Hindi cinema has taken a big leap in the new millennium.
And so have the audiences watching these films.
One reason that could be attributed to it could be the fact
that the audiences frequenting the theatres is younger and
more exposed to the western films.
So we still do not make special effect films or we don’t have films based on extra-terrestrial creatures.
In the domain of the commercial Hindi cinema we still
have come a long way.
We had a Lagaan, a Dil Chahta Hai and a Chandni Bar to
boast of last year.
Especially Lagaan which has become a cross-over film in
more ways than one.
Not to forget films like Monsoon Wedding and the
recent Bend It Like Beckham.
The audiences appreciate films that offer something new.
Not necessarily with big stars in it.
Not that stars don’t make interesting viewing. But can’t
watch them do the same drill film after film. A Hrithik
Roshan may be a great actor, but directors don’t seem to
realise his potential and keep casting him in similar roles.
Alongwith the audiences it is probably time for the makers
to realise that we are ready to accept different cinema.
Back in the 70s and the 80s, the television boom had not
struck our country in a big way, so the only way or means
of entertainment was films. That was probably the only reason that the silliest films were blockbusters. All the melodrama and the song-and-dance routine was the call of the day.
But not anymore.
The songs are available almost on all channels just a click
away.
So when the audiences come to the theatres they want more.
More in terms of story content. More in terms of technique.
More in terms of style.
A Dil Chahta Hai had all this and more and made it big.
But sadly enough only in the metro cities. The audiences in
the small cities still like the cinema of the age gone-by.
But with the multiplexes offering more and more different
cinema and the directors making the same routine Hindi films.
Well, not much can be guaranteed about the box office success of Hindi films.
Why else has 2002 only seen one major hit in the face of Raaz?
Raaz again had something new to offer to the audiences.
So it was a remake of an English film. So it had newcomers - one of whom could not even speak Hindi till a while ago. But the commendable thing was that the director made the story the hero. Had some great music. Some special effects.
And wallah! A hit for the masses and the classes.
So maybe the future would see many more remakes of Hollywood films. But if they are well made, who’s complaining?