India, Sept. 30 -- Even before numerology became almost omnipresent in film titles in Hindi cinema, superstitions governed how makers selected the titles of their mega projects, right down from the choice of words and even spellings. If a word, phrase, or letter seemed to work, it was often repeated. Director Arjun Hingorani was known to use three Ks in his film titles, be it in Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?, Kahani Kismat Ki, or Katilon Ke Kaati. So perhaps it is surprising that one film titled managed to give flop after flop and yet filmmakers persisted with it. This one word, used either fully or in part, in various spellings, gave Bollywood nine flops over 40 years, ending many careers and stalling others.

Karz (Urdu for debt or loan) is th...