- One thing is quite palpable in the Indian entertainment industry in the post-pandemic period. It is nothing but content essaying an inalienable role in deciding the eventual outcome of any project. It could be a cinema made for the silver screen, a television soap, or the latest over-the-top platforms. Whatever might be the medium available, consumers will embrace the project if the content is superior, organic, entertaining, and carries an inherent message. Yes, the appetite for quality content has gained considerable traction over the last two years even as the money-spending consumer will not settle for anything less. The message is loud and clear. If a movie-goer has to spend a substantial amount of money to view a movie, let the content be money’s worth in the first place.
PC: Bharat Vasani & Drishti Das
- Not so long back, Hindi films used to be considered as well above the rest in terms of production values, ability to reach wide and far, huge canvas, and superior technical skills alongside boasting established superstars almost ensuring a blockbuster when released. However, the situation on the ground has changed dramatically over the last two years. Large credit should accrue to the over-the-top platforms for bringing hitherto unexplored international content to our homes. No longer the run-of-the-mill storyline or unrelatable machismo will succeed in pulling the audiences to theatres unless backed by superior storytelling and impressive acting. Why spend a huge amount of money on mundane fare when quality content is readily available sitting at home?
- Avid cinemagoers would have noticed how some of the big-budget Hindi cinema have fared at the box office in recent times. Boasting bigger stars like Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, and Hrithik Roshan have hardly helped the cause leading to miserable failure to ring cash registers. On the other hand, films produced down south and dubbed in Hindi have raked in mind-numbing moolah at the box office surprising even the prominent production houses. Few cinema buffs would have missed watching KGF-2, RRR, Pushpa, and now, Kantara. Even dubbed Hindi films produced in the south have managed to rake in huge moolah on the back of solid word-of-mouth referrals. This only proves if the content is relatable, the audience will flock to the nearest theatre for sure.
PC: Abiolapaul
- It is amply clear that the audiences can no longer be taken for granted placing an enormous onus on the production houses to not compromise on the basic tenets of filmmaking. Screenplay, storytelling, characterization, crisp editing, soothing music, smart marketing, and above all, relevant content with equitable/powerful performances will pull the audience irrespective of language and the accompanying constraints. Of course, subtitles made available have largely negated the language barrier making it easy for the audience to comprehend the unfolding screenplay. Is there a lesson for the movie production houses to be worried about the trend? You bet, indeed. Inarguably, quality content alone will survive, sustain, thrive, and succeed.
