Image Trap

I think actors constantly invent and reinvent themselves. They explore different parts of their acting calibre and are always in the process of changing their style of presentation. For instance,Ajay Devgn had different avatars in Singham,as an honest cop,and as a conman in Rascals. When we talk about the set image of an actor,it’s his or her personality. So,when they play different characters,they’re doing it within that limitation. Take any actor,how much can you change that image in each film?

Whenever they have tried to switch to a new role,actors or actresses haven’t met with much success or appreciation. Emraan Hashmi’s film Shanghai bombed at the box office when he tried to shift from his previous image. He wasn’t accepted by the audience. How can you change Shah Rukh Khan’s image associated with romance? Be it the role of a superhero,or that of a don,his style and association with romance will always be there. So,in the defence of the actors,they cannot go against their loyal audience.

I say that it’s a good thing that they have to stay within that limitation. In order to build a set image,they have to repeat themselves. And after establishing themselves in that space,they can experiment,but only within that framework. The decision to take an abrupt U-turn will always boomerang in the box office collection.

There are a few exceptions,such as Aamir Khan; but then his movies,such as Taare Zameen Par,have small budgets. It is usually the big budgeted films,starring seasoned actors,that require the actors to stick to their image in order to do well at the box office.

Prasad Bidapa

Image and fashion consultant

I wouldn’t entirely agree that artistes are bound by their image. I think they’re searching for defining roles,but by the end of it,their stardom brings back the character to their set image. I think when actors get the script,they think they’re on to something different,because on paper everything sounds very good. But once the shooting starts,their “trapped” image comes out and it’s the same old formula.

There is also the danger of going too far from the image. If the “star” experiments too much,nobody appreciates it. Emraan Hashmi tried that with Shanghai and Ek Thi Daayan. I loved Shah Rukh Khan in My Name in Khan and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (RNBDJ). I started respecting him more after his role as a geek and an Amritsari Punjabi in RNBDJ — it was funny and he’s always experimenting. But at the end of the day,he’s Shah Rukh Khan and you can’t take that away from his role. Amitabh Bachchan will be Amitabh Bachchan — a superstar actor or the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati.

It’s a bad thing for these actors because they have no choice. Be it any kind of film,stardom always takes over. Akshay Kumar has been acting in comedy and action films for so long that his fans expect a certain character. With stars,the script is a stalemate. Only when there is a book adaptation are they’re forced to break away from the usual set image,like Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots.

I also think that the film scripts are set recipes to fit the image of a particular star; with a certain number of fight scenes,bedroom scenes,music,comedy and so on. I don’t know who’s being taken for a ride when these recipes come into play — the audience,the actor or the director/ producer or maybe all three.