I find it ridiculous that CB is playing victim in this whole thing and playing %age game :) Is he looking for 70% returns from the movie? I guess no.. He is looking for the credits in big bold letters at the beginning of the movie!! but then if he is basing his claim on so called feedback from his fans, some off the record comments from critics and his family members... arriving at magic figure of 70%... it sounds hollow after having watched the movie myself. I might give benefit of doubt to CB as it has been long time since I read the book. It was enjoyable read back then but I haven't felt like picking up another CB book thereafter. ( He is no Murakami )
Movie has gags and characters which weren't there in the book ( if my memory serves me right and if book was that memorable ). Movie hits home a few points better than the book specially for the middle class indians. It brings certain amount of drama ( which incidentally a friend of mine finds disgusting ) which a movie like this needed ... raju hirani and amir combination made sure that there was lot of message in the movie.
It was over the top in few places and some scenes seemed a bit silly ( delivering of baby on TT table scene) but the way it was finally finished with right amount of emotion and comedy made the initial build up bearable. It isnt Rang De Basanti or Taare Zameen Par but it still stays with you much longer than Singh is King or some similar stuff we have been getting out of Bollywood.
I believe CB maybe a victim in all this ... more because of his own doings :
- if he was fussy about credit, he should have covered it hammer and tong in the contract
- if he is miffed about not getting same proportions of returns from the project like the makers and the stars then he should blame his business manager or whoever did the deal for him ( 10 lakhs sound paltry for such a successful book )
Caught this article by Vir Sanghvi on the same issue ..
