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Even as filmmakers stand united in their protest against the multiplexes and are refraining from releasing their films till
the issue around revenue sharing is solved, there have been murmurs that some of them are unhappy with Vashu
Bhagnani for having begun promotion for Kal Kissne Dekha.
Even though there is uncertainty around the
release of this Jackky Bhagnani starrer (or any other Bollywood film for that matter), a few others are miffed with the
airing of song promos of this Vivek Sharma directed film.
Says a filmmaker who wishes to be unnamed, "It was clearly decided that no film would release till the time producers
and multiplexes do not come to a consensus.
This was the reason why the strike date of 4th April was
announced in advance so that makers could abort the promotion plans, if any, of their forthcoming films. It was meant
to be a complete boycott.
This is why it is surprising to see the songs from Kal Kissne Dekha being on the
air. Everyone's question is 'why'? Why is Vashu Bhagnani doing that when he knows that he should not be releasing
his film till we all are in agreement."
Another filmmaker adds, "By bringing the songs of his film on air, he is giving out a sense of urgency to the
multiplexes which makes our stand weak. It's unfair. Couldn't he have waited for a while?
Today when there
are no new promos on the air of any other film, why is Kal Kissne Dekha being in focus?"
Vashu Bhagnani has his answers handy though. "First and foremost, please let me reaffirm once again that I am with
my other producers at every step which is being taken in our stand against the multiplexes.
So let me state
on record once again that Kal Kissne Dekha, by no means, would be bypassing any other film in it's aspiration to be
released earlier.
No, that won't happen. It will come at it's normal course once we all take a decision around
waiting for multiplexes to agree to our terms or decide to head towards the single screens", he announces.
"Rahi baat song promos ki toh the fact here is that it is difficult to hold on to a film's promotion once it has been kick
started", says Vashu in his defence, "The promotion of Kal Kissne Dekha had begun to a little extent before the strike
was announced.
Now since the album is already on stands and buzz had started building for the film and its
music, I couldn't have afforded to be 100% laidback around the promotion."
He further adds, "In any case song promos have come on air just now and we are being low key in our approach. But if
this is converted to zero, it would send out wrong signals amongst the audience. Tomorrow once we will have to start
the promotion again; it would appear to be a slightly dated product. I don't want that to happen."
Vashu Bhagnani finds a supporter in filmmaker Ramesh Taurani. "There is a directive to stop release of movies, not
music. If a filmmaker has released his music, he has to promote it.
I don't see Vashu Bhagnani doing
anything out of the way. The music has to find support system through means of promotion otherwise it may seem
dated if it sits on the stands for weeks. I am sure though that he would bring his film only after the stand off is
resolved", says Ramesh Taurani.
So what are Vashu's plans from here on? "At the end of the day, if there is someone who is forced to spend extra
money, it is me. The longer the stand off continues, the more I will end up spending on its promotion.
But
yes, what I am doing is to have the songs coming on only 2-3 channels rather than those dozens of music and other
entertainment channels. That's my promise to other filmmakers that I am not going overboard on the promotion.
Also, let me reassure that I won't hijack my film into the release calendar at the expense of other films",
promises Vashu.
Monday, April 20, 2009 15:02 IST