Bharati Dubey

Bobby Deol and Amisha Patel's Kranti, which released March 8, turned out a classic case of old wine in an older bottle.

The film hasn't created any ripples at the box office. With a contrived father-son conflict plot, Kranti is far from convincing.

The film opened to a mere 35 to 40 percent opening in Mumbai. Gujarat is quite another story. Last year, Aashiq the state was rent by an earthquake on the scheduled day of the film's release --- January 26. The screening was postponed. This year, communal riots played truant with Bobby's Kranti.

As for the North, the only thing the audience will identify with is the excessive action in Kranti. It might serve Bobby Deol's image, to some extent and no more.

Experts say Amisha Patel could do well to choose her roles carefully. In her hurry to reach the top, it does appear as if the actress is signing one too many films. As it appears, the wrong ones at that.

The previous release, Salman Khan's Tumko Na Bhool Payenge has lost around one crore. In its third week, its position remains stable at number one, but its BO collections are far from encouraging.

Bipasha Basu and Dino Morea's Raaz at second position has slipped, too, but the film has done enough business to be termed a hit. Haan... Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya makes do at the third spot.

Sources say the industry has incurred a loss of Rs 50 million, thanks to the Gujarat crisis.

Meanwhile, a new trend of filmmaking seems to be emerging: top directors seem to prefer taking newcomers with a modest budget film. The success of Style and Raaz proves that the audience is fed up of the tried and tested formulae and need a change in content as well as cast.

Up next, 16 December hits the marquee on March 15. The film has nuclear warfare as its backdrop and stars Milind Soman and new find Dipannita Sharma. It also marks the debut of director Mani Shankar.

Though dealing with a serious subject, Mani says he has tried to create a mass-oriented subject. So far the promos look promising, and the film might garner critical acclaim. Whether it will click at the BO is quite another question.

Out of 31 odd releases in the last two months, around 90 percent have failed. Hopefully, the next bunch of films like Aankhen, Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam, Company, Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum, Hum Kissi Se Kam Nahin, Yeh Hai Jalwa, Devdas, Kaante will give Bollywood its hits.