Karisma, Preity muscle out Bollywood heroes Come September, it's woman power at the marquee

Subhash K Jha

Come September, it is time for a display of woman power on screen.

The first Friday of the month sees Rekha playing mother to Mahima Chaudhry and Preity Zinta in Kundan Shah's Dil Hai Tumhaara. Tanuja Chandra's Sur and Krishna Vamsi's Shakti -- The Power, also are women-centric.

Sur, scheduled for September 13, deals with a musical prodigy and her jealous guru. It gives both the male and female protagonists equal footage --- a change from Chandra's earlier woman-centric tales (Dushman,Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar). While Sur sees the debut of Indian television actress Gauri Karnik on the big screen, it also marks the comeback of singer Lucky Ali, after Shyam Benegal's Trikaal (1985).

Telugu director Krishna Vamsi's Hindi debut Shakti opens September 20, and has Karisma Kapoor in a lead role. After her previous disastrous release, Haan... Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya Hai, Shakti sees Karisma in a powerful role, earlier earmarked for the veteran Sridevi and producer Boney Kapoor's wife.

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The same Friday also sees the hot siren Bipasha Basu with her Raaz costar Dino Morea in Gunaah. It is helmed by debutante director Amol Shetge.

Directors Anant Mahadevan and Hansal Mehta have opted out of the celluloid skirmish this month. Earlier, Mahadevan's Dil Vil Pyar Vyar and Hansal's Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai were also scheduled for September 20. The films have scurried to October 4 and October 11, respectively.

The last week of September brings the much-delayed Yukta Mookhey launchpad, A Muthu's Pyaasa in direct competition with Rajat Mukherjee's Road.

The films are crucial for the two Ram Gopal Verma proteges --- Aftab Shivdasani and Vivek Oberoi. Aftab has not had any hits recently (never mind Awaara Paagal Deewana, in which Paresh Rawal stole the show, or the multi-starrer Jaani Dushman). And Oberoi must feel the need to establish himself as an actor, after his successful debut in Company.

Incidentally, this month, besides propagating women, is also crucial for debutant directors Dinkar Kapur (Yeh Kaisi Mohabbat), Krishna Vamsi (Shakti -- The Power), Amol Shetge (Gunaah) and Rahul Dholakia (Kehta Hai Dil Baar Baar).