Audiences Return to Cinemas for Compelling Content, Challenging Bollywood’s Traditional Approach
Audiences are flocking back to cinemas in India, signaling a shift in the preferences of moviegoers. The success of seemingly niche American titles, along with regional movies in languages like Punjabi and Marathi, is challenging the traditional approach of Bollywood. It appears that audiences are more attracted to films with strong character development and engaging storytelling.
According to Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, executive director of PVR Inox Ltd, the past 15 months have shown that people are willing to return to cinemas if there is good content on offer. The success of smaller-scale films like Carry On Jatta 3 and Baipan Bhari Deva proves that Bollywood needs to shift its focus towards content-driven narratives.
While Hindi cinema has only recently seen the resurgence of sleeper hits, with films like Zara Hat Ke Zara Bach Ke performing well, markets in the South have been thriving with dubbed versions of movies like KGF: Chapter 2 and regional films such as Bro, Baby, and Maamannan resonating with audiences. Even films in languages like Malayalam have emerged as the highest-grossing movies, indicating the importance of catering to the preferences of different regions.
Shariq Patel, CEO at Zee Studios, highlights that the scale of production no longer guarantees success. It is now more crucial for audiences to connect with the characters and invest in the world created by a film. Movies like Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway have shown that audiences cannot be taken for granted, and that even smaller, more relatable films can perform well.
The delay in Bollywood releases over the past few months may have been a result of filmmakers striving for a perfected product. Furthermore, the reduction in food and beverage prices by multiplexes has also played a significant role in attracting audiences. Tanuj Garg, partner at Ellipsis Entertainment, commends the efforts made by multiplexes to offer combo deals and incentives, ultimately showing that they are making an effort to bring audiences back.
The takeaway from recent trends is that films need to appeal to viewers beyond metropolitan cities. Movies that resonate with tier-three and tier-four audiences are crucial for collective recreation. This means finding a balance between urban and elitist films and those that cater to the sensibilities of the wider Indian population.
Overall, the return of audiences to cinemas in India reflects a shifting preference towards compelling content and engaging narratives. The success of regional films and the willingness of viewers to invest in movies that resonate with them demonstrates the need for a fresh approach in Bollywood. By focusing on character development, storytelling, and catering to diverse regional audiences, filmmakers can continue to captivate moviegoers and usher in a new era in Indian cinema.
