Mar 13, 2006 07:45 PM
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(Updated Mar 13, 2006 07:45 PM)
Finally in the middle of my Sales targets I have found some time to just ink down few of these points which were happening in my mind.
Amir Khan as you know have many hits in his kitty. Let me not bore you by telling all his movie names (passé thought) but rather let me stick to his last 3 movies of his home production.
Lagaan
Mangal Pandey
Rang De Basanti
I am sure most of you have surely seen all the three somewhere or the other. The fact is , all are similar in some terms… Movie making, Theme and the background of the movie.
Starting with Lagaan, starts with a theme that is patriotic and very close to our historic realities. The British rule. Story revolves around he center point of why not to pay the lagan which the British Colonial Rule Imposed? No wonder as an Indian I am a huge fan of this movie, fact lies that movie full fledge exploited the two main concepts of the Indian mentality –
a) The Past Indian have being ruled by a foreign country who were not accepted by any in India. Ask any educated Indian, even if not been a part of the Freedom struggle, he knows the value of the blood out forefathers shed for freedom. Even if the British rule is over, the past memory of the rules and Indian been ruled by British is not a digest able fact by any able sense Indian. Seriously I am not able to digest this fact and may not ever in my life, my forefathers land, someone who never belonged here to this very Indian land ruled my land. Today also with the media and hype made because of the interest of the Indian masses in knowing more about history, films with a theme of freedom and a concept which is not much heard about is a definite hit.
b) Cricket, cricket cricket – Do I have to tell you what love India holds for cricket! Husbands abandon their wives, Students abandon their classes, Employees are mentally glued to the radio at workplace, more than 98% of India is eager to know what score India made or how was Sachin performing, who hit more 6, who was the best wicket taker etc etc. (List is endless)
Bottom line, Both the weakest and the Indian masses exploited to the fullest and curiosities satisfied. Winning over the British is the ultimate thing everyone wants to change in our histories.
Mangal Pandey, released a year or two later was a movie which was based on a story people know already. The ins and outs of the whole Mangal Pandey saga is known to even a seventh grade student. Then wonder! What’s so special about the movie!!! Nothing I must tell you in fat words… But yet the essence of Freedom struggle was preserved well. The downfall of this movie was imminent, but why? Telling the masses what they already know never works. Put the old wine in a new glass bottle - concept, add some glittery paper work to it – fiery dialogues and pyro-techniques, present it well garnished – heavy marketing of the movie. End result – People still treat the story the same. Work on a concept which is known and hundred times depicted in news, serials, ads, movies etc etc. people tend to forget them.
Finally the latest release, Rang de Basanti (RDB).
RDB is a superb movie. Old concepts still apply here too. Freedom struggle. Snippets from the history depicted in the modern world scenario. RDB is a better version of what the Indian youth needs for today. With the much gung-ho about the western world culture a movie, which can trace back, our routes of past in a modern way is slated to be a huge hit. Youth today loves newer concepts and if you are given a concept that can be connected to the past events, everyone will love it.
The difference now. After Mangal Pandey failed to hit the box office, a soon damage control exercise began in the background. Hence RDB was born. Modern concepts, mind structure, forward thinking and defining the fact from fiction was the key why this movie became a huge hit. People liked this movie as it gave a way to connect to the forgotten heroes and a resemblance to the modern day Colonial rulers (Corrupt Ministers and Politicians) is what the youth hate most. Today’s youth is fiery, straightforward and very open in expressing themselves. Today not much people like to use indirect words. Direct is what its all about. So that’s how the concepts in movies work.
Lagaan: Freedom and Crickets – Two mental weaknesses of Indians.
Mangal Pandey – Known story but mass is not interested in known concepts
Ran De Basanti – Known and biggest problem – Corruption mixed with the freedom struggle+ superb linking of past with future, the best anyone can do.
Think about it… Think are you tricked or this is a food for thought…. Opinions vary, concepts vary, but reality remains the same.
PS: This write-up is no way trying to demoralize any of the fans of any of these concepts or Amir Khan. Business is what its all about here such movies are.
Till then…
Sree (Orion)
