Often I wonder how a film should be judged as a
success or not. In my humble opinion
today films whether they have content or not and run purely on personal likes
for an actor/actress and the immense marketing strategies that make the viewer
attracted towards it. Thereon making money is a done deal. That’s all that
seems to matter in the long run for the makers.... and that is the definition
of grosser today for me.
Belonging to an era where films were judged by the number
of weeks they ran, and Silver Jubilee or Golden Jubilee were the words that
announced the success of a film, compared to today where it is “x crores”. It
is all about the top box office earners and it really does not matter whether
the film is appreciated by the public or not. So who are the best judge on
whether the film really is a hit or not. I suggest the makers who claim the
crores should actually get into a local train and listen to the discussion the
people have on the film trashing it from end to end if they have not been
entertained enough. That’s where the truth of success lies, but that is not how
it works, does it? Once revenue from theatres
is factored in it is immediately clear which film is the most successful
notwithstanding the fact that the monies sometimes made are in just a week
bringing in the crores by charging the public an exorbitant ticket price.
Prices as high as Rs. 600 - Rs.1200 per ticket and well the public pours into
the theatre even at that price because they want to see their favourite actor
who can do no wrong. Some of them come out happy, some grumble searching for
the lost amount under their seats. By then the film has done its deed, and the
monies are made not forgetting huge amounts as satellite rights.
Just think of those stars in the 60s and 70s. Take
the example of Rajendra Kumar who was considered as one of the most successful
Indian Bollywood actors in the 1960s and had to struggle through 25 weeks of
his film running to be declared Jubilee King. An interesting fact I read
somewhere was that for the premier of one of his films, he was asked if he
wanted any seats for his relatives or friends. Thinking that it would be
complimentary, he asked for ten and believe it or not the money was deducted
for the tickets he took for his relatives and friends from his cheque. Today
which actor would allow this I wonder? Agreed times were different, but today
is there any actor who can claim the title of “jubilee king” and besides
'blockbuster' or “silver jubilee” is a title not every successful film can
enjoy and hence they remain just “box office grossers”.
Then there are those films that you can’t ignore.
At a time when film budgets would never hit the grosser mark, Mughal-E-Azam was
made at an unbelievable budget of Rs 1.5 crores and went on to gross much more.
Then there is Sholay that ran for six years to a packed audience and then there
was a Lagan that too ran to packed houses to a silver jubilee, which was a
rarity in times when films did not run till the second week even. The key words
here being ‘packed audiences’ Then here we have a Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge
boasting of 20 years running in one theatre in the corner of Mumbai in a
morning show making me wonder whether it is just there to make a milestone
history or genuinely running to packed houses. Much as I loved the film, I am
totally doubtful that it is making any money. I am guessing that the theatre
owner is definitely personally in love with the movie or being paid to run it.
Why otherwise? If someone explains to me, then I will fall in love with Raj and
Simraan all over again. Till then I remain yours sceptical!!
Films actually are the most vibrant medium for
telling stories and that’s what seems to have been a little lost today. There
is a story line in the films but the masala and the heroism overpowers the
story to such an extent that all you come out remembering is the violence, the
chases, car blowing up and a song that might touch your heart. The glamour and grandeur from Mughal-e-Azam
to Jodha Akbar and Bajirao Mastani, however, has not changed much if you look
closely and cannot be ignored too. We also have the women centric epics ranging
from Mother India, Aandhi, Arth to a No one Killed Jessica, Mardani, Dirty
Picture and a Mary Kom making their mark as do hero centric films like Bajrangi
Bhaijaan, Bahubali, 3 Idiots, etc.
Not to forget the immense influence songs have on
the audience in sometimes deciding the films they want to watch. Songs and
dance are what sometimes also make and break the film almost determining the
success. Few films without any songs and dances succeed but for the exceptional
ones like Itefaq, Kanoon in the past to Bhoot and A Wednesday a few years did
manage to stand ground. Even then today the audience seems to have lost its
patience with songs and at the end of the movie a song that the makers probably
spent large monies on screens to the audience leaving the theatre before it
even ends. Then there are some unfortunate films with a promise ending up
putting the viewers to sleep. Films like Jai Ho, Action Jackson, Bang Bang,
Happy New Year turn out to be massive let downs, leaving you with moments that
defy logic and sensibility but yet surprisingly have made the bucks just on
star power like most films do today. The
confusion of “so is this also a grosser” just does not go away. It rings in
your head because you just can’t understand or accept it because you just don’t
get the point.
Setting the bar at 100 crores wasn't just enough
before a new release crossed the mark to raise the bar to Rs. 200 crores and
thereon to Rs. 300 crores. Gone are the days when films make way into the audience’s
heart for its meaningful content and story line. Gone are the days when a film
ran for more than two weeks in a theatre. Either you saw it or just had to wait
for it to make its way on television once the film is sold to the TV channels
for huge amounts as satellite right. It is all about the stars and the opulence
that attracts the audience to the theatre and rest is a history of clambering
for that “Bollywood grosser club” by the makers, as for the audience it is just
one big mystery.
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