WEAKING OF THE PLOT

Films like Bodyguard and Ra. One has made it to winner posts in terms of business. As an Indian living in a metropolitan, one wonders as to what the Indian, bollywood-hugging population really wants? Is it plain masala, action, item numbers or all the above with a pinch of romance and a music release of over 15 songs?

 

There are those once in a blue moon brilliant scripts like the one written by Vikramaditya Motwane, debut director for Udaan, where you have nobody in the audience criticizing the film, after shedding a few tears and having a young laugh. But that doesn’t make it to number one, does it?

 

How come a Ganesh idol; on top of a 4 wheeler; helping G.One save the day, sells more even in the 21^st century? Is the Indian audience not matured at all as an audience?

 

The downgrade of the Bollywood plot is no secret. Acceptance of it however, seems to be going nowhere. ‘That Girl In Yellow Boots’ seemed to be taking the audience to a new level of sensitivity, but lacked the zeal a film demands. A good, not even great plot is what most films lack, be that the ace runner Bodyguard and Ready starring Salman khan or even no-gooders like Damadamm and Aap ka Suroor.

 

Taking good plotted films as a case study, isn’t it undeniable that the audience roar in laughter with simple, subtle and in the face humor like ‘Delhi Belly,’ enjoy and rethink life in a megapolitan watching ‘Dhobi Ghat’ and  respect yet enjoy legendary films that have made a mark on Bollywood being, Lagaan, Swades, Rang de Basanti and others. But how many of such films has the year 2011 seen? Ra. One was surely not one of them!

 

As Ashutosh Gowariker stated at the Literature Live festival in Mumbai, “We do not have the resources of say a 300 million Hollywood project and so we cannot pull it off!” But is pulling off a Ra.One and taking Bollywood to the next level good enough?

 

How many Indians sincerely enjoyed Dor? Well it had a brilliantly established plot, unmatchable, talented actors and a well narrated plot. Is the diminishing value for a good plot in Hindi cinema the reason for a bad plot in films? Are we as an ignorant audience demanding an even more immature plot? For now, maybe we should start by choosing to not go watch Ra. One.