Renowned filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee shared his candid thoughts on the prevalent star system in Bharat cinema. The director expressed his concern about what he perceives as actors being “still framed” within their star status, leading to a sense of predictability and boredom in their performances.
Banerjee, known for his critically acclaimed films, discussed the challenges of collaborating with big stars like Shah Rukh Khan. He revealed that proposing a three-month workshop, a common practice in his filmmaking process, might not be feasible with a star of Khan’s stature, as they might not be willing to invest that much time in preparation.
The director highlighted a phenomenon he termed the “star system,” where actors, aware of their star power, carry this awareness into every scene, potentially compromising the authenticity of their performances. He cited this as a factor contributing to his sense of monotony in the industry.
When questioned about whether younger actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh follow the same star system, Banerjee affirmed, stating that the trend persists even with the emerging generation of actors.
Despite his critique of the star system, Banerjee expressed his eagerness to work with talented actor Rajkummar Rao, praising his abilities. The two had previously collaborated on the film “Love Sex Aur Dhokha.”
The filmmaker also delved into the impact of the “100 crore club” on independent cinema. He revealed that the concept of this club, indicating a film’s box office success, emerged around 2010. According to Banerjee, this marketing strategy started influencing audience choices, diverting attention away from independent films that were gaining traction.
Banerjee suggested that the focus on box office numbers began discouraging viewers from exploring independent cinema, as the marketing narrative shifted to emphasize financial success rather than artistic merit. He noted that this change might have been a response to the emerging success of independent films like his own “Love Sex Aur Dhokha.”
Drawing a parallel with the music scene, Banerjee compared the thriving independent music of the ’90s to the subsequent resurgence of mainstream Bollywood music around 2004-05. He emphasized the importance of understanding industry dynamics and market forces, particularly in a star-centric film industry.
In conclusion, Dibakar Banerjee’s insights shed light on the challenges posed by the star system and the influence of box office metrics on the diverse landscape of Bharat cinema.
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