By Joginder Tuteja
Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) Way back in 1998, Karan Johar's directorial debut "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" clashed with David Dhawan's much-hyped "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan" - both released on the same day. Now a little more than a decade later, history is repeating itself with "Wake Up Sid" coming face to face with "Do Knot Disturb" on Oct 2.
And Vashu Bhagnani, who has produced both "Do Knot Disturb" and "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan", is surprisingly happy that his film is hitting theatres on the same day as Karan Johar's production.
"I am really very pleased that both our films are releasing on the same day," Bhagnani told IANS.
Doesn't he feel that two much-hyped films should not clash with each other?
"I am someone who believes a lot in coincidences. When 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' and 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' were released on the same day, there were murmurs even then around which film would eventually succeed. We all know that both the films not just survived each other at the box office but also registered huge numbers. They both met with blockbuster success," he said.
"Isn't that a coincidence that earlier our film was supposed to release on Sep 25, but then it got postponed by a week to come along with 'Wake Up Sid'? Such things just happen and I like to call them happy coincidences," the producer said.
While "Do Knot Disturb" is directed by Dhawan and stars Govinda, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta and Riteish Deshmukh, "Wake Up Sid" is Ayan Mukherjee' directorial debut with Ranbir Kapoor and Konkana Sen Sharma.
In 1998, things worked well for both "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan" as they belonged to different genres and hence found good audiences. Bhagnani is confident that the situation won't be any different in 2009 either.
" 'Do Knot Disturb' and 'Wake Up Sid' belong to diverse genres due to which I am sure that audiences won't really have to pick and choose. I am happy with what David has made and I am sure Ayan too would have done good work in 'Wake Up Sid'. I would want both the films to succeed," Bhagnani said.
Dhawan is also eager to know how the audiences will react to his latest comedy.
"I am aware of the fact that people look forward to me and Govinda coming together. However, I have to add that Riteish (Deshmukh) too has done an excellent job in the film. I'm happy that I roped him in...
"I have worked with Lara earlier in 'Partner' as well as Sushmita in 'Maine Pyaar Kyon Kiya', 'Biwi No. 1' and 'Kyonkii Main Jhuth Nahi Bolta'. I really understand their worth and audiences would be in for some treat when they watch these gorgeous women on screen," he said.
Another coincidence is that while "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" was Karan's directorial debut, "Wake Up Sid" is Mukherjee's first film as director. Karan, who has produced it, is quite forthcoming when it comes to backing his young team.
"Ranbir (Kapoor) along with Ayan (Mukerjee) have been able to model Sid really well. They come from the kind of age bracket that Sid belongs to and live the same kind of life. This is why they were able to bring their own selves to the film.
"It's the combination of Ayan and Ranbir that has made 'Wake Up Sid' real and honest. Ayan's honesty and conviction is the kind that is bound to connect with the audience. He is convinced with the world that he has created and is quite honest about his writing more than anything else," said Karan.