Is Bollywood running out of ideas?

Is Bollywood running out of ideas?
Friday, October 21, 2011 18:45 IST
Most films announced recently are either sequels or remakes. Is Bollywood going through the lowest phase as far as originality is concerned?

It is said that it's better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. Obviously not everyone from Bollywood agrees.

It's an industry that produces over 150 mainline movies year after year, and going by current standards, more than 70 percent of those ideas come from another person's story palette.

Remaking classics

It's clearly the riskiest proposition to adapt when you're pressed for an original idea. Remaking a classic takes guts. After all it's a space that people have cherished for years. So one could go horribly wrong as Ram Gopal Verma did with Aag (remake of Sholay-1975) and Himesh Reshammiya Karzzz (remake of Karz-1980).

Says director Ramesh Sippy, "With films like Sholay or Seeta aur Geeta the audience sees something that can perhaps never be replicated. But if the original makers have no problem selling their story, then there is no harm in attempting it with a fresh perspective."

However, there's no denying that remaking a classic ensures an inquisitive audience spanning the age group of 17 to 70.

Adds Karan Malhotra whose adaptation of Angeepath is up for release next year, "I think when you adapt from classic films you are inspired to do an even better job. There is enough pressure as it will be compared to the original."

The sequel story

When Dabangg was declared a success, the producers immediately announced a sequel. Ditto with Force.

Notwithstanding the fact that Force was already a south remake, and a sequel now will probably need an original screenplay. Clearly, announcing a part 2 to a film is, in fact, the easiest way to increase the buzz around it.

Says director Abhishek Chaubey, "When you make a film and it becomes such a big talking point amongst the masses, it's only natural that you would want to flesh out the idea a little more.

That doesn't mean the sequel will lack originality. Eventually sequels too are stand-alone films."

However, there is no denying that capitalising on an already successful brand is one of the smartest business strategies.

From Dostana to Race and Housefull to Ishqiya, each of these films now hope to see a better follow-up of the original, some of them with bigger stars.

Not to mention, the barrage of publicity speculating the star cast and the twist and turns in the story gives the producers the perfect playground to reach out to the masses.

From south to the west

Official or not, remaking a hit movie has been a formula the industry has been using for years. But these days that formula has a distinct South Indian flavour.

Not everyone can do a Rajnikanth, but replicating the south superstar's classic moves seems to be a sure-shot ticket to success. And though filmmakers have shamelessly lifted from Hollywood all these years, (read Partner, Heyy Baby, Zinda, Kante, etc) they are finally resorting to getting the 'official' tag.

Says Karan Johar whose Stepmom remake tanked at the box office, "Remakes are great, but when you make it for the desi audience, you have to add the elements that appeal to them."

Sequels being made of...
Dabangg, Dostana, Housefull, Ishqiya, Don, Race, Jannat, Force, Masti, Partner, Double Dhamaal, No Entry, Kya Kool Hein Hum, Wanted, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local, Bhoot, Krissh, Tanu Weds Manu Raaz 2, Murder 2, Dhoom 2, Golmaal 3.

South remakes
Kick, Son Of Sardar (Maryadaramana) Ek Deewana Tha (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa), Rowdy Rathore (Vikramarkudu), Dookudu, Pithamagan, Dhee, Businessman, Pranayam, Magadheera

Hollywood remakes
Players (The Italian Job), Mod (Keeping Watch), Bandaa Yeh Bindaas Hai (My Cousin Vinny)

Classic remakes
Agneepath, Chupke Chupke, Chashme Badoor, Satte Pe Satta, Seeta Aur Geeta, Golmaal, Angoor

Original films
Rockstar, The Dirty Picture, Ladies Vs Ricky Behl, Student of the Year, Ferrari ki Sawari, Gangs of Wasseypur, Department, Shootout at Wadala
Azaad Hai Tu Title Track Witnesses One of the Biggest Song Launches of 2024!

Ajay Devgn, Director Abhishek Kapoor, Producer Pragya Kapoor, Aaman Devgn, and Rasha Thadani Captivate Bhubaneswar with a Grand Unveiling of the

Monday, December 23, 2024
Paatal Lok Season 2 Release Date, Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming Crime Thriller!

The highly anticipated second season of the crime-thriller series Paatal Lok is set to premiere on January 17, exclusively on OTT platform Prime Video. With a stellar cast

Monday, December 23, 2024
Advance Bookings for this year's mass commercial Christmas entertainer Baby John are now open!

Produced by Murad Khetani, Priya Atlee, and Jyoti Deshpande, Baby John is a story that is close to everyone's heart. Directed by Kalees, the film is filled with emotions, humor, action, lively

Monday, December 23, 2024
Badshah Calls for Unity Amidst Diljit Dosanjh and A. P. Dhillon Controversy!

The escalating tension between Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh and singer-songwriter A. P. Dhillon has caught the attention of rapper Badshah, who has stepped in with a message

Monday, December 23, 2024
Allu Arjun's House Attacked Over Demands for Compensation in Stampede Incident!

The controversy surrounding the tragic stampede at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad continues to escalate. On Sunday, protesters targeted the residence of Telugu superstar

Monday, December 23, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT