‘Mausam’ makers in publicity goof-up!

Shahid’s film ‘Mausam’ that released last Friday is now in news again for all wrong reasons.

Zeenews Bureau

Mumbai: Shahid Kapoor’s film ‘Mausam’ directed by his father Pankaj Kapoor that released last Friday is now in news again for all wrong reasons. As, reported by a daily, a trade magazine on Sunday September 25, 2011 had its pages filled with adverts praising Shahid’s performance and Pankaj Kapur’s brilliance in the recent release. Apparently a number of celebrities have been quoted by trade magazines, recommending and praising ‘Mausam’. And ironically filmmakers Ken Ghosh, Parmeet Sethi and Nikhil Advani in questions had no clue whatsoever about the adverts. A friend of the actor said, “Shahid is flabbergasted. He cannot believe that such a thing has been carried out without even keeping him in the loop. Agar usko thoda sa bhi pata hota, toh use permission definitely nahin diya hota.” “Shahid is not aware of these ads. He has been busy with post overseas productions. The producers of Mausam must have put these ads out,” the official spokesperson of the actor said. On being contacted by the daily, Ken cleared the air and said, “I don’t know why they’ve used my name to endorse Mausam and Shahid’s performance in it. I haven’t even seen the film. I wish to clarify that I have not endorsed the ad.” Parmeet Sethi, who had directed Shahid in ‘Badmaash Company’ was miffed too. He said, “Someone has played mischief. If I had to do such an exercise, I would have rather done it with more style and élan in leading newspapers and not in some trade magazine.” Filmmaker Nikhil Advani’s friend cleared the stance and said, “Nikhil has been trying to figure out how his name was used without his consent and knowledge. He has still not got any answers.” However, co-producer of the film, Madhu Mantena, seemed to be the only person aware of the adverts in the magazine. When contacted, Mantena said, “Yes, we did include Nikhil Advani, Ken Ghosh and Parmeet Sethi’s names. They are friends. We wanted to congratulate Shahid on his excellent performance. Such things are a norm in the industry.”