of them. In the wave of ‘anti-Islam’ sentiments that swept Europe and America at that time, a friendship that could have entered another plane is torn apart.

A film by Tanuja Chandra, noted director having Anupam Kher and Mahima Chaudhary in key roles, ‘Hope and a Little Sugar’ is the only release this Friday from Bollywood, not exactly Bollywood because the movie is in English. Shot in New York and produced by two Americans, the film has little more than its cast and director as Indian. Needless to say, there is nothing much expected out of the movie at the box office. Being the solo release is the only thing that goes in its favor but that too seems preciously little. It has already won a few awards on the international circuit.

The bigger release this week with a much larger share of Bollywood is the Indian Premiere League!

From Last Week

U Me aur Hum
After a very average first day at the box office, positive reviews and word of mouth perked up business with the extended weekend helping the film’s cause. However, the momentum could not be sustained during the weekdays. This weekend is going to be crucial for the movie to break even and then look for profits then on. One thing is sure – Ajay Devgan’s directorial debut has gathered a lot of appreciation.

Krazzy 4
A surprisingly brisk start at the box office, a good weekend and a wide release strategy has helped the movie enter the safety zone after its first week. But with U Me aur Hum fast catching up, Krazzy 4 will be given a run before it can make decent profits. Another debutant director, Jaideep Sen, starting his career on a positive note.

Kahaani Gudiya Ki
No trace… did it release?
Sneak preview
Next Friday is the biggest one of the summer. Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor hit the screens with Tashan. From the stables of Yashraj, helmed by a debutant director who has scripted movies like Dhoom and its sequel, Tashan is a potential blockbuster. U Me aur Hum and Krazzy 4 are living a box office life on borrowed time before Tashan arrives. Before the movie arrives, sample the music; ‘Falak tak Chal’ is particularly worth a try.

Lassi glasses, coffee mugs and cricket balls

This might sound like a crazy combination but it might just work wonders for the Kings 11 of Punjab. Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia have entered into an agreement with a private firm to manufacture and market official Kings 11 merchandize during the IPL. The idea is obviously to cash in on the frenzy that they think will be created over the next month.

The biggest surprise is not that they have decided to go ahead with the merchandize; it is the stuff that they are going to sell. Cricket balls, not made of leather but steel, personally autographed by Bret Lee; now that is a collector’s limited edition. Then comes the badges with pictures of the Kings 11 heroes and a lot of unconventional but zany logos. And then there are the coffee mugs, bright red and having the faces of the cricketing heroes all over them, for those who like to drink cricket. Here comes the biggest gamble, joke or whatever you want to call it – lassi glasses. Obviously they wanted to give a Punjabi flavor to their merchandize. The stuff has just been launched, let’s see how it sells.