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Sholay tribute fails to impress Sholay tribute fails to impress
(about 5 hours later)
A Bollywood film, which was to be a tribute to Sholay (Flames) - the most iconic Hindi movie ever made - has flopped at the box office.A Bollywood film, which was to be a tribute to Sholay (Flames) - the most iconic Hindi movie ever made - has flopped at the box office.
A week after Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag (Ram Gopal Varma's Fire) was released, distributors say they have decided to pull it from cinemas by Friday.A week after Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag (Ram Gopal Varma's Fire) was released, distributors say they have decided to pull it from cinemas by Friday.
Critics across India have panned the film and theatres in many parts of India have been running almost empty.Critics across India have panned the film and theatres in many parts of India have been running almost empty.
Trade analysts estimate the filmmakers will lose about $3m.Trade analysts estimate the filmmakers will lose about $3m.
Often described as a "curry" western, Sholay was made in 1978. Often described as a "curry" western, Sholay was made in 1975.
The film was inspired by Hollywood's The Magnificent Seven, which itself was based on the Japanese film, Seven Samurai.The film was inspired by Hollywood's The Magnificent Seven, which itself was based on the Japanese film, Seven Samurai.
Back-firedBack-fired
Sholay became a milestone in Indian cinema with an all-star cast, cult dialogue, stylish cinematography and a brilliant soundtrack which is still a hit with Indians.Sholay became a milestone in Indian cinema with an all-star cast, cult dialogue, stylish cinematography and a brilliant soundtrack which is still a hit with Indians.
Bachchan fails to impress as the villain (Photo: Adlabs Films)Bachchan fails to impress as the villain (Photo: Adlabs Films)
Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag was meant to be the director Varma's tribute to a film he says he has seen 27 times.Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag was meant to be the director Varma's tribute to a film he says he has seen 27 times.
But his attempt to rekindle the past has backfired badly.But his attempt to rekindle the past has backfired badly.
Trade analyst Amol Mehra says, "It was the biggest flop of our generation."Trade analyst Amol Mehra says, "It was the biggest flop of our generation."
No one seems to disagree with him.No one seems to disagree with him.
Film critic Komal Nahta says he is not surprised at the distributors' decision to stop showing the film.Film critic Komal Nahta says he is not surprised at the distributors' decision to stop showing the film.
"Such a high-profile film has been taken off theatres in its second week. How do you expect the exhibitors to continue to pay the theatre rent while getting nothing in return?" he asks."Such a high-profile film has been taken off theatres in its second week. How do you expect the exhibitors to continue to pay the theatre rent while getting nothing in return?" he asks.
Huge disappointmentHuge disappointment
I watched the film in a swanky Mumbai (Bombay) multiplex on Saturday, a day after the film was released.I watched the film in a swanky Mumbai (Bombay) multiplex on Saturday, a day after the film was released.
The film is expected to lose $3m (Photo: Adlabs Films)The film is expected to lose $3m (Photo: Adlabs Films)
There were not more than 15 people in the theatre watching the film - surprising as cinema halls are generally packed during the weekends.There were not more than 15 people in the theatre watching the film - surprising as cinema halls are generally packed during the weekends.
I had gone with high expectations, especially as the film has superstar Amitabh Bachchan playing the role of a villain.I had gone with high expectations, especially as the film has superstar Amitabh Bachchan playing the role of a villain.
Bachchan was in Sholay too, where he played one of the two main leads.Bachchan was in Sholay too, where he played one of the two main leads.
But my fellow viewers were hugely disappointed and agreed that Bachchan had failed to impress.But my fellow viewers were hugely disappointed and agreed that Bachchan had failed to impress.
TroublesTroubles
By the intermission, many disappointed fans had already left the theatre.By the intermission, many disappointed fans had already left the theatre.
"It was a carnage of the original Sholay," one fan said."It was a carnage of the original Sholay," one fan said.
The film had run into trouble from the word go. As soon as Varma announced his plans for a remake, he ran into copyright issues with the Sholay producer, Ramesh Sippy.The film had run into trouble from the word go. As soon as Varma announced his plans for a remake, he ran into copyright issues with the Sholay producer, Ramesh Sippy.
After Sippy sued him in court, Varma was forced to change the name of the film from the planned Ram Gopal Varma ke Sholay. He also had to change the name of all the main characters.After Sippy sued him in court, Varma was forced to change the name of the film from the planned Ram Gopal Varma ke Sholay. He also had to change the name of all the main characters.
Several of Bollywood's films have been remade in the recent years, some of them have been successful, but others have failed miserably at the box-office.Several of Bollywood's films have been remade in the recent years, some of them have been successful, but others have failed miserably at the box-office.
Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag is the biggest flop so far.Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag is the biggest flop so far.