Could a War movie like Dunkirk or 1917 work in India?

War movies in Bollywood mostly work when they're wrapped in patriotism and jingoism. If we talk about Bollywood war movies which worked at the box office, they're a handful.

Border, Uri and Kesari are the only movies which I can recall, and all three had patriotic themes.

Can a war movie like Dunkirk or 1917 which are not too patriotic or jingoistic in nature, instead show a story about survival and the horrors of war, would such a movie be accepted by audience?

Of course since Bollywood is star driven, such movies need to be done by a Superstar or A-lister, made by a big production house to work. Even after that would such a movie be Blockbuster like Border or Uri?

Or is patriotism a must in a war movie to appeal to masses in India?

I dont think a war movie can be made without patriotic themes. Soldiers are obviously patriotic. If you mean a more sober war movie, I can only remember Lakshya which was good but inspite of having an A lister, it didn't work its magic on the box office. Its a shame really. While I loved Border, I think Lakshya deserved to be a huge hit as well. Dunkirk was too confusing ( & not interesting in a way that Inception was ) & also boring.

Till recently I wasn’t aware that Lakshya was a flop movie and then I was 😲

So yeah, I don’t know if there is any formula that will work with the audience.

No it won't work.

Lakshya failed due to no patriotism. It was a story about a central character who grew up and wanted to take responsibility for himself. It was inspiring not wholly patriotic.

In India patriotism only means war with Pakistan and only that works as we always have something to argue since the separation.

Originally posted by: moonv

No it won't work.

Lakshya failed due to no patriotism. It was a story about a central character who grew up and wanted to take responsibility for himself. It was inspiring not wholly patriotic.

In India patriotism only means war with Pakistan and only that works as we always have something to argue since the separation.

Shershaah didn't have overly patriotic themes either. Do you think it would've flopped as well if released in theaters?

Originally posted by: AwaamKiJaan

Shershaah didn't have overly patriotic themes either. Do you think it would've flopped as well if released in theaters?

Most probably yes. But if promoted enough, it would have been a success not a blockbuster. People are done with Siddhart Malhotra on a mass scale although his performances are sincere. It would have needed lots of promotion nothing else. This was a great role and I feel it was unfair to not be in theatres. WOM would also have boosted its collections.

Lakshya did not fail because it had no patriotism.

It failed because there were parts of the movie that were just dragging and frankly quite boring though having a brilliant concept.

If it would have been edited for 30 mins and even the climax was very normal.

Ending of such movies either should be completely jubilant or tragic for it to work. Climax is very important for such movies.

Shershah was crisp and at no point did it get boring at all and the ending moved everyone to tears, it would have been a sure shot hit

Originally posted by: cts22

Lakshya did not fail because it had no patriotism.

It failed because there were parts of the movie that were just dragging and frankly quite boring though having a brilliant concept.

If it would have been edited for 30 mins and even the climax was very normal.

Ending of such movies either should be completely jubilant or tragic for it to work. Climax is very important for such movies.

Shershah was crisp and at no point did it get boring at all and the ending moved everyone to tears, it would have been a sure shot hit

Yes it wasn't a massy movie and boring in that sense. It wasn't made to be entertaining, felt like an experimental film. Ahead of its time. Time was different back in 2003/2004. And people also didn't like to see Hrithik after KMG in such a movie. Only promotion I remember was they put the Prabhu Deva choreographed white Hrithik dance.

But you are undermining that movie. The title Lakshya itself says about the story of aim in life being the character he was before moving into army. I didn't mean it had no patriotism but it was complementary bonus for the film.

Comparison with Shershah isn't appropriate.

Tbh Lakshya is not conpletely a War film. Its a coming of age movie as well.

Lakshya is actually one of the best made and acted movies.

However it was not a massy film and there were many parts that could have been edited.

If the movie was shorter it would have been a hit.

I was comparing Shershah as just like Lakshya though it had patriotic tones it was not an out and out patriotic movie like Border or Uri