Ghai's next project: a 'surprise'

Sarita Tanwar

Not many expected the most awaited film of 2001 to fare so disastrously at the box-office. But the fate of Yaadein shocked everyone -- the industry, the trade, the audience, the critics and the people concerned with the film alike.

The industry’s biggest showman, Subhash Ghai, tried to salvage his film’s reputation as vehemently as he could. But a month after the film’s release, the filmmaker has finally acknowledged the failure of Yaadein: "Yes, it didn't turn out the way we expected it to," he admits.

Ghai still insists that his film has garnered over $2 million in the overseas market. But that's not the reason why he’s upbeat right now.

Because the showman has made it clear that the show must go on. He's now making sure that Mukta Arts does not bear the burden of a successful film solely on his shoulders.

Very soon, Subhash Ghai's production concern will launch three big-budget ventures to be made by some of the biggest names in the business. "We have signed on David Dhawan, Satish Kaushik and Abbas-Mustan for individual ventures," informs Ghai.

In all probability, the films will be announced on October 24, 2001, which happens to be a landmark day in Ghai's life.

The showman himself will not be starting a film himself at least until March next year. "My team of writers and I are working on a plausible script," he states. "In October, we might just have an informal mahurat. But I can't reveal much at this stage. All I can promise is that people might be in for a surprise," he assures.

Ghai insists he wants to concentrate solely on his company's corporate matters for the next six months. "We have big dreams for Mukta Arts but I alone cannot make them come true," insists the filmmaker.

Incidentally, Mukta Arts had also made Rahul, directed by Prakash Jha and starring Jatin Grewal and Neha before the release of Yaadein.

The film failed to make an impact but according to Ghai, the film's limited budget and low cost made sure that nobody lost money. That's the formula he intends to repeat in all his forthcoming films with other directors.

October 24 is not very far away. We won't have to wait too long to discover what Ghai's 'surprise' is all about.

But knowing the showman, expect the unexpected.