Why Bhojpuri Films Are LIKE THIS?

Summary

This script delves into the evolution of Bhojpuri cinema, highlighting its journey from a respected industry to one marred by low production quality and negative stereotypes. It discusses the early success with notable actors and cultural relevance, the subsequent decline due to commercial exploitation and lack of organization, and the recent resurgence with films that resonate with a rural audience. The script also addresses the industry's challenges, including overproduction, low budgets, and the need for audience, producers, and government support to foster quality content.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The Bhojpuri film industry has a history of low production quality and vulgar songs, which has negatively impacted the image of Biharis.
• 🏛 In the past, Bhojpuri cinema was associated with high-profile artists like Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, and Lata Mangeshkar, indicating a more prestigious era.
• 📈 The industry can be divided into three phases: the 1960s, the 1970s and 80s, and the 21st century, each with different characteristics and levels of success.
• 🌱 The first Bhojpuri film, 'Ganga Maiya Tohe Piari Chadi Bo', was made possible due to the initiative of India's first president, Rajendra Prasad, and was a commercial success.
• 📉 The Bhojpuri film industry faced a decline in the late 1960s as outside producers failed to understand the local culture, leading to a drop in production and quality.
• 🔥 The second phase of Bhojpuri cinema started with the color film 'Dangal', which was an action film and a gamble that paid off, revitalizing the industry.
• 📚 Avijit Ghosh's book and various research papers were referenced to understand the evolution and challenges of the Bhojpuri film industry.
• 💃 The industry's reliance on songs and dance sequences contributed to its appeal but also to the production of low-quality content in pursuit of commercial success.
• 🤝 The success of Bhojpuri films like 'Sasura Bada Paisa Wala' demonstrated the importance of understanding the audience and their cultural identity.
• 📊 Overproduction and a lack of diversity in film content led to a saturation of the market and a subsequent decline in the quality of Bhojpuri films in the 21st century.
• 🌐 The script suggests that a collaborative effort from the audience, the film industry, and the government is needed to revive the Bhojpuri film industry and promote cultural identity.

Q & A

What was the perception of Bhojpuri films in the past 15 years according to the script?

The perception of Bhojpuri films in the past 15 years has been that they have low production quality and their songs are often considered vulgar, which has negatively impacted the image of Biharis.

Which famous personalities from Hindi cinema have worked in Bhojpuri films in the past?

Famous personalities such as Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Kumkum, and Helen have worked in Bhojpuri films, contributing to their initial success and prestige.

What were the three phases of Bhojpuri cinema as described in the script?

The three phases of Bhojpuri cinema are the 1960s, the 1970s and 80s, and the 21st century, each characterized by different levels of success and changes in the industry's approach to filmmaking.

What was the significance of the film 'Ganga Maiya Tohe Piari Chadi Bo' in Bhojpuri cinema history?

The film 'Ganga Maiya Tohe Piari Chadi Bo' was significant as it was the first Bhojpuri film, made possible by the initiative of Hindi cinema's famous actor Nazir Hussain and businessman Bishwan Prasad Shahbadi, and it became a huge hit, setting a positive precedent for the industry.

Why did many Hindi film producers initially fail in the Bhojpuri film industry?

Many Hindi film producers initially failed in the Bhojpuri film industry because they did not understand the Bhojpuri culture, lifestyle, and music, leading to films that did not resonate with the audience and subsequently flopping.

What role did Odoo play in the script and why was it mentioned?

Odoo was mentioned as an all-in-one management software that can help businesses manage various aspects of their operations efficiently. It was included as a promotional message within the script, unrelated to the main topic of Bhojpuri cinema.

How did the Bhojpuri film 'Sasura Bada Paisa Wala' change the industry's approach to filmmaking?

'Sasura Bada Paisa Wala' was a success because it understood its audience well, focusing on relatable rural settings and themes. This led to a resurgence in the Bhojpuri film industry, with an increase in production and a return of Bollywood stars to Bhojpuri cinema.

What factors contributed to the decline of Bhojpuri films in the 1990s?

The decline of Bhojpuri films in the 1990s was due to overproduction of similar family dramas, competition with Hindi films, a shift towards making sex films to attract audiences, and a tax imposed on cinema halls by Bihar's RJD government.

What was the primary audience for Bhojpuri films and how did this affect the industry?

The primary audience for Bhojpuri films were rural viewers and young men who had left their villages to work in other states. This audience's preferences led producers to create films with rural themes and songs that resonated with them, but also contributed to the industry's reputation for low-quality content.

How did the Bhojpuri film industry's approach to music change over time?

Initially, Bhojpuri music was about rural and regional identity. However, after the late 1990s, the focus shifted towards commercial success, leading to the production of songs with sexually charged content and poor artistic quality to attract audiences.

What challenges does the Bhojpuri film industry face in terms of production and distribution?

The Bhojpuri film industry faces challenges such as low budgets leading to poor production quality, overemphasis on male stars at the expense of storytelling, lack of professional distribution networks, and the closure of single-screen theatres which were traditional venues for Bhojpuri films.