Production boom in Bollywood despite box office lull

Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) There's a drought of hits at the box office, but Bollywood is witnessing a production boom. There are about 70 movies on the floor in varying stages of completion.

By yearend more than 100 movies made in Mumbai will have been released, over and above those that have already hit the screen as of April 25.

Buoyancy has also been witnessed in Bhojpuri movie production. As many as 60 movies made in the Bhojpuri language are now ready for release and another 60 are on the floor. Most of these are being made in Mumbai for logistical reasons.

The year so far has seen Bollywood movies not getting a good draw - only 'Jodhaa Akbar' and 'Race' have been declared hits.

Although 'Krazzy 4' and 'U, Me Aur Hum' have not been able to live up to their pre-release hype, both the movies are sailing ahead smoothly.

The movie that is eagerly awaited at present is Yash Raj Films' (YRF) multi-starrer action thriller 'Tashan,' releasing next week.

Though YRF does not need props to boost box office performances, the much-publicised romantic linkup between Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor seems to have worked as a magnet to draw more crowds to 'Tashan', the couple's first movie together.

'Since the romance between Saif and Kareena is for keeps, and not a gimmick to generate hope for 'Tashan', the people are eager to see their onscreen chemistry. And this, without being intended, will help the box office performance of the movie,' said a trade analyst.

Mahesh Bhatt's 'Jannat' is due for a May 2 release and a week after that B.R. Films' 'Bhoothnath,' starring Amitabh Bachchan, will hit the screen.

Another Amitabh starrer, 'Sarkar Raaj,' directed by Ram Gopal Varma, is also due for a June 6 release.

Some of the much hyped movies lined up for release between June and October include 'Kismet Konnections', 'Love Story 2050', 'Mission Istanbul', 'Money Hai To Honey Hai', 'Drona', 'Singh Is King', 'Gajini' and 'Yuvraj'.

The year has also seen two well-known publishing houses making their movie debuts.

While the Times of India Group forays into moviemaking through Mirchi Movies, Nari Hira of Magna Publishing - the group that launched Stardust film magazine - ventures into film production with 'Bhram'.