Bollywood is getting it right. Partly. Let me explain. More and more film-makers have had the courage to defy the stereotype and narrate new stories. The truth is, most moviegoers want to watch stories they can relate to. Stories they haven't heard/watched before. And film-makers too are coming up with genuinely hatke stuff. Yet, why are films falling like a pack of cards?
Sajid Khan, the director of HOUSE FULL, made an interesting observation a few days ago. He blamed the dwindling fortunes to the dream merchants themselves, who've not been providing entertainment to the entertainment-seeking viewer. Resultantly, the audience is just not in a mood to entertain most movies.
If there's an iota of truth in this statement, does it mean Bollywood film-makers are shying away from making entertainment-driven movies? Or has the meaning of entertainment changed over the years? Will a ZANJEER or an AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY or a NAMAK HALAAL work in today's times?
In the earlier days - I am talking of 1970s and 1980s - there wasn't much competition for movie business. Later, piracy proved an opponent. Later, the Live telecast of cricket matches made a dent. Later, the invasion of so many entertainment-driven television channels threatened movie business. Later, the escalation in ticket rates proved a roadblock. Besides, of course, lack of content in most movies.
Today, most film-makers are ready to experiment with stories that have been not been attempted before. But what we tend to forget is that a majority of movie lovers tilt towards escapist cinema since these movies transport you to a world of make believe, into a dream world you've never visited. They [the moviegoers] want to laugh, cry a little [perhaps], but exit the auditorium feeling elated. That's what I look in movies too.
It breaks my heart if the movies don't deliver what they promise. I expected so much more from PAATHSHAALA and PHOONK 2, but in both the cases, the brilliant idea didn't come across strongly and convincingly on the big screen. The advantage with both is their costing. PAATHSHAALA is not the usual Shahid Kapoor starrer and PHOONK 2 too isn't burdened with a heavy cost either. So the investors can hope for a recovery in the long run, after tapping theatrical and non-theatrical avenues. It's an optimistic assessment from my side.
But the fact cannot be denied that the dry spell continues at the box-office. Will HOUSE FULL, the next biggie, provide the thundershowers?
