QUOTE MARTIAL
MAKING WAVES
SHORT TAKES
ROUGH CUTS
MEMORIES
ARCHIVES
MOVIES CHAT

The win-win situation

D Jose in Thiruvananthapuram

Mammootty. Click for bigger pic!

Here you have two superstars, each with their own fan followings, haring after the same heroine in a film. Now who gets the woman in the end? And before you think the problem is over, also remember that one of the heroes is the producer Hairy situation for a director, you'd think?

That was the problem facing Fazil, director of Malayalam film Harikrishnans. His solution was to provide different endings at different theatres. Harikrishnans also has generated a little interest because the heroine is Bollywood's Juhi Chawla, doing a Malayalam movie for the first time.

Juhi plays Meera, a woman loved by two lawyers, played by the two superstars, Mammooty and Mohanlal. Finally, Meera, amenable character that she is, suggests the guys decide who gets her.

So theatres in Thiruvananthapuram have Mohanlal marrying Meera; while theatres in Quilon and Cochin have Mammooty becoming the bridegroom. The ending has been decided by the star's standing in the particular region.

Juhi Chawla. Click for bigger pic!

Mammooty and Mohanlal, when asked to comment on the different endings said that it is the discretion of the director, and that they had no say in the matter. But Mohanlal, the producer, also admitted he had discussed the ending with Mammootty and Juhi Chawla.

Juhi Chawla wasn't particularly interested whether her character went to one or the other man. Which, apparently, was when the decision was left to director Fazil.

Fazil said it was a problem faced by any film-maker casting two superstars together.

He, however, strongly refuted rumours that the decision had communal overtones. Some in the industry had alleged that Mammootty was shown as the victor in areas where Muslims were in a majority; and Mohanlal, where more Hindus lived.

Mammooty, unperturbed by these stories, said a film like Harikrishnans was a good thing for Malayalam cinema. It was received a phenomenal welcome from viewers in all centres where it was released two weeks ago. In the first week itself, the film collected Rs 560,000, an all-time high for any film, breaking the last record set by Aaraam Thampuram directed by Shaji Kailas. That too starred Mohanlal and it had managed to collect Rs 400,000 in the first week.

Mohanlal. Click for bigger pic!

The two superstars, both of whom charge Rs 200,000 per film according to industry reports, have had some trouble getting a box-office hit solely on their individual capacities. The last time the superstars acted together was in No 20 Madras Mail, directed by Joshi. However, they had acted together in a number of films before they achieved superstar status.

Vinoj Kamal of Mohanlal Fan's Assocation is enthusiastic about the film, and has only appreciation for Mohanlal's acting. "I am happy that Mammooty has agreed to act in a film starring Mohanlal, who is also its producer."

Benoy Babu, one of those who saw both the versions of the film, has no complaints against either, praising the performance of both stars. However, Sheeja, a housewife was unhappy, deploring two ends for the same film.

"It shows that story is not important for directors," she complained.

Senior film-maker K P Kumaran justified the production of the film with two climaxes, saying that the story is fictional and that the author is free to give it any direction he pleases. What is important how the viewers accept the work.

The producers wouldn't mind either way. As of now, they are in hysterics on the way to the banks.

EARLIER FEATURE:
Perfect foils