'Jogi' touching new highs even before release!

Bangalore, July 12 (IANS) "Jogi", starring Shivaraj and Jennifer Kotwal, is already making waves in Kannada cinema long before its release in August.

The chart-topping music of "Jogi" has created intense hype for the movie. Apparently, Indiatimes has purchased the ring-tone rights for "Jogi" for Rs.1 million and has offered a payment of Rs.1.25 for each download.

The audio sales are unprecedented - over 200,000 audio cassettes and 60,000 audio CDs of "Jogi" have already been sold.

"This is a big record as a top film like 'Aaptha Mithra' could sell 200,000 cassettes three to four months after its release," says Ashwini Ram Prasad, the film's producer and managing director of Ashwini Audio, which has distributed the film's music.

Trade analysts say that if the film clicks as expected, the sales may well cross the 500,000-rupee mark.

The film now also has an address on the Net - www.jogi-thefilm.com. Both Prem, the film's director, and producer Ram Prasad say they are happy with the feedback the website has garnered.

Meanwhile, Shivaraj fans were hoping the film's release to coincide with the actor's birthday July 12. It would have been an apt birthday gift when the star turns 43, a fan says.

But Prem says the post-production work may extend to the third week of July, with the pre-release publicity starting July 15.

"We plan to release the film on Aug 19, the day of the Varamahalakshmi festival. Last year, 'Aaptha Mithra' was released on the same day and the film became the biggest hit of the year. We hope to repeat the feat," says Prem.