'Anthony Gonzalves' not to be released in Bihar

Mumbai, Jan 9 (IANS) The ban on Mithun Chakraborty's films in Bihar, due to an ongoing tussle between the actor and a local producer-distributor, has taken its toll on 'My Name is Anthony Gonsalves'.

Its producer E. Niwas is aghast at the film being denied a release in the state.

'I had no clue about Mithunda's ban in Bihar. It seems so strange to be kept out of the state where my first film 'Shool' was set. I really wouldn't want 'Anthony Gonsalves' to be kept out of Bihar. But I don't know how I can help the situation,' Niwas told IANS.

The ban on Mithun's films in Bihar has its antecedents in a Bengali film entitled 'Coolie', which its producer dubbed in Bhojpuri without the actor's consent and by using someone else's voice.

The incensed actor retaliated by refusing to return the money paid as signing amount for another proposed film to be made by the same Bihar-based producer-distributor.

Mithun, who plays a priest in 'Anthony Gonsalves', is determined to see the fight to the last.

For the moment the big beneficiary is Rajkumar Santoshi's 'Halla Bol' - it will get a clear unrivalled run in Bihar this Friday.

Incidentally, the last film that got left out of Bihar was Aamir Khan's 'Taare Zameen Par'. Apparently, the producers demanded too high a price for the Bihar territory.