WILL THE INDIE FILM BA PASS ATTAIN SUCCESS?
Several small-budget erotic films are regularly churned out. Most of them, however, are sleazy which are meant to attract front benchers. In such a scenario, it’s rare that a film like BA Pass has pleased both the masses and classes. The film is a high-voltage erotic drama, featuring Chak De India girl Shilpa Shukla as the seductress. But at the same time, it’s all done aesthetically and gives a strong indication that it’s a well-made and well-etched flick. Based on Mohan Sikka’s short story, The Railway Aunty, BA Pass also stars newbie Shadab Kamal. One doesn’t get to ascertain from the promos about his performance since Shilpa overpowers her! The film has toured various film festivals and was scheduled to release initially in May-end. The release then got postponed at least half a dozen times and finally the film hits screens tomorrow, August 2.
BA Pass might get thumbs up from viewers but the film will have a tough time. The response is great but it is seen more as an ‘indie’ or ‘serious cinema’ than a mass entertainer. The promotions have been limited and the postponement of the film also has affected the prospects to an extent. But most importantly, what goes against the film is the timing of the release – it’s releasing in the month of Ramzan, a week before Chennai Express and along with as many as 8 other films like Rabba Main Kya Karoon, Bhadaas, Calapor, Chor Chor Super Chor, Prague and Love In Bombay. Moreover, there are 2 dubbed films – Bachchan and Main Hoon Surya Singham II (the latter was supposed to release last week). Not to forget, the previous week releases like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, D-Day, Ramaiya Vastavaiya, The Wolverine and Ship Of Theseus along with the regional films will also jostle for screen space and hence, the new releases will find it tough to get adequate shows in multiplexes. And even if they do, will adequate number of audiences come to flock to see the films? Except BA Pass, viewers are not even aware of the films being released tomorrow; forget being excited enough to go to theatre to see the films! Chor Chor Super Chor, in fact, seems terrific from the promos but promotion has been negligible. Love In Bombay is an unreleased film, directed, produced and featuring Joy Mukerji, made in 1973. This could be a great opportunity for lovers of old Hindi cinema to get a chance to go down memory lane. But awareness is zilch. Same goes for Prague that also might be a film worth watching. As for the rest of the films, the less said, the better!
This ‘flood’ of film releases happens every year couple of times but in the last four weeks, it has happened three times. Out of dozen films released, only one film or sometimes none of the films hit the success mark. Yet, filmmakers are impatient and don’t learn from past releases. Alas!
P.S.: At the time of posting the blog, the 9 aforementioned releases were scheduled to release for August 2. However, last minute changes might lead to few films being pushed ahead.
