Earning by the 100’s of crores seems to have become the latest fad for Indian cinema, as Hindi films and South Indian films seem to be competition at the box-office, at one-upping each other.
And while the rise and rise of regional language cinema, particular – Tamil and Telugu, does call for celebration – as it opens doors for more representation and equality of all regions of the country, but the whole thing being turned into a competition, with people literally obsessing over numbers – does raise some questions as well.
Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who’s always been associated with films that have fallen-in line with what makes cinema – a form of art, is not someone who obsesses over these big numbers. In fact, the actor feels such obsession is detrimental to the growth of cinema.
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In an interview given to journalist Puja Talwar, the actor said how people no longer talk about the quality of the content of films, or the performances – as it has all been shallowed down to box office numbers.
Here’s what he was quoted as saying:
“Koi baat hi nahi karraha hai ki film kaesi hai? Koi baat karne ko raazi nahi hai performances kaesi hai. Baki departments ki kya contribution hai? Kya hai na hum sab ₹1000 crore aur ₹300 crore aur ₹400 crore mein phasein huye hai.”
He further added:
“Yeh jhagda kaayi saalon se chal raha hai aur mujhe lagta hai ki yeh khatam hone wala hai nahi”
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Giving more context and meaning to what he is saying, Manoj further asserted that this fight is for the mainstream Bollywood – which he has never really associated with.
“Now critics are saying ‘Why don’t you make films like them? Why is your film not working?’ It’s been asked to those in the mainstream. Those in the mainstream are being put in the witness box by their own mainstream critics. As for me, I was never a part of that world.”
Concluding his point, Manoj stated that OTT platforms have served as boon to those who believe in good content and not fetching big numbers at the box office. The actor stated that quality-driven content on web platforms has given a rise to opportunities for talents, that were often ignored by the same mainstream, which is in witness box these days, for not being able to match-up to the box-office numbers of south.
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Trust, an artiste like Manoj Bajpayee to speak about cinema with such poetic clarity.