New Delhi: There was a time when Indian cinema was dominated by Bollywood – left, right and center. The Hindi film industry’s supremacy in the showbiz arena continued for a significant while. However, it now appears to be on the verge of losing its charm. How, you ask? 2024’s Box Office numbers indicate an undeniable shift towards movies originating from the Southern states and this is pretty evident in the revenue as well.
To discuss this hot topic, let’s delve into it a bit more. Bollywood’s authority started to dip ever since COVID-19 spread like wildfire across the globe. In the beginning, people were hesitant to go to cinemas due to the pandemic. Then, adding to the misery, the speedy penetration of OTT platforms significantly impacted theatre footfalls.
However, 2023 came as a surprise to bring a happy ending to the Box Office drought. With films like Animal, Gadar 2, Pathaan and Jawan bringing viewers back to the big screen in massive numbers, the cash registers were ringing loud and string again. But who could have predicted that this resurgence would not last long?
Now, with just a few weeks left in 2024, the fireworks have not lived up to expectations. Yes, Stree 2 gave a joyous boost to the Box Office. But otherwise, it has been a disappointing year for Hindi films. Some online reports even suggest that Bollywood’s numbers are likely to be as low as 40 per cent compared to 2023.
Hindi cinema losing its charm?
Several factors have joined forces to lead to Bollywood’s downfall. Many believe repetitive storylines and a lack of innovative content are the major reasons to be blamed. Also, producers seem more interested in in investing their money to play it safe, a strategy that has lately yielded unfavourable results.
Instead of focusing on creativity and offering something fresh to audiences, filmmakers continue with an old-school approach: signing superstars and casting them in similar roles across movies. How long can viewers accept the same dish in new packaging? It is inevitable that such an approach will lose its appeal sooner or later.
Flop show continues
Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, both Diwali releases, are currently trying to make their mark at the Box Office. However, neither film is likely to end up in the blockbuster category. They, yet again, rely on multi-starrer casts and follow a lackluster approach to storytelling.
Other setbacks for Hindi cinema in 2024 include Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, Maidaan, Khel Khel Mein, and Vedaa. This proves that securing a higher number of screens or scheduling a holiday release is no longer enough to guarantee success. What Bollywood is missing is a heart at the center of its films.
South’s takeover
Cinema lovers today are exposed to pan-Indian cinema, which has raised the bar. For instance, Kalki 2898 AD and Hanu-Man are among the highest-grossing films of 2024. Here, the filmmakers dared to dream big. Impressively, they remained rooted in Indian culture while delivering stories that matched global cinema standards. The Greatest of All Time, Devara: Part 1 and Vettaiyan also rank among the 10 highest grossing films of the year.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be appropriate not to mention Pushpa 2: The Rule. The upcoming action drama seems to have all the ingredients for a blockbuster. From a masterfully crafted promotional strategy to a spectacular social media presence, the Allu Arjun starrer is expected to break all Box Office records, with its Hindi version likely to provide some much-needed relief for Bollywood at the ticket counters.
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