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Bollywood is currently experiencing a dry spell, with several re-released films drawing more footfalls in theatres than new releases. At the sixth edition of The Indian Express’ series Expresso in New Delhi, actor Randeep Hooda and filmmaker Hansal Mehta discussed the ongoing crisis in Hindi cinema.
When asked about why re-releases are working better at the box office, Hansal instantly replied, “This is a social media trend. One or two re-released films have done well. It doesn’t mean that everything has done well.”
Randeep chimed in and said that everyone is functioning as per trends. “I would bring it down to bhedh chaal. If one thing works, then similar things start getting made. Sabko vahi banaana hai. Abhi sabko Stree ke baad horror comedy banaana hai. I, as an actor, don’t think that should be a parameter. So, there is a crisis going on because of many things.”
Randeep also pointed out that films have become formulaic. He said, “There’s a lot of film execution happening now, not filmmaking. We have isolated ourselves in the ivory tower a little. There’s little room for experimentation.”
However, the actor-filmmaker finds hope in the streaming medium, though he acknowledges that it is gradually succumbing to commercial pressures. “Experimentation is only possible on OTT platforms now. Although, I think that they are also looking for that kind of cinema because they want more audience and subscriptions. It’s a business-driven thing,” he said.
Hooda continued, “There needs to be somebody who puts down their foot, hopefully that’s me because I want to do both of them. I am trying to do something experimental enough and choosing a subject which connects with a larger amount of people.”
During the session, Randeep Hooda also praised South Indian filmmakers for making movies with ‘a bit more rootedness and actual characterisation.’ Randeep said, “Their working is very different. I really admire what they do. It is also because they are still trying to make movies about their own culture. Their sensibility is more basic human emotions, which is appealing to a larger audience. If you look at the big movies that are doing well, a lot of them have the things of commercial movies, like Bachchan sahab’s ‘Main aaj bhi pheke hue paise nahi uthaata hu’, so there’s ‘Pushpa, jhukta nahi hai.’ So, that kind of thing is coming back again.”
He added, “They are just making our films, but with a bit more rootedness and actual characterisation. Pushpa doesn’t have six-pack abs, he has a beard and crooked shoulder. Whereas, the so-called elite filmmakers and actors are busy making abs. They are not going into characterisations and finding the character. They are just not making character-driven films. But, people are not going to stop watching movies or OTT, it is going to be a constant thing. We are just in a bit of a shuffle.”
On the work front, Randeep Hooda will next star in Jaat, alongside Sunny Deol. He also has Hollywood film Matchbox in the pipeline.
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