| | | KYA KOOL HAI HUM: Riteish Deshmukh (right) and Tusshar Kapoor show off their Afros | | Move on Kajol-Shah Rukh and John-Bipasha; new age Bollywood cinema has reproduced the likes of Amitabh-Abhishek (Bunty Aur Babli), Riteish-Tusshar (Kya Kool Hai Hum) and Akshay-John (Garam Masala), whose cheekier-than-thou attitude has been raking in moolah at the box-office.
As male bonding between hunks (the latest being Suneel Darshan's Dosti) becomes an increasingly popular creative choice among filmmakers, hitList attempts to deconstruct the age-old phenomenon (remember Dharmendra-Amitabh in Sholay?).
Hero and co
Going by records, a director's paraphernalia includes a hot actor, with a talented, but not-so-popular actor. This is because of increasing pressure from producers and distributors, industry sources say. Says producer Vashu Bhagnani, I feel 120 per cent safe while investing in a project with a bunch of actors. A good starcast can pull off an average or a below-average script."
Adds No Entry director Anees Bazmi, "Producers and financiers don't want to rely on a single actor, fearing he might land up with a chain of flops. If there are other heroes, you don't get affected so easily. Also, it becomes easier to sell the film when you have noted faces instead of just a solo hero." No character actors
Another school of thought believes that it's an outcome of the overlapping market segments.
Says director Vivek Agnihotri, "The film industry is evolving as a supermarket, where everything is demanded under one roof. It works best for viewers and distributors alike. More and more films are made that cater to the taste of urban, metro, mini-metro and masses at the same time. Therefore, you see big stars sinfully indulging in comic capers, replete with silly jokes. Groundlings as well as the multiplex crowd derive their dose of entertainment from such films."
Agnihotri adds that a lack of character actors in Hindi films is also responsible for the development. "We do not have a present-day Pran, Mehmood or Helen. Therefore, mainstream actors are stepping into their shoes. For example, I would love to see Mehmood teaming up with Akshay Kumar in Garam Masala."
| | KAJRA RE: Amitabh (left) and Abhishek Bachchan ogle Aishwarya Rai in Bunty Aur Babli | Paisa vasooli
About the multiplex culture, directors and producers agree that viewers look forward to a multi-starrer that can appeal to parents and their teenage kids.
Says producer Firoz Nadiadwala, "With multiplexes mushrooming in the city, the prices of the tickets are on the rise. And a viewer wants complete paisa vasool for the Rs 150 that he pays. Many stars certainly work to that end." One big family
As far as disadvantages are concerned, filmmakers agree that coordination and getting dates from leading actors may cause trouble. Says Rohan Sippy, "Getting actors physically under one roof can be challenging. But it's always fun and interesting to work with a bunch."
The current block of Bolly men don't mind signing two-hero flicks, or multi-starrers. Ego hassles are a matter of the past and cooperation is the order of the day.
Adds Bhagnani, "These days, actors maintain cordial relationships with each other, despite any differences they may have." sandipan.dalal@mid-day.com |
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