Champak Jain, (right) a still from Khiladi

Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 1, 2019)

On Thursday, at around 7 pm, Champak Jain, one of the producers of films like Khiladi, Baazigar, Humraaz, Hulchul, De Dana Dan and Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon, passed away following a cardiac arrest. He was 52.

Along with his six brothers—Ratan, Girish, Ganesh, Umed, Ramesh and Bhanwar—Champak founded Venus Records and Tapes and United Seven production house, under which they made several films with actors like Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and John Abraham.

When Mirror reached out to brother Ratan, he informed that “it all happened very suddenly”. They were at their Juhu office, talking, when Champak collapsed. He was immedaitely rushed to Criti Care Hospital in the vicinity, but it was too late.

Abbas Burmawala (of director duo Abbas-Mustan), who has collaborated with the Jain brothers on several films, said, “We have been friends since the time we first worked together on Khiladi. Champak ji was a nice, simple man. We had a great relation with him and the Jain family. In fact, we had just met Champak ji on Dhanteras. His sudden demise is shocking.”

Producer N R Pachisia remembers him as a soft-spoken person, always calm even in a crisis. “He was also so fit and healthy that his sudden passing away is hard to accept, We will miss him.”

The last rites will be performed today at 11am at the Santacruz crematorium.

With Akshay Kumar revisiting Tip Tip Barsa Paani for Sooryavanshi, Venus head honcho Ratan Jain reveals why he parted with Mohra song's rights
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 20, 2019)

Almost 25 years after he gave Bollywood one of its most sizzling numbers Tip Tip Barsa Paani from Mohra (1994), Akshay Kumar is ready to revisit the song for Sooryavanshi. Matching him step for step in the romantic track will be co-star Katrina Kaif. Interestingly, Kumar played a significant role in ensuring that the '90s ditty found a place in the Rohit Shetty-directed actioner. Turns out, Ratan Jain, the head honcho of Venus that owns the rights of the original number, parted with the song owing to his 30-year-long association with Kumar.

A trade source says, "Ratan Jain and Akshay go back a long way with the producer's Khiladi [1991] proving to be the latter's breakthrough film. They have delivered some of their biggest hits together, including Main Khiladi Tu Anari [1994], Garam Masala [2005] and De Dana Dan [2009]. When Rohit and Farah [Khan, choreographer] were discussing possible chartbusters that could be reprised for Sooryavanshi, it was Akshay who suggested Tip Tip Barsa Paani. He then called up Ratan ji to request him for the rights. Rohit and Akshay were also toying with the idea of revisiting another song from the '90s — Bholi Bhali Ladki from Sabse Bada Khiladi [1995], but finally zeroed in on the Mohra track."

Speaking to mid-day, Jain says that he was glad to help his favourite actor and frequent collaborator. "The primary reason I parted with the rights is because Akshay is doing the song again. I have the highest regard for him as an actor and a person. I would not have given the song to any other producer. Having said that, it's not a complete transfer of rights. I have parted with the song for a particular period, after which the rights will be reinstated with us." Quiz him if the makers will be able to do justice to a number that has gained a cult status in Bollywood over the decades, and he says, "It's a big film, and they will definitely take care of the quality of the song."