Are Hindi makers ashamed or insecure of own culture? - Page 2

Originally posted by: atominis

Consuming foreign media does not mean Indians are okay with historical or religious or folk lore being mangled to make it look 'global'.

I totally disagree with your first line that desi does not sell unless it has sex or SRK.

How did Lagaan, Jodha Akbar, Bahubali, PS series, RRR become so successful? Craze and pan India housefull shows for Bahubali were real. Saw it firsthand in even Punjab where South films hardly have takers.

Even Padmavat, Bajirao Mastani have done fairly well with more desi look and not blindly copying Hollywood.

The dubbed versions of Magadheera are popular online and on TV as well. How did it click then?

Indian youth may be more inclined to talk of Marvel but also know Indian history and epics are what they are and know their context and do not want to see them transplanted or re imagined as sasta version of GOT.

I never said it's okay. Obviously I'm personally not okay with any of this. I was just trying to see why they'd do this, from a business POV. They're trying to make money and clout and they'd do whatever it takes to grab eyeballs. Something being popular on tv doesn't translate well into the movie making business where you make money only if the 'masses' go to the theatres.

The sex and SRK part isn't to be taken literally. For one it means you need big stars ,, not necessarily SRK. And big banners. Some formulaic stuff. Grand sets. Hence the divide between 'parallel films' and something like Swades or Lagaan. But what has happened is that stars aren't what they used to be anymore. So I think they look for other ways to make things appealing. Most of the examples you've mentioned were from before the internet boom in India , (including Bajirao ) when tastes were different.

Southern films that become pan India hits are a different matter altogether. There's some of that boycott Bollywood thing lingering which helps. And they're exotic to viewers who have recently discovered the idea of movies from the South that aren't ennada Rascal and stuff from the dubbed versions they've seen on Sony Max. Again packaging matters. There's Ash , Mani Ratnam etc. And there's Tamanna's backless waterfall dance on the other hand. Which brings us back to what I was saying. I haven't watched Bahubali but going by what I've seen in trailers and clips there's plenty of borrowed action scenes.

And ofcourse there are going to be exceptions.

I would not say Bajirao Mastani or Padmavat belong to pre internet boom era. They are very much from social media boom era.

And same goes for Bahubali.

I do not think Bahubali worked only due to things like Tamannah's backless choli dance in waterfall.

Bahubali 2 especially has less skin show but it also broke records.

I agree they may have borrowed scenes but they kept Indian flavour intact. We do not see Devsena dressed other way except sarees. We do not see Prabhas and Rana with man buns.

And re runs of all shows based on Ramayana, Mahabharat Mahadev etc broke records during lockdown again. That means audience did accept them. Old videos and episodes of Mahabharat, Ramayan, Mahadev still get millions of views on YouTube.

I am not sure masses would like bakwas desi versions of wannabe GOT, Benhur, Troy, Gladiator, Bridegerton, The Crown, Elizabeth, LOTR, HP, Planet of Apes etc. They either do not know about these or know own tales too well to want them in videsh avatar or they would rather see original angrezi stuff than see Bollywood stars doing wannabe GOT.

I am seeing nowadays even shows based on Alladdin or Arabian Nights copy looks of HP or LOTR and hardly look Arabian at all. It looks monotonous.

Now its older culture that has become taboo. Before It was partition that was a sore spot. The theme seems to be directors shouldn't choose these subjects as they hurt sentiments

First the West or South (India) will have to make it. Then Bollywood will copy.

Aap chronology samjhiye.😆

It may not be the subjects as such but the way they are narrated and picturized.

Adipurush could have been another kind of movie, made with respect to the mythology and the fitting language, with another cinematography, with more diligence in shaping the characters, with guiding the actors in a better way, with relying less on VFX and more on original sets and landscapes. The music seemingly was the only thing that unanimously was lauded.

Originally posted by: Clochette

It may not be the subjects as such but the way they are narrated and picturized.

Adipurush could have been another kind of movie, made with respect to the mythology and the fitting language, with another cinematography, with more diligence in shaping the characters, with guiding the actors in a better way, with relying less on VFX and more on original sets and landscapes. The music seemingly was the only thing that unanimously was lauded.

Just make another golmaal or housefull to avoid this stuff 😆

Bollywood is seen as an evil industry these days. If they make a film like this with their actors there will be severe backlash from public and people in power alike unlike South industry.

Originally posted by: atominis

The lazy part is true.

Their poor writing, lack of research shows.

I was watching interview of Asha Bhosle where she revealed that she and Lata learnt Urdu and took classes to get rid of Marathi accent and sing nore authentically especially when they sang for films like Mughal e Azam, Razia Sultan.

Hema Malini learnt Urdu and Farsi to sound authentic when she did Razia Sultan.

Dilip Kumar took classes to get Bhojpuri style accent right when he did Ganga Jumna and sound like a real villager from UP region.

Whereas I do NOT see writers, makers, actors or singers of today go extra mile or do research.

All they see is TRPs or BO or masala or wannabe global content trending online.

I have read Mohit Raina used to meditate and read Shiv Puran to know more about Lord Shiva and bring a composure to his acting. Nitish Bharadwaj knew Sanskrit and actually he had read Mahabharat.

I do not see such dedication or preparation by today's heroes and heroines drunk on own stardom.

Sagars and Chopras had whole research team when they made Ramayana and Mahabharat and consulted scholars and translators, cultural ministry also. You do not see that level of commitment now. Just makers who see these epics or historical legends as source of masala.

Akki's Prithviraj was also badly made. Period.

^^ This 👏

Thanks. I now understand why Javed Akhtar lamented today's writing and actors and said they think in English and do not understand language, nuances or scripts.

Aamir also said today's lot lacks understanding of own country and had advised Imran to backpack across India and see the whole country, experience it first-hand if he really wanted to make it as a BW star.

Salim Khan had also spoken on how well read he and Javed were, how they were into reading and observant since childhood and that was a reason why their scripts were rooted in masses.

Today's lot lacks that understanding and thinks special effects or glamour or action or skin show and cuss words will draw audience.

Success of web series does NOT mean masses will like that language used in Ramayana based film.

That was common sense and failure of Ekta's Mahabharat should have taught them a lesson.

Anyway I really wonder what stops today's lot from working actually hard and learning something about country and culture they operate in?

Cos it's catered to Indians in India/newly migrated who blindly worship such tropes, have a cringe obsession with Friends, because there's still some novelty in it for them.

In contrast to the youth born and brought up abroad who even watched Kekta shows, scooped up SRK-KJo brand of movies back in the day, just to feel connected to people like them (outwardly).

"Akhir har stereotype mein kuch sach hain"