Thank you Deepa! You've hit the nail right on the head. Voices like yours are hardly heard these days. Most so-called film journos are happy publishing senseless write-ups on Hindi cinema and glowing reviews of run of the mill Hindi films. Sensible films, whether they are made in Hindi or Tamil or Malayalam never get the support of the media. Who said these films are not entertaining? And if these 'sensible' films are not successful, then how do you account for 95% of the Hindi masala films flopping? Most bollywood actors/ actresses feel their star status would improve tremendously if they act in a Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani film.
On the other hand you have countless awards, such as the IIFA awards that claim to be honoring INDIAN cinema, while all they do is to stage yet another dog & poney show on HINDI cinema. TV shows celebrate 100 years of INDIAN cinema, but are interested in showing songs from Hindi films. For them Indian music is nothing but Hindustani music (the much older cousin, Carnatic Music be damned) and Indian Folk music is nothing but Bhangra. As long as journalists do not raise their voice, this kind of dominance will continue. Once again, thank you!
I am frankly a little tired of the rant by some so called "critics" of the lack of "artistic" and so called "meaningful" cinema in India. You know what, most people make movies to make money. its not a charity.its a business.they make the kind of movies people want to see. If you want to criticize the general public for their "escapist" attitude then you live in your elitist world. i think its entertainment that they deserve. why should they pay money to see things in a movie which they go though in their everyday lives. even though i'm not very big fan of bollywood movies myself but for everyone like me there are 10 more who like it very much. so keep cribing about your stupid cannes ,oscars etc and keeping seeking attentions from others cause without it you feel worthless. pathetic !! as for me i'd see a david dawan movie and laugh myself silly rather than watching sick art films.
Movies reflect the taste and preference of the majority of the audience. For making a movie, a movie maker has to worry about his audience and think about what can be accepted very weel (not commercially successful, mind you). If you are not bold, then you go for a well-worn formula or unoriginal theme to get accepted. The problem with a majority of Bollywood filmmakers is that they dont have the courage to experiment with new themes. Just take an example like Dil Chahta hai or COmpany which are close to being good movies by any standards because they have a boldness about them and an ability to be original and can match some simple movies with novelty - like "As good as it gets".
Basically explore a theme, rhythm, a genre or period and have a good story to tell which is interesting/moving/absurd..anything original or novel and has something to say. That is what I believe defines a good movie, and a commercial movie like Siva in Telugu can also do. In addition, Govinda movies are not necessarily bad, take Aankhen for example. And Steven Seagal movies in Hollywood still get made. Bottomline, good movies need a passion to tell or narrate something original or an idea....
Time is the best judge...Trust time to filter out the quality...In 1941 a film was booed and whistled in the Oscar ceremony, it was banned till 1958...And for the last 40 years it continues to be voted the best film ever made ....Steven Spielberg was so amazed by Citizen Kane that he bought the sledge for 500000 dollars....................
To start with, I think it's becoming a fashion in the modern indian society to rant abt the unmentioned and undermentioned events. Further, I would like to add that the publicity and popularity a movie enjoys is greatly dependent on the media coverage it gets. So, it sounds quite ironical that a common man is reminded over and over abt the lack of awareness towards such events/movies.
There is no substance in bollywood movies..And when someone says that openly, we people are not ready to accept that.I know a lot of films in malayalam have gone to many film festivals all around the globe and won a lot of awards..But nobody seems to care.What we care is only about what Aishwarya does there..And frankly, I dont understand why they chose Aishwarya as a jury member..There are lot of persons who are more knowledgeable.
Who care about some film festival. Movies are just ment to entertain people. I agree with you Ashish. Dont make such a fuss....... Deepa plz come up with something worthwhile.....
your comment is like some religious fanatics who believe that their god is the only god in the world!! Movies can be for entertainment "also"- that is the fact. Remember that the majority need NOT be true, and in cases like this the minority that makes good movies, not necessarily entertaining should be praised, ......it requires guts and talent buddy... so if you don't have it..atleast stop ridiculing those who have it. Kerala makes good movies and people do appreciate it there.... and I am proud to be a keralaite and to say that my state is probably one of the two(other bieng Bengal) where such good cinema is accepted by the public in the box office.... please do your homework before commenting on such matters!!
I heard on FM yesterday tht Supari is being shown at Cannes as well, i knw its not in the competitive section but was Devdas in competitve section? I guess no one talks abt it because it has newcomers, but Uday, rahul, etc are stars of tomm, N i sincerly think tht we need to wake up to the non-starry world out there...guys, loads of fresh talent out there now.Me and friends at Mithibhai are looking forward to only two films as of now - Supari ofcourse and Ishq Vishq N THY BTH STAR NEWCOMERS..so gve creidt where it is due and let the stars be! encourage new ppl to work harder! cheers!
Looks like writer became aware of the quality of Indian regional films only recently, and tries to point out the publicity being given to Bollywood by the media.
Bollywood is only a show business platform as always. They produce films to make money, so they make what majority of people would want, so naturally they are not targeted at an intellectual audience.
Regarding the arguments on 'Movies are for entertainment', Definition of entertainment varies from people to people depending on their intellectual levels, their ability to think, it is pretty straightforward.
Regarding writer's concerns about regional films being ignored by media,
It happened before, it will happen again, because you know, India has such a very underrated Cultural diversity, majority of the people cannot even understand about people from other regions, their culture etc.
