6.47 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Heroes of Indie cinema

Director Banjeree says a good story will always ensure a film's success. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Bindu Rai
Abhay Deol hates being categorised as a thinking man's actor. He's not even sure what that really means. But a simple glance at his choice of films proves this point. Born to Bollywood royalty – he is legendary actor Dharmendra's nephew – Deol is one of the few young guns who is silently championing the cause of independent cinema.

Manorama Six Feet Under, Ek Chalis Ki Last Local and Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd saw him move away from the proverbial white knight image that sums up the stereotypical character sketch of a Bollywood lead role. And even though these films didn't exactly set the box-office ablaze, Deol refuses to budge from his stand.

"I'm not sure how to react when people say I do off-beat cinema," Deol tells Emirates Business. "I prefer to say the characters I portray on screen show the real side of life. No one person is either white or black; each one has shades of grey to their existence and that is what I bring to films."

Interestingly, his new film may change all that. Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (currently showing in UAE cinemas) sees the actor team up with a director who is best known for jump-starting the resurgence of independent films in India today. The one-film old Dibakar Banerjee set the ball rolling with the cult hit, Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006).

With no stellar star cast to market it to the masses, he fell back on simple logic to sell his film: A good story.

Produced by UTV Motion Pictures, best known for their big budget films, many industry experts now look upon it as the turning point in Bollywood for the revival of the small-budget underdog. Made on a shoestring production cost of Rs20.5 million (Dh14m) (according to Bollywood standards at least), Khosla Ka Ghosla even crossed over to attract international viewers.

"Khosla really was a turning point for all of us," says Banerjee. "Here I was, a new director with a film that didn't boast a single Khan or a Hrithik Roshan. All I had was a script that I believed in."

The director himself claims that even after the film had been ready for a while, not many producers were willing to touch it with a bargepole. "I would hold screenings of Khosla every other day and even though not many came forward with the capital, the word-of-mouth publicity for my film grew with each passing day."

After UTV picked it up, a whopping Rs10.5m was spent on marketing the film – a good 60 per cent of the total budget of the film was just spent on getting its name out there in the bright lights.

Mention that to Deol and he responds: "A lot goes into making a film a financial success. Aside from a good subject, you need a lot of clout to a push a film through the proper marketing channels and even distribute enough prints to ensure it is reaching the end consumer."

Citing Manorama as the perfect example, Deol states that even though the film garnered critical acclaim, the producer and distributors didn't push the film enough.

"That simply ate into the film's profits. Other factors like timing the release of the film to avoid clashing with big films also ensures a good opening for a small film," he says. "Lately, TV has become an integral tool for marketing a movie, even having the lead cast shake a leg on reality game shows.

"But it doesn't always work; look at Yash Raj Films' Tashan. It had everything going for it – big budget, stellar cast and ample marketing – and it still bombed."

So while the jury is still out on the surviving odds of a small-budget independent film, Banerjee believes that small or big doesn't really matter: "It's the overall concept of your film that is the key to success in any industry. When you have a film that boasts a strong script, which appeals to the audience, then you have a winner.

"Audience tastes are altering, but now it's time for the major producers to stop chasing the formula-based films that have been endlessly tried and tested, and utilise their intelligence to back a good story."

While the battle rages on, the fate of OLLO in the next few weeks will decide if Deol and Banerjee are a step closer to winning the war.



Downtime with Deol

You have a reputation for hating the media. What's that about? I don't hate them! It's just tiring that every journalist always asks the same two questions: Tell us about your role and why did you choose to do the film? After answering it the fifth time, I say screw it.

A blog, then? I do. Passionforcinema.com has my blog where I can rant and wash off my celebrity angst (laughs).

So you're just shy? I guess. I don't like being the centre of attention.

Then you're in the wrong profession mate. (laughs) I love acting! It's just that I get embarrassed with the attention. I like keeping a cap on and staring at the floor. Plus, you don't have to be an extrovert to enjoy acting.

Do people treat you differently because of the Deol surname? A lot of prejudice (sighs). I was prepared for it, but it still surprises me at times.

Any plans to jump on the celebrity endorsement wagon? I'm really selective. I don't want to become a big personality and be constantly bombarded. At present I only endorse the mobile company Airtel, which is also my service provider.

Do you invest your money or consider yourself a spendthrift? I spend. Although I have invested in property and some mutual funds. My chartered accountant handles the bulk.