Listen children, The audience demands more than empty slogans; they crave genuine storytelling!
Lights, camera, and a rather lukewarm action! As the first half of 2023 draws to a close, the report card of Indian cinema has left us in a state of shock and awe. From lackluster performances to unexpected successes, the Bollywood landscape has been nothing short of unpredictable.
PAN India scores a dud!
In a surprising turn of events, the much-hyped multilingual cinema, touted as the pan-India sector, has failed to leave a lasting mark at the box office. Not a single film from this genre managed to make a dent, let alone become a blockbuster.
Even the highly anticipated releases like “Ponniyin Selvan” and “Virupaksha” fell short of the mark. It seems the pan-India dream still has a long way to go before it becomes a reality. For films like “Kabzaa”, “Dasara”, “Varisu”, the lesser said, the better!
Also read: SCAM 1992’s fourth instalment will feature BYJUs
Hindi films to the rescue!
Ironically, it is the much-maligned Hindi films that have come to the rescue, saving the face of both their own industry and Indian cinema as a whole. Yeah, you heard that right! Whether they are blockbusters or sleeper hits, it is the Hindi films that have managed to salvage the reputation of our cinema. Who would have thought?
But hold on, there’s a twist in this tale. None of these successful Hindi films were big-budget extravaganzas. Whether it’s the talked-about Sudipto Sen flick “The Kerala Story” starring Adah Sharma or Laxman Utekar’s surprise hit “Zara Hatke Zara Bachke” featuring Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan, or even the recent success of Kiara Advani and Kartik Aaryan in “Satyaprem ki Katha,” one thing is clear: these movies had some common ingredients. They had lesser-known actors, unconventional storytelling, and performances that left an impact.
Essentially, these films had their heart and soul in the right place. While Bollywood may not have undergone a massive commercial transformation, it is slowly but surely improving. If a film with a budget of less than 70 crores is exceeding expectations, then the makers must have done something right!
Figures don’t lie!
If you’re still skeptical, just take a look at the facts for yourself. The numbers don’t lie, my friend.
And let’s not forget about the mighty Shahrukh Khan, whose PR team worked their magic with “Pathaan.” Now all eyes are on his next flick, “Jawaan,” to see if his success was genuine or merely a carefully plotted PR scam. It’s a game of anticipation that keeps us on the edge of our seats, unlike the disastrous PR campaign surrounding “Adipurush.” Oh, the less said about that, the better!
While films like “Bholaa” and “Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar” didn’t technically flop, the mixed reviews and underwhelming box office collections did them no favors. Sometimes, it’s not just about avoiding failure; it’s about achieving greatness.
However, on the ideological front, there are signs of change in Bollywood. It’s no longer enough to rely solely on star power and superficial agendas. Just ask Salman Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who both stumbled at the box office. Even the likes of Anubhav Sinha, Anurag Kashyap, and Sudhir Mishra failed to mesmerize the audience with their pseudo-intellectual, crypto-communist propaganda masquerading as films. The audience demands more than empty slogans; they crave genuine storytelling.
Also read: Hopefully, Rocky aur Rani ki Prem Kahani will be Karan Johar’s last!
In the end, it’s the script with its heart in the right place, complemented by power-packed dialogues, that resonates with the masses. A film that speaks to both Chintu from Phulera and Mandy from South Bombay is the true recipe for success.
So, Bollywood’s half-yearly report has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, filled with surprises and disappointments. While the industry has its fair share of hits and misses, it’s heartening to see that the tide is slowly turning in favor of meaningful cinema. Let’s hope the second half of 2023 brings even more wit, charm, and enthralling stories to the silver screen. Lights, camera, and action, the show must go on!
Support TFI:
Support us to strengthen the ‘Right’ ideology of cultural nationalism by purchasing the best quality garments from TFI-STORE.COM
