This Summer will be cool!

Article Updated 09 March, 2005 10:04:05 AM IST

This Summer will be cool!

The smiles are finally back! OK, so what if the smiles haven't turned into a wholehearted laughter!? The superb opening of 'Bewafa' and the good word of mouth that 'Socha Na Tha' has generated has ensured that the month of March won't be as dry as one anticipated earlier, due to the exam season in India.

So far Bollywood hasn't seen any exceptional runs at the box office and has to content with the medium success of 'Page 3' and steady run of 'Black'. All the biggies, medium budget flicks and sleaze outings were falling left, right and center and the future seemed bleak, as March is traditionally considered to be a dreaded month for the box office. Add to it the Indo-Pak cricket series and the mood was at an all time low. But the heartening opening of Bewafa (the best of 2005 so far) and warm reception to 'Socha Na Tha' (that hasn't taken a bumper opening but is being patronized by the youngsters) has ensured that the gloomy days may soon be the thing of past. And why not, when the Indian summer promises to be cool from here on!

Coming this week is master cinematographer Sanjay F. Gupta's directorial debut 'Karam' that stars hot favorites John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra. And before one even thinks of dismissing 'Karam' as yet another crime saga, one needs to be reminded that the ace technician has never believed in doing anything routine and conventional (remember 'Kambakth Ishq' from 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya' directed by him?) and 'Karam' should be no exception. A thriller revolving around the life of an assassin searching for a peaceful existence, 'Karam' boasts of stylized execution and high drama supported by a couple of tuneful numbers.

There may be a lull after that with respect to new releases but April should open with a vengeance beginning with 'Waqt' and 'Lucky', both of which are poised to gain bumper openings. Already hot in the film fraternity, both movies have number of factors going in their favor - A-grade star cast, slick look, family appeal, good music and certain freshness. 'Waqt' brings together Big B and Akshay Kumar, who were last paired together as father-son in 'Ek Rishta' and gained immense appreciation. Revolving around the love-hate relationship and the misunderstandings between the father and his son, 'Waqt' should be money-spinner at the ticket window due to its universal appeal across all age groups. And that's quite a possibility with Priyanka Chopra opposite Akshay Kumar who have already delivered three hits in a row - Andaaz, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Aitraaz!

Other biggie is 'Lucky'; with an interesting tagline 'No Time To Love' has no reason why it won't get the youth and family alike in the theatres. Salman Khan's vulnerable portrayal, chart topping music by Adnan Sami, Ash look alike Sneha Ullal's child like innocence and bright ‘n’ colorful direction by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru make 'Lucky' a much awaited flick for the movie goers. This should turn out to be a good relaxing popcorn flick for the school and college students coming out of the exams!!

The third biggie that has already caught the fancy of the cinema lovers is the Shahrukh Khan and Karan Johar production 'Kaal' that has ignited immense craze in last two weeks of its promotion. This thriller, which was shot for the majority in the Jim Corbett Wildlife Park, is based on animal preservation. It’s directed by Soham and should satisfy those who crave a "different" subject in a Bollywood movie! It has everyone from Ajay Devgan to John Abraham to Vivek Oberoi acting their parts to the T; especially Ajay who looks each bit a jungle local and whose presence in the frame overpowers everyone else. This one should get Vivek Oberoi back in the reckoning.

Then there are also movies with varied subjects like 'Main Aisa Hi Hoon' (about a 'normal' man in an 'abnormal' world), 'Mere Jeevan Saathi' (love triangle involving a pop singer's journey from being a nobody to a super star) and 'Zeher' (a story of 'pati', patni aur woh' from the house of Bhatts), all of which should be able to get their target audience. And from there on, the rest of the second quarter of 2005 will witness a flurry of biggies like ‘Sarkar’, ‘D’, ‘Tango Charlie’, ‘No Entry’, ‘Kya Kool Hai Hum’ and the biggest of them all - 'The Rising'.

But more on all this later! Till then take your better half to enjoy the sweet charm of Abhay Deol and Ayesha Takia in 'Socha Na Tha', your mom to enjoy the mature proceedings of 'Bewafa' and hang out with your group of friends in 'Karam'. The chances are great that these will take you through the month of March. Stay tuned with Bollywood because from the month of April, the summer will be cool!!

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