Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan come together for Jodhaa Akbar music launch

Ashutosh Gowariker's epic romance, Jodhaa Akbar, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the Rajput princess, Jodhaa, and Hrithik Roshan as the Mughal emperor, Akbar, will have its worldwide soundtrack release on 15th January 2008. The stunning soundtrack of the film was unveiled with a grand star-studded event. The ambience of created at the music launch, took one back to the moghul era with the entire place draped in maroon, gold and green with gold motifs. Most of the guests too were donning ethnic dresses. The royalty was in full force as well with Maharaj Bhawani Singh and brother, Brajraj Singh Bishambar gracing the occasion along with Maharani Padmini Singh. The Maharani said, "It gives immense pleasure to me and my family to be here. Mr. Ashutosh had given us the concept before he began the project and he has given correct facts. When I saw the audio visuals I felt I have been reliving the passage history since I am descendant of Maharani Jodhaa's family." Ashutosh thanked each and every member of his cast and crew and all the members present there. Present in the magnificent Royal tent, especially erected for the unveiling, were all the singers along with the entire cast and crew of the film including Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, A. R. Rahman, Javed Akhtar, Mrs. Punam S. Sinha, Sonu Sood, Ronnie Screwvala, Sunita Gowariker and Ashutosh Gowariker. The musical score for the period film by AR Rahman has been released under the newly launched UTV Music label and consists of five songs that capture the essence and opulence of the Moghul era. Says Ronnie Screwvala on the launch of UTV Music with Jodhaa Akbar: “A film of the magnitude and caliber of Jodhaa Akbar with its outstanding music compositions is the perfect vehicle for the launch of UTV Music. This is in keeping with the vision of UTV Motion Pictures to provide quality entertainment to our audiences worldwide across all distribution platforms. For our first initiative, UTV Music is honored to have the collaborative effort of Ashutosh Gowariker, A. R. Rahman and Javed Akhtar and this is a very proud moment for all of us.” Jodhaa Akbar needed a distinct sound, keeping in mind the Rajput and Mughal cultures; it needed to be regal and epic in its composition but at the same time it needed to have a contemporary appeal, which these two magicians have wonderfully woven together effortlessly.” Speaking on the music, A R Rahman comments “It has always been a pleasure to associate with Ashutosh on his projects. We started off with Lagaan and then Swades, both of which gave me immense creative satisfaction as a composer. It was an honor that Jodhaa Akbar was offered to me. Working on the music of Jodhaa Akbar has been a creative challenge for me, as being an epic romance set in the sixteenth century, the music was required to bring out the nuances of that era." The joint appearance by Aishwarya and Hrithik at the event put to rest rumors of a rift between the co-stars who wowed viewers as an on screen couple in Dhoom-2. Dismissing tabloid speculation that the two have not been getting along lately Gowarikar says "Absolutely untrue! Aishwarya and Hrithik get along really well. Even at the wrap-up party they were fine with each other. There was no rivalry between them." Fans can expect to see the two make more joint appearances during the lead up to the release of the film. “We now have a publicity plan for them,” Gowarikar adds. "The music of Jodhaa-Akbar can't be bhangra and hip-hop. Just because the film has Aishwarya, please don't expect an introductory song-and-dance. It's not a star vehicle. It's about the characters. I'm showcasing Jodhaa and Akbar," says Ashutosh Gowarikar. Gowarikar also denied that two songs were cut from the film to keep its length under 3 hours "No we recorded five songs and we've retained them all. I treasure every song that I record and wouldn't dream of cutting them for length." All the five songs of the film were showcased to the audience and each one met with a huge applause after its conclusion. While the 2000 dancers participating Azeem-O-Shan Shahenshah was spectacularly shot and drew maximum applause, the In Lamho Ke Darmiyaan featured the Hrithik – Aish sizzling chemistry at its peak. The lead pair showed no discomfort with each other on the dias during the function and refuted rumours about their being in any problems involved with each other during the make of the film, as being reported. Lyricist of the film, Javed Akhtar termed Jodhaa Akbar the much-needed apt film in today's times, spreading the secularity message. He told us, "500 years back, there existed an emperor, Akbar who initiated secularism much before those in the west started championing it. Being a Muslim, he never inflicted his religion on his Hindu wife, Jodhaa. She remained a Hindu till her death. Akbar was way far ahead of his times his laws prove that. He had passed an ordinance wherein girls below 16 years age should not get married and imposed taxes on casinos and used this income for the welfare of his masses." Just as the function was to begun, Shatrughan Sinha made an entry with wife, Poonam, who is making a comeback in the film playing Hrithik's mother. As he was about to sit, Big B immediately went across to him and hugged him. It might be recollected that Amitabh had not invited the actor cum MP for son, Abhishek's wedding and post the wedding when he had sent a mithai box to those not invited, Shotgun Sinha had sent it back feeling insulted about it. Bachchan didn't leave the opportunity to make amends for it when he came face to face for the first time after that. Amitabh is associated with Jodhaa Akbar too having given his voice over for the film ala Lagaan.

Welcome and TZP benefit due to Jodha Akbar's delay

Welcome being a super-success and Taare Zameen Par showing steady escalation isn't news any more. What is news though is an extended great run at the box office for both the films, which is pretty much on the cards now due to Jodha Akbar being postponed to February. Though the official date being cited is February 15, there are still doubts if this would stick on to be the final date.

With coming weeks boasting of mostly small/medium budget productions with a limited market and only a handful of films which could be taken seriously, it greatly helps the prospects of Welcome and Taare Zameen Par to enjoy a longish stay at the screens.

Coming Friday sees Return of Hanuman and Showbiz. While Anurag Kashyap has been quoted as saying that "Return of Hanuman could be as big a blockbuster as Om Shanti Om,” Mukesh Bhatt has maintained that "Showbiz would work with word of mouth going in it's favor". The fact still remains that none of the two films are expected to embark on an earth-shattering opening, hence allowing Akshay and Aamir to stay strong even in the second week.

A film like Manthan Ek Kashmakash that may release on January 4 (deadly first weekend of a year), spells Z grade from miles away and the only thing it guarantees is an inauspicious beginning to 2008.

A week later things turn better but still not in a way which could announce Halla Bol at the box office. Bombay To Bangkok is a small film by Iqbal team of Subhash Ghai, Nagesh Kukunoor and Shreyas Talpade and would see a limited release. Raj Kumar Santoshi, who would be desperate for a box office, has announced, "Halla Bol is a wake-up call for our collective conscience" while also clarifying that this Ajay Devgan (who plays a superstar) starrer is not set in the film industry. The film again belongs to ‘wait and watch’ category, as is the case with the third release of the January 11-My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves, which marks the debut of Nikhil Dwivedi.

Earlier this month, producer Surendra Bhatia had postponed his Rajpal Yadav, Ashish Chaudhary, Neha Dhupia starrer Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaaa stating, "There are number of biggies slated for a release in December, and we would be forced to vacate theatres/multiplexes once these films release." The situation definitely has improved as January 18 currently stands as an open weekend for this comedy. Still, it is more or less a negligible competition for Welcome and Taare Zameen Par.

The first major competition, which comes, the way of Akshay and Aamir is Sunday which hits the screens on January 25, 2008. "The film unabashedly promises to be a mix of action, comedy, romance, and thrills. Director Rohit Shetty appears to have a winner in hands," says a trade insider. A solo release, it is followed by small/medium budget films like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Superstar, promotion for which is still to begin.

What this means for both Welcome and Taare Zameen Par is that both the films would now have more or less an uninterrupted run for an almost 8 weeks! Astonishing, since in the times when there is competition arriving every Friday, Akshay and Aamir would have as many as two open months for their films.

Second time lucky directors

Second time lucky directors
2007 seems to have created a record when it comes to second time directors bringing their films to the silver screen. For most of the film makers, their second outing turned out to be better than their debut effort, both critically and commercially.

Shimit Amin - Chak De India (First film - Ab Tak Chappan)
Shimit Amin has inarguably given one of the best reviewed, appreciated and loved films of 2007. As a narrator, Shimit struck an excellent balance while interspersing his Ab Tak Chappan style of shot-taking in a Yash Raj Films setup. What could well have been a humongous task came across quite convincingly with coming together of entertainment and real emotions! For cynics, Shimit can take a bow as a director who finally made Shahrukh Khan act!

Farah Khan - Om Shanti Om (First film - Main Hoon Naa)
Main Hoon Naa was termed as shameless entertainment in spite of being a big success. Did the allegation make any difference to Farah Khan's style of film making? Yes, it did. Her Om Shanti Om only took giant leaps to be an even more unabashed manner of pushing entertainment down your throat. Status of biggest box office grosser ever notwithstanding, Om Shanti Om presented dozen odd item sequences that tied the script together for creating a circus that was amusing as well as entertaining.

Imtiaz Ali - Jab We Met (First film - Socha Na Tha)
His first film Socha Na Tha was good and his second film is fast gaining cult status! As a writer-director Imtiaz Ali was always special, as seen in Socha Na Tha. But what one got to witness in Jab We Met was a complete feel-good riot that was an amalgamation of dozens of short but effective scenes. Spicy and imaginative dialogues which were out of real life only made you grin from ear to ear.

Sriram Raghavan - Johnny Gaddaar (First film - Ek Haseena Thi)
Sriram loves thrillers. If he created a new genre with Ek Haseena Thi, he went leaps and bounds to make sure that Johnny Gaddaar was an entirely new experience for a viewer. So much was the control behind the wheel for Raghavan that he cared least about bringing his gears down even as his protagonists faced obstacles in form of speed breakers like double cross, counterfeit, death, a gambling gone wrong, petty fights, loss of moolah and last but not the least, infidelity.

Siddharth Anand - Ta Ra Rum Pum (First film - Salaam Namaste)
Ok, so the film and it's director has been a favorite punching bag this year. However, the fact is that this was Yash Raj Films' only success outside Chak De India. After a mushy Salaam Namaste, Siddharth Anand decided to go the family way while delivering a sermon on judicious spending. Banks and credit card companies may not be too happy with him though since Siddharth termed the trend of 'buy-now-pay-later' as bad! Moral of the story - "Installments are bad, going down heavy on credit cards is bad, saving is cool and spending lavishly is not so cool!"

Vivek Agnihotri - Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (First film - Chocolate)
Director Vivek Agnihotri was panned for his first film Chocolate as critics felt that the film's narrative was too complex. With Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal, it was a Catch-22 situation for him as this time around he was accused of coming up with an overtly simplistic treatment. All said and done, audience didn't quite mind drooling over John. Coming together of the theme of sports, self-respect and international integration further added up to make Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal a decent watch.

Rahul Dholakia - Parzania (First film - Kehta Hai Dil Baar Baar)
From mushy popcorn romcom -Kehta Hai Dil Baar Baar, Rahul Dholakia took a 180 degrees turn and brought nation's attention to social and communal issues. His Parzania faced quite some problems during it's filming and even struggled to reach the theaters. Poor marketing and lack of promotion meant that only a select few eventually got an opportunity to watch the film. And those who did were left stunned. The film is now making it's presence felt in the DVD circuits.

Meghna Gulzar - Just Married (First film - Filhaal)
Her first film Filhaal was too heavy and serious for most. With Just Married, she decided to take a light hearted route though with her genetic sensibilities in place. Even though Just Married too didn't quite hit the bull's eye, it turned out to be pretty likeable with some endearing moments that stayed on with the audience. If only, the film's culmination would have been exciting and the pace a little faster, Just Married may have been the first breezy box office success for Fardeen-Esha combo!

Raksha Mistry, Hasnain Hyderabadwala - The Train (First film - The Killer)
Director duo of Raksha and Hasnain may be left wondering what went wrong with their second outing The Train. Ok, so the film had major portions of the script coming right from the English film Derailed but what mattered in the end was the entertainment qoutient that it brought along with. This Emraan Hashmi, Geeta Basra and Sayali Bhagat starrer wasn't bad and only showed an improved storytelling from the director duo who had made their debut with The Killer.

Robby Grewal - MP3 - Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar (Samay - When Time Strikes)
Robby's first film Samay - When Time Strikes, a thriller, was all good till the last 10 minutes when the climax turned out to be a damp squib. He kept this in mind in his second outing MP3 - Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar, a romantic comedy, and made sure that the culmination held it's ground. He extracted decent performances from newcomers Ruslaan and Hazel and made a polished product too. Sadly, the film's promotion and marketing left a lot to be desired and hardly anyone even got a chance to see this fun flick.