E(xams) +E(lections) + I(PL) - BOLLYWOOD = March x April

The exam fever is on!!! Students from class 10 and 12 are bending their backs to prepare for the upcoming board exams. Bollywood too seems to be in exam mode,not wanting to take a chance in these testing times, with very few films releasing and no big-budget film is on the board."March has historically been a lean month. Seldom have big budget movies been released this month. This year, there aren't too many films expected next month too. Distributors are said to be wary of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the forthcoming elections lined up so close to the exam season. The lean season just got leaner!!The current tussle over revenue sharing is not helping the cause. On one side distributors are crying hoarse and on the other the exhibitors (multiplexes) are sticking to their perspective. “The multiplexes are not willing to accept rationalised terms for all films in India like in the rest of the world. In the light of this, the producers-distributors have decided not to market or release any new film set to release April onwards and with the elections and IPL coming, it is going to be tough for theatres”.Amidst all this, last Friday saw the release of three movies -- 13B, Karma Aur Holi and Dhoondte Reh Jaoge. The initial reports are not very encouraging with the response at the ticket counters being lackluster. This trend is expected to continue with the other releases this month. Most of them will have footfalls only in single-screens. The only movie with some hope is 'Aa Dekhen Zara' that has Bipasha Basu in the lead.The industry graph has already taken a dive this year with big budget projects like Chandni Chowk to China, Billu and Delhi-6 tanking on the box-office. Raaz - The Mystery Continues and Dev D have proved once again the unpredictable nature of audience response with their above expectation collections.The films slated for release in March include Gulal, Jai Veeru, Aloo Chat, Firaaq, Ek -- The Power of One, Khalbali -- Fun Unlimited, Barah Anna and Sikandar. But none of these movies have created a hype nor they have got an excellent music response.It looks like the film industry and distributors will have to wait until May for any good omens. Vishal Bhardwaj's Kaminay is tentatively set to release around that period and could be the turning point of the industry’s fortunes. Lets hope that Priyanka Chopra in a de-glam avatar and Shahid Kapir in a double role can do what Chinese, kabotars and barbers could not do!