The Hindu Business Line : Busy season ahead for Hindi film industry

Closer to the box office release is Yashraj Films' Fanaa directed by Kunal Kohli. The film with Aamir Khan and Kajol in the lead roles is slated for May 26 release.

Pritish Nandy Communications Ltd, a stock market listed entity, plans to release its film Ankahee on May 19.

Ankahee is directed by Vikram Bhatt and features Aftab Shivdasani, Esha Deol and Ameesha Patel in the lead cast. A big-budget release on the cards is Rakesh Roshan's Krishh. According to trade circles, the film, which has Hrithik Roshan in the lead role, is slated for June release.

"This is one film everyone is betting on to succeed. There is big money in it,'' said a trade source.

Following the release of Shaadi Se Pehle and 36 China Town earlier, Mukta Arts is now working on Apna Sapna Money Money directed by Sangeeth Sivan.

Dharma Productions' Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna is slated for release in the near future. The main actors of this film directed by Karan Johar are Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan.

Shree Asthavinayak Cine Vision, which is due to go in for an initial public offering, is at post-production work on the film Golmaal. Directed by Rohit Shetty the film that stars Ajay Devgan is slated to hit the screens by mid-July, a company official said.

Farhan Akhtar's Don with Shahrukh Khan is yet another big film that is slated for release this year.

Shree Asthavinayak Cine Vision is working on another film Bhagambhag, directed by Priyadarshan.

Pritish Nandy Communication also announced the completion of its next film, Pyar Ke Side Effects, a romantic comedy directed by Saket Chowdhury and starring Mallika Sherawat and Rahul Bose. This film is due for release in July. Sajid Nadiadwala is working on his film, Jaaneman with Salman Khan in the lead. "We have almost completed Jaaneman, which has shaped up exceptionally well,'' Mr Nadiadwala said. He is also working on the pre-production of the film Hey Baby.

Barring a few, most films do not survive the box-office test. Among the recent releases, Gangster and Malamaal Weekly appear to have done fairly well, trade representatives said.