Ravi Chopra's high expectations from 'Bhoothnath'

New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) After B.R. Films' "Baabul" (2006) proved to be a box office dud, producer Ravi Chopra has high expectations from Amitabh Bachchan starrer "Bhoothnath", a fun-filled fantasy film releasing worldwide Friday.

The film, which stars child artist Aman Siddiqui in a pivotal role, also has Juhi Chawla and Shah Rukh Khan. It has been made on a Rs.250 million budget.

"I am looking at fantastic profits from 'Bhoothnath'. But I think it would be better to talk about the profits after the film does well," Chopra told IANS by phone from Mumbai.

Directed by debutante Vivek Sharma, "Bhoothnath" is a story based on the relationship of a child with his deceased grandfather, a benevolent ghost who the child gradually befriends. Juhi and Shah Rukh play Aman's parents in the film, which took a year to be made.

"We are releasing the film with about 900 prints. It is a good film and I am confident that people would like it."

The makers of the film have used an aggressive promotional strategy to market the film. Chopra said: "We believe that the film would do well and we felt that we should let people know about it in every possible way."

Apart from publicity on radio and television in April, Amitabh launched the movie's gaming merchandise created in collaboration with online gaming portal Zapak.

Biba, a fashion retail brand, has introduced its exclusive "Bhoothnath" range created by designer duo Renu Chopra and Bina Kapur along with Vikram Phadnis. The range includes fashion merchandise inspired by the film.

The film had a recent tie-up with fast food retail chain McDonald's for "Bhoothnath" contest.

The results were announced Tuesday and the winners got to meet Juhi and Aman at a McDonald's outlet in Mumbai. They were given either free passes or audio CDs of the film.

Besides these, Turner International India Pvt Ltd, the company in charge of sales and marketing of entertainment channels Cartoon Network and Pogo in the country, has joined hands with the film to promote their new toy called "Buchki".

Chopra believes that the film has a strong message for every child.

"The film would inspire children to look after their parents," he said.

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