Content is King

Over the last couple of years, 95 per cent of Hindi films released have been flops. Crores of rupees were pumped into filmmaking, not only by the stars who themselves turned producers, but also by the other producers. Yet the end result of all this indiscriminate spending has been box-office duds. Dreamz Unlimited came a cropper with Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Sunny Deol with Dillagi, Nana Patekar with Khamoshi, Salman Khan with Hello Brother and Ajay Devgan with Raju Chacha. Similarly, producers like Vidhu Vinod Chopra met with average success in Mission Kashmir, NR Pachisia with Farz, Harry Baweja with Deewane, Sujit Kumar with Champion and Raj Kanwar with Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke. Shool, Khubsoorat, Mela, Bulandi, Hey! Ram, Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, Hadh Kar Di Aapne, Tarkeib, Refugee, Kunwara, Bichhoo, Shikari, Aaghaaz and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai failed to live up to the promise at the turnstiles, despite the presence of the stars. Veteran filmmakers look into the reasons...

SHYAM BENEGAL
We need to stem the rot
I have not given serious thought to why the majority of films have been flopping. There seems to be some kind of disjunction between films and the audience. The problem seems to be that the films haven’t been able to connect with the audience.

There may not be any pat answers. The reason for the dismal failure of films could well be that the audience has not found any novelty in the films being churned out. But still, why have so many films done badly?|
I guess it’s time we took a fresh look at the problem. There is an identity crisis here, though each filmmaker has tried his best to infuse an element of creativity into his work. This has not sufficed, as we can see. We need to stem the rot. And for that we need to sit down and probe what needs to be done. The earlier we do it will be better.

Govind Nihalani
The stars are important,
so’s the content
UNLESS there is real substance and meat in the film, it cannot catch the audience’s fancy. The stars can only hold the film for the first few days, thereafter, the films need to have merit to continue doing well. Even if you sign the big stars, you have to utilise them fully. That’s why the story assumes significance.

You can’t always depend on music and the stars to fetch you good returns at the box-office. A couple of films may have managed to get away with just these elements, but they are exceptional cases. The film has to have good content. The story is the king. I am not against the big stars, mind you. But I believe they have to be exploited properly in a film. That can be done only if you have a good script. Yet, if you sign the big stars and rely on just them and the same cliched formula, in nine cases out of ten, the film is bound to flop.

Agreed, filmmaking is essentially a speculative business. That’s why no one can be hundred per cent sure of success at the box-office for his film, even with the best intentions. The failure of films with the big stars only goes to prove my point. But this does not mean that small budget films will turn out to be successful either. These too need to have good content. And though the producers may save money on the small budget films, these need to be marketed and publicised properly. For how would the audience turn out to watch a film if they haven’t heard of it in the first place?

None of the big stars would like to have flops to his credit. He needs hits to ensure he stays in circulation. Naturally, they need to be told about the importance of a good story. But even a good story is not enough if it’s going to be treated shabbily, and the talents of the stars are under-utilised in the film.
The stars are important to the success of our films. The stars are there because the audience wants them. So you can’t wish them away. We need to convince both the stars and the audience about the story. No matter what kind of films you make, whether it is an action film or a romance, the directors need to work with all sincerity, dedication and capability. If there is a lack in any of these areas, the films will not appeal to the audience.

MSM Desai