Will 2022 serve or prove as a year of 'reflection' for Hindi cinema?

There is a tale from the ancient reservoir of stories Kathasaritsagara. A man renounces the world to become a Sanyasi. A mouse chews his loincloth. To get rid of the mouse, he keeps a cat around him. The cat requires milk. For this, he keeps a cow. To take care of the cow, he realises he needs a woman. Once he finds a woman, he feels an intense desire to marry her. And he marries her and gives up the desire to renounce the world. And he returns to the same situation he started off as: a Householder. This situation is similar to what has transpired in the Hindi film industry in the world changed materially by the pandemic.

There continued a phase of loose scripts. These scripts had a particular focus on elements which eliminated a possibility of a ‘good story’, ‘memorable’ characters and ‘enjoyable’ experience. As theatres re-opened, post the pandemic phase, these films did not work. Then, there was an intense period of re-making films made in the southern languages into Hindi. Few films worked and a large number of films did not work. This approach no longer pays rich dividends, actually. A key reason being southern films are dubbed well in Hindi and are readily available on streaming platforms. Then, there started collaboration between southern and Hindi film artists. This approach has yet to prove its merits. Now, the state of the Hindi film industry is similar to the man who returned to his earlier state and has to do what he should have done already: Face realities and not look for escapes and diversions which did not serve him well.

In 2022, a large number of Hindi films have not worked. Films which have worked are either faithful re-makes or made in a non-Hindi language and dubbed in Hindi. In fact, the top two biggest hits released in Hindi in 2022 were 'KGF: Chapter 2' and 'RRR'. And as 2022 came to a close, a Hindi film which worked well at the box office was 'Drishyam 2', a faithful re-make of the original Malayalam film released in 2021. In this context, it is clear that the year 2022 may serve as a year of “reflection” for makers of Hindi films. So, instead of focusing on what has not worked, it is important to focus on what has worked. There are four key elements which have worked and lent a certain amount of distinct vitality to films which have worked. These are Story, Budget, Diminishing importance of stars and stardom in the success of films and the Changed Audience. Let us understand these elements in detail:


Story
There is never a time when a good story has not worked. In an interview with film critic Barry Norman on the show 'Film 88', legendary film-maker David Lean mentioned two elements which dictate his choices of subjects. These are “good stories” and “tremendous characters.” This makes a film enjoyable first. And then viewers think about the film’s narrative. In 2022, films such as 'Kantara', 'KGF: Chapter 2' and 'Drishyam 2' are good stories first. Viewers enjoyed these films first and by sheer word of mouth, interest in these films gathered increased exponentially. Successes of these films must trigger discussions about why a considerable amount of work on a film’s story is a basic thing which a maker must not compromise or sacrifice in favour of elements which spoil seamless enjoyment of a film’s experience.

Budget
After a film’s story, the film’s budget is the most important variable. This must not be underestimated. A film whose scale is relatively small or mid-sized must not warrant the budget of a film which requires mounting on a bigger scale. This approach not only makes a film unprofitable at the box office but also not add incremental depth, engaging value or charm to a film. Take for instance, the film 'Vikram Vedha' (2022)--a re-make of the Tamil film of the same name. According to trade analysts, the Hindi re-make was made on a budget of Rs175-200 crore. This is high given the scale and the milieu the film demanded. The original Tamil film of the same name was made in the budget of less than Rs20 crore and released in 2017.

A film with a good story and an appropriate budget has worked in 2022. A case in the point is the success of the film 'Drishyam 2' (Hindi, 2022). The film, which is similar to 'Vikram Vedha' (2022) in terms of scale and milieu, has been a tremendous success at the box office. In fact, most trade analysts voice a constant refrain: a film does not fail, it is the film’s budget which fails.

Diminishing importance of stars and stardom?
The year 2022 has clearly indicated that the old formula of relying unduly on stars and their stardom no longer works. Today, it is easier to know a Hindi film star, his or her journey and stardom through various media than to find a good story in Hindi films. Understanding stars and their stardom has become an accessible part of entertainment. Audiences want stories to come to theatres. And they reward it. A mid-budget Kannada film 'Kantara' which had relatively unknown film actor and director did exceptionally well even in its dubbed Hindi version is a reflection of an increasing trend that audiences have become star-agnostic and are more enamoured and encouraged by stories. Even the success of 'Drishyam 2' as opposed to another Hindi film 'Runway 34', which had an A-list star Ajay Devgn, drives home the point that when a good story told well is backed by a star works well. The converse is not true.

Audience
There is an increasing view among film scholars and trade analysts that the audience of Hindi films has moved on but not the makers. The ideas, the worldview and the stories which prompt and excite makers to make films no longer connect or excite audiences. Perhaps, it is a larger trend which the pandemic has triggered. Consumers have changed. And producers of content are not in sync or aware of what excites consumers. Today, audiences seek more than the basics. The idea of basic entertainment which ensures passing one's time well is very well served by different kinds of media such as Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp and streaming platforms. Audiences want enjoyable and different experiences in storytelling. Only then they reward a film by their clear presence. No amount of promotion, advertising or film festival screenings ensure success for a film than its story and storytelling. If these two elements are served well, the audience itself promotes a film and makes it a success.

Trade analysts and experts share that just by paying attention to these elements makers can show their conviction, sincerity and honesty towards their craft. They point out that these elements minimise the possibility of a film’s failure to a great extent. Also, these elements save the makers from the basic criticism that a film does not work at a fundamental level itself.

The two years of the lockdown period of the pandemic was a shocker for the Hindi film industry. 2021 was a wake-up call. We must hope that 2022 proves to be a year of “reflection” for the Hindi film industry. This will ensure that the year 2023 will emerge as the year of action, setting things right and reaping fruits of labour of love for the Hindi film industry.