When Geet runs back to Aditya in the last scene of Jab We Met, confessing her love for him, theaters in India roared with whistles and claps. When a Karan Kapoor in Hum Tum wonders why is it raining in January, Rhea’s dialogue “January mein baarish nahi hua karti“, got etched in the hearts of the audience that pines for the same drama and romance on the big screen. However, Bollywood is riding high on genres of “massy action”, leaving behind the comfort and adrenaline rush of romance and drama, that left people feeling happy and teary eyed at the same time. So, why is Bollywood forgetting a genre that gave us Raj and Simran, Prem and Suman and Geet and Aditya?
Filmmaker Kunal Kohli, who brought one of the first successful romantic comedies for the naughts says that actors need to have faith in the romance genre and not go only for action.
While talking to indianexpress.com, Kunal said that A-list actors are choosing action genre which dissuades romantic story writers and producers from bringing a true-blue romantic film. Kunal said, “Today what has happened is that last year, with Shah Rukh giving Rs 500 crore with films and Animal and Gadar also doing Rs 500 crore, now the heroes have set target to get a number. Rs 500 crore is the new Rs 100 crore. Can a love story do a Rs 500 crore? Of course it can because these are not just action films but these are good films. Jawan was a good film that did Rs 500 crore. Are you telling me that if today DDLJ released, they would do lesser business than Jawan?
He added, “No, they won’t but you need good music for that. Unfortunately there is no good music anymore, you don’t look forward to the release of a music album anymore. So, our heroes have shifted their focus to big budget action films because they believe that, that’s what is going to give them the numbers… Fortunately or unfortunately, a film is green lit when a hero says yes.”
The filmmaker asserts that the failure of some romantic comedies in the recent past has also made filmmakers write off the genre. He highlights, “Don’t blame genre because of one or two film. In history of Hindi films, whether it is Shah Rukh, Aamir or Salman, their base has been romantic films. Their base has been Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Hum Aapke Hai Koun, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, they have built their fanbase there and taken it to next level. The new batch of actors have not had their DDLJ or Hum Tum. ”
To remind audience of the combined magic of romance and big screen on this Valentine’s Day, theatre chains like Cinepolis and PVR Inox has re-released some of the blockbuster romantic comedies and romantic films.
Kunal Kohli says that while the current generation and the Gen Z, for whom the definition of love has changed, may not readily accept classic romantic films, if love films are made keeping today’s generation in mind, in a contemporary language, these films will attract views and box office numbers.