The title Corona Pyaar Hai is among the first to be registered by a filmmaker
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; March 15, 2020)

In the midst of all the panic about Coronavirus around the world, and now in India, some of our Bollywood filmmakers have wasted no time in grabbing the word ‘corona’ for their future movie titles. While we have seen several memes on social media where ‘corona’ has been used in Bollywood film titles for humour, we have learnt that a film title has actually been registered, giving a funny twist to the Hrithik Roshan’s 2000 superhit, Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai. It is Eros International that has gone ahead and registered Corona Pyaar Hai as a film title.

A source from IFTPC (Indian Film and Television Producer Council) informed that the production house registered Corona Pyaar Hai as their film title last week. When we contacted producer Krishika Lulla, she confirmed the news saying, “We are planning a love story set against the backdrop of the epidemic. Currently, we are fine-tuning the script and are waiting for the situation to normalise, as things have come to a standstill now. Once everything is normal, we will start the project.”

Another film body, IMPPA (Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association), too, confirms that they have also witnessed film producers rushing in to register coronabased film titles. “We have already registered one called Deadly Corona,” informed a source.

Even in the past, it has been seen that filmmakers have made a beeline to get titles registered based on real-life events and catastrophes. At the time when Article 370 was revoked, film associations had reportedly received requests for registering titles like Article 370, Kashmir Hamara Hai, Article 370 Abolished and Kashmir Mein Tiranga among others. Similarly, following the Pulwama terror attack and the Balakot air strike, titles like Abhinandan, The Air Strike Of Pulwama, India Strikes Back and Surgical Strike 2.0 were quickly registered by filmmakers keen on making movies on these subjects.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 15, 2017)

Two days ago, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi wrote letters to a segment of Bollywood about the law on sexual harassment at work. Her office said they were penned to ensure that production houses provide a secure environment for their female employees. The recipients included the top brass of filmmakers and producers such as Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap, Ekta Kapoor, Vinod Chopra, Mahesh Bhatt, Shah Rukh Khan, Sooraj Barjatya, Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Anil Ambani, Sajid Nadiadwala, Aamir Khan, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Ashutosh Gowariker, Manish Mundra, Pritish Nandy, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Subhash Ghai.

The letter was meant to inform production houses about the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women (Prevention, Prohibition Redressal) Act 2013 so that they can implement it immediately. And, of course, in turn, the idea was to provide a safe and secure atmosphere for women at work.

After Hrs tried to reach out to most of the makers whose offices have reportedly received the letter seeking their response. While a veteran producer chose to reply with “no comments”, many others said they were yet to read the letter and would be in a position to give their response only after that. There were some producers who didn’t wish to go on record. Ever since the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment case made headlines across the globe, Bollywood celebrities have constantly been asked their reactions to this misconduct. Speaking of his concern to keep women safe, Aamir had earlier told a section of the media, “I think sexual harassment is a sad thing to happen to anyone, irrespective of what your sex is. Sexual harassment is just not on,” he said when asked about the Harvey case.

Such cases, he had said, happened not just in the world of films, but in other areas, too. “I understand that people are free to be romantically involved with whoever they want. But you cannot pressure a person into being with you physically. It happens not only in films but in all walks of life and is very unfortunate,’’ he added.

Earlier this month, Salman Khan had said on a public forum, “It is a disgusting practice to use somebody to take advantage of any person in return for getting them work. I’ve never heard anybody say it out loud but if I do, then I will take them to the cleaners.”

When After Hrs contacted Ajit Andhare, CEO of Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, he said, “This is a procedure which we follow committee-wide, in every department. It is done as per the Vishakha committee guidelines. We deal with it in an organised manner.”

Krishika Lulla, Managing Director and Executive Vice Chairman of Eros International commented, “We are blessed because we don’t have such workers working with us. Also our CEO, our marketing head and our PR head — all are women. There are a lot of other women working at different positions in the company. So we are very vigilant about all this. If anyone has a problem, they are open to speaking about it and we take action immediately. We have always been protective of them. I, being a woman, understand this and we know how to handle such situations.”

BOMBAY TIMES (July 20, 2016)

BOMBAY TIMES (May 30, 2016)

MID-DAY (March 15, 2016)

Abhay Deol, who was last seen in One By Two (2014), is all set to return to the big screen with Aanand L Rai’s Happy Bhag Jayegi. With the film’s shoot over, we hear the makers are planning a wrap- up party today, which coincides with the actor’s birthday.

Says a source, “It’s going to be a double celebration for Abhay. The crew will not only celebrate the shoot wrap- up but also his birthday. The makers have invited the actor’s family and close friends for the bash, and have planned a surprise for him.”

The film’s producer Krishika Lulla says, “There couldn’t have been a better day to wrap up the shoot than Abhay’s birthday. We are planning a big bash to celebrate both occasions. I hope it will be a memorable day for Abhay and the entire crew of the film.”

Happy Bhaag Jayegi is about a young runaway bride crossing the border and the drama that ensues. The film also features Diana Penty and Jimmy Sheirgill in key roles.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 11, 2015)

Singer Anmol Malik, who's on a high after Old School Girl from Tanu Weds Manu Returns, talks about jazz music and starting young
Lakshmi V (BOMBAY TIMES; June 5, 2015)

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; May 21, 2015)

Tanu Weds Manu Returns is only a day away from its release, but producer Krishika Lulla has already started the pre-production for her next film. Titled Banjo, Krishika will be teaming up with National Award winning Marathi film director Ravi Jadhav for the project. “This will be Ravi’s debut in Bollywood and he has got an amazing story to tell the audience. The film will be a musical drama and is titled Banjo,” says Krishika while confirming the development. The production house has also approached three actors from the younger generation. “Talks are on with three of the younger actors for the role. It is a one hero-heroine project. There won’t be parallel leads but there will be other fresh faces playing the lead’s friends. After completing Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Ravi and I will sit together and finalise the cast. The film also has a sweet love story and is also about friendship,” reveals Krishika. But the producer remained tight lipped and did not reveal which three younger actors have been approached for the role. “Nothing is concrete. Once things fall in place, we will make an announcement” she says.

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; November 22, 2014)

The five month-long legal dispute between director Aanand L Rai and producer Vinod Bachchan over the rights of Tanu Weds Manu sequel has finally ended.

Bachchan, who holds a 51 per cent share in the original film starring Kangana Ranaut and R Madhavan, had slapped a legal notice on Rai for announcing the second instalment without his consent. A source says the matter has now been resolved with Eros International, which is collaborating with the director for the sequel, apparently having offered a whopping amount to Bachchan to compromise.

Krishika Lulla of Eros confirms the news, stating: “It’s all sorted now”. Asked her about the monetary settlement, she says, “I don’t know how much I can talk about it.”

Bachchan, too, refrained from disclosing the amount. He says, “Of course they must have given me some money. Otherwise, how is a settlement possible? The film was very close to my heart but I got involved with the wrong person. I am confident of making many more films like Tanu Weds Manu though.”

The first schedule of the film, which stars Kangana in a double role, has been completed in Lucknow.

Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; May 24, 2014)

Kochadaiiyaan’s morning shows at Imax Wadala and Fun Cinema in Chembur were apparently cancelled on Friday due to low footfall. At Oberoi Mall in Goregaon, ahouseful show at 9am was cancelled due to technical glitches and the money was refunded to the audience.

Says a moviegoer, “I reached Fun Cinema around 9am but I got to know that the morning show has been cancelled due to a low turnout.” It is also being said that film’s distributors may have a meeting today to discuss the future shows of Kochadaiiyaan.

Distributor Vikas Mohan says that since Rajinikanth is not a superstar throughout Mumbai, some shows of the film were cancelled due to low bookings. “In some areas, the film is running to packed houses but overall, Heropanti and X-Men have got good openings,” he says. Rajnikanth fan Tarun Naidu says, “Eleven of us went to watch the film at Oberoi Mall but the manager told us that the show has been cancelled due to technical glitches.”

Distributor Manoj Nandwana says that Kochadaiyaan did not get a proper release in Mumbai and Delhi. “The makers had postponed the film’s release from May 9 to May 23, while X-Men had booked its screens six months ago. Also, there were some technical issues with Kochadaiiyaan, which has affected the film’s release.”

Girish Wankhede, spokesperson of Cinemax, says, “I am not aware if morning shows were cancelled because of low footfalls, but I am aware that one show was cancelled due to technical issues.” Producer Krishika Lulla says that it’s just a matter of time before the film finds its audience. “The film has been met with an unbelievably encouraging response in South India. It will gradually pick up here as well.”