Film starring Amitabh shelved
07 May, 2002
Ever since Amitabh Bachchan's second coming, Mrityudata, his screen showing seems to be heading downhill, barring an isolated Mohabattein or Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. He has not been able to come up with even a single solo hit for a long time now and even 'experimental films' like Aks and Aankhen have turned out to be flops. To add to his woes, Bharat Bala Productions (that has in the past come up with slick projects like Maa Tujhe Salam, Vande Matram and Jana Gana Mana) has decided to shelve Mumtaz Mahal, the 'first Imax film' starring Big B and Aishwarya Rai.
The trade apparently is not very enthusiastic about Amitabh's films of late. So Mumtaz, which was supposed to be a 'period costume drama', has been put on the shelf for the time being. Amitabh confirms that he has not been in contact with the makers of this film for the last one year and Aishwarya for her part has denied allotting dates for this project. Amitabh's switch from playing 'common man roles' to 'larger than life characters' seems to be partly responsible for his undoing. Films like Deewar, Suhag, Mr.Natwarlal, Khoon Pasina, Sholay, Zanjeer, Kala Patthar, Kaalia and Inquilaab saw him excelling in 'common man roles'. He was the angry young man taking on the system, the crusader against the evils of society. His fans could relate easily to such roles. But Shahenshah marked a turning point and films like Toofan and Jadugar saw him playing 'larger than life' characters. The next stage saw him in the role of the 'patriarch', sporting Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla outfits, which also did not no down very well with the audience. And now come some Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde roles (as in Aks) and we have the Amitabh of the new millennium. But these films are at variance with the perception of Amitabh in the public eye and have not exactly added to his stock.
His frequent presence on the small screen has also dissipated the aura surrounding him. Kaun Banega Crorepati may have been the biggest hit on TV but it has led to the 'screen king' becoming a commoner, touting everything from pens to colas. Sources in Bharat Bala Productions say that not even a single financier has come with money for this project, which was supposed to be released this year. It may never see the light of day as now neither the production house nor the stars are keen on it.
