SUCCESS OF RACE 3, WHAT DOES IT INDICATE?

By Tapan Pattani

1. In 1966, A film was released which was produced by a great lyricist Shailendra and directed by Basu Bhattacharya called Teesri Kasam. Rajkapoor himself had reportedly told Shailendra not to make such an art kind of film but after reading the book Mare gaye Gulpham, by Phanishwar Nath Renu, Shailendra was so mesmerized by it that it was his dream project so Rajkpoor agreed. The film was released with fanfare but bombed at the box office > Shailendra is said to have not able to bear the pain and financial debts he incurred after that movie and he died after few years. Ironically, the film gathered immense critical acclaim and also national award for best film at 14th National Awards held in that year. Till today, Critics unanimously agree that it was Rajkpoors finest performance! But public did not like that film at that point.

2. In 1959, Guru Dutt very happy with success of Pyaasa tried to make his dream project which was reputedly based on real life of his Guru and one of the greatest filmmakers of that time Gyan Mukhrjee. The film called kaaghaz Ke Phool. While making the movie wahida rahman was not sure about the commercial viablilty of the film and also had told Guru Dutt not to make too dark film. It is also said that when Guru Dutt organized the premier , many film critics at that time penned down the film and after release, the film bombed at the box office! Till today, most of aspiring filmmakers, critics, cinema lovers even makers like Sanjay Leela Bhansali have been inspired by this one of the greatest movies ever made by hindi cinema! But Guru Dutt was so devasted at that time that he vowed never to direct a film again. Today, the film is regarded all time classic and in Time magazines 100 best movies of Asia, this film and Pyaasa are mentioned! Such an irony!

3. In 1970, A film which was Raj nkapoors dream project called Mera Naam Joker was released . India s first film with 2 intervals! Raj Kapoor had given every inch of his money to make this grand film! But alas, the film bombed and Raj Kapoor lost everything even it is said he had to mortgage his RK Studios and his own house and other property to repay losses!

4. In 1990, jeetendra made his dream project investing everything in Haatimtai, But the film bombed and he lost everything he had financially.

5. After Lagaan, Ashutosh Gowariker had become Cult director. Everyone was eager to know his next movie! And he did not let down critically and made one of the finest movie of decade called SWADES! Even the worst critics and srk haters would agree it was SRKs Best performance! The film was slow and documentarish and was not so successful in India. It made good money overseas.

The above are few examples that No one can ever PREDICT what aam junta will like! The unprecedented success and total hatred for Race 3 has again raised a question which is never ending! How the hell these types of movies with practically no story, over the top overacting actors, no good music, no thriller element, very tediously long 2.40 hours succeed that it has crossed 200 crores and still rocking? Is audience so dumb? Why always commercial cinema and escapist films work over serious and meaningful cinema eg Pokhran in recent times? Whats the formula?

My thoughts on this:
First of all we need to understand that Indian Cinema Specially Hindi cinema thrives on stardom! Stars are like demi gods here. From Raj kapoor to rajesh khanna to khans to hrithik, the craze for them is beyond imagination! The films work only because of them that’s general notion, but is it true? Last year Salman had released Tubelight which a lethal combo of Kabir Khan and Salman after 2 great hits Ek tha tiger and Bajrangi bhaijaan, still film was bombed ( though it earned 125 crores but was penned flop as people rejected it )

Today, the whole business of film-making is confined only to week or two maximum. Financers have realized that one week is enough for buzz after release then people will move on generally so they promote their product in such a way that it earns minimum 100 crores and we say its hit! This parameter of 100 and 200 and 300 crores itself is WORST parameter to judge success of a film. Eg. How much did chandni baar earned? Roughly 10 crores , but what was the budget? Hardly 1 crore!

India is also a land of BIGGEST Young population in the world around 55 crores are between 15 to 35 and that’s the main audience filmmakers expect who give them revenue! Now, Why would a comman man who is spending 1000 rs on an average for a movie today go to see the same issues which he daily sees and reads? Why Golmaal series or happy new year or dilwale many other mindless movies work? Because still today cinema is best form of entertainment for a common cine-goer. He wants to forget all his worries and enjoy the 3 hours of magical world of cinema!

But the picture is not so gloomy as many intellectual feel today that cinema is going in dustbin, crap movies are hits, kya hoga cinema ki art ka? Bla bla bla! Its not like that, eg. October , raazi did wonderful business inspite of non commercial theme!

TAALI EK HAATH SE NAHI BAJTI: Jaisa samaaj hoga waisi hi films banegi! We cant blame filmmakers for giving kachra kind of movies ! These mindless films are making money that’s a documented fact and at the end, ITS all ABOUT MONEY, HONEY!!!

We also need to understand that hindi cinema is its own industry which works without any financial backup from govt or even when financers makes losses, NO ONE COMES TO THEM TO OFFER THEM MONEY! Its harsh world of show business where you can be rich or beggar after a film, NO ONE KNOWS! So why should producer take a chance?

Another side is that middle of road, art types films also should be made to keep our CINEMATIC legacy. We are a country of art where MAA and CINEMA both are our favorites.

There is a room for Race3 and Veere di wedding and also for pokhran or raazi. If distributors will earn from race 3, then only they can take risk of releasing offbeat films. It’s a WIN WIN situation for all
This debate is so huge that its difficult to sum it up. But my last word would be: There are 2 types of films, Entertaining and Enlightening , Enjoy both! Both are necessary for Indian cinema. The contribution of Manmohan Desai or david dhavan is same as of shyam benegal . They both are needed !
PS: I am not a BHAI fan or HATER, in fact I am never a fan or blind hater of any star ever. I have just tried to say what I felt. On a very personal level, I watch all kinds of films with same enthusiasm.