High expectations of Kaante
The much delayed Sanjay Gupta film will release on Dec 6

Subhash K Jha

Contrary to rumours floating in Bollywood, Sanjay Gupta's long and eagerly awaited Kaante is all set to hit theatres across the world December 6.

Pritish Nandy, presenter of Kaante, says, "Rumours about the release being postponed again are purely rubbish. Kaante is definitely being released December 6, subject to censorship. You never know with the censors. If they ask us to make cuts, we will tell them to give us any censorial grade but no cuts."

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Shot entire on location in Los Angeles on a budget of Rs 400 million is one of the most expensive Hindi films produced. The editing of Kaante is currently in its last lap in LA. The final prints are expected to reach Mumbai on Tuesday (December 26) .

Many producers had lined up other major releases December 6, hoping that Kaante would get postponed once again. In all likelihood, other biggies finalised for the festive Eid week would be pushed forward to another date. Among those films that are likely to be postponed are Indra Kumar's Anil Kapoor-Shilpa Shetty-Karisma Kapoor starrer Rishtey, the Suniel Shetty actioner Maseeha and the Govinda comedy Chalo Ishq Ladaayen. Only Harry Baweja is likely to go ahead with his Sunny Deol-Shilpa Shetty-Suneel Shetty love triangle Karz: The Burden Of Truth.

Says Pritish Nandy, "I don't think the other releases would happen. The producers have all been in touch with me. They will reschedule their releases."

Nandy agrees the expectations from Kaante are far too huge. "But it is an unusual film and it should live up to expectations. I am sure audiences will see it repeatedly. But I doubt Kaante will change the destiny of the Indian movie industry. I don't want to make tall claims."

Rubbishing the rumour that the distributors are being forced to pay up more money for Kaante, Nandy says, "We are going ahead at the price that we are committed to. And believe me, it is a huge commitment. It isn't just the burden of delivering a success that is on my shoulders. Kaante is supposed to revive the sagging fortunes of the film industry. That isn't an easy responsibility to bear."

Kaante will be released with approximately 15,000 prints worldwide. Says Nandy, "That is double the biggest earlier, with requests pouring in every day for more prints. In fact, there is an index run by Columbia-Tristar where they undertake surveys for the most eagerly awaited film. For the past ten months, it has been Kaante."