Belying all expectations one of the films released in the pre-Eid week actually managed to get some solid attention. Was it the sex that did it for B. A Pass? Or was it the very impressive reviews? The film by first-time director Ajay Bahl opened to expectedly low numbers but picked up with subsequent shows.
Most impressive for a film that features no major stars in the cast and is a dark brooding study of Delhi’s underbelly.
Director Ajay Bahl who went through a period of unbearable financial and emotional struggle to get the film in theatres sounds like a relieved man. ‘I almost gave up at one time. Glad I hung on. The appreciation has been very reassuring. It proves I am on the right track.’
Chennai Express coming Friday would no doubt put a brake on B A Pass. Ajay Bahl is prepared for that. ‘We knew all along we were coming close to a juggernaut that could mow us down. But now that the film’s collections have shown a jump of 35-40 percent, we are hoping audiences would want to see something else too along with Chennai Express.’
As expected the other films released this week are unimitigated disasters. Rajesh’s interestingly scripted Chor Chor Super Chor never stood a chance.
Amrit Sagar’s Rabba Main Kya Karoon is a setback for debutant Akash Chopra who comes from an impressive lineage (he is the well-known filmmaker and television producer Ramanand Sagar’s grandson).
Akash is the second star-son in two weeks after Rati Agnihotri’s son Tanuj Virwani last week to face a flop debut.
But both the newcomers are confident, spirited and optimistic. In fact Akash Chopra is also a musician. He has composed two of the songs in Rabba Main Kya Karoon and had done the entire background music for his brother Amrit Sagar’s previous directorial vehicle the war saga 1971.
All these films have Chennai Express to deal with next week. Plus Bhaag Milkha Bhaag with a tax exemption in many states has got a new lease of life.
By Subhash K Jha
