Katrina's 'Sheila Ki Jawani' brings crowds to TMK

Katrina Kaif's sensuous 'Sheila Ki Jawani' number brought in the audiences in droves to watch Farah Khan's "Tees Maar Khan", with the movie garnering 90-95 percent occupancy on the day of its release Friday.

With their curiosity whetted by Katrina's slithery moves in television promos of the film, the Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif starrer was a hit on its first day.

However, industry insiders predict the huge turnout is mostly due to Katrina's dance number.

"We are having good advance bookings for 'Tees Maar Khan' and the initial response is good, with almost 90 percent occupancy, but the content is not at all as per expectations," Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (cinemas) of Wave Cinemas, told IANS.

"Audiences are mostly queuing up to watch Katrina Kaif in 'Sheila Ki Jawani', and that's about it," he added.

Amit Awasthi, senior manager (programming and operations) of Spice Cinemas, said: "The movie has opened to a fantastic initial with over 95 percent occupancy and the audiences are coming in mostly due to the hot item number," said Awasthi.

A source from PVR cinemas also said: "The initial for the movie is good at about 80-90 percent but the content is not getting appreciation. The audiences are only here for the item song and not for the movie per se."

Co-produced by Three's Company, Hari Om Entertainment and UTV Motion Pictures, the previews for the movie held on Dec 21, Dec 22 and Dec 23 in select cities in Britain have, however, grossed over Rs.7.5 million.

In the US, the previews grossed Rs.4 million on Wednesday alone, according to a statement by UTV. While in the Middle East, it has made around Rs.9.5 million on its opening day.

Another movie that was released is Ajay Devgn-Kajol starrer live action animation "Toonpur Ka Superhero" that is still waiting to pick up with only 20-30 percent occupancy on an average.

Akshay upbeat on Indo-Pak cricket team

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who was here Friday to promote his film "Tees Maar Khan", said the joint team of India and Pakistan would prove the best team in the world, Geo News reported Monday.

Talking to Geo News correspondent Badar Muneer Chaudhry, the star said his movies earn the most in Pakistan and love which he receives from Pakistan is unmatched anywhere else.

Kumar said he loved Lahore cuisines saying, ‘I happened to eat some Lahori specialties which I relished a great deal.’

Bollywood star Akshay Kumarsaid he expected the film to repeat the success of his previous hits and called Canada a heaven on earth.

"What you are going to see in 'Tees Maar Khan' is total entertainment. It is a Bollywood masala movie which will appeal to everyone,'' said the actor. The film is due for release next week.

In the film, directed by Farah Khan and jointly produced by his wife Twinkle Khanna, Akshay plays a con man named Tabrez Mirza Khan, with Katrina in the role of his girlfriend Anya.

"I play the role of an uneducated con man who plans to rob a train containing 10,000 kg of antiques. The script is so good that all characters come along with me and I am conning all of them. I rob the train with their help but no one among them knows that they are helping me,'' said Akshay Kumar, rating Katrina as his favourite actress.

The actor credited Farah Khan with doing an excellent job of directing the film. "She did a great job. Because of its excellent script, the film has created new 'muhawara' (idiom) in dialogue,'' he said, reciting a few lines used in the film.

About his own role, he said, "I have been an entertainer for the past 22 years. I have done it in this film and will keep doing it in the future.''

Asked why he chooses Canada more than other countries for shooting and releasing his films, he said he has fallen in love with this country. "I love Canada since I did my first film here 17-18 yeas ago. I have been here hundreds of times, but every time I love coming here again. I tell people in India that if they want to see 'jannat' (heaven) on this planet, they should visit Canada,'' said the actor who is currently serving as a brand ambassador in India for the Canadian Tourism Commission.

The star, who finished shooting his first Hollywood film 'Break Away' here some time ago, said, "The film will be released in May-June. We have sold its distribution rights to Alliance Atlantis."

Shot in Toronto, the film revolves around Canada's national game ice hockey to address issues of cultural conflicts among new immigrants to this country.

Asked whether Bollywood standards were declining, he said, " No, Bollywood's standards are going up. While they used to release up to 500 prints, now these numbers are up to 2,500.''

He also expressed ignorance about his role in Deepa Mehta's proposed film "Komagata Maru". "I don't know anything about the film. Nobody has approached me.''

Asked to rate his favourite hero and heroine, he said, "I like watching Sanjeev Kumar...... and Katrina Kaif."