Editorial

Where are the options?
Small is gainful, small is viable. This seems to be the slogan for a section of the industry which prefers not to bet on top stars. This section has worked out its own economics and is surviving creditably on a formula that makes sense to its promoters. Significantly enough, while the big players are staking more into the business, the small players are going steady and keeping scores of kitchen fires burning as well.

Yet, as the industry stands on the threshold of a new century, the picture that looms large before it is not luminous enough for it to go ga ga with confidence. There hasn’t been a single sensational hit this year compared to previous years. Rajshri’s Hum Saath... is the year’s big hit but not of the magnitude of Hum Aapke... Nor can it be equated with Dilwale Dulhania... and Kuch Kuch... in terms of box-office earnings. Subhash Ghai’s Taal has scored sensationally abroad and has proved that a movie without the mandatory Khans can also do excellent business abroad. Bravo! But then, that’s it.

In fact, the stars who have emerged on the firmament this year are Sanjay Dutt and Aishwarya Rai. Between Daag-The Fire which started the year exceptionally well for Sanjay Dutt and Vaastav, the rebel actor has truly made waves and given life to a career that has seen more downs than ups. While his performance in Vaastav is being raved about, it needs to be noticed that the dividends of his perseverance are visible even in films like Haseena Maan Jayegi, Safari and Khoobsurat which have not met with the same measure of acclaim. These less acclaimed films, too, have revealed a new Sanjay Dutt who has the ability to perform even in a poorly written role.

Hopefully this wonderful phase in Sanjay’s career will be carried forward to the coming years. If there is a shadow of uncertainty it is only because there were similar phases earlier such as when he wowed the audience with his work in Mahesh Bhatt’s Sadak and Subhash Ghai’s Khal-Nayak and destiny cruelly arrested his advancement.

The confidence with which the industry is signing him on for new projects is certainly proof that big time is finally at Sanjay’s door. To his count of mentors Sanjay can now add Raj Kanwar and Mahesh Manjrekar. Kanwar for having brought him back to form and Manjrekar for giving him yet another deserving opportunity to prove himself. This time Sanjay’s chances of reaching the number one position are, perhaps, more bright than before. He has charm, physique and blossoming talent on his side. Also luck.

Aishwarya Rai seems to be heading for the top slot with determination. The position left vacant by Madhuri Dixit’s and Kajol’s exit has to be won. The contenders are Karisma Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai. In 1999 Karisma’s performance has been more than impressive with three successes -- Biwi No.1, Haseena Maan Jayegi and Hum Saath.... She has also wisely chosen a couple of off-beat assignments to enlarge her work experience.

The former Miss World, Aishwarya has some interesting assignments on hand and is being recognised as a disciplined and diligent artiste. Three movies this year, Aa Ab Laut Chalen, Hum Dil De... and Taal showed her as a fine dancer and subtle performer.

The industry’s prospects for the next year are understandably mixed. A lot will depend on the box-office performance of the big budget releases at the start of 2000. Two new actors will face the test of the box-office next year and both have bagged good assignments already without really proving themselves. Which shows how eager producers are to break the prevailing star system if only they had good options.

Udaya Tara Nayar