THE SHOWMAN IS DEAD

Bollywood has survived and thrived without a showman for over a decade. The last one to contend for the title was Subhash Ghai in the 90s, but he lost his midas touch at the turn of the century. Raj Kapoor may have been Bollywood’s only showman for decades, but after his death in 1988, the media saw Ghai as a worthy successor to that title. However, he lost his showman status when Sanjay Leela Bhansali released Devdas (2002). However, a series of subsequent failures did not negate his title, as films like Sawariya (2007), Guzarish (2010), and Black (2005) did not do so well at the box office movierush, and he could no longer earn the title of showman. For over a decade, Bollywood has been able to function without showmen, and even with good directors, there is no cult following.

The rise of patriotism

Films on themes of patriotism and war are constantly evolving. Manoj Kumar was the lead actor and exclusively played Mr. Bharat. Even today, war films are doing well. Uri (2019), made on the theme of surgical strikes, is a popular film on the subject. What has changed, however, is that audiences also want to see films about the consequences of division, and Sardar Ka Sun Tzu (2021) is doing well in that regard. Just as European cinema pays attention to war crimes around the world and still evokes the past to remind younger generations of the horrors of the Holocaust, Bollywood films related to movierush hindi weberies and war often do the same job.
Films like Salman Khan’s Bharat (2019) are a timely reminder of the excesses of partition. In the past decade, spy films like Raazi (2018) have had good box office returns, highlighting the sacrificial role of female spies. Heart-wrenching war films have a wide audience because nationalism is traditionally loved by the masses. Now Bollywood is trying to weave the theme of division into its films in a new way. This is a positive trend because it reinforces the concept of India and reminds young people of the birth of India. As India approaches the 100th anniversary of freedom, the generation of millennials has vague ideas about the freedom struggle. Bollywood films can help them connect with the long-forgotten past in a fascinating way.

Older actors in lead roles

In Bollywood, not only do older characters play lead roles, but new films are also emerging with older actors in lead roles. Older actors are now playing lead roles in films like The Jinx (2018). Superstar actors in lead roles also play non-title roles; similar efforts in films like Chennikum (2007) and 102 Immortals (2018), show the longevity of the lead couple over 60. It is a refreshing change for actors to be able to play characters of their own age. In world cinema, actors over 60 often play lead roles and the same trend can be seen in Bollywood.

Women’s drama instead of melodrama

While Bollywood is experimenting with new forms to address old issues and exploring the possibility of reviving familiar themes, adult dramas without highfalutin plots are a welcome change, with young female leads like Tapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar already starring in Saand Ki. There is no taboo on growing gray hair, and they collectively fight the patriarchy to make their dreams come true. It is also a bold attempt to break the shortsighted idea of perfect size.
The actresses play different, stronger characters written by women writers. Actors like Vidya Balan have played many unconventional roles in films like Tumhari Sullu (2017), The Dirty Picture (2011), Sherni (2021), Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (2021). Parineeti Chopra takes a big step forward and does so with pathos. The shades of gray in the characters can be handled coolly and the battle between high and low evil is what Bollywood has to offer today. It is now home to all kinds of stories where nothing is forbidden or considered sacred.
What ultimately matters is how to entertain the new trends emerging in Bollywood. The good thing is that we expect better content to attract audiences and create a balanced Bollywood ecosystem where both star-based and content-based films can survive and win over audiences. Some successful directors can certainly make low-budget films with ease, but they cannot afford the pressure of big-budget films. The amount of creative space available to filmmakers is crucial in this regard. It is hoped that the star-based system will also lose its luster and be improved to create a level playing field for actors.