Most of the time as the word Bollywood pops up, the images of a ‘macho hero’, an ‘eccentric villain’, a ‘damsel in distress’ and over the top romances flash through our mind as these are some basic ingredients that guarantee a potential ‘Super Hit’ or a Paisa Vasool movie (in Indian terminology).
With time things have started changing for the better. With the advent of a new crop of talented actors and directors, brave writers and intelligent producers, Bollywood has witnessed many path-breaking movies in recent years. Increase in the number of multiplex audiences and their developing taste and hunger for new stories is also responsible for this bright change.
There was a time when a movie was called a ‘hit’or a ‘ blockbuster’ because of its star power since most of them had similar plot lines or were a remake of another movie. The young and learned audience has started rejecting these tried and tested methods.
The new artists have started making movies on topics which are generally hidden under the carpets. Some prominent examples are Vicky Donor which spoke about sperm donation; Pad Man highlighted the grave issue of women sanitation; Toilet -Ek Prem Katha, a light-hearted take on personal hygiene; Shubh Mangal Savdhaan depicted the apprehension associated with premarital sex and erectile dysfunction; Badhaai Ho showcased the issue of late pregnancy.
Good attempts have also been taken on real-life incidents like Rustom, Madras Cafe, and Parmanu which showed the sacrifices made by unsung heroes. Biopics like Neerja, Paan Singh Tomar, Mary Kom and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag were also appreciated. Even women-centric films like Fashion, Queen, Tumhari Sulu, English Vinglish and Hichki received a lot of love and affection.
Many of these movies did not have significant star cast but they earned the appreciation of both the masses and classes. On the other hand, big budget movies like Jab Harry Met Sejal, Dilwale, Tubelight, Race 3 or Thugs of Hindostan got outwardly rejected by the audience.
Though I have no grudges against them since I am a self – confessed SRK Jabra fan but being a true movie critic I wanted to highlight the scenario of recent Bollywood movies with full honesty and conviction. With this progress, I hope that we soon make a cut in the Academy Awards which has been long pending since our nomination for Lagaan.
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