By Joginder Tuteja
Mumbai, Nov 27 (IANS) Director David Dhawan dismisses as “baseless” media reports that his film “Hook Ya Crook” won’t release in theatres but would instead arrive directly on DTH.

“Where did you hear this one now? Nothing like this is happening at all. I am not surprised by such rumours though. With so many news channels and other media forums to be fed, there is something that has to be written about day in and day out,” Dhawan told IANS.

“Really, all these talks of ‘Hook Ya Crook’ releasing directly on DTH instead of in theatres is stretching one’s imagination a little too far. This is news to me as well,” said Dhawan, who has been attached to the project for quite a few years now.

Considering that “Main Aurr Mrs Khanna” had arrived on DTH immediately after its opening weekend, a possibility like that can’t really be ruled out.

But Dhawan said: “It would be catastrophic if the film arrives on DTH so early. It is an expensive film and a big one at that. It needs to be seen in theatres first rather than on small screen.”

Announced in December 2006, “Hook Ya Crook” — starring John Abraham, Shreyas Talpade, Genelia D’Souza and Amrita Rao — has taken the longest so far for a Dhawan film to reach the finishing mark.

Change in cast, availability of the right actors, recession plaguing the industry and accidents during the shoot are just some of the many reasons that have delayed the film’s completion.

With producers UTV Motion Pictures not putting their money on any new and big projects, the production house may well be pinning its hopes on its long-standing project “Hook Ya Crook”.

“By December, we should be through with the shoot of ‘Hook Ya Crook’. Since the film is set in a jail and cricket plays an important part in the narrative, we are waiting for the dates from some key Indian cricket players.”

Talking about the delay, he said: “There is so much that is required in the making of a film. While we are waiting for this last schedule to get over, which would last for about 10 days in total, there is good progress being made on the post-production activities. The film is certainly not on hold, as some rumour mongers are busy predicting.”

Dhawan is gearing up to finish the film soon and release it in 2010.