The End of Bollywood Era

Last 10 years have been significant in the development of the Bollywood industry. It has evolved into a mature industry with sophisticated story-telling mechanism. No longer is it just a potpourri of action, drama, romance with top stars in industry, but the larger segment of the country has fallen in trap of the core concept of movies: The Story. 

With directors like Dibakar Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, a new page is being written in books of Bollywood. Recent movies like, Kahani, The Dirty Picture, Shanghai and Chillar Party have proved the fact that it’s the story which drives the audience to movie theatre and not just glamorous lead cast. We have seen movies like Agneepath, Agent Vinod, Ra.One shatter into glass pieces even with large marketing budgets, scenic beauty and topmost stars of the film industry.

I respect the people who say that the movies are for entertainment and not to leave the audience crying and with heavy heart. But illusion can’t last long. With honour killings in North India who would believe in the stories where a rich girl falls in love with a taxi driver and lives happily after. In country where people shoot the videos when a girl is being molested, who would watch the story of Rowdy Rathore. Karan Johar and the likes have always lived in a fantasy world, where they have personal chefs, a wardrobe full of Gucci, Prada and a house with a fleet of cars at their disposal.

Slumdog Millionaire showed the real slum life of Mumbai, it was appreciated worldwide; but certain genre of people criticized it as well for being too honest. What is wrong if they told us that kids are kidnapped and handicapped thereafter to beg on traffic signals? It’s an absolute truth. We all know that. But we don’t want to face it. With an altogether unconventional story-telling, there is also a group of actors who are the future face of Bollywood. Their superb performance and cinematic talents they have changed the face of acting. Let’s see some of these actors’ profiles:

1. Vidya Balan: I remember her as the geeky gal in the ever so popular television series, Hum

Paanch, and then sudden transformation to a beautiful dignified woman in Parineeta, eventually winning the Best Lead Actress Award. She was criticised badly for her dressing and demeanour in Heyy Baby and Kismet Konnection. But this lady proved all her critiques wrong, with her over the top acting in Bhool Bhulaiyaa followed by a young independent single mother in Paa, a sexually manipulative wife in Ishqiya and finally real life projection of Sabrina Lal and Silk in the movies No one Killed Jessica Lal and The Dirty Picture. Her extraordinary performance and finesse in the role assured her wining accolades all over the country and her first National Award. She has rewritten the fate of a lead actress in Hindi

Cinema to a complete powerful persona in the story. She is one lady to watch for!

2. Abhay Deol: He comes from the family where movies meant Action. Being a nephew of

Dharmendra and cousin of Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, we expected the same old movie with “2.5 kilo ka haath” and shouting for justice. But things were different. Movies like Socha na Tha, Ahista Ahista and then Ek Chalis ki Last Local showed us he was from a different genre. And then released the movie Oye Lucky lucky Oye brilliantly shot in a miniscule budget. Abhay Deol changed the Bollywood definition of thriller movies in Manorama Six Feet Under. Dev D was another successful venture which defined Abhay Deol as “The New Face of Indian Cinema”. Anurag Kashyap created a whole new version of Devdas and Abhay Deol stood perfectly well in character of Dev, the rich spoilt brat of Delhi.

Abhay Deol has an uncanny ability to fall into the skin of character.

3. Manoj Bajpai: He started his career with television series. His role as Bhikhu in Satya was most appreciated. He broke the norms of heroes dressed in branded clothes and entrance in a sports car. His dark character in Aks proved to be a major breakthrough in his career. Shool, Zubeida and Pinjar were movies of experimental cinemas where he stood strong. Latest movie, Gangs of Wasseypur, set up in Dhanbad, won him the National Award. We all are eagerly waiting for the second part of Gangs of Wasseypur.

4. Ranbir Kapoor: Why him in this contemporary kind of cinema article? I agree Ranbir started as a Rom-Com hero, but his latest performance in Rajneeti and Rockstar took a U-turn in his career. He was described as a Volcano of Kapoor family in newspapers after release of Rajneeti. Though Rockstar wasn’t that great movie, but it was worth watching to   see the acting of Ranbir. His latest venture is Barfi with Priyanka Chopra where he is playing a role of a deaf and dumb person.

5. Amir Khan: Last but not the least, this Khan has changed the Bollywood cinema and now, television watching. He has stood with time and from his Qyamat se Qyamat Tak to Sarforsh, and then Lagaan, Rang De Basanti and Taare Zameen Par. He broke all box office records and gave movies a breakthrough commercial success. The topics discussed in movies were never ever thought of before and still people appreciated them. Satyamev Jayat brought into limelight the social burning issues right from female foeticide to pesticide ridden food. He represents the face of new age of Bollywood.


 

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