The ‘Bedbugs’ That Should Be Dispatched Quickly

In recent years, we have seen several big stars' films face disappointing results at the box office, largely due to poor and self-serving PR teams.  Let's take a closer look at this issue and understand how it impacts the industry.

In 1965, the film Waqt, starring Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Sadhana Shivdasani, Shashi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, and Balraj Sahni, became a landmark in the history of Hindi cinema. Not only did it create a special place for itself in the hearts of moviegoers, but it also performed exceptionally well at the box office, becoming a massive hit at the time.

The Secret Behind the Success of ‘Waqt’

What many may not know is the secret behind the film’s success. During the production of Waqt, the producers and director B.R. Chopra initially planned to cast the Kapoor brothers—Raj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, and Shammi Kapoor. However, renowned filmmaker Bimal Roy advised against it, suggesting that having three members from the same family in one film could lead to a lack of audience interest. Instead, he recommended casting different actors from various families to ensure the film appealed to a wider audience.

Taking Bimal Roy’s advice to heart, B.R. Chopra decided to cast stars like Raaj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, and Balraj Sahni, making Waqt a movie that stayed in theaters for 50 weeks, becoming a major box office success.

This story teaches us a valuable lesson: the success of films back then was not just about the stars, but about collaboration, mutual consultation, and the passion to create something special. Unfortunately, this is something that is rare to find in the current industry, where the focus is more on business-driven movies rather than creative collaboration.

The Role of Selfish PR Teams

A significant reason behind the downfall of many big stars’ films today is the impact of selfish PR teams. These PR teams, in their quest to fill their pockets, are often more concerned about building a star’s brand and image for short-term gains than focusing on the true essence of a film. As a result, they end up compromising the integrity and authenticity of the artist's image, often leading to disappointing results.

The Passion of Old School Cinema

The passion behind filmmaking, which is now slowly fading, can still be seen in the work of legendary filmmakers and actors like Raj Kapoor. He set an example of dedication with his film Mera Naam Joker (1970), where he put everything on the line for his film, even though it didn’t perform well at the box office. This kind of commitment and passion towards cinema is a rare quality today.

Similarly, in the making of Awaara, a memorable scene featured the song Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi. The budget for the set was so high that it became a major concern for the makers. But the team’s commitment to quality and creating something special was paramount.

Anecdotes of Dedication

There are several examples of legendary figures in the film industry showing tremendous passion for their craft. For instance, when music director Naushad was approached to use Ustad Gulam Ali Khan’s voice for a song, he initially hesitated, as Gulam Ali wasn’t known for singing songs for films. However, when director K. Asif insisted, Gulam Ali Khan set a price of ₹50,000 for the song. Despite the high cost, the producers agreed, paying ₹10,000 upfront and the remainder later.

In another instance, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan vowed that if his film didn’t succeed, he would shave his head, showing the level of commitment and passion filmmakers once had.

The Role of AI in Film Selection Today

In stark contrast, nowadays, the job of choosing films is often handed over to AI systems, which have no understanding of the passion or the emotional commitment that goes into filmmaking. It's a far cry from the fervor that used to define the industry.

A Word of Advice to Today’s Artists

MaaYapuri, a reputed publication in the industry, advises artists to rid themselves of these PR bedbugs and focus on the real essence of their craft. It's time to get rid of these selfish PR teams and return to the passion and dedication that once made Indian cinema great.

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