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Good cinema is something that we always crave for. But there are very few who cater to the small herd of genuine film lovers. Bollywood is sugar coated and spiced aptly to serve the large population with the same peppy dance numbers, romantic dialogues, gravity defying action sequences and many more which are a frequent sight on every Friday release. The thought I wonder why is not crossing the minds of filmmakers and actors is that, are people feeling the sufficiency with those Bollywood cliches. The answer is a big NO. There are people appreciating good cinema even if it does or does not contain an acclaimed STAR. The success of movies like Neerja, Aligarh, Dhanak, Nil Battey Sannata, Pink, Airlift and regional movies like Pelli Choopulu, Kshanam, Sairat, Thithi, Visarani have set an example in this regard. Then why are the so called star heroes unable to make good movies constantly. Why do so many calculations come into picture when a star is planning to make a good movie? Why do it take a lot of criticism for them to realize the taste of the audience? What are audience expecting? Is it movies like Chennai Express, Happy New Year, Dilwale or movies like Dear Zindagi & Fan. Is it movies like Kick, Jai Ho, Ready, Dabang 2, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo or movies like Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
There is a star who took the word 'STAR' very seriously and in the right sense.
When even shitty movies of stars can make a lot of money then why not make a
good movie, why not tell the stories that inspire and entertain not just the
small herd but the larger population. He seeks pleasure in film making process
and gets excited whenever he sees or listens a good story. No doubt some people
compare him to Tom Hanks, an epitome in acting and some call him Daniel-Day
Lewis, the pinnacle that an actor can reach. He is none other than the Mr.
Perfectionist of Indian Cinema, Aamir Khan.
In-spite of calling him perfect, I wish to call him Brave. Because it is the choosy nature of Aamir that let Shahrukh cement his place as a bigger star. Aamir reportedly said no to movies like Darr, Saajan, Baazigar, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun to do movies likes Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar, Ghulaam, Raja Hindustani & Rangeela. He choose to show versatility in every film he acts in because he is the method actor that you find rarely in Bollywood. Every character he chose in this millennium are evidence to that trait. He made some of the greatest pieces of art like Lagaan, Dil Chahtha Hai, Rang De Basanti, Taree Zameen Par, Ghajini, 3 Idiots, PK and Dangal. Except Dhoom 3, every film of his has created a great impact on the audiences both in terms of box-office collections and critical acclaim. With every movie he rediscovers himself with new challenges. While all the other actors make good cinema 3 out of 10 times, Aamir Khan fails to to deliver only 3 out of 10 times. He has the biggest success rate than any other star in this contemporary generation, even if he comes once in 2 years.
Talking about his recent blockbuster Dangal, we need to appreciate two things.
Firstly, his dedication to go through that transformation at the age of 50 for
just a 30 sec scene. Secondly, his guts to act as a pot bellied father to two
girls, where the whole movie revolves around the girls. But he spared his
precious 2 years believing the script that he loved. That is the attitude of a
star. His genius is not just restricted to story selection and method acting
but also seen in his marketing strategies. That is why his movies, even though
being out of the box, strike gold at the box-office.
While all the other heroes think of audience as dumb and unreasonable, he think of them as intelligent as he is. That is why he is being able to experiment new concepts and is able get a happy nod from the audience. There is a thick boundary between showbiz commerce and artistic film making. In the world of cinema it is always a difficult stunt to pull off by blurring that thick boundary. That is why the Academy front-runners are not the money machines & vice-versa. When it comes to our Bollywood, the most unrealistic and annoying movies are the ones that strike big at the box-office and the genuine attempts stumble to satisfy the thirst of the audience. Aamir Khan is that actor who can strike the balance between those two elements that decide the film's fate and he does it in style, writing new box-office records with his movies like Ghajini, 3 idiots, PK and Dangal.
He tries to educate the society on contemporary issues with his films. It maybe talking about pressures of Engineering, criticizing the blind beliefs in religion, showing the role of youth in shaping the society and standing against evil politicians, showcasing the power of women and many more. May be that is the greatest thing about Aamir's films and that is why they work out so well. He is the reason why the small herd still believe in good cinema. Whenever he is doing a film, people are least bothered about the mechanics and dynamics of Bollywood. All they see is a cinema that the country will be proud of and so the records will follow. He has the capability of making highest grossing films even with his genuine and compelling concepts. When Aamir shows good, it will reach the larger audience and makes the whole nation think. He is the star the country deserves. Hope he continue to make good cinema whatsoever.
Author: Shanmukha Kotha
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