During Expresso, actor-filmmaker Randeep Hooda lamented that Bollywood films have become ‘formulaic’, saying that ‘there is no filmmaking now, but a lot of films are being executed.’
Bollywood is currently going through a drought, with many films being re-released, which are attracting more number of audiences in theatres than new releases. Actor Randeep Hooda and filmmaker Hansal Mehta discussed the ongoing crisis in Hindi cinema at the sixth edition of The Indian Express’ series Expresso in New Delhi.
When asked why re-releases are doing better at the box office, Hansal was quick to reply, “It is the trend of social media. One or two re-release films have done well. It doesn’t mean that all have done well.”
Randeep said that everyone is following the trend. “I would take it to ‘bhed chaal’. If one thing works, then similar things start getting made. Sabko wahi bana hai. Right now, sabko has to make a horror comedy after Stree. As an actor, I don’t think that should be a parameter. So, the crisis is going on because of many things.”
Randeep also pointed out that films have become formulaic. “Now it is not filmmaking but film execution that is happening a lot. We have isolated ourselves a bit in the ivory tower. There is very little space for experimentation,” he said.
The actor-filmmaker, however, sees hope in the streaming medium, though he admits that it is slowly succumbing to commercial pressures. “Now experimentation is only possible on OTT platforms. However, I think they are looking for that kind of cinema because they want more viewership and subscriptions. It is a business driven thing,” he added.
Hooda further added, “There should be someone who sticks to his point, hopefully that’s me because I want to do both the films. I am trying to do something experimental and choose a subject that can connect with as many people as possible.” During the session, Randeep Hooda also praised South Indian filmmakers who have made films with ‘more grounded and real characterization’.
Randeep said, “Their work is very different. I really admire them. It is also because they are still trying to make films about their culture. Their sensibility is more basic human emotions, which is attracting more and more audiences. If you look at the big films that are doing well, a lot of them are like commercial films, like Bachchan sahab’s ‘Main aaj bhi phenke hue paise nahin utha hoon’, then ‘Pushpa, jhukta nahin hai’.
So, these kinds of things are coming back again.” He said, “They are just making our films but with a little more roots and real characterization. Pushpa doesn’t have six-pack abs, he has a beard and scruffy shoulders. Whereas, the so-called elite filmmakers and actors are busy making abs.
They are not going into characterization and finding characters. They are not just making character-based films. But, people are not going to stop watching films or OTT, it’s going to be a constant thing. We are just in a little bit of a transition.”
On the work front, Randeep Hooda will next star in Jaat alongside Sunny Deol. He also has Hollywood film Matchbox in the pipeline.
