Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, May 26
After running into rough weather, the Dan Brown-inspired mega-flick “The Da Vinci Code” was finally released to cheering crowds in Chandigarh. Now showing at Fun Republic, the film has caught more public attention than it would have, had it not been mired in controversy.
But that the film by its very nature is dicey was clear from the manner in which caretakers of Fun Republic refrained from making any comments on the sale of tickets. Afraid to invite trouble, a top man at the multiplex said, “We do not want to get into any controversies because of this film. The project has seen much trouble. We would rather not get quoted on anything pertaining to the film.”
For cine buffs the day was all about fun as it brought two major releases to town - “The Da Vinci Code” and “Fanaa”. While responses to both films were mixed, the former bagged more accolades for its technical prowess than the latter.
The element of thrill also lent that extra edge to “The Da Vinci Code”, which had redefined the art of storytelling through celluloid. Some people who had read the book found the film lacking in several respects.
Sandeep Sinha, an engineer based in Chandigarh, had this to say: “The book is so absorbing that translating its elements for the big screen is not an easy job. Dan Brown is a master narrator, but the director of “The Da Vinci Code” is not such a master of his craft. The film is not half as good as the book.”
Others like Shilpa Sharma loved to see Dan Brown’s plots and characters for real. “When you put a face to a name, its charm multiplies.
The film is an extension of the book and it serves a complimentary purpose. I wonder how well it would have done if the director did not have such a fascinating script to follow.”
Whatever the reactions, the film will ride the crest for a few days, as is clear from heavy bookings in advance. All six shows were house full at Fun Republic today; the multiplex is booked for the next two days. Perhaps the rush from Punjab is also heading to Chandigarh in the wake of the Punjab Government’s refusal to screen the film in any form. At Chandigarh, the film ran; disclaimers intact.
Falling much behind the line in comparison was “Fanaa”, set against the backdrop of Kashmir. Equally controversial, the film opened at Piccadily and Kiran, where it picked good sales on day one. At KC Palace in Panchkula, the film saw a weak start, half of the cinema hall being empty.
