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CINEMA:
ABHISHEK BACHCHAN
Being
Unconventional Doesn't Always Help
What
went wrong? The trade is attributing it more to Abhishek's choice of films
than his talent. Hrithik's debut was designed to launch a star. Abhishek
chose a more unconventional route. Refugee offered scope for performance
but had no room for flashy clothes, rocking dance sequences or stylised
fights. TJCG, made by debutant director A. Muthu, was supposed to show
that side. But Muthu, David Dhawan's editor, didn't deliver. Says Nahta:
"Abhishek's choice of films is wrong, which
is surprising considering that both his parents are actors."
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| Working
with few established names |
Clearly,
Abhishek-who was too busy to comment-is not a conformist actor. Despite
the hordes of producers waiting to sign him up, he is working with few
established names. Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (DAPK), his next release,
is the only one which boasts of a director of repute-Raj Kanwar. The three
other films he has on the floors are being made by debutant directors.
He is working with friends and making, as his director Goldie Behl puts
it, "his kind of cinema".
Nahta thinks
it's one risk too many. But neither he nor the industry is writing Abhishek
off. "Give him one director," says distributor Tolu Bajaj, "and
he'll bounce right back." Dutta testifies to Abhishek's talent: "He
is a very fine actor and excellent clay material. It's just a matter of
time. You can't keep him down." Behl is equally insistent: "All
the greats have taken time. I never expected Abhishek to do a Hrithik
Roshan. This is not a chocolate boy happening. It's a man happening."
Perhaps.
But as Adarsh puts it, "It doesn't matter whose son you are. Here
there is only one rule-hit hai to fit hai." Which makes DAPK a critical
film for Abhishek. It has all the right names attached to it. Kanwar,
a crude but able storyteller, has churned out successes like Judai
and Deewane. Aishwarya Rai is a hit away from the No. 1 position.
Not to mention hot music directors Jatin-Lalit and gorgeous European locations.
But if DAPK
fails, Abhishek will find the going tough. Amitabh Bachchan had nine flops
before Zanjeer propelled him into the stratosphere. But those were
kinder, gentler times. In today's hellishly competitive industry, second
chances are rare. Even if your name is Bachchan.
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