Yash Raj Films announces Stellar Line-Up of Attractions for the year 2007

India’s biggest stars, most promising directors and the comeback of the decade

Let the speculation stop. Let the show begin!

Yash Raj Films today announced the entire line-up of films and the respective release dates for the year 2007. And it is, indeed, a line-up to behold. Reading like a virtual roll-call of the industry’s biggest stars, with films helmed by the nation’s most promising directors, the line-up heralds a year of tremendous excitement at the box-office for India’s cine lovers. What’s more, the excitement will continue practically non-stop throughout the year with as many as five releases in 2007, with one closely following in January 2008.

The first Yash Raj Films’ release of 2007 comes up on the 27th of April and is the sophomore effort of Siddharth Anand (“Salaam Namaste”). Entitled “Ta Ra Rum Pum”, it stars Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji and those who have seen the theatrical trailer of the film are already buzzing in anticipation of its unusual storyline of a race car driver. And if the earlier offering of Anand and Yash Raj Films is anything to go by, “Ta Ra Rum Pum” should certainly be another entertaining roller coaster ride of emotions. 

Barely two months after “Ta Ra Rum Pum” comes Shaad Ali’s third directorial venture “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom”. With a stellar cast of Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Bobby Deol, Lara Dutta, and Amitabh Bachchan in a special appearance, and the established credentials of the young director, “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom” looks set to repeat the nationwide success of “Bunty Aur Babli”. June 15 is the day to “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom”. 

Yash Raj Film’s support to young directorial talent continues unabated with their third release of the year, “Chak De India”, slated to hit the screens on the 10th of August. Directed by Shimit Amin, it stars Shah Rukh Khan and will no doubt give a whole new profile to sports themed films from India. Insiders say that “Chak De India” is like nothing Amin has done before and will establish him firmly as one of India’s brightest commercial talents. 

The festive season will be celebrated in style by Yash Raj Films with the release of Pradeep Sarkar’s film “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - Journey Of A Woman” being unveiled on the 12th of October. The coming together of Yash Raj Films – the house that has always presented women in powerful roles – together with Pradeep Sarkar, whose sensitivity was amply demonstrated in his first film, this film should satisfy the connoisseurs and the masses alike. And with a cast of Jaya Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan, it promises to be one exceptional showcase for exemplary performances.

And finally, Yash Raj Films’ last offering for 2007, slated for the 30th of November may well turn out to be one of the biggest movie events of this, or indeed, any year. If the name “Aaja Nachle” was not catchy enough, or the fact that noted cinematographer Anil Mehta is making his directorial debut, it is Madhuri Dixit’s comeback film. And knowing the magic Yash Raj Films is capable of with diva comebacks (witness Kajol in “Fanaa”) and the enduring appeal of Madhuri Dixit, not to mention Anil Mehta’s skilful eye, “Aaja Nachle” will certainly end the year with a bang for Yash Raj Films. And Madhuri Dixit’s comeback could become truly, the comeback of the decade!

2008 will be kicked off in grand style with the catchily named “Tashan”. Directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya (the screenplay and dialogue writer of mega hits “Dhoom” and “Dhoom:2”), it brings back one of the most loved on-screen pairs of Hindi cinema: Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. Yash Raj Films veteran Anil Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor also star.

But 2007 will be memorable for Yash Raj Films for another reason, a reason that may end up becoming even more significant when the history of Hindi cinema is written. For this is the year in which Yash Raj Films will move completely to a studio style of functioning and stake a strong claim to be recognised as one of the world’s leading film studios – on par with Fox, Warner Bros., Universal and those of their ilk. With the one of its kind YRF Studios fully operational, Yash Raj Films now has the capability of doing each and every bit of pre-production, production and post-production work in-house. Add to this the savvy marketing skills, and years of expertise in Licensing and Merchandising and global distribution, and YRF Studios looks set to step out in 2007. 

Commented Yash Chopra, Chairman, Yash Raj Films, “At Yash Raj Films, we truly believe that there are only two kinds of cinema, good cinema and bad cinema. And we are committed to bringing the best cinema that there is for our audiences. We are extremely excited about our offerings for 2007, not because of the star casts, but because of the unique subject matter of each of the films, and the youthful talent at the helm of these films. And with our commitment to the studio style of functioning uniquely enables us to make each of these offerings a very special experience for the filmgoer – even though we are releasing six titles at close intervals” 

As Al Jolson memorably said in the first ever spoken lines on screen, “You ain’t seen nothing yet…” Just watch out for Yash Raj Films in 2007.