Mediocre films and the money they make

It almost seems tht good movies and blockbusters r oxymorons the way good films are becoming oblivious and mediocre films are becoming BBs. Seems good filmakers don't know how to make BBs and vice versa.

Mediocre according to whose standards?

I think the first thing in Bollywood that producers/directors know is that sex sells. How else would you explain movies that have terrible plots or no plots at all like Jism 2 to be able to do any business? It also explains the rise of item songs all of a sudden.

And secondly, star power sells. I've never watched a Salman movie in the theatre but I know plenty of people that do. A lot of people in India go to watch movies with their families. And I feel that's why Salman's movies work. They cater to an audience that wants to watch an appropriate movie. Salman doesn't do kissing scenes or anything vulgar (minus his dancing ofc). His movies are pure mindless comedies. But they're appropriate. No extra skin show, no forced item songs, nothing. It's safe to watch a Salman movie in the theatre with your family.

Then there are people who just go to watch a movie to get lost in it and live in that fantasy world like Angel-likeDevil mentioned. Happily ever after doesn't exist but for 3 hours if you can forget about your student loans, your mortgage, or anything else that troubles you, why wouldn't you?

I think right now it's pretty bad because there are very few movies released that steer away from the regular masala movies. Movies like Guzaarish do not work in India and for that reason, few popular stars will ever do them.

But that doesn't mean that mindless cinema should be given more encouragement. Yeah, business runs by simple supply and demand but that doesn't mean that you should supply anything and everything the public wants.

Moves like 3 idiots or Munna Bhai are perfect examples of how movies can have commercial success while teaching the audience, or at least informing the audience of a social message. They did amazingly well in terms of business but not at one point did I feel they insulted my intelligence as an audience member. 3 idiots dealt with a social issue like suicide due to educational pressures and that's something that every student in India can probably relate to. But the social issue didn't engulf the movie or weigh it down and that's key to making a movie with a social message work. Audiences can STILL be entertained without putting useless item songs.

Movie making is an art and people in Bollywood seemed to be interested in taking shortcuts right now instead of mastering it. At least a few have not fallen victims to this yet. So there's still a little hope left for Bollywood.