Bollywood's Biggest Grossing Debuts

Did you know that on evaluating the earnings of Bollywood movies, with adjustments for inflation and other factors in place, Uday Chopra (and you have no idea of the tortures yet to come if you don't know yet that he is learning film-making at UCLA) makes it to the list of actors whose debut stands among the all-time biggest grossers? Did you know what special recognition Sooraj Barjatya of Rajshree has, talking of big-earners? His first serving Maine Pyaar Kiya was the 2nd highest earner (with all economics taken care of) in its decade and his third movie Hum Saath Saath Hain also made it to the top ten earners in its own decade but thats not all. His second film Hum Aapke Hain Koun is said to have changed the complete picture of the distribution and earnings of Indian films. It was a defining moment in Indian Cinema history since its demand went so high that it was distributed to only a limited number of Cinema Halls which met certain eligibility criteria and this pushed many a Cinema to actually upgrade their standards just to obtain the prints! This also marked a significant increase in the earnings of subsequent large banner films in India as reported here.

Well, enough of trivia for now. Let me ask you a question here. What comes to your mind if I say Bollywood's biggest all-time earners? Well, keep your answers floating in your head and answer another one. What about Bollywood debuts? Now then, any intersection points? So Bollywood has had, till date, three movies crossing the 300 Crore mark in earning, 3 Idiots, Hum Aapke Hain Koun and the recent addition Ek Tha Tiger and a handful of them crossing the 100 Crore mark. Well, first let me emphasize that all the figures used are taken from internet (mostly box office india website and wikipedia) and also, most of the time I will be talking of inflation-adjusted gross earnings as reported on the box office website. What my little research told me is that the exact figures are not that exact and hence, don't really matter since the comparisons are the only thing that hold meaning and our figures are indicative enough for that. So then lets embark upon our today's menu of movies that had debutants in lead roles and that stand among the greatest earners in Indian cinema (ah yes, I have kept 100 Cr. as the benchmark).

Thappad se darr nahi lagta sahab, pyaar se lagta hai. You already knew it with the first word, didn't you! The typical-indian-woman-look Sonakshi Sinha with her playground sized forehead is at the top of our list. So Sonakshi Sinha was offered Dabangg by Salman Khan who saw her dancing at some function and Sonakshi later revealed that after this, she lost 30 kgs in 2 years to suit herself for the role. Inference? Salman Khan was really drunk in that function and had fallen for some kind of tribal rhino dance or something (did someone say lap dance? No, no that can't be, Salman is still alive). Anyway, so Dabangg (did you know that it was the directing debut of Anurag Kashyap's brother Abhinav Kashyap) grossed around 215 Cr. and Sonakshi has since found another blockbuster in Rowdy Rathore. Lets not talk about Joker because I still have to finish this article.

2008 blockbuster Ghajini was the first Indian movie to cross the 100 Cr. mark (in net earnings) and our list features it because its adjusted earnings were around 190 Cr. and it had Asin in her Bollywood debut. Asin had already been around for quite some time in the malayalam movie scene and had also acted in the original Tamil Ghajini from 2005. So well we can't really compare her "debut" with the others, but yes, she had more than a sizeable contribution in the movie unlike most of the others I will discuss today. Amir Khan obviously and expectedly ran away with all accolades for his perfection, dedication, attention to detail and what not, but Asin's big break in Hindi cinema has earned her a lot of recognition and further success in movies like Ready (which is again one of the biggest grossers in Hindi cinema ever).

The same year 2008 saw Aditya Chopra's return to direction (after Mohabbatein) with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Anushka Sharma was casted to represent small-town Punjab and she was chosen from among hundreds of girls through rigorous auditions for acting, dance, looks etc. The movie made over 158 Cr. at the box office and became Yash Raj's and SRK's biggest grossing film till that time and once again proved that big banners and big-name heroes can really pave a path for a newcomer heroine (please, nothing intended here) in the industry. Since, Anushka has been among films and is also starring in the upcoming SRK starrer Jab Tak Hai Jaan (earlier called A Yash Chopra Romance).

Deepika Padukone debuted in Bollywood with Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om which registered around 149 Cr. at the box office. Deepika, with some modelling and acting experience in Kannada film industry was chosen by Farah and is said to have been given plenty of time around SRK (six months) to mingle well before the movie started shooting (SRK, being one of the busiest stars around and the most sought after too, meeting a newbie often for lunches and dinners, as she claims, doesn't sound fishy to me at all). So OSO did pretty well and so did Deepika in her re-incarnation based double role. She has had enough appearances since, and to say the least, has disappointed me in terms of the expectations I set of her. Also, lately she looks like becoming huge (yes physically) and broad-shouldered and thus, a little masculine (a very personal opinion though).

You will eventually see how most of these blockbusters are about a big-name-big-fame hero and a newcomer heroine and a tried-and-tested remake-story plot. The 2011 Ajay Devgan action film Singham crossed the 140 Cr. mark at box office and hence, qualifies Kajal Agarwal (you really deserve a pat on the back if you knew that name) for this list of big-grossing debut films. The critics praised Kajal's eyes more than her acting (you can praise something only after seeing it, to be fair to the critics) and Ajay Devgan surely can make some action sequences justifiable, as he showed in Bol Bachchan (my recent mistake). Despite a non-existent storyline and a very weak looking antagonist, Singham, with all the Sallu-bhai inspired hit-movie-making-formula, went on to become one of the biggest earners in Indian Cinema. Hail Salman Khan. And for the record, Kajal had played a role earlier in Kyun, Ho Gaya Na but this was her first lead appearance and hence, appears here. For me, the greatest gift Singham gave to me, was the youtube hot-favorite trailer featuring someone else (you-know-who) in place of Ajay.

Next in the descending order of earnings is one of my all-time favorites Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. Yes, I have watched the movie like a 50 times (just thrice in a Cinema though) and like every school-child in those days, have danced to the catchy Ek Pal Ka Jeena tune at every possible chance. Rajesh Roshan's music was a phenomenal aspect of the film and Rakesh Roshan's story-telling and Honey Irani's (you can find out of her talent with the fact that she gave birth to Farhan and Zoya Akhtar) screenplay did wonders to the debut of Hrithik Roshan and Amisha Patel. Though the current status of these two stars are quite incomparable, they couldn't have asked for a better debut. With the film making over 138 Cr. at the box office (yes, with inflation adjusted), Hrithik became a superstar overnight with his dancing and acting abilities and a hot favorite among teen girls. Amisha went on to act in another huge grosser Gadar but later faded off (and I'm sure that is because of her asthma-patient-like over-acting in the sad scenes). For me, the best and most unexpected part of the movie was Raj, not being "Rohit transported from Mumbai to Australia through ocean". 

This one I will talk about least, since it was 
probably the greatest disappointment I have ever faced inside a Cinema Hall (and hence, deserves a video). A very poor, old, dying, and crying for mercy plot in a tragic love story and a blunder in choosing a seriously export-quality-garbage actress in Nargis Fakhri (I know lot of you out there like her for a lot many of her pics over the net, but I am telling you despite all those, I hate her) to replace the earlier choice Kareena Kapoor made Rockstar an above average movie despite Ranbir going out of his skins in many a shot and Rehman producing probably the best album he ever has, in terms of versatility. The movie grossed around 108 Cr. at the box office and hence Nargis Fakhri (oh, I really, really hate her, take a look at her face even in the thumbnail of the video - My God, how hasn't she gotten killed yet) qualifies for this list of mine. Rockstar's Ranbir and Rockstar's Rehman specially will remain memorable for me, and Nargis Fakhri, equally forgettable. I also hear Akshay Kumar has her signed for a 3-film contract. Oh Akshay, what higher degrees of tortures do you have in store for us, after Joker (which also reminds me that Nargis has lips which won't need the makeup for playing Joker's role in a batman movie)?

The last one in today's menu I am serving is the 2001 Amir Khan starrer Lagaan. Excellent story-telling, brilliant music, Amir Khan, Gowarikar and what else you need. Lagaan made it to the Oscar nominations and also finds a place in TIME Magazine's all-time best 25 sports movies. Gracy Singh's debut was as powerful as mellow was her disappearance from the silver screen in a few years time. She did well in acting, dancing and I am glad she was chosen after rejecting Amisha Patel who had offered to do this role (so had Rani Mukherji, but her voice!!). Lagaan also became the third movie in Hindi language to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and makes it to the list of all-time epic favorites in India. Gracy Singh though had played some roles in movies like Hu Tu Tu and Hum Aapke Dil Me Rehte Hain, she qualifies here because this was her debut lead role.

Now, as I had mentioned earlier to scare you, that Uday Chopra actually makes it into this list, and indeed he does, with Mohabbatein, but I really didn't find any of the six (you know who all) in lead roles in there, with Mr. Bachchan and Mr. Khan eating it all up. And, I am really relieved to know that Kim Sharma looks the way she does, because her mother was Japanese (yeah, I am evil). Also, I wanted to include some "other" pic of Nargis Fakhri for this article, you know, which can be a worthy thumbnail for the article to attract some unlikely audience (yeah, now I feel the horns coming out my head finally).

So here's hoping that Salman lives another 50 years and makes another 50 of those money-eating-machine movies with newcomer heroines who look like his ex-loves, and provides Bollywood with monumental personalities like Sonakshi Sinha (looking at her, I wonder if the human race was like chickens and some larger predator used to feed on us, she will make one hell of a barbecue, won't she !!).

And yes, keep on rocking in the free world. Its really free, see? I said so many bad things about so many big stars of the country and I am still smiling.

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The Shantaram Movie : Another Good Film That'd be Never Made

We have previously talked about how a movie on Raag Darbari would be awesome (and why it would unfortunately never get made). The same can be said about Shantaram, a book that has more twists, surprises and adventure than around ten movies combined.

It is a thinly veiled roman a clef by the author, and it makes us wonder - Gregory David Roberts has lived a more colourful life than any of us can hope to have. And that is why this book makes the perfect material for a film

Why a Film Should be made on Shantaram

Apart from the fact that each page literally begs to be translated on-to the silver screen, it is a story about the human heart, and how it copes with laughable loves, the tragedy of loss, about dramatic tensions and more MacGuffin's than Roger Ebert can stomach on a good day, it is the story of a foreigner coming to our country and falling in love with it, it is about a man with a strong appetite for adventure, a philosopher Mafia boss and the city of BOMBAY! There are two books three good books that spell out their love for this great metropolis, one is Midnight's children, the second is Maximum City, and the third is Shantaram.

The characters of this book are multi-dimensional, and the canvas of the story is beautiful and vast. It would whet the appetite of many-a moviegoer, and we as Filmistanis deserve nay demand this film.

Why it won't be made

The film has already gone into development hell, and not many good things have come out of it (case in point - Duke Nukem Forever). It was supposed to be made a few years back with Johnny Depp at the helm of acting and production, but the writer's guild strike left it into cold storage. Apart from that, the complexity of the story and the depth of the philosophy of the mafia boss and the protagonist is quite unfilmable (sic).

Besides, it's a 900 page book, to do true justice to it would require at least three full length feature films.

Still, ummeed par duniya kaayam hai (etc) and we hope for a film on Shantaram (even the author has repeatedly expressed his feeling saying that the film has not been completely shelved) and for the fans of this book, we present an exercise in casting

Lin (Shantaram)

Take your pic...

Prabaker

Karla

Didier

Abdullah

(I know he hasn't done a side-role since Hey Raam...but still)

Johnny Cigar

Vikram Patel

Lisa

Kader Khan

Kader Khan would have been perfect to play the role of (well..) Kader Khan, but given his age etc the role would be better in the hands of Amit Ji

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Music for the Soul

Despite being a self-proclaimed atheist I find my favorite genre of music to be Sufi devotional. It is not surprising considering the staple diet of such songs that I have grown up on. Though not strictly Sufi, here is a small list of Indian devotional/spiritual songs that are my favorites.

1. Madari (Coke Studio Season 1)

MTV has, over the years, produced several seasons of Roadies and Splitsvilla and depicted our generation as that of hormone-junkie dumber-than-thou individuals. However, Coke Studio (along with Sound Tripping) absolves MTV of some, if not all, of its crimes. This song, composed by Clinton Cerejo and sung by Vishal Dadlani & Sonu Kakkar, is arguably the best one to come out of Indian version of Coke Studio so far. It merges elements of rock with traditional Punabi devotional lyrics to produce one of the most addictive songs I have come across in a long time.

2. Ha Raham (Album: Amir)

A fusion of Sufi and Qawwali styles, this song is a prayer for safety and complete subjugation to God’s will. I find Ha Raham particularly interesting because of the irony of a man turning to God to escape from religious fanatics. Also, this song gave us the earliest glimpse of caliber of Amit Trivedi, who got the recognition he deserved only once the music of DevD and Udaan became popular.

3. Tumhi Se (Album: Sunoh, Artist: Lucky Ali)

Lucky Ali, for me, defines the beginning of an era of more versatile music than we traditionally had. But by the time his fourth album, Kabhi Aisa Lagta Hai, came out, he had already become a shallow and commercialized imitation of his earlier self (his last decent work being Sur). However, much before that he had produced two albums, Sunoh and Sifar, which showed us the genius artist that he was. His exceptionality lay not only in his husky voice but also in the simplicity of his songs which, unlike the other popular music of 90s, depended on their spiritual lyrics more than their soothing melody. Tumhi Se is one of the songs that exemplify this.

4. Kun Faya Kun(Rockstar)

This homage to Nizamuddin Auliya, the 13^th Century Sufi saint, is third of its kind by Rahman. While the first one, Piya Haji Ali, was a bit rough the second one, Khwaja mere Khwaja, a dedication to Moinuddin Chishti, was too polished to be soulful. With Kun Faya Kun, as with the whole album of Rockstar, Rahman finds the right balance. Rockstar marked the comeback of a genius at his creative best and this song shows why.

5. Naiharwa (Album: Kailasa, Artist: Kailash Kher)

Largely overshadowed by other songs in the album, Naiharwa is Kailash Kher’s rendition of Kabir’s poem and was never a song meant to get large scale popularity. As in many other works by Kabir, God is described as a beloved and Kabir wishes to be united with Him, not out of fear or any purpose but as a natural tendency of lovers. Kailash Kher alone has the voice that could have done justice to this song and it has.

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8 Awesome Teachers in Hindi Films

Ever since the time of Dada Sa'ab Phalke, films have influenced generations (we are not debating in whether a good or bad way) by molding their habits, their lingo, their behaviour and attempting to infuse the values of family and awesome violence. Here's to using the occasion of Teacher's day for listing our favourite on-screen teachers

8. Naseeruddin Shah as Amar Verma in Sir

Half of the lists that we make here on Filmistani won't be complete without the inclusion in some form or other of Naseer bhai.

Pictured here carrying the dead weight of Pooja Bhatt and Atul Agnihotri

This film was made at a time when such films were made (Prod : Mukesh B, Dir : Mahesh B, Starring : Pooja B) and understandably Mahesh Bhatt had the good sense of giving top billing to Naseer bhai. He played a teacher who cared for his students (even though they included Pooja Bhatt and Atul) that he went to parley with not one but two gangsters, the gangsters in question being Paresh Rawal (during his mega-evil phase) and perennial badman Gulshan Grover.

The movie had some memorable music, unfortunately it's most popular song now sounds like a jingle for a Guthka brand.

7. Raj Kiran as Sandeep in Hip Hip Hurray.

We have mentioned previously that Hip Hip Hurray is one of the better made sports movies in India, it was made around three decades ago by a young and ambitious Prakash Jha (before he was swallowed up by the desire of making movies with the names pulled from a hindi dictionary), it starred Raj Kiran as a teacher who fills in as a Football coach.

Also, his girlfriend was the beautiful Deepti Naval

He works in a school in a very small town/quasi-village, and he inspires and trains a group of young teenagers into achieving something as important as winning a major tournament - he helps them beat a rival school at a grudge match.

This movie is not as famous as it should be, we believe Raj Kiran (and Sandeep Sir) deserve more recognition.

6. Dharmendra as Professor Parimal Tripathi in Chupke Chupke

The Extraordinarily Handsome Prof 

Admittedly this Botany prof did not hold many classes during this laugh-riot of a film, but Dharmendra managed to make his character one of the most well remembered wielders of knowledge (and a chalk and duster). It was a different kind of Dharmendra, one who did not rely on rustic lovability (sic) nor urbane charm to woo a girl. He portrayed the lover as an academician and did a damn good job at it.

5. SR as Kabir Khan in Chak De India

There are only a few movies in which SR does not star as SR, one is Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, another is the long and slow Swades, but perhaps the best known is Chak De India, a movie which deservedly became bigger than it ever intended to.

The last time SR looked Good

SR is a great actor, in fact he is an industry unto himself. His finest hour was in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, but this is easily his second best film. He portrayed the role with a kind of understated intensity that actors rarely bring on screen. SR has often displayed his personal love for Hockey, and that love can be seen on-screen. Credit also goes to Shimit Amin, for crafting scenes which made Kabir Khan one of the best teachers to grace the Indian film screen.

4. Jeetendra as Ravi in Parichay

Parichay is one of the warmest films ever made. It is an adaptation of a Bengali novel as well as Sound of Music but it stays at being an adaptation, it does not go into Pritam mode. Only the basic elements of the story are the same. The film has Jeetendra (plus moochh) playing a private tutor to some rich brats.

No Jumping Jack 

And Masterji Ravi excels in his tasks, moving beyond traditional forms of learning to bring masti and happiness to a group of kids whose life is sore because their grandfather is a pre-Zanjeer Pran sa'ab.
There are only a few reasons why we can forgive Jeetendra for producing Tushhar Kapoor and Ekta, and Parichay is one of them.

3. Aamir Khan as Ram Kumar Nikumbh in Taare Zameen Par

It might be arguably said that Aamir Khan is one of the best things to happen to Indian cinema, his production house is yet to have a certified flop film (Dhobhi Ghat might be said to be a flop, but then it was never intended as a mainstream film)

He even allowed himself to take a literal back-seat in a movie he both produced and directed

His recent work with Satyamev Jayate is not the result of a 'Christ-Complex', and rather can be traced back to this film, where he brought awareness to the issue of dyslexia and the plight of school going kids in India. His character, that of an art teacher, had one of the best entrance scenes ever, and although he had little screen time, he left behind an impression on every kid (and adult) hoping for a teacher like him in their school.

Nikumbh sir is no magician, nor is he a hardened task-master like Kabir Khan, and yet he is successful in improving the life of a young troubled kid and changing the attitudes of those around him.

2. Naseerudin Shah as Mohit sir in Iqbal

A thousand times better than Greg Chappal

Naseer sir played the stock character of a Drunken Master who changes the life of a differently abled young boy and helps him achieve his ambition of becoming a fast bowler for the Indian cricket team. It is a character that might be stereotypical, but then Naseer sir is known for changing Stereotypical into awesome.

His character was as important as the eponymous Iqbal because he battles personal demons and alcoholism in his efforts of bringing happiness to the small and impoverished family whose son he takes under his tutelage (after much persuasion from his student), he handles delightfully cute death threats by Iqbal's family members and rampant nepotism in state-level cricket to ensure that the teacher and the student both end up as winners by the end of the story.

Much as we would have likes to start and end this list with Naseer sir's characters, there is one more name, another actor, another character who is a favourite with us Filmistanis.

1. Ashok Kumar as Colonel Julius Nagendranath Wilfred Singh in Chhoti Si Baat

Colonel J N W Singh is the closest bollywood has come to portraying Lord Fredrick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, and shares many traits with him, the chief being a deep rooted desire to help down-on-luck lovers.

Spreading Sunshine and Sweetness

He tutors Amol Palekar (who doesn't have to try hard to look Bechara) in the art of wooing the girl and in besting prospective villains, and does so with more wit in a single line of dialogue than the entire film 'Partner' had. His success transforms Amol Palekar into a confident young man who unlike many other shy-nice men gets the girl. For his innate cool-ness and because of the fact that he is Ashok Kumar, Colonel Julius Nagendranath Wilfred Singh is the most awesome teacher in hindi films.

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Chitrakatha : A Love Letter to Indian Comic Books

We are all huge comic book fans at Filmistani, and have more than once put forward a case for films to be made on Indian comic books. And so it is our pleasure to present an interview with the creator of 'Chitrakatha', an upcoming documentary about Indian comic books featuring the legends who have enriched the lives of multiple generations -

Before reading further, and to know further about this project please go through this Rough-cut teaser of Chitrakatha

Q 1. What was the genesis of the idea of making 'Chitrakatha'?

Like every other comic book fan, I had nurtured a dream of making comics as a kid, I was fortunate enough to get into it when my comic strips started getting published in several magazines and later I got a chance to provide my services as an illustrator at Gotham Comics, Bangalore (now Bengaluru). That's where I was exposed to a wide array of international comics and it was a revelation to see comic book creators like Eisner, Alan Moore, Frank Miller, Gaiman, Tezuka, Enki Bilal etc were enjoying a celebrityhood that their Indian Counterparts were still deprived of. It was really sad to see there was no authorized history of Indian Comic Books in place, except for a few names like cartoonist Pran & Uncle Pai Indian readers weren't aware of most of the creators who'd spent their lives churning out brilliant stories of our most favorite imaginary friends. I really wanted to meet them all and learn more about the behind the scene stories. In 2008 I took a sabbatical from my professional life and that's when I planned a Pan-India trip meeting all my childhood heroes and shoot their interviews and Chitrakatha was born.    

 Q 2. What was your approach towards filming it? How much have you had to travel for shooting?

When I started all I wanted to do was to get as many stories as possible from every creator I met. And soon I realized it was a mammoth task that I had started, though I was looking at it as a 3 months exercise, but after traveling all over India for almost 4 months I realized it was a far bigger challenge to tell this colorful story. I am still in the process of editing the 100 Hours plust footage that we shot during those four months. I am really thankful that this self funded project was supported by all our friends who readily helped us by offering food, shelter and transportation as and when needed.  

Alok, while shooting a 'Flashback Scene'

 Q 3. How hard or easy was it to get in touch with legends like Aabid Surti, Pran sahab, and Uncle Pai? How did they react to your idea?

Aabid Surti Sir

Thankfully I have known Aabid ji since I was a school boy, so reaching him wasn't that difficult, he has this positive aura all around him all the time, he is an encyclopedia of stories and the best historian of Indian publishing. Reaching Pran Sir was not that difficult, but he is so punctual about his time that when we finished our shoot with him (it went on for more than 6 hours, though we'd promised him we will be done in an hour's time), he joked - Aapne aaj poora din le liya itne time mein main teen chaar pages ki comic bana leta... though he had finished two pages while we interviewed him, we were in awe of his efficiency and punctuality. Uncle Pai was generous with us as well... One particular interview that I am lucky enough to shoot was of Late Govind Brahmania sir, who despite having a great fan following and numerous efforts of interviewing him was never ready to give an interview and even I and Saumin had to literally plead him for this interview, which he reluctantly said yes on one condition - "Aage koi bhi interview lene aayega to tumko tumhare interview ki CD bana ke usko deni padegi..." 

The Late Eminent Uncle Pai

I will always sulk to the thought of not being able to interview Late Pradeep Sathe ji, who had become a good friend of mine and had visited me in Pune and we'd met several times in Mumbai as well, but before I could interview him, he was no more. Another artist is reclusive Bharat Negi ji who enjoys a tremendous fan following in our today's legendary artists like Anupam Sinha, Sudhir Telang et al, we were able to meet him and he blessed us but refused to give an interview.

The Legend behind Chacha Chaudhary, Sabu and Raaket

Almost all the artists were kind of shocked to realize someone (I) can be crazy enough to remember all their work and travel all the way to their homes and shoot an interview without any concrete financial support. Besides, for many artists it was a revelation of sorts - that people still remember and love their work. (It was started before facebook made them meet their fans).

      One of the Gods of Indian Comics describing Another : Anupam Sinha Ji talking about Sukhwant Kalsi sir

Q 4. Making a film like 'Chitrakatha' would be a dream for many comic-book fans, who have been your chief collaborators in this project?

My Partners in Crime - Saumin Patel (Graphics), Neeshank Mathure & Yash (Cinematographers), Anirban (Music) - Kaarwaan abhi badhta jaa raha hai... Will be able to share a final list once the film is ready.

Alok and Saumin during the Shoot

 Q 5. What are your views on there being no good Superhero films made in India despite us having a rich Modern mythology replete with homegrown heroes, when movies like The Dark Knight or recently The Avengers do extremely well in theaters.

First of all Bollywood is still unaware of the fan following Indian Comic Book Superheroes enjoy. Secondly, a Superhero movie needs a lot of investment, one can make two Singh Is Kinngs and make big bucks rather than trying out one Nagraj movie and risking their money by stepping into a territory they themselves aren't aware of. Thankfully things are changing and soon we can see Movies based on Indian Comic Book heroes. 

 

Q 6. This is your space, please tell the readers of Filmistani what all they can expect from your film, here's to hoping it converts loads of New kids into fans of good old comic books.

Well, besides telling the story behind Indian Comic Books, we are trying to make our film entertaining even for the people who haven't read or enjoyed these stories earlier. While die-hard comic book fans would enjoy the stories behind their most fav. comic book characters, we are trying to lure new readers into this magical world of comic books. Fingers crossed.

Alok Sharma can be contacted through his FB page http://www.facebook.com/chitrakatha
He is very accessible and loves discussing comic books and films.

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