best days of my life when I was covered in a saree in Rajneeti, on and off set.

"I see myself as an observer of societal equations" - Prakash Jha

LINK

A week before presenting “Raajneeti” in people's court, Prakash Jha fields some difficult questions on his biggest film till date.

He is a painter who loves political canvas. “This is for you to judge. I see myself as an observer of societal equations,” says Prakash Jha, whose “Raajneeti” is making more news than the country's realpolitik. Jha laughs, “Main khari baat kehta hoon (I say the bitter truth) and people don't like it. They don't realise that it's in their own interest. I have tried to see the development of democracy in the country without getting judgemental.” Is it possible to touch Indian politics without sullying your hands? “I think it is if your intentions are clear. I don't want to bring down anybody. Here I have drawn from the characters of Mahabharat and have put them in a modern setting,” says the man from Bihar who came to Mumbai to be a painter but changed tracks when one day he visited the sets of Bollywood pot boiler “Dharma”.

It is ironical that the world's most robust democracy rarely finds reflection in Hindi cinema. Once in a while there is an ‘Aandhi' and that is about all. “I can't say about others but I have always found politics relevant and topical. Till now I was focusing on Bihar because I know the state well. ‘Raajneeti' has national dimensions.” This brings us to the biggest controversy surrounding the film: The resemblance of Katrina Kaif's character with Sonia Gandhi. “I never said it. It's a concoction of the media.”

But he was the one, who started the promotion of the film by releasing the stills to the media where the similarity between the two is quite apparent. And when the controversy erupted, he changed the promos. “At first I was introducing the characters, now I am giving a glimpse of the story.” Or was the shift because of pressure from the ruling political party? “I am not facing any pressure. Katrina's character doesn't come from abroad as people are conjecturing. She is playing the daughter of an industrialist. It is my interpretation of Draupadi.” Jha is letting out too much to clear the air! Still he is facing Censor's scissors. Is his past haunting him? “I don't think so but yes there were objections. We were given an ‘A' certificate with cuts by the revising committee. We moved to the Tribunal and it has passed it with ‘U/A' with minimum possible cuts. I am satisfied.”

There is talk about certain members furious about a scene depicting the misuse of electronic voting machines. “It has been cleared now with directions to beep out a few words. But I must say some of the people who were in the revision committee had come with an agenda. They don't know that in an attempt to please their leaders they are actually doing harm to their image. Truth wins after all.”

He admits it is his biggest film. “A big investment has gone into the film and I want the film to do well.” One of the offshoots of the new wave, Jha has come a long way. Once known for searing documentaries and films like Damul where a potent thought was not baked on million bucks and didn't require a publicity storm to make a dent in the mind space. Today he is feeling the corporate pressure. “It is a choice I made when I decided to make Mrityudand. I don't say this was the only way out but something I felt was right in the circumstances,” says the multiple National Award winner.

His critics say “Raajneeti” is his way to get back at the political class, after he failed to find a place in the system. He fought two Lok Sabha elections but failed. “I wanted to be in politics to serve the people but unfortunately I couldn't make it but I am not bitter about it. I have friends in all parties. And as I said I am not passing any judgement on the political class. Like all fields, here also we have different kinds of characters…black, white, grey…and when power and money come into play moral dilemmas surface, sometimes greed takes over. The film is a reflection of it.”

In multi-starrers the challenge lies in balancing star egos with the script and when you have mavericks like Naseeruddin Shah and Nana Patekar and stars like Ajay Devgn and Ranbir Kapoor in one film, the task becomes all the more difficult. “It is indeed difficult but when you work for four years on a script, you don't have to pacify your actors. There is no need for compromises. Also I have a rapport with them and they believe me.” But the range is amazing – from Naseer and Nana to Arjun Rampal and Ranbir Kapoor. “It is all according to the demand of the script. I had cast Ranbir just after ‘Saawariya' when the media had not dubbed him as an actor to watch out for. Rampal was the first actor I signed because I could see a brash young politician in him.” His best praise is reserved for Katrina Kaif. “I was touched by her perseverance to get into a demanding role. The way she worked on her Hindi was beyond my expectations.”

But why did he choose an actress of foreign origin with broken Hindi when she has to play an Indian character…. “Her Hindi is quite straight.” And the attempt to ask for votes in the name of her slain husband? “That's just a coincidence.” The questions remain and Jha expects us to be patient till the release but he is surely not saying goodbye to controversial truths. Next on his agenda is a film on caste reservation.

"I see myself as an observer of societal equations" - Prakash Jha

LINK

A week before presenting “Raajneeti” in people's court, Prakash Jha fields some difficult questions on his biggest film till date.

He is a painter who loves political canvas. “This is for you to judge. I see myself as an observer of societal equations,” says Prakash Jha, whose “Raajneeti” is making more news than the country's realpolitik. Jha laughs, “Main khari baat kehta hoon (I say the bitter truth) and people don't like it. They don't realise that it's in their own interest. I have tried to see the development of democracy in the country without getting judgemental.” Is it possible to touch Indian politics without sullying your hands? “I think it is if your intentions are clear. I don't want to bring down anybody. Here I have drawn from the characters of Mahabharat and have put them in a modern setting,” says the man from Bihar who came to Mumbai to be a painter but changed tracks when one day he visited the sets of Bollywood pot boiler “Dharma”.

It is ironical that the world's most robust democracy rarely finds reflection in Hindi cinema. Once in a while there is an ‘Aandhi' and that is about all. “I can't say about others but I have always found politics relevant and topical. Till now I was focusing on Bihar because I know the state well. ‘Raajneeti' has national dimensions.” This brings us to the biggest controversy surrounding the film: The resemblance of Katrina Kaif's character with Sonia Gandhi. “I never said it. It's a concoction of the media.”

But he was the one, who started the promotion of the film by releasing the stills to the media where the similarity between the two is quite apparent. And when the controversy erupted, he changed the promos. “At first I was introducing the characters, now I am giving a glimpse of the story.” Or was the shift because of pressure from the ruling political party? “I am not facing any pressure. Katrina's character doesn't come from abroad as people are conjecturing. She is playing the daughter of an industrialist. It is my interpretation of Draupadi.” Jha is letting out too much to clear the air! Still he is facing Censor's scissors. Is his past haunting him? “I don't think so but yes there were objections. We were given an ‘A' certificate with cuts by the revising committee. We moved to the Tribunal and it has passed it with ‘U/A' with minimum possible cuts. I am satisfied.”

There is talk about certain members furious about a scene depicting the misuse of electronic voting machines. “It has been cleared now with directions to beep out a few words. But I must say some of the people who were in the revision committee had come with an agenda. They don't know that in an attempt to please their leaders they are actually doing harm to their image. Truth wins after all.”

He admits it is his biggest film. “A big investment has gone into the film and I want the film to do well.” One of the offshoots of the new wave, Jha has come a long way. Once known for searing documentaries and films like Damul where a potent thought was not baked on million bucks and didn't require a publicity storm to make a dent in the mind space. Today he is feeling the corporate pressure. “It is a choice I made when I decided to make Mrityudand. I don't say this was the only way out but something I felt was right in the circumstances,” says the multiple National Award winner.

His critics say “Raajneeti” is his way to get back at the political class, after he failed to find a place in the system. He fought two Lok Sabha elections but failed. “I wanted to be in politics to serve the people but unfortunately I couldn't make it but I am not bitter about it. I have friends in all parties. And as I said I am not passing any judgement on the political class. Like all fields, here also we have different kinds of characters…black, white, grey…and when power and money come into play moral dilemmas surface, sometimes greed takes over. The film is a reflection of it.”

In multi-starrers the challenge lies in balancing star egos with the script and when you have mavericks like Naseeruddin Shah and Nana Patekar and stars like Ajay Devgn and Ranbir Kapoor in one film, the task becomes all the more difficult. “It is indeed difficult but when you work for four years on a script, you don't have to pacify your actors. There is no need for compromises. Also I have a rapport with them and they believe me.” But the range is amazing – from Naseer and Nana to Arjun Rampal and Ranbir Kapoor. “It is all according to the demand of the script. I had cast Ranbir just after ‘Saawariya' when the media had not dubbed him as an actor to watch out for. Rampal was the first actor I signed because I could see a brash young politician in him.” His best praise is reserved for Katrina Kaif. “I was touched by her perseverance to get into a demanding role. The way she worked on her Hindi was beyond my expectations.”

But why did he choose an actress of foreign origin with broken Hindi when she has to play an Indian character…. “Her Hindi is quite straight.” And the attempt to ask for votes in the name of her slain husband? “That's just a coincidence.” The questions remain and Jha expects us to be patient till the release but he is surely not saying goodbye to controversial truths. Next on his agenda is a film on caste reservation.

Tool to track Bolly releases

LINK

Calcutta, May 19: Between Kites and Raavan, which will open bigger at the box office? Will a political film like Raajneeti start better in Mumbai or in Delhi? Is Kites only wooing young audiences or also older viewers?

Now Bollywood has the luxury of having access to these answers and more. The world’s largest film industry finally has a weekly tracking tool — a norm in Hollywood for decades. With the opening weekend now making or breaking a Hindi film, understanding the buzz around a forthcoming movie can come in handy.

Cinematix, the weekly tracking tool launched by the Mumbai-based media research and consulting firm Ormax Media, tracks Bollywood films around six weeks prior to their release date till the day they open.

Awareness and interest levels around a film are being gauged by interviewing moviegoers in the 15-34 age group. Currently being conducted across three cities — Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad — the survey throws up many other telling data that, if available to moviemakers in advance, can help them make adjustments in their marketing and promotion campaign.

“Pre-release awareness and intention to watch are the factors affecting the opening weekend collections of a film,” Shailesh Kapoor, CEO of Ormax Media, told The Telegraph. “On the basis of the response, you may choose to take a relook at your media and creative strategies during the pre-launch phase.”

For example, the Shahid Kapur-starrer Badmaash Company, which arrived on May 7, had only a 31 per cent “intention to watch” in its release week and the not-so-great opening figures at the box office bear testimony to the accuracy of the survey.

Compare that with Kites (releasing May 21), which 71 per cent of the respondents intend to watch, according to figures collated till May 14. That figure will go up further this week and thus Cinematix predicts a historic opening for the Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori romance.

Like in Hollywood, producers will have to subscribe to the weekly data from the survey. They will get a detailed report every Monday with age, gender and city-wise analyses of their movies.

“I think it’s an interesting concept and can be useful for filmmakers like us,” says Kites director Anurag Basu. “But the survey has to be done in more cities to get an idea of the pan-Indian buzz of a film.”

Calcutta and Hyderabad will be added to Cinematix’s survey area in the next couple of months. “The five cities account for almost 75 per cent of the box-office collections and so the results will give a fair idea of the nationwide buzz,” says Ormax CEO Kapoor.

The only previous attempt in Bollywood to understand the pre-release mindset of audiences has been through preview screenings.

But that has been largely to re-edit the film according to exit interviews of handpicked viewers. 3 Idiots, for instance, was shown to many preview audiences in quite a few Indian cities before it actually released on December 25 last year.

Hollywood does both — hold preview screenings and track the buzz. Satrajit Das, associate manager of market research firm Nielsen Bases, says: “Our US-based parent company does these surveys regularly and they always present interesting data for Hollywood studios to work upon. It’s good that Bollywood is finally taking a leaf out of their book and approaching releases methodically.”

What’s intriguing, however, is not the broad result that the tracking tool is throwing up but the small details it is coming up with.

For example, cinegoers in Delhi are not that keen to catch Raajneeti despite the buzz about it being loosely based on Sonia Gandhi’s political career. Katrina Kaif may want to keep track of that.

Tool to track Bolly releases

LINK

Calcutta, May 19: Between Kites and Raavan, which will open bigger at the box office? Will a political film like Raajneeti start better in Mumbai or in Delhi? Is Kites only wooing young audiences or also older viewers?

Now Bollywood has the luxury of having access to these answers and more. The world’s largest film industry finally has a weekly tracking tool — a norm in Hollywood for decades. With the opening weekend now making or breaking a Hindi film, understanding the buzz around a forthcoming movie can come in handy.

Cinematix, the weekly tracking tool launched by the Mumbai-based media research and consulting firm Ormax Media, tracks Bollywood films around six weeks prior to their release date till the day they open.

Awareness and interest levels around a film are being gauged by interviewing moviegoers in the 15-34 age group. Currently being conducted across three cities — Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad — the survey throws up many other telling data that, if available to moviemakers in advance, can help them make adjustments in their marketing and promotion campaign.

“Pre-release awareness and intention to watch are the factors affecting the opening weekend collections of a film,” Shailesh Kapoor, CEO of Ormax Media, told The Telegraph. “On the basis of the response, you may choose to take a relook at your media and creative strategies during the pre-launch phase.”

For example, the Shahid Kapur-starrer Badmaash Company, which arrived on May 7, had only a 31 per cent “intention to watch” in its release week and the not-so-great opening figures at the box office bear testimony to the accuracy of the survey.

Compare that with Kites (releasing May 21), which 71 per cent of the respondents intend to watch, according to figures collated till May 14. That figure will go up further this week and thus Cinematix predicts a historic opening for the Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori romance.

Like in Hollywood, producers will have to subscribe to the weekly data from the survey. They will get a detailed report every Monday with age, gender and city-wise analyses of their movies.

“I think it’s an interesting concept and can be useful for filmmakers like us,” says Kites director Anurag Basu. “But the survey has to be done in more cities to get an idea of the pan-Indian buzz of a film.”

Calcutta and Hyderabad will be added to Cinematix’s survey area in the next couple of months. “The five cities account for almost 75 per cent of the box-office collections and so the results will give a fair idea of the nationwide buzz,” says Ormax CEO Kapoor.

The only previous attempt in Bollywood to understand the pre-release mindset of audiences has been through preview screenings.

But that has been largely to re-edit the film according to exit interviews of handpicked viewers. 3 Idiots, for instance, was shown to many preview audiences in quite a few Indian cities before it actually released on December 25 last year.

Hollywood does both — hold preview screenings and track the buzz. Satrajit Das, associate manager of market research firm Nielsen Bases, says: “Our US-based parent company does these surveys regularly and they always present interesting data for Hollywood studios to work upon. It’s good that Bollywood is finally taking a leaf out of their book and approaching releases methodically.”

What’s intriguing, however, is not the broad result that the tracking tool is throwing up but the small details it is coming up with.

For example, cinegoers in Delhi are not that keen to catch Raajneeti despite the buzz about it being loosely based on Sonia Gandhi’s political career. Katrina Kaif may want to keep track of that.

Sonia Gandhi is not a character in our film - Prakash Jha

LINK

It's a huge star cast that Prakash Jha handles in his forthcoming Raajneeti, and sticky situations are absolutely unavoidable. As the minutes tick away, delaying a press conference he has called for the film's promotion, the director anxiously tries reaching out to his ensemble cast.

An hour later, he is the lone ranger, talking about his latest labour of love.The film, loosely based on the epic Mahabharata, talks about politics and beyond. “I am very happy with the way the film has turned out,” says Jha, adding: “For once, as a filmmaker I can say that there is nothing I have not done that I should have. Be it the special effects, technical aspects, or the scale of the project, I have not spared any effort.” And yes, “All actors have worked with complete dedication,” he says, as part of his cast, including Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Manoj Bajpai and Arjun Rampal, walk in. 

Ugly side of politics

A story about the ugly side of politics, Raajneeti centres around the political Pratap family: the three men — Veerendra (Manoj), Prithvi (Arjun) and Samar (Ranbir), and Prithvi's wife Indu (Katrina). Nana Patekar plays a political mentor (Brij Gopal); Ajay Devgn (Sooraj) is a backward classes' leader, and Naseeruddin Shah is Bhasker Sanyal, a firebrand Leftist leader. “Politics is not a linear thing. Just so, my film is also not only about the politics of the state, but it deals with personal aspirations, greed, loyalty and betrayal,” says Jha. 

Jha and his team started working on the film, reported to have cost Rs. 45 crore, six months prior to shooting it in Bhopal. The cast, if surprising in parts, is also very impressive. Naseeruddin, Nana, Ajay, Manoj and Arjun are all National Award-winning actors, with Nana and Ajay having worked with Jha on his previous projects. The surprises are Arjun, Katrina and Ranbir. The three actors have transformed themselves to fit into what could be their most demanding roles till date. “My actors may maintain that I have mentored them through their roles, but the truth is that they have worked very hard. Take Katrina, for instance. She is not a natural with Hindi, but worked to deliver her dialogues with perfection,” says Jha. 

Asked how close Katrina's character is to Congress President Sonia Gandhi's, and Jha denies any resemblance, even though the draping of the sari and the accent seem inspired. “Please see the film and find out for yourself. Sonia Gandhi is not a character in our film,” he says. 

While Ajay's absence at the press conference is justified as he is shooting for Golmaal 3 in Goa, Nana giving the event a miss raises a few eyebrows, especially following reports of a fallout between the two friends. Ask if Nana gave him grief on the sets of Raajneeti, and Jha laughs it off. “Nana never troubled me. He is like that. We have no problems.” 

Social activist

Jha, who'd rather be referred to as a social activist than a politician (he had contested the 2002 and 2009 elections from Champaran, Bihar, on the ticket of the Lok Janashakti Party), says that he contested because he wanted to help contribute to the betterment of his constituency, and cannot be likened to any of the hardened politicians in his film. “You haven't seen me at the rallies of any party, have you?” he asks. “I don't believe in ideology or politics. I just wanted to be part of the process and be close to the resources, so I would be able to use them for the people. But now, I've no intention to be in active politics,” he adds. 

Despite his turnaround on politics, Jha maintains that the field requires professionalism. “I am very serious about the issue, and am using my film as a platform for discussing the engagement of professionals in politics. I feel that till professional-thinking people join politics, the future is not too bright,” says Jha. 

Jha's intentions may be serious, but he clarifies that he has made a commercial film for all to enjoy. “First of all, I want people to be entertained; then, definitely, I wish to be rewarded and awarded,” he candidly admits. “After that, if there is any change that my film brings about, I'd say it is purely unintentional.”

Sonia Gandhi is not a character in our film - Prakash Jha

LINK

It's a huge star cast that Prakash Jha handles in his forthcoming Raajneeti, and sticky situations are absolutely unavoidable. As the minutes tick away, delaying a press conference he has called for the film's promotion, the director anxiously tries reaching out to his ensemble cast.

An hour later, he is the lone ranger, talking about his latest labour of love.The film, loosely based on the epic Mahabharata, talks about politics and beyond. “I am very happy with the way the film has turned out,” says Jha, adding: “For once, as a filmmaker I can say that there is nothing I have not done that I should have. Be it the special effects, technical aspects, or the scale of the project, I have not spared any effort.” And yes, “All actors have worked with complete dedication,” he says, as part of his cast, including Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Manoj Bajpai and Arjun Rampal, walk in. 

Ugly side of politics

A story about the ugly side of politics, Raajneeti centres around the political Pratap family: the three men — Veerendra (Manoj), Prithvi (Arjun) and Samar (Ranbir), and Prithvi's wife Indu (Katrina). Nana Patekar plays a political mentor (Brij Gopal); Ajay Devgn (Sooraj) is a backward classes' leader, and Naseeruddin Shah is Bhasker Sanyal, a firebrand Leftist leader. “Politics is not a linear thing. Just so, my film is also not only about the politics of the state, but it deals with personal aspirations, greed, loyalty and betrayal,” says Jha. 

Jha and his team started working on the film, reported to have cost Rs. 45 crore, six months prior to shooting it in Bhopal. The cast, if surprising in parts, is also very impressive. Naseeruddin, Nana, Ajay, Manoj and Arjun are all National Award-winning actors, with Nana and Ajay having worked with Jha on his previous projects. The surprises are Arjun, Katrina and Ranbir. The three actors have transformed themselves to fit into what could be their most demanding roles till date. “My actors may maintain that I have mentored them through their roles, but the truth is that they have worked very hard. Take Katrina, for instance. She is not a natural with Hindi, but worked to deliver her dialogues with perfection,” says Jha. 

Asked how close Katrina's character is to Congress President Sonia Gandhi's, and Jha denies any resemblance, even though the draping of the sari and the accent seem inspired. “Please see the film and find out for yourself. Sonia Gandhi is not a character in our film,” he says. 

While Ajay's absence at the press conference is justified as he is shooting for Golmaal 3 in Goa, Nana giving the event a miss raises a few eyebrows, especially following reports of a fallout between the two friends. Ask if Nana gave him grief on the sets of Raajneeti, and Jha laughs it off. “Nana never troubled me. He is like that. We have no problems.” 

Social activist

Jha, who'd rather be referred to as a social activist than a politician (he had contested the 2002 and 2009 elections from Champaran, Bihar, on the ticket of the Lok Janashakti Party), says that he contested because he wanted to help contribute to the betterment of his constituency, and cannot be likened to any of the hardened politicians in his film. “You haven't seen me at the rallies of any party, have you?” he asks. “I don't believe in ideology or politics. I just wanted to be part of the process and be close to the resources, so I would be able to use them for the people. But now, I've no intention to be in active politics,” he adds. 

Despite his turnaround on politics, Jha maintains that the field requires professionalism. “I am very serious about the issue, and am using my film as a platform for discussing the engagement of professionals in politics. I feel that till professional-thinking people join politics, the future is not too bright,” says Jha. 

Jha's intentions may be serious, but he clarifies that he has made a commercial film for all to enjoy. “First of all, I want people to be entertained; then, definitely, I wish to be rewarded and awarded,” he candidly admits. “After that, if there is any change that my film brings about, I'd say it is purely unintentional.”

Prakash Jha - Ajay Devgn often tends to be perfect for the character I have conceived

FROM Ajay Devgn's Facebook page:
A note from Prakashji I wanted to share with you guys...

Today at 7:38am
I first met Ajay, after I had made Mrityudand. But it felt as though we already knew each other. There was an immediate understanding and instant connect.

That understanding has grown stronger over the years as we grew to work together.

Our first meeting was casual, without any agenda of casting or setting up a film. But we both felt that we must work together.

And so emerged our first collaboration- Dil Kya Kare. Ajay produced and acted in the film that I wrote and directed.

When I started working with him, it was so easy… the communication between me and him has always been so easy and flowing. It was a wonderful experience.

Through the years our personal and professional rapport, has only grown and strengthened. We have worked together in Gangaajal, Apaharan and now the forthcoming Raajneeti.

As an actor Ajay is so economical. Economical in terms of presence, expression, gestures…He’s so subtle and effective. He intuitively understands the nuances of a character, the different layers and the sub text. As an actor one can mold him. He becomes the character. My characters truly comes to life with that kind of performance.

Even on the personal front, being friends with Ajay is so simple and uncomplicated. Sometimes two-three months go by and we haven’t talked. But when we talk it’s the same, there’s no feeling of “its been so long”. It’s so easy to take off exactly where we left off.

Ajay is such a good human being. He has no attitude, no qualms, no issues… In his quiet ways he creates a sense of family within the unit.he makes all the secondary actors and all the junior actors feel comfortable.He is very warm and affectionate with the crew members. He’s a great team player…Actually he’s a great team builder.

Also I thing we get along because Ajay is a well-informed person, interested in whats happening in the world…He has got an interesting perspective on life and contemporary issues.We end up having long, animated discussions on various subjects of contemporary relevance.

Read more HERE

It is interesting to me that a man from Bihar and a film insider from Mumbai mesh so well together. Jha has extracted the best performances from Ajay and these are usually rustic characters from the interiors of Bihar! They make a great team. Rajneeti is set in Madhya Pradesh and out of the familiar Bihari milieu for Jha, I hope it turns out well. It is one of my most awaited films for 2010

Prakash Jha - Ajay Devgn often tends to be perfect for the character I have conceived

FROM Ajay Devgn's Facebook page:
A note from Prakashji I wanted to share with you guys...

Today at 7:38am
I first met Ajay, after I had made Mrityudand. But it felt as though we already knew each other. There was an immediate understanding and instant connect.

That understanding has grown stronger over the years as we grew to work together.

Our first meeting was casual, without any agenda of casting or setting up a film. But we both felt that we must work together.

And so emerged our first collaboration- Dil Kya Kare. Ajay produced and acted in the film that I wrote and directed.

When I started working with him, it was so easy… the communication between me and him has always been so easy and flowing. It was a wonderful experience.

Through the years our personal and professional rapport, has only grown and strengthened. We have worked together in Gangaajal, Apaharan and now the forthcoming Raajneeti.

As an actor Ajay is so economical. Economical in terms of presence, expression, gestures…He’s so subtle and effective. He intuitively understands the nuances of a character, the different layers and the sub text. As an actor one can mold him. He becomes the character. My characters truly comes to life with that kind of performance.

Even on the personal front, being friends with Ajay is so simple and uncomplicated. Sometimes two-three months go by and we haven’t talked. But when we talk it’s the same, there’s no feeling of “its been so long”. It’s so easy to take off exactly where we left off.

Ajay is such a good human being. He has no attitude, no qualms, no issues… In his quiet ways he creates a sense of family within the unit.he makes all the secondary actors and all the junior actors feel comfortable.He is very warm and affectionate with the crew members. He’s a great team player…Actually he’s a great team builder.

Also I thing we get along because Ajay is a well-informed person, interested in whats happening in the world…He has got an interesting perspective on life and contemporary issues.We end up having long, animated discussions on various subjects of contemporary relevance.

Read more HERE

It is interesting to me that a man from Bihar and a film insider from Mumbai mesh so well together. Jha has extracted the best performances from Ajay and these are usually rustic characters from the interiors of Bihar! They make a great team. Rajneeti is set in Madhya Pradesh and out of the familiar Bihari milieu for Jha, I hope it turns out well. It is one of my most awaited films for 2010

New RaJNEETI dialog promo!

Much more of the complex story is revealed here. I LIKE!

New RaJNEETI dialog promo!

Much more of the complex story is revealed here. I LIKE!

Prakash Jha spices up Rajneeti with new scenes

Director Prakash Jha is hell bent on making his forthcoming film a complete entertainer. He recently did a certain amount of spicing up by shooting some scenes with the lead pair Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif.
On Monday Ranbir and Katrina did some additional shooting for Raajneeti at Mona Shourie's Future Studios long after their dates for the film had dried up.
"We did some patchwork shooting on Monday, close-ups, etc. Yes. It's for the betterment of the end-product. We all want Rasjneeti to be a big success. Katrina and Ranbir have surrendered themselves completely to the project and will do whatever is required," Jha told IANS.
And the hit jodi is more than willing to shoot extra days to ensure the product gets them maximum attention. Ranbir, just back from Las Vegas rushed to the shooting. Closeups and continuity shots were shot with the duo.

Read more from HERE

Prakash Jha spices up Rajneeti with new scenes

Director Prakash Jha is hell bent on making his forthcoming film a complete entertainer. He recently did a certain amount of spicing up by shooting some scenes with the lead pair Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif.
On Monday Ranbir and Katrina did some additional shooting for Raajneeti at Mona Shourie's Future Studios long after their dates for the film had dried up.
"We did some patchwork shooting on Monday, close-ups, etc. Yes. It's for the betterment of the end-product. We all want Rasjneeti to be a big success. Katrina and Ranbir have surrendered themselves completely to the project and will do whatever is required," Jha told IANS.
And the hit jodi is more than willing to shoot extra days to ensure the product gets them maximum attention. Ranbir, just back from Las Vegas rushed to the shooting. Closeups and continuity shots were shot with the duo.

Read more from HERE