MUMBAI: Crossover films seem to be making their mark on the Indian screen as several film makers are exploring new terrain. Actor-producer Deepak Tijori's directorial debut Oops! made under the banner of Tijori Films is all set to hit the theatres in April 2003.
The film's leading starcast comprises newcomers Kiran, Vikas and Adyasha. The film also stars Mink, Mita Vasisht, Amit Thakur and Kiran Kumar.
The story of Oops! revolves around the lives of two boys who are background film dancers who decide to turn into male strippers to make more money. The movie has cinematography by Thomas A Xavier; music by Ravi Pawar; lyrics by Ajay Jhingran; art direction by Kumar Sagar; dialogue by Brijesh; and is written/directed by Deepak Tijori. The music of the film will be released in March and the music rights have been bought by Crescendo.
"The film, made with a nominal budget of Rs 25 million, is very city centric and yet emotional. It's all about valuing relationships in life," says Tijori. "It's the presentation and packaging of the movie that is modern in its outlook," he adds. Tijori has already initiated talks about the territorial and overseas distribution rights and the television rights of the movie but nothing has been finailised till now.
The film made in two versions; English and 'Hinglish'; is being sold as a package deal and both versions will be released simultaneously. "So if one buys the 'Hinglish' version, he gets the English version free or vice versa," he informs.
Oops! has been invited to the American Film Market (AFM) as a part of the Indian delegation where it will be screened in the second week of February.
Tijori Films had a mixed last year as far as TV programming was concerned. Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Tijori says that the year 2002 for Tijori Films as an independent production house was "nothing great, but things seem to be looking up in the new year," he adds. On a positive note, he says "the monopoly of a few production houses seems to be breaking and the channels are realising that it's not wise to put all their eggs in one basket."
Not revealing much about his forthcoming projects, Tijori says that he is working on a couple of projects and that talks are underway with some channels.
