This article is not a review of Baahubali movie and this is written before the movie is released. Intention is to start a discussion so please feel free to add your thoughts.
"100 Crore club", "200 Crore club" are the buzz words but the question is, "what is that audience and film lovers get to see in such projects?" Foreign locations, stylish looks of hero, ultra posh cars, high rise buildings so on and many times not really required to elevate the story.
Now, think of putting all this effort just on the elements that are absolutely relevant to the story. Pick a subject which reflects what is truly yours. Say a story which inspires younger generation to think of heroes from their own soil instead of looking up to Hercules and Achilles for their valor. Something that showcases the pride and glory of your country. Then, apply your technology and innovation to bring that to life. It will run at box office for few weeks but it will remain in the minds of millions forever. This is what we think is going to happen with Baahubali.
It’s success will bring the content to Centre stage. It not only introduces the latest technology and Indian filmmaker’s capabilities but sets a direction on how to use them to elevate the story. It’s success will push few film makers to reconsider their path of taking Indian cinema to global stage just by opening up new markets and increasing the number of theatres. It clears the myth that such high quality filmmaking can’t happen in Indian films for various reasons. Reasons is, Baahubali doesn’t come from any different environment which most of the Indian filmmakers are not familiar with. Fans want a movie every 6 months and heros are busy signing up new project every quarter. Tension among the fan groups would be nothing less compared to the tension among the fans of ManUnited and Chelsea in a head on match. Even the directors and technicians would probably not deny if we say the mantra is “make the maximum when at the top”.
Baahubali raises the bar in terms of dedication one should have to accomplish such wonderful projects. Lead actors, actresses, director, technicians are well established but still they dedicated years for this project . In it’s success, lies the aspirations of groups like the VFX industry, the stuntsmen, the art team and all other technicians who got splendid opportunity to prove what they are capable of. Inspite of being dubbed version in few languages it has national appeal. Hence proving the potential of good cinema no matter which language you make it in. It bridges the North and South Indian industries which is a very good sign. Success of Baahubali will further encourage the trend of multi starrers, proper star casting from different industries.
Baahubali's success will get the attention to the Indian cinema that it deserves. It will change the world's view of Indian cinema. No wonder that if all goes well and if it becomes a commercial success, that day is not far when movies made in India attract global market.
Lets hope it doesn't fail, but if it fails it would induce fear into producers and directors. Its failure will let pessimists who heavily depend on formula movies for minting money survive little longer. Innovation will be jailed for sometime. This film has the director's mark, it is all possible because of the free hand from the producer, but if Baahubali fails days to come would see more impositions and restrictions on the directors.
We are equally excited to know and watch the film. Let it become another milestone like Maya bazar and set new standards. At large its success will bring 'Can do' attitude and 'we are no less' confidence.
All the very best to Baahubali.
- Abhishek Jagini.
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