Why don’t we give credit where credit is due?
Many filmmakers in India understand that making films is only half the battle. Those films must then be sold to a distributor, who in turn has to book various theaters to play in, and then finally the film must reach its audience. If that film doesn’t succeed in attracting audiences, it loses money, and everyone associated with the film, from the exhibitors to the producers, from the distributors to the actors, fail.
It IS a business folks, plain and simple. These guys don’t make films just to watch at home with friends and family.
So, some of these filmmakers will take a few extra steps, or precautions if you will, in an attempt to attract audiences. These steps don’t always guarantee success. Case in point, Krazzy 4. A few catchy item numbers featuring everyone from Hritik Roshan to Shah Rukh Khan to Rakhi Sawant. But the film didn’t click with audiences and so it failed. As did the gimmickry, and hopefully a lesson was learned.
Well sir, what lesson would that be? If its not catchy music, star power and sexy babes, what exactly is it that audiences want and expect from a night out at the cinemas?
Audiences want a gripping storyline they can follow along with. They want to be sucked in by the emotions, to be thrilled by the twists, and to be entertained for the most part for those 2-3 hours. And if the promos and promise that, and the film can deliver, you’ve got a pretty good shot at success at the box office.
Rock On, for example, was a well promoted film. The music was fresh and found flavor with audiences. The promos looked fun and intriguing, and so generally speaking audience interest in the film grew. Despite the film having a pretty simple, even formulaic premise, it worked because it delivered on its promise. Not surprisingly the film was a success.
Ok, so if we can accept that, and accept that one of the producers of the film also acted in it, also sang his own playback, and also went out of his way to promote the film, then why do we have a problem with others doing similar things for their films?
Why then are the Bhatts and their films looked down upon in such a manner? Why then, despite have pretty intriguing trailers and very good music, do people write articles specifically to run down films like Jannat and Raaz 2, many times without watching the films?
Ok, so Emraan Hashmi is related to the Bhatts. And a few of his films have been directed by his cousin Mohit Suri. Alright, so what? What does that have to do with the quality of the films? And how is that some sort of conspiracy meant to dupe audiences? We can accept that Aamir Khan worked in his Uncle Tahir Hussains productions, which incidentally were directed by his cousin Mansoor Khan, and love those films.
But somehow its just not cool to give due credit to a talented director like Mohit Suri. At age 28, he’s already directed 5 films, 4 of which were hits. Woh Lamhe was a semi-biographical film on Parveen Babi and it was well made. Or another young director like Kunal Deshmukh, whose films film “Jannat” was a tremendous success when other films, big budget films with star power and all that jazz were making excuses for their failure at the box office.
When another talented director like Anurag Basu makes films like “Kites” or “Life in a Metro”, we’re lining up to praise him. We somehow want to turn a blind eye to the fact that he was launched by the Bhatts and, using their keen business model, created some big hits like Murder and Gangster.
I don’t quite get it. What exactly is the beef here? Why are we not willing to give credit to the Bhatts for their consistency in delivering well made films with good music and captivating storylines, which work quite well with a section of the audience. Just because you might not be a part of that particular audience? Isn’t that being quite petty?
Tomorrow if news comes out that Mohit Suri will be directing Abhay Deol and Ranvir Shorey in a dark thriller, will you question his abilities? Will you care whether its the Bhatts or UTV who produces the film? Or will you be more interested to see if its a good film?
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
absoluetely true..thanks for the great article..I feel like bhatts are the rahul dravid of indian cricket..never get their real dues especially emraan hashmi who has give so many hits and he’s yet to turn 30..but hey, how long can you ignore them for..even if one wants to ignore them, that’s ok because they are the ones laughing straight to the bank while the other “big” directors and stars are crying foul
Yeah Vipin, I don’t quite get why their so resented. They’re always giving newcomers a shot (both in front of and behind the camera, and the Mic for that matter) and one cannot deny that they’re films are quite well made. At least you can’t point a finger and say their films don’t make sense, or have silly coincidences and stupid subplots. In that sense, one knows they can at least expect a certain reliability, or standard of cinema from the Bhatts, perhaps that’s why their so consistent in their success.
brilliant point.. Bhatts and Mohit Suri really deserve more than they have been given by this industry..
I think they get their due credit. Their films are financially successful, music sells. I think the whole point is, they don’t aim beyond material gains. They don’t aim at great cinema.
You are right when you say it’s business. But it’s not business to write about films right? in a blog? So, when I decide to do something which is not my business, the film maker has to also do something to elicit this response out of me.
That’s why we gush about Oye Lucky Lucky Oye but not Raaz2. There’s also a huge difference between steady filmmaking and risky film making. If you are a steady film maker, you get your due in terms of money and success. It’s the risky ones who fail and who succeed stupendously at some level. It’s them who capture the imagination too. I think if you don’t take risks, play the formula all the time, I don’t see a reason why I should appreciate you out of my way and write a blog about You. You are doing what any sane person will do. I write a blog when I see someone doing something out of the ordinary, breaking the comfortable path and taking the route mired with potential failure opportunities. I feel happy when the person succeeds, I root for him when he fails. That’s why in soccer, Brazil has the largest fan base, in Tennis, Tsonga is the biggest entertainer right now and a real cricket connoisseur would love Lara way beyond Sachin Tendulkar any day.
Love and passion are not business, that’s what I wanted to say.
I totally agree Tony. And I have always admired the Bhatts.. Of course there have been films that I havent liked too. But thats not the point. I think some people genuinely dont like their kind of cinema while others think they will join the ‘cool brigade’ if they trash them. But you cant deny one thing – these guys surely know what they are doing!! We cant really say that for most others in our industry,..
Been wanting to write on this actually. Always been wondering how the Bhatts have managed to consistently deliver hits, even when they are not exactly the media darling or a favorite of the “Cool,Hep” brigade.
The fact is while major banners like Yash Raj, Mukta have been having their share of clunkers, Bhatts have been doing well throughout.
I thought Mohit Suri’s Woh Lamhe was well shot, it was a complex story, but he really did a good job of it. Even Anurag Basu’s Gangster was pretty good.
One reason why i feel Bhatts do well
1) Good music sense, most of their movies have great songs.
2) Dont stick to a genre, they have been handling all king horror( Raaz series), crime(Gangster), emotional dramas( Woh Lamhe).
3) Don’t rely too much on star power, barring Emraan Hashmi, none of their movies have any big stars. And even Emraan is not rated as a star in the league of the Khans or Akki.
4) Budgeting, cost cutting, not going overboard with expenses.
5) Sound marketing strategy, where they target the right sections, instead of overdependence on multiplexes.
6) And most important,over the years they built up a dedicated fan base, which see their movies, irrespective of what critics say.
add to 5.
They target their films towards young and small city audience which is largely ignored by other filmmakers. The number is huge but spending power is less and hence bhat films never do blockbuster business. I also think that they care of a small city-single screen theater owner. They might be providing them the deal where both parties are satisfied.(in other words selling film at lower cost)
The thing in question is the quality of the films….and where is it taking our cinematic standards to……If u say “Murder” & “Gangster” were mind blowing film, i wouldn’t buy that…I think Bhatts get what they make films for….Commercial Success….they don’t make films for widening the cinematic horizons and all….so its a fair deal…they have their audience in place…..what else are u asking for??? If u say that we should not say ” i didn’t like it” to films which are hits….i won’t buy that….
I have seen Jannat and the screenplay & dialogues can’t get more obvious & in-ur-face thn this…..And they do get all the recognition & appreciation whenever they deserve it….Jism was appreciated by classes as well….also when the music was good in Murder, Gangster.. it got appreciated…then they got repeatetive with Aitf, KK etc….so obviously it’ll be criticized.
I don’t think anyone is sitting here to criticize Bhatts only because they make commercial hits….they get criticized because even though Mahesh Bhatt has got the eye for spotting the right talent, even though Mukesh Bhatt has the right model for making small budget grossers…they are not doing anything exceptional to Cinema….probably wht UTV has consistently been doin & so far Aamir Khan Productions has also done….
Abt spotting talented outsiders…u go & try ur luck at Vishesh Films & Excel Entertainment at the same time…u’ll get to know the difference…I have been to both places so I know..While Excel will give u due respect & at least would seem to be open to notice the kind of talent u have…..It takes contacts even to reach inside Vishesh Films’ office & meet with imp people…..No wonder these cousins will keep making & serving their stale dishes like this….
The Bhatts are the Maggi Noodles of Bollywood. Its quick, no fusses, tastes exactly the same everytime, and serves the purpose. But can you really eat Maggi everday of ur life?
@ abhishek (9): wud like to hear more abt ur filmi experiences. it calls for a separate post. wud make an interesting read!
Tony, tu ek dum sahi baat bola.
Speaking particularly about PFC, here many are jus interested in idolising ANURAG KASHYUP and wht ever that guy endorses. No, i don say hes not talented. ofcourse hes. a fab writer and a fab director but the point is k log bas use jo acha lage wohi pasand karte hai and everythin els is taboo.
i am here speaking only abt how WE pfc’ians react.
you brought out a very good point k how the ppl and more so the pfc’ians would react when they hear the news of abhay and ranvir teamin up with mohit suri.
hypocracy. is wht defines us. yar chill, ANURAG KASHYUP hi nahi janta filmay banana.
or b hai is mehfil may.
simple si bat hai. tareef b had may karo and burai b. apne pfc’ians chamche, ek reply k liye kuch b bolenge.
Credit sirf anurag kashyup ya uske bande hi deserve nai karte.
credit mohit suri b deserve karta.
i have read in numerous interviews of anurag k he likes making wht he likes, then why cant you ppl also see k even mohit suri wants to make the films he is making. har director ki apni choice hoti hai and mohit suri ki choice hogi to make films like zeher. woh lamhe. raaz II. why cant you guys understand. are bhai usne film banai and release hui and look at the music. dam i don say k anurag kahyup ka music sense acha nai hai. EMOTIONAL ATTYACHAR is a legacy but when i listen to EA i also would like to listen to agar um mil jao… from zeher. dude, uska b music sense acha hai. ha aap log, you guys ll argue copy hai yeh hai woh hai. nope. shut up , stand up and appreciate wht ppl apart from AK have to offer..
the problem is you want every dam director to think the way anurag does.
are bhai then kya maza rahega.!!!! bhaiya!!
i am a big fan of black friday. i cant see mohit directing it. and i cant see even anurag directing zeher. nah thts not his league.
but those films, films like those need to exist. yar.
i don like the films are reviewed over here at pfc too.
dek bhai mere liye films. are life. i watch a film evey dam day. koi b kuch be it zee cinema or star movies. par agar muje woh achi lage then wht i do is i suggest my bro or friends to watch it. but i tell them wht i liked and wht i didnt, i don tell them k the director shld ve made it this way tht way. tht the biggest prob.
when majority of pfc’ians watch a film. they start commenting k, if they dont like somethin, so they start commenting in a way k the director shld have done this tht. but i think tht unfair.
we shld understand k the director wanted it this way and this is how he has presented and thts before you to comment on,
varna itna hi dum hai toh ek bot cliche dialog bolta hoon.
KHUD KI FILM BANAU!!!!
and and and and
i am not a fan of mohit suri.
and and and
i am not a fan of mohit suri
Sunny Lahani, You are a joke.
Correction, not you, Your comment 12, is a piece of joke.
@ Cliff: LOL!! Mazaa aa gaya!! :D
guys, first things first there is no formula. but its a smart move by bhatts…thy kno thr audience is in karnal, rohtak, amritsar, no one cares about abhay or emraan ther. thy c promos, lik songs, humm them, n come to theatres to c songs, locations, thy dnt judge films by lighting, camera techniques, thy want decent story(decent is which can be undrstood by pepl wit al kinds of IQ,EQ level)nice locations, new girls(read heroines.point to be noted evry 3rd film hav a new face,backed by kangana and emraan wit boys)cult music(copied or not doesnt matter) well,mohit suri is talented, so is anurag. but th fact is 1 has given 4 hits…and one none…again th point is not that…th point is we all need dev d badly, but th others too need a raaz evry now n then…BTW a bad film wil b bad always b it fashion, kismat connection(backed) by utv, or no smoking by anurag…the priorities keep changing…
why don’t we give them credit? its the principle of the thing,they stand for formulaic filmmaking.
why don’t we give them credit?
same reason why i won’t vote for narendra modi even if all the captains of industries stood by him… hell with everything else, principles come first.
for the bhatts, only hits count, not how you get there.
they are not like Rahul Dravid of the film industry – more like Mohd. Azharuddin. Great talent, maybe, but definitely fixers.
i agree with the author….at least mohit suri’s films are not as bad as anees bazmee’s films…he at least tries to entertain his audiences differently…doesn’t treat his audience like a bunch of asses ala Anees Bazmee/Nikhil Advani…
Good post! and point taken!
Not everybody can be Brain Charles Lara’s just because they are not born with that talent.
But with the obvious extra ordinary talents getting a consistency deserves credit.
@Cliff [:d]..
The Bhatt Camp does make some interesting movies. I think some of their movies like Jism, Paas, Murder, Jannat, Raaz…were quite decent movies. What disappoints me is the purpose of making these movies. Yes films work with the perimeter of economics. But to what extent do u dillute the art? Mahesh Bhatt has given us some Great movies…its a shame to see him go down this path. Is commercial success the only thing that drives this industry now?
I agree the Bhatts have a knack of discovering some great talents and its commendable. But where is the film making? The scripts are “lifted” from hollywood flicks, the songs are already big hits in pakistan…how is that different from a remix? Film making at the heart of it all is storytelling..creativity. Putting together hit songs from across the border, 3 kissing scenes, a seduction scene, a story already told, emran hashmi, kangana ranawat and a few bhatt camp cliches is not film making. Its formula, it works…but its not great and doesn’t deserve any accolades hence…credit is not due!!
hi Tony,
I agree to your idea of the Bhatts business model – infact it is something that amuses me and taking nothing away from them – but i had written the article because how wonderfully they are able to spin the movie business – and are able to make the sleepy hits and yet not many notice that – and there’s nothing wrong in tapping the best talents from around the world –
on your question about farhan shoots DON in malaysia, but does Farhan shoot every film in Malaysia – ya Mithun Chakrovarty shoots all his films in Ooty – isnt that a comparison? anyways the article is because i am amazed at their business model – which i appreciate and in the end i also mentioned that if the Bhatts have given such wonderful piece of cinema and not business like Zakhm, Daddy, Saransh – why not now?
after all we all are into the business where we need to have that “passion” – and by writing about them – i am not questioning their passion but just trying to put forward my perspective of them – which maybe wrong – i dont deny that. maybe it will change soon, as i have just entered the industry.
Also read about you, you are quite senior to me – all the best for “The Golden Road”.
The Bhatt camp have been dishing out the same recipe for a good decade now. Although I do commend the talent of some young directors and actors that come through…their formula film making outright disgusts me.
I dont have a problem with the end, I have a problem with the means to get there. Yes some of their movies have done “average” business and are declared hits. These films are not roaring successes, they are merited hits only because the BO collection exceeds the production cost. These are merely “Mathematical” Hits.
What is Film making? Its an expression, its storytelling, its creativity.
Heres the Bhatt Camp Formula
Hit songs from across the Border
+ Script and Treatment lifted from Foreign Films
+ >2 Kissing scene (when there is one kiss, the scipt probably demands it, but I just dont understand the need for repeated tittilation)
+ Love making scene
+ Thailand
+ Remix by DJ Suketu
+ Emraan Hashmi
+ Kangana Ranaut
+ Same set being used for multiple movies
= Cheap yet “Successful” Film
I understand that films are made within the perimeter of econimics these days, but in that case some of the home videos on YouTube are super duper hits….they are made very very economically (read free) and get plenty of hits on the internet thus generating income.
Is film making going to come down to this?
Give Credit where its due did someone say?
I dont believe copying a foreign film frame by frame, using songs that are already hits in another country and a few kisses and naked women deserve to be called cinema. At best its called a compilation. Mahesh Bhatt has truly disappointed me over the years….hes the Captain of this Ship…and its turned into a cheap thrill brothel now.
Where is the maker of Arth, Saaransh, Naam, Dil hain ki maanta nahin and who can forget Lahu ke Do Rang. He is a mere Pimp…sorry it really is the only way to describe my apathy at this mans metamorphism from a great film maker to a profit oriented capitalist.
I dont say dont make formula films, but atleast sometimes..put some love into film making. Alot of peoples dreams are made of it…the least you can do is respect the position you have today and tell stories the way they should be told, from the heart!
Sorry abt the twin posts. My brouser went caput and I was under the impression that the first one didn’t upload.
Same points, different ways to express it. Alot like film making should be :p
really agree with subhasis . . They are getting the credit they deserve through box office success. .they arent hailed on blogs cause most of their films are rehashes of other films and have loud ott treatment. . On the other hand utv films do well financially and yet will be remembered as fresh invigorating cinema. . If financial success is the only criteria then why would anyone bother putting in the efforts to come up with a good script. . . The frustrating thing is that we know the bhatts are capable of coming up with something far superior than what they are churning out now
Great piece..something which everyone knew but was not accepting and Films are judged by audience and they differ from opinion to opinion.
Dev.D was liked by so many people….a lot of them who have really been through such phases…be it Drugs, love, lovemaking and stuff…
But the ones who have never been through all these and love watching K2H2 (I am not saying it’s a bad movie) like all mushy stuff and all they obviously ddnt like it…..So judging a movie is all together a mixture of different views.
Great post though !
And by the way WHAT TIME DOES PFC FOLLOW?????
It’s 7:42 pm in Delhi and my comment says – 6:02??????
If I say that I can’t bear to hear Himesh Reshammiya’s nasal crooning(I like some of his compositions, not sung by him!) will you want me to support my choice by singing the same song?
How stupid!
There was another idiotic argument I heard on a NEWS channel that Mahesh Bhatt’s movies are despised because of his liberal views that he liberally airs on TV!
WTF!
I completely agree with Cliff’s comments above. I feel, the idiom — run of the mill, perfectly applies to Bhatts’ recent releases.
If you feel there is very less content about their movies, if you like the movies and _wish_ to write about them, write! If not, egg a friend/acquaintance who’s also a fan to write.
I understand the Bhatts are a smart bunch of people…I also understand they have an eye for good talent…and previously, for good scripts…
What I don’t understand is why don’t they simply invest in a little bit of both…you know, make a couple of the run of the mill movies and rake in some money…for every 3 or 4 chalta hai movies they make, invest in one piece of good cinema.
Don’t see how that could go wrong.
(PS: Cliff, the Maggi Noodles thing just really worked for me…short and smart…you really didnt need to ahem, stretch it out so much later on…alot like the mistake a lot of film-makers make ;))
Cliff
While i agree to some of your point about lifting plots from a foriegn film, churnning some of the crappy movies.. i disagree on the music point.. Nobody stopped anyone from finding the talent across the globe.. Jal was happening and so was mustafa zahid.. It took Bhatt to get them introduced to Bollywood..And i dont see anything wrong in that..Your point would have made sense if the original composers were not roped in..You cannot deny that this man is too good when it comes to music and tapping the talent.. His shittiest movies had a good music score..Phir teri, rog, Jism all were beautiful for me..Lets give him the credit for creating the same music impact by giving a chance to a reality show singer..All ppl who were saying music in his films are purely dependent on paki music scene are now eating their words.. Again i call it tapping the talent..And i can recall only 6 songs from across the border.. if you have more let me know..I also give bhatts credit for makin john act.. by far john’s best performance so far..
and you should dislike dil hai ki maanta nahi as well coz it uses the same bhatt formula.. ( copying and remixing a movie )
And you know what PFC was going too and noisy about Dev.D…Thank god we have other posts to read & comment!
@cliff- you knw wat I have had so much f maggi since d time maggi ws f Rs 5 tht am bored, I jst can’t stand it nymore!
I mean d formula can’t work forever…need to buck up!
@ magik- I want to laugh at you! Will tell you later
@ravi- I hate those TV channels who call these ppl like mahesh bhatt n al nt 4 d promotion bt discussion on morality nd stuff…
Coming to Bhat’s music sense All 4 songs in Gangster copied note by note by master copy cat Pritam,2 songs from Woh Lamhe also by Pritam from some Indonasian band.If u want complete list of Bhat’s musical mastery visit Karthik’s itwofs.com
Anurag Bhai, thanks. This may be going off on a tangent, but I’ve always wondered what the results would be if you ever wrote a script for a Mohit Suri. Actually I remember you had once written about the original concept you had created for “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom”. about a guy and a girl meeting at a Delhi cafe? Always wondered what Imtiaz Ali would do with a script like that.
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And guys, for the record, that’s not a knock on Imtiaz writing or Anurag’s directing abilities, but rather just a thought of what certain collaborations could produce…
Subhasish: What I meant by not getting their due credit wasn’t so much to do with financial success as much as recognition. That they are financially successful in their business model is obvious.
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Today directors like Sanjay Gadhvi and Anurag Basu have ventured out of the “safe havens” of the production houses that, in essence, gave them a break. But do you think any producer outside the Bhatt camp would ever give a guy like Mohit Suri a chance to direct for them? Would us as audiences still hang on to any fixed notions about his supposed style, or would we be able to recognize that this guy is unquestionably talented and knows how to effectively tell good stories with dexterity and character?
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Also, whose to say they are not passionate about their films? I remember seeing Mohit’s interviews before “Awaarapan” and “Woh Lamhe”, both films of which he spoke quite passionately. Same with Kunal Deshmukh before “Jannat”, he was evidently coming across as enthusiastic and nervous, as any filmmaker rightfully would be before a release. And yet we still choose to hang on this conception that because it is approached with a business sense it must be ALL business for these guys and no passion at all, and I really don’t think that’s a fair assessment.
@Tony, Your article makes sense. They make successful films. They know the strategy inside out. THEIR FILMS HAVE GOOD MUSIC!
But the only thing is, are they original?
Everytime I like something they have done in recent years, it turns out to be a copy from somewhere, so, yes, they are good film businessmen, but, film makers???
But, again, Mohit Suri has been lining up well. So, credit is due. But, I have not seen Raaz, and do not plan to see it. Why? Films like that are not my cup of tea. But, Kalyug was very good.
Mahesh Bhatt is Saaransh, Arth, Naam and Lahu ke do Rang for me. I would put him up there for just those films.
The masses who see their movies do not want to know about DVD rip offs. It works for them. Deewanapan worked for me too. I loved Emraan Hashmi in that. Would actually request you to do a post on that movie. But generally, DVD rip offs put many of us off and you would yourself know that feeling. Being cheated. Remember “The Killer”!!
Arati: You’re right, no one out there can deny that these guys have absolutely proven they know what they’re doing, right from picking interesting subjects/stories to music to casting to budget to promotion to release strategies. Like I said I just don’t get why some of us choose to see those qualities in such a negative light is, other than yeah its just the “cool” thing to do I guess..
@Sunny Lalany – Dost, we are not chelas of Anurag Kashyap here. He blogs here amongst many others. He makes decent movies. We see the genesis of movies through some of his blogs.
You are welcome to damn all of us. Do write a post damning all of us. Show us our place, dost!
In fact, please do write more about Mahesh Bhatt, Kunal Deshmukh, Mohit Suri, Manish Gupta, Rajshri Ojha, Sibu Cyril, Nakul Kamte, Kishore, Navya, Nayanthara, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Rajeshwari Sachdev or even Mukesh Tiwari. We would be blessed to know more about such achievers.
Thanks
Ratnakar: I think that pretty much sums it up right there man. You’re right, Suri did as good of a job with Woh Lamhe as Anurag Basu did with Gangster. As for Emraan Hashmi, he’s carried entire films, he’s grown substantially as an actor, and he has his own fan base. I think that’s enough to qualify him as a star.
Indraneel, I second that! We are all here for cinema.. And maybe yes, we have been talking too much about one set of filmakers here.. So it would be cool if someone can throw light on some others.. We can try and give credit where its due to others too!! ;)
the bhatt camp is looked down upon because they have the audacity to run a parallel industry. they have no use for the regulars, they are not a part of the ‘fraternity’ and yet they are successful. that must hurt.
@vinay – I don’t really think that people within the industry look down upon them, it is the people outside that have these feelings!
@Arati..I bet that the moment someone writes about Mukesh Tiwari here, we shall have many guys singing his hossanas..also I can imagine the riot if he chooses to blog here..but that is the way..we shall all be blessed to be on the same page with art achievers..and believe me, it is the same all over the globe!
@ Magik
Thanx alot for the encouragement. Would love to take some time out & write abt all of my filmy experiences.
@Tony: For now, as we are talking abt the Bhatts, i would like to recall one instance- We used to have one “Meet The Film-maker” program organised collectively by one of the biggest multiplexes & the Film academy that i was studying in. Met Anurag Basu post the screening of the then recently released GANGSTER for a Q & A session. Being an actor & a passionate cinephile, i asked him what prompted him to take Emraan in Gangster (I, honestlly had loved Emraan in Footpath…but unfortunately that was that…he, according to me, got terribly repeatative & boring & type-casted in all his releases post-footpath)….u know what Anurag Basu’s answer was—- “He’s a dear friend & I wrote the role keeping him in mind” . I couldn’t believe it.. His answer simply meant that he just had to take him.
As an aspiring & capable actor, it aches to hear this….really.
Now, I guess, after responses like these, u can imagine the level of passion (if at all) that is there in makers like that. Please note that according to me he is an amazing (mechanical) screen-writer…his screen-writing/shot divisions look good but lack consistency & passion (Gangster & Life In A Metro were dissappointing). I hope he finds his soul soon.
And u tell me which talented actors The Bhatts brought in last few years – Kangna (Naah…she is the same)…Kunal Khemu (Yes, he has the talent…but remember he has been assosiated with The Bhatts since childhood)…can u suggest any other names???? I think the last real good actor The Bhatts really brought was Manoj Bajpai in a substantial role in Tamanna. Thats it.
@Indraneel: Yes.. I can imagine the riot! In fact, imagine even Mahesh Bhatt beginning to write here. wow.. would be fun is discussing Arth, Saraansh and God knows what all..
@ Abhishek (44): I am not surprised at hearing that from Anurag Basu. I dont know why. I see your point and I understand how it sucks for an actor to see lesser actors screw up opportunities on screen. Maybe I see the reason for your anger too. That’s what I have written in my precious entries on PFC too. I get angry with people who have the ability and yet dont do new things. I have been angry with Karan Johar (though that is slowly abating), Rohan Sippy and Aditya Chopra. I wish they kick their comfort zone of actors and genres soon. Your anger seems to be with the Bhatts for almost the same reasons. I see your point. As far as my take on them is concerned, well.. I never attached too many hopes from anyone apart from Mahesh. And he is well past his glory.
Just one more comment, I truly think that emraan hashmi, commerically, has to be top five actors in Indian film industry after Aamir, Shahruk, Akshay, Salman…..but unfortunately he doesn’t belong to the certain group, i.e. Johars, Chopras..but he does have a cult following in many single and as well as some of the multiplexes..even though he might not be, as rishi sahab says, “volcano” of talent, he knows how to entertain his audiences.
@ Sharath
You are mixing Pritam’s work with Bhatt’s music sense..Almost all of pritam’s work is lifted so??
Every other song nowadays is inspired including dev d’s emotional atyachaar..so?
The author was specifically talking abt music across the border.. And it was Bhatt who got it introduced in bollywood.. You cant deny that bande ne bohat talent introduce kiya hai industry mai..
Abhishek — Plesae name than any other producer who has introduced talent in the industry.. Shahrukh mat bol dena..
How many of them give chance to newcomers??
@ Alone (48)
I’m not taking sides in this debate as it doesn’t really matter to me. But I feel you’re putting the Bhatts on too high a pedestal by saying that they’re the only ones giving chances to newcomers. What about RGV? That man has introduced more newcomers to the industry than maybe all others put together. And not just newcomers from a closed circle. He’s indirectly connected to most of the hits and good movies to have come out in the last decade.
Narcissist..
Iam certainly not a fan of bhatt..And i dont deny your point as well.. Not sure abt introducing talent more than bhatt.. but Yes he has revived many sagging careers which is true..
@Kakori Kebab
I was gonna walk away from this post once I made dat Maggi comment, but then I came back. coz I’m not here to make smart alec comments. I trust my intelligence, dont need to make smart alec comments to get brownie points from anyone.
I just wanted to vent out my frustration with Mr Mahesh Bhatt. I loved his earlier films. I could go as far as saying he was the original Anurag Kashyap…in the 80s…Arth was a pathbreaking film.
So I stretched my post. I was pissed off….. this is a forum to discuss movies.
I’ll save smartypants for the Bar….gets me plenty of “action” too…try it.
Yeh koi “intellectual” type Forum nahin hain….asal duniya mein hum sab chutiye hain. look inwards…admit..move on.
@Alone
I totally agree with ur point about the music. Its fantastic! I dont have a problem with Pakistani musicians, I think they more than deserve the accolades.
But it definitely doesn’t take alot of “creativity” to rope in already famous songs and “FIT” them into a movie. That my friend doesn’t take creativity.. it just takes a bit of good “scouting” skills.
Is our film industry going to turn into an industry of “Dalaals”… I believe its the colloquial equivalent of “Broker”.
Yes that disappoints me.
This discussions has, not surprisingly, brought forth a lot of varying opinions and tangents, and along with those perhaps a few misconceptions.
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I had a very straight and simple point I wanted to make here, and that is that beneath it all it is quite evident that these young directors, in particular Mohit Suri and Kunal Deshmukh, and Anurag Basu before them, are very talented. These guys, unquestionably, know what they doing behind a camera and while constructing a film and that my friends is not easy to do, trust me. And for that matter, Emraan Hashmi, Kangna Ranaut, Shiney Ahuja, and other actors which frequent Vishesh Films productions largely don’t receive the level of credit they deserve for being fine actors.
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Have they taken shortcuts, of course, that’s obvious. Every allegation against the Bhatts, be it their relatively low budgets or the fact that they run a parallel industry of sorts or that they cast the same actors in several of their films or that they do lift plots and music from various sources, or that they use gimmickry and controversy to market their films are all valid points indeed, but that still does not take away from away from their talent.
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Given a shot to work in other projects, with other actors (or for Emraan/Kangna in others films) they have the potential to accomplish some great things. But they don’t, for the most part, get the recognition for that talent or that potential. And they should, because we all know that there are far less talented people out there, actors and filmmakers, who get far more recognition and credit than they deserve.
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That’s all folks..