Mithun Chakraborthy.

Mithun Chakraborthy is one movie machine. He comes up with those Z+ graders that make a little money and fizzle out. But they do it fast and satisfy the producers, who had no plans to enter the Bharat Shah league anyway.

And so it is that Mithun isn't really very anxious about another anxious film, Aaag Hi Aaag which releases this week. He has 25 more films under preparation and, maybe just to keep the writing hand flexible, has signed on another 29.

The Chakraborthy factory keeps churning out films by the dozen and every producer is reputed to get a profit of at least 2.5 million bluebacks each time. That, within six months flat.

If you are particularly fond of Mithun films, here is the list of the 25 films he's doing:Akhiri Pratigya, Aaya Toofan, Arjun Raaj, Ganga Ki Kasam, Heeralal Pannalal, Hum To Jaate Apne Gaon, Jai Bolo Beimaan Ki, Lahoopath, Ma Kasam, Meri Adalat, Phandebaaz, Sanyasi Mera Naam, Sautela, Sabse Badkar Hum, Qatl -e-Aam, Tabaahi -- The Destroyer, Zahreela, Agniputra, Bhagaawat- Ek Jung, Balidaan, Benaam, Dada, Kali Topi Lal Rumal, Kahani Kismat Ki and, Phool Aur Aag are 25 movies being readied for release.

This isn't confirmed, but he's also believed to have smashed to bits Rishi Kapoor's record for starring opposite the maximum number of heroines and newcomers.

Gee Swiss

Yash Chopra.

The Swiss consulate, Screen and the Swiss tourism felicitated film-makers Shakti Samanta and Yash Chopra at a do at the Leela Kempinski in Bombay recently. The Swiss bestowed their highest honour on the duo, dubbing them honorary citizens of Switzerland.

Of course, we can't say how official that was since the party was more of an effort to invite more Indian film-makers to shoot in Switzerland than a formal felicitation of those who did their bit to keep the Swiss economy going.

The invitation became imperative after producers started shifting to other venues, like Australia, New Zealand, Seychelles and some European countries.

The Swiss, of course, are singularly fond of Chopra, who has already shot seven films in their mountains, with Samanta a close second because he was the second man to shoot a film, An Evening in Paris, in Switzerland. Samanta also shot his last film, Aankhon Mein Tum Ho, in the Swiss Alps.

And, hey, before we close up, news of the brand new Swiss citizen's Indian offspring. According to Papa Chopra, son Uday "is readying himself for acting on his own." That's Bollyspeak, and it implies the young one hopes to strike off on his own and have himself launched by another banner.

We wish him well -- and a future Swiss citizenship.