Image by dan123ny from Pixabay
Cinema has been a part of our daily lives for almost a century. It is similar to the blood that flows through our veins, keeping us alive twenty-four seven. People are simply crazy about Bollywood films. They love their stars beyond our imagination. They can go to amazing lengths to prove their love and affection for their favourite movie stars. They idolise them, worship them, and sometimes even troll them if they feel a particular star’s film has not worked or if their favourite star’s stance on a certain hot trending issue or subject is not clear.
Films were not always the same as they are today. Historically, it dates back to the pre-independence era, when films were produced with very little to no budget and were the by-product of some curious minds who dared to jump into what is called Bollywood today.
Since then, the industry has changed significantly and has come a long way. The 1970s marked a significant turning point for the film industry, as it saw the emergence of its first superstar, Rajesh Khanna. This was the time when the industry almost got its wheels running. According to Wikipedia, by 1986, India was producing almost 800 movies annually, making it the world’s largest film production hub. As of 2024, the industry had a valuation of nearly 200 billion Indian rupees.
The Hindi film industry, primarily based in Bombay and attracting viewers across the Hindi-speaking regions, gave rise to the term Bollywood. The Hindi film industry progressed with time, both in terms of content and technicality. Due to globalisation in the 2000s, the art of moviemaking improved with better knowledge and technical know-how. Producers began to invest substantial funds, resulting in the creation of high-quality films, and the public responded with an immense love for cinema.
As time passed, even regional films started to evolve and slowly gain significance among their local audiences. Due to budget constraints, these films began to prioritise their content. The content of these movies was closely related to people’s daily lives; hence, it directly connected with them.
Today, these regional industries include Marathi, Punjabi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Gujarati, and Bhojpuri films. They have slowly and steadily begun to develop into major industries themselves. Films like Bahubali, KGF, and Pushpa have already set new benchmarks. These films have forced filmmakers to rethink their box office strategy. Today, a collection of 100 crores is no big number. These films have proved that Indian movies can challenge their western counterparts with box office numbers of 1000, 2000, or even 3000 crores.
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So the main question arises as to why Bollywood films are lagging behind. What is holding them back from making such blockbusters? Where has that craze gone? Have Hindi filmmakers lost their touch, or is it the budget? It is a question that is as intriguing as the solution. The answer lies in the fact that the Hindi film fraternity needs to understand how the audience has changed post-covid. People now look for hard-core cinematic gratification. They value their money more and every single penny spent on watching movies in theatres. As a result, they look for outstanding content with an immersive experience, which is what the southern films provide.
One of the major issues that is crippling the Hindi film industry is the reliance on star power rather than the story itself. For decades, Bollywood films has relied heavily on the popularity of superstars to attract audiences to its theatres, often overlooking the significance of a strong script and innovative storytelling. While star power is indeed important and does help draw crowds initially, it is the story that finally hooks the audience and leaves a lasting impression. The southern film industry has done a commendable job of maintaining the right balance, thereby making their films more appealing both domestically and internationally.
Additionally, critics often criticise Bollywood films for its lack of originality and over-reliance on remakes. The Hindi film industry has remade many successful films from regional and international cinema without adding any significant value to the final product. This trend not only undermines the creativity of filmmakers but also alienates the audience looking for fresh and original content.
Additionally, the emergence of over-the-top (OTT) content has demonstrated the audience’s preference for realistic content over traditional Bollywood films. Somewhere down the line, I believe that Hindi filmmakers have stuck to stereotypes. They continue to employ the same formula that has been in place for the past 30 years or so. Adaptation is crucial. After all, the world is changing, and so is cinema. Therefore, the Hindi film industry really needs to wake up and do some soul-searching. Only then does a resurgence seem possible.
Nonetheless, time will tell whether they have learned their lesson or not. What’s your take on the above? Do comment and share your views.