Originally posted by: return_to_hades
I don't think Bollywood sucks.
Bollywood doesn't suck because mindless masala films do have a place. I'm a vehement critic of the mindless masala films. It irks me that films like Dabangg or Singham are superhits. At the same time, these films appeal to the masses. Cinema is a means not just for entertainment but for escapism. Most people do not want realism or serious issues when they go to the movie. They go to the movies because they want to escape the reality and serious issues of their day to day life. Besides the razzle dazzle, opulent song and dance sequences, over the top histrionics and drama has a signature flair to it. That is the identity of Bollywood. In the end there is that part of people that wants to be awed by something larger than life, no matter how mindless or unrealistic it is.
Bollywood doesn't suck because it isn't that drastically different from the rest of the world. Barring a few commercial and critical successes like Titanic or Return of the King, most people haven't even heard of the Oscar nominated films until the Oscar. Even the worst Transformers movie will have a bigger opening weekend than what Inside Llewellyn Davis or Nebraska does in a lifetime. People look forward to the next Avengers or X-Men movie and not some critically acclaimed flick.
Bollywood doesn't suck because despite our fixation on mindless masala, alternate and parallel cinema still has a place. Our audiences are evolving. Their tastes are evolving. Even the masses sometimes appreciate something different. Movies like English Vinglish, Queen and Finding Fanny do get both critical and commercial success. People are accepting the fact that you don't always need mindless masala for entertainment and escapism. Movies like Ankhon Dekhi, Ship of Theseus and Lunchbox are made and noticed. People are accepting the quality of alternative cinema.
Bollywood doesn't suck because it knows its flaws and tries to change things. It has always been a male dominated industry with women treated as flowerpots. For the past few years the industry has been trying to shed this image. There has been an increase in women oriented films. This year itself we have had Queen, Bobby Jasoos, Mardani, Mary Kom, Khoobsurat all which place women at the forefront.
I'll always criticize Bollywood and complain about things they do. That is because I actually love Bollywood. I have way too many nostalgic memories and connections with Bollywood. And when you love something you want it to succeed and do well. You criticize so it can keep inching towards the better. If Bollywood actually sucked, I wouldn't bother. I'd have given up on it long ago.
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