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Return of faith

It is really a revival of faith. In the year of remakes -- from "Don'', "Umrao Jaan'' "Kurbani'', "Amar Akbar Anthony'' and "Sholay'' -- another cult classic is going to make an entry after 31 years. "Jai Santoshi Maa", the movie that changed the way people looked at Goddess Santoshi Maa in 1975 and how she was worshipped, is returning. One of the biggest hits of its time is now going to lead the way for the spate of remakes. While the world has changed a lot in the past 31 years with the coming of multiplexes and malls, director Ahmed Siddiqui feels that fundamentally faith still remains strong and will still get in the numbers. "It is a modern film and belongs to this time. It is quite different from the original film,'' he says.

Probably more remarkable than its phenomenal success was the fact that it took on "Sholay'' for weeks when it was released. Cashing in on the devotional mood, the new version of the movie will be released during the "Navratras''. "It is not as if the film will appeal to only the small town audience. It has mass appeal. Classics are always popular. Once people go inside the theatre, they will come out happy. Devotional themes are evergreen and in India everyone has some faith,'' he says.

The Percept Picture Company has bought the rights from the original producer of the film seeing immense potential in the concept. People may view the craze of remaking old films as lack of imagination, but for directors like Siddiqui it is reinterpretation of the old. "There is no harm if the film is being made after a gap of 30 years. I don't see what is wrong in making `Don','' he says. - Mandira Nayar

- Mandira Nayar

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