The preferences of Indian movie fans is fast changing. The Indian audience which had erstwhile been so Bolloywood-centric has now become open to Bhojpuri films. The box office is making money. It is of course not the Hindi film industry this time, but glitz and glamor in the Bhojpuri style! The Bhojpuri film industry has reached its prime after struggling for almost 60 years since its inception. It has flourished on mass appeal and is perceived to be something for the general public. In an era that focuses on 'creating a difference', this industry has marched on the dictums of simplicity. The simplicity is however well researched from the perspective of demography, economy, creativity and experience. It firmly believes in implementing a tried and tested formula with a dosage of novelty and innovation. The Bhojpuri film industry is witnessing a boom that has made the Chopras, the Johars and the Roshans introspect.
The Bhojpuri film industry was earlier seen as a shelter for flopped Bollywood artists. Today, it boasts of the presence of the best stars like Ravi Kishen, Manoj Tiwari, Rani Chatterjee, etc., and there is a good response from the public as well. Right from Juhi Chawla, Nagma and Rishita Bhatt to the graceful Hema Malini, the industry is wooing beauties from `Mayanagri Mumbai'! Not only Amitabh Bachhan, but it has also made Abhishek Bachhan and Ajay Devgan speculate, for these are the names that adorn the star cast of some of the forthcoming Bhojpuri films. "Big star cast implies that the industry has great business acumen. It is so sure of its product and the rewards", says Manish Verma, Faculty in film studies at a leading private university. |
