2003's first hit: Jism

A small-budget or, in the words of Bipasha Basu, 'correctly budgeted' Rs 3.5 crore film, Jism is the first hit of 2003. The pattern of victory emerged the day the film was released, January 17, when long queues (predominantly male) braved the severe winter in North India to catch producer Pooja Bhatt's parable on body heat.

Despite poor reviews, the film is steady at the box-office and is likely to make sizeable profits for Pooja's production company Fisheye Network. In Patna, due to a paucity of theatres, Jism got a lone theatre release. This is the first success at that particular theatre (Apsara) in the last five years. On the verge of closure, the theatre has revived its slumping fortunes thanks to Jism.

Dil Ka Rishta, the other January 17 release, has slumped.

Bipasha, with two female-oriented hits to her credit, has a marked advantage over Aishwarya Rai.

Ekta Kapoor ecstatic

"Quite frankly, I'm surprised by the positive response to Kucch To Hai," producer Ekta Kapoor can't stop smiling with relief.

Labelled Bollywood's first slasher movie, Kucch To Hai, which opened January 24, is showing every sign of turning into a success. "We have had over 90 per cent collections all over. It is especially good in Mumbai," says Ekta.

Dum, the other release, has opened below expectations. It may be a setback for Vivek Oberoi who was hoping to score another success. Though his performance has been liked, Dum may not consolidate the progress he made with Saathiya.

Kareena-Karisma battle at the BO

On February 7, sisters Karisma and Kareena Kapoor will battle each other at the box-office in Baaz: A Bird In Danger and Khushi respectively. Debutante Juhi Babbar will slug it out with Raveena Tandon, whose Satta is due for release the same Friday.

That means four heroine-centric films will release the same Friday. Two heroine-oriented releases Filhaal and Raaz released on February 7 last year. Raaz was a roaring success.

Which of this year's four will get the honour?

A R Rahman will score for Swades

The script is ready. So is the leading man Shah Rukh Khan. Ashutosh Gowariker is all set to go on the floors in August. But, "apart from Shah Rukh Khan, the only other principal name I have finalised for the film is A R Rahman, who will score the music again for me after Lagaan."

Gowariker is looking for a new face for his leading lady.

Can Run work in Hindi?

Now that Boney Kapoor has bought the remake rights of Madhavan's Tamil megahit Run, will it work in Hindi? Yes, says Abhishek Bachchan who stars in the remake.

"The script's actual backbone is the climax where the hero downs the shutters in a subway and beats the hell out of the goons. Actually," grins Abhishek, "my dad [Amitabh Bachchan] did that in Deewaar many years ago."
 

Madhavan has his own take. "See, the audience in Tamil Nadu had never seen me raise a fist in any of my films. To see me take on a powerful goonda was the novelty of Run."

Boney will make the film this year with Abhishek and director Mahesh Manjrekar as the two leads.

Atul Kulkarni, who played the villain in Run, has just stolen the show in Dum and is likely to be the surprise of Madhur Bhandarkar's Satta when it opens on February 7.