It’s Different

The debutant is trying to prove his mettle at the box-office in September with a hatke love story. There are other directors too,who are exploring the darker side of love. Ram Gopal Varma has adapted the Neeraj Grover murder case on screen. Tigmanshu Dhulia’s next,Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster,is a contemporary take on Guru Dutt’s Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. “With changes in society,films are also bound to get bolder,” says Varma,“Love is not always pleasant or good to look at. In the real world,love could become an obsession,which,in turn,could destroy many lives. Somebody needs to burst the balloon about the superficiality of love that is always portrayed on screen.”

Love stories have been as old as Bollywood itself. From the unconditional love in Mughal-e-Azam to the beautiful yet complex love in Kaagaz Ke Phool,from the rebellious lovers of Bobby,to the tragic love in Ek Duuje Ke Liye,from the mature love in Kabhie Kabhie to the sensible love in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,the audience has seen it all. “Today,the society has become a little twisted and everyone feels the pangs of alienation. Hence,love will be depicted as alienated,self-centred,selfish and vindictive,” says Dhulia. Zafar,too,believes that films are a reflection of society,but he feels that falling in love with someone is a natural phenomenon. “Most of us have crossed that taboo path at some point in our lives. It is only now that people are open to talking about relationships.”

While filmmakers are inclined towards love stories with twists,is the Indian audience ready to accept them? Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says,“Going by the statistics on how unconventional subjects are handled in Bollywood,I am sure that there is a market for such films. And,of course,you never know until you have tried,” he states. Imran Khan—who acted in the dark adult comedy Delhi Belly and is the lead hero of MBKD—emphasises that audience wants to watch these films because they are looking for something new each time they buy a movie ticket. These subjects,however,must be treated for entertainment. “What can be better than watching a twisted love story with an added dose of humour?” the actor says.

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