Bollywood tries woman on top!

Bollywood tries woman on top!
Thursday, September 02, 2004 14:01 IST
By Santa Banta News Network

Female directors are a rare commodity in the Indian film industry despite the success of women artists in front of the camera.

But a soul-stirring film by actor-cum-filmmaker Revathy -- "Phir Milenge" -- that released Friday and follows an out-an-out commercial hit by choreographer-cum-filmmaker Farah Khan -- "Main Hoon Na" -- could well usher in a sea change in attitudes towards women filmmakers.

"Phir Milenge", starring Shilpa Shetty, Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan (in a cameo), is a film that not only deftly handles a sensitive issue like HIV/AIDS but also appraises the situation through a woman's point of view. Glowing reviews for the film have adjudged Revathy's craft to be at par with the best in Indian cinema.

The film's protagonist Tamanna, essayed beautifully by Shilpa Shetty, is a well-sketched character of a regular Indian urban woman (not one who is playing out male fantasies) who contracts the AIDS virus. Her struggle against social stigmatisation with the help of a cynic-turned-supporter, lawyer Tarun (Abhishek Bachchan), makes this a story about the triumph of human spirit.

Onscreen, women have been calling the shots with even newcomers managing better box-office initials than established male stars. But the failure of recent films by women directors, like Pooja Bhatt's "Paap" and Aruna Raje's "Tum", had put a question mark on the feminine presence behind the camera.

In the world's biggest film industry, the number of women filmmakers in mainstream cinema can be counted on the fingers of one hand. A case in point is when Pritish Nandy pulled out of producing Aparna Sen's "Gulel" and Saif Ali Khan backed out of the project, despite the success of her earlier production "Mr and Mrs Iyer".

With no finances at their disposal, women end up making small films usually based on women's problems. Clearly, audiences do not want to see clichéd women's empowerment films. In "Phir Milenge," Revathy seems to have got the mix just right by not making it an overtly woman-centric film.

If "Phir Milenge" manages to be a commercial success too, Revathy will join the very small clutch of women filmmakers who have stuck it out in mainstream cinema like filmmaker Tanuja Chandra who is ready with her latest movie "Film Star", set within the industry and featuring Mahima Chowdhary in the title role.

"I have continued to make films my way even if I've been accused of not being commercial enough. My films like 'Sangharsh' and 'Dushman' had big stars. But they were as commercial or non-commercial as my later films which didn't feature a Sanjay Dutt, Kajol or Akshay Kumar," says Chandra.

Revathy's success in casting a leading star like Salman Khan is another rarity in Bollywood. Even Kalpana Lajmi, who worked with stars like Raveena Tandon, Shabana Azmi and Dimple Kapadia in the past, had to opt for newcomers in her film "Kyon".

She has been struggling to cast her next two films, a film called "Postman" about the relationship between a prostitute and a postman, and a film on the ULFA terrorists in Assam for which Lajmi wants John Abraham.

Meghna Gulzar, whose directorial debut "Filhaal" was a dud, had to wait a long time before Pritish Nandy Communications agreed to fund her next.

Varun Dhawan Unveils First Poster of 'Nain Matakka' Featuring Keerthy Suresh!

Varun Dhawan's upcoming film Baby John is already creating waves in the entertainment world. The latest buzz surrounds the highly anticipated track "Nain Matakka," and the excitement reached new heights when Varun shared the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'Agni' Trailer Unveiled: A Tribute to Firefighters' Bravery and Sacrifice!

The much-anticipated trailer for Agni, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, was released on Thursday, offering a gripping look into the world of firefighters, their bravery, and the sacrifices they make to protect

Friday, November 22, 2024
Sara Ali Khan Shares Fun BTS Moments from Ad Shoot, Invites Fans to Let Their Spirits Soar!

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan recently took to Instagram to share a delightful behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpse from her latest advertisement shoot, revealing her cheerful mood and creative spirit. In a playful and heartwarming post, Sara shared a video

Friday, November 22, 2024
Kartik Aaryan Enjoys Quality Time with 'Sea, Sand, and Sun' at IFFI Goa!

Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan, who is currently in Goa for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and Filmazaar, took a moment to unwind and connect with nature. The actor shared a series of serene pictures on his Instagram, showcasing

Friday, November 22, 2024
Shehnaaz Gill Starts Shooting for Punjabi Film: A New Journey Begins!

Actress and social media sensation Shehnaaz Gill is all set to embark on a new chapter in her career, as she commences shooting for her upcoming Punjabi film. The actress shared her excitement with her fans on Instagram, marking this milestone

Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT