Biggest Barrier to your Growth: Resistance to Change
Resistance to change is the biggest barrier for the growth. One more industry is facing the self content issue like that of Eastman Kodak and Nokia, that denies to accept the changes i.e. "BOLLYWOOD"
So, let's discuss where the actual problem lies. For this, let's dig into the history of this industry.
When cinema (bioscope) came to India and during 70-80s when television became a household item, people used to watch whatever used to be served, as not much entertainment options were available. And in this process Actors became or rather the media coined the terms like "Celebrity", "Stars" or "Superstar". And Bollywood had an industrial monopoly.
But, now in the 2020s, in an era of Social media, YouTube, Tiktok and OTT platforms, people are more informed and educated, they understand everything right from Advertising to PR. For them Acting is like any other profession or career they aspire for and actors are just like any other professional.
Besides that, industry is facing tough competition from other industries not only from Hollywood, as earlier, but domestically from Tollywood, and globally from Hogawood, Halyuwood Cantonwood Otherwise BTS wouldn't be a household name and movies like Kantara, with budget of 16cr couldn't earn 400 cr.
Now, the problem arises when a few dominant people of the industry, who consider themselves as the industry, are not ready to accept the changes. They are still looking for the monopoly and want to be treated like a "Super Natural person".
They are blaming Boycott culture as the reason for their flop movies and are not ready to open up their eyes like an Ostrich.
Boycott culture is nothing new, right from the "Water", "Earth" to "OMG", and "PK" faced backlash Even Border, that Suniel Shetty talked about during interaction with CM Yogi, had a theory of conspiracy during Uphaar tragedy.
So, boycott trend can not be the reason.
Second reason that is being projected here is, movies are facing backlash because the actor follows a particular religion, then why the hell people wait for movies from Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Mammootty or used to wait for Irrfan movies?
Another reason that usually being given is, people hate KJo. Then how the "Kesari" or "Bahubali" became the biggest grosser, whether these will get flopped, if release today?
Another one, people are inclined towards movies from Right wing people and are ignoring the movies from people who have been projected as Anti-India on social media. Then why Samrat Prithviraj (movie on a Hindu King), and RamSetu (with name of Ram), with actor like Akshay Kumar (who is considered as Right wing proponent) flopped, and movies like Housefull 4 (from Sajid Khan) and webseries like Mirzapur (with Anurag Kashyap camp actors and Fahan Akhtar as producer) becomes a superhit. Whether these won't become a hit, if release today.
Another reason that is given is "Image of the actor". Only those actors' movies are facing backlash who are doing advertisement not suitable for their image, like "Bolo Zubaan Kesari". To a certain extent, it's true that if an actor like Akshay Kumar or Ajay Devgan who have acted in movies and ads on social causes like Padman, Gangaajal, or Say No To Tobacco faces backlash if they act in such ads, while if actor like Nawazuddin, does the same wouldn't face the backlash. But, this again, cannot convert a movie into a flop. Had it been so, then Drishyam 2, RRR with Ajay Devgan would have been a biggest disaster (which is other way round).
Before 2003, when "Armaan" movie or Ayushman serial (though in 2004) got flopped, it was said that movies on doctors' lives always fail, as it's a serious profession and there is nothing much to say about their lives. But, then came Munnabhai MBBS. And now there are movies like Vicky Donor, Gabbar is Back, Dhruva to showcase healthcare business. From funny to serious, all superhit.
Similarly, making a historical drama is always a difficult task where there is a very little scope for creative freedom. And people don't want to spend their time and money on serious history classes. That's why personally, I could never bear Chanakya serial on DD national but watched Chandragupta Maurya (with good music) on NDTV prime.
Every product that one markets, is composed of some characteristics. Similarly, product like a Movie is a package of Content, Presentation, Expressions, Dialogues and a great piece of music (if added). Why Bollywood (rather few Bollywood dominating people) are not able to come up with stories like that of Jai Bheem, Udaan, why they are not able to present a movie like RRR (despite not a big story), why music of RRR gets nominated for original score in Oscars (that once upon a time was core competency of Hindi music industry, remember "Lagaan" "Slumdog Millionaire")? Why do they need to make remakes of Cutputtli, Jersey, Vikram Vedha, Udaan, Drishyam, Singham, Baaghi series and so on?
If people hate Bollywood then why the webseries like Panchayat, Grahan with small cast and theatre actors becomes a big hit (don't forget Faisal Malik from Anurag Kashyap camp and from a particular community, who received accolades from the people), while movies with some big names don't get customers even on OTT platforms, which is freely available to the people with a nominal subscription fee.
So problem lies in the accepting the change. Amitabh Bachchan is still the Amitabh Bachchan and people only want to watch him hosting KBC, even after 22 years, because he accepted and adapted himself according to the changes. While his contemporary are out of the business. So, next time when you face downfall, think carefully, if the reason is your stagnancy and resistance to accept the change.
