VAT affects other audios, but not 'Aaptha...'

Bangalore, April 22 (IANS) The introduction of Value Added Tax has certainly affected the audio market, but "Aaptha Mithra" marches ahead all the same.

1) "Aaptha Mithra": The film will soon complete 250 days. Its songs have become extremely popular and are on the lips of every Kannada film fan. Two songs of the film - "Raa Raa" and "Pata Pata" - are still chart-toppers. The sale of the audio is reported to have crossed the half-million-cassette mark. Piracy might have robbed it of half its market.

2) "Jogi": The audiocassettes of the film, released April 9 by Ashwini Audio, are selling like hot cakes. "Jogi" has been eagerly awaited, directed by Prem who has already delivered two huge hits like "Kariya" and "Excuse Me". "Ello Jogappa" and "Hodi Maga Hodi Maga" have become major hits. Guru Kiran is the music director.

3) "News": The audiocassettes and CDs of the film have sold well because of two songs - "Naanu Jitendra, Neenu Siri Devi" and "Preethisu". The film is yet to be released, but the songs have become popular on television channels.

4) "Varsha": This Vishnuvardhan-starrer was released Friday and the pre-release audio and CD sales have been good. This is surprising since most of the recently released films did not have a good audio track record. "Varsha" has been directed by S. Narayan and produced by Rockline Venkatesh.

S.A. Raj Kumar has scored the music. Three songs of the film - "Vasanthi Vasanthi", "Kanneerige Kanneereke" and "Ikku Maga' - have become popular.

5) "Aham Premasmi": The film's release has become a topic of discussion in the industry. The audio was released three months ago through the cable network in the state, and now producer-director-actor Ravichandran says the audio will once again be marketed through retail shops.

Ravichandran's films have always enjoyed better pre-release sales. His last film "Malla" was a huge audio hit. Ravichandran is known for shooting his songs in extremely glamorous ways.