Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge a.k.a. DDLJ is one of the biggest romantic hits of contemporary Indian cinema!
It is like a cult classic, but the sad part is that no other romantic movie has come anywhere near it!
Neither in terms of story or music, nor in terms of visual appeal based on performances and emotionally charged-up script! Bollywood is known for its song and dance drama and has produced so many amazing love stories that live on with their fans for decades after their release. So what has happened now?
Why don’t we see such passionate wholesome love stories that one can watch again and again and again even years after their release?
Let’s share the top 5 reasons why Bollywood is failing to produce love stories like DDLJ!
1) Shortage of Visionary Producers/Directors
Usually we listen to producers and directors complaining about script writers being not good enough to write amazing scripts. However, if one analyses the trends, the movies that are generating maximum business are the ones that have no heads or tails as far as story is concerned. That means a movie is made purely for commercial reason without worrying about scripts. Films like Kick, Happy New Year etc are prime examples of money-minting machines rather than cinematic gems! Obviously, script writers are not making these movies, but producers/directors who only want to earn money rather than make good movies.
2) Copies of South Indian Movies
Somehow Salman Khan has taught the industry to make cheap and bad copies of south Indian blockbusters to earn quick bucks. One doesn’t need to work hard on copying you know. Just watch the movie a few times or ask the assistants to watch them a million times. Get some writer to write it in Hindi and just make the movie. Why to use brains when even the shabbiest of movies are going to earn crores?
3) Era of Masala Entertainment
Nowadays the taste of people has changed or should we say that the makers are feeding to the audience what is easy to prepare. No doubt there are movies like Queen or Tanu Weds Manu Returns etc., but these are not hardcore romantic movies that can touch that cupid chord in your heart. In trying to satiate the audiences’ hunger of watching something different, romance has been kept on the backburner. A romantic song here, a romantic scene there or at the most a surface-level romantic movie with great songs (read Aashiqui 2) is the maximum that’s coming out of Bollywood industry!
4) Capable Actors
No, not all actors are average or mediocre. In fact lots of talented actors and actresses have entered the industry in recent past, but none of them have shown enough promise to be trusted with scripts that require actors to rise above the script and leave an impression for future generations to go crazy about! Most of the actors are also playing safe by doing movies, which require them to dance, sing and look good rather than opting for performance oriented roles.
5) Society’s Downfall
All these above mentioned reasons are a direct consequence of changes happening in the society. In past two decades, our society has changed drastically where the true definition of love is lost somewhere. The youth is confused about love and for most of them, love happens only in books and movies and even that love is at a surface level that can be changed like one changes clothes! If society as a whole doesn’t relate with the depth of love, we can’t expect filmmakers to show such iconic love stories.
Whatever be the reasons or excuses, the bottom line is that it is the duty of the filmmakers to try to bring a change because films can make a difference! As simple as that!
Even if no one wants to watch it, if a film is made that actually makes everyone sit up and take notice, the film is successful.
Remember Bollywood-wallas, love never dies and never goes out of fashion! Bring us some eternal love-story and then count your blessings, oops notes in the bank!
