It's been a long time since I wrote here. Well, whenever I come back here, blogging after a long time, it would be only for a movie review.
However, this time its not exactly a movie review, but just in general about movies. To be precise, about Masala Movies.
I have no intention to hurt anyone or offend any one's thoughts here. But I always wonder why people (read as "A class people" in terms of Cinema Industry) do not appreciate masala movies. They fail to understand that Masala Movies are one of the genres and a major revenue earning source for Indian Cinemas. I never liked Sci-Fi movies, but I dont go and watch all those movies and start cribbing about them. I simply dont watch them. I expect such a thing from these so called "Quality Audience"
I would like to introduce who these people exactly are: The ones who watch all mani ratnam movies, bala's, kamal's etc. But again, I am the one too, who watch all these guys' movies. But they are different. They watch only these people and these kinda movies. They dont give a damn about others. I know that you all understand whom am talking about.
"A" Class people get to see many non-English foreign pictures nowadays and they see a lot of English movies as well. But when they come back to see our Indian movies, they never appreciate the very local, national, commercial, typical masala movies. They fail to understand that those movies are of different genre. They may not see Al Pacino, Rober DeNiro, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Samuel L Jackson kind of actors in these movies. In fact, most of these actors have acted in few so called action movies in hollywood. Those movies would definitely fall under Masala if they were dubbed to Thamizh or any regional movies.
People fail to understand that creativity is involved in making Masala movies too. The creators need to understand the pulse of crazy fans and get the movie reel go in favour of audience.
Lots & lots of effort have been put to make these kinda movies as well. More than the efforts, belief, faith and more than anything a lot of M.O.N.E.Y is spent on these movies. The most irritating behaviour of these people is that, they talk rubbish about all these movies just because they don't like watching these movies. They fail to realise that there are people who would want to watch movies of this genre or at least, who would not complaint watching movies of this genre.
When a movie in Hollywood had nothing but simple comedy and romance in it, people praise and categorize the movie as 'Simple, light hearted movie'. Whereas, if the same was done in our regional languages, these people categorize as 'Not worth a penny', 'Waste of time' and what not? May be 'Not at all a movie'. :)
I wonder why they don't simply ignore the genres they don't like. Instead, they keep cribbing about those movies. And the worst part is, it is them who book the tickets in the very first weekend the movie is released and comment on each and every scene they watch. It would be absolutely irritating when you are in the hall and if your intention is just to while away the time by watching such movies. I would also blame these die hard fans of Masala heroes. ( I would rather not mention those names, cos they are always known to all). It is those die hard fans who do so much of hype for those movies and probably these people get irritated and start flagging against these movies. Flagging against each and every scene is some what boring you know. Some times such comments get boring than the actual movie. :P
We all know and have seen Samuel Jackson in lot of quality movies. But then, I have seen him in worst movies like Snakes on a plane. I would never forget to mention about Clive Owen's Shoot 'em up in these arguments. I have seen the best comedies like 'Hangover' and not so good comedy like 'Hot Tub Time Machine' or take ' Confessions of a shopaholic ' for an example.
People appreciate movies like American Pie, but complaint about movies like Boys. I simply don't understand why.
People must understand that an every day meal is made of all ingredients. We don't eat all sugar meal for breakfast or all spicy meal for lunch or all salty meal for dinner. We mix them all for every meal. Movies, as well, are like that. When you are in mood to watch Mani Ratnam, watch his movies. But do not forget that Sankar is not so bad either. It is just that his genre is different.
If you could appreciate Bala, dharani is second to none when it comes to pacy, action packed masala movies.
One must understand that there is someone always better than the one we think of. If someone say Balu Mahendra's July Ganapathy is good, I would say Rituparno Gosh's Raincoat was better than that. Leave alone that July ganapathy is purely a remake of an English movie. But then these people say that the movie has been inspired by the director. :)
But its just don't end here. I would say movies like Forrest Gump or Terminal are far better than Raincoat. It goes on and on.
I can compare any number of directors/movies like this on and on. But then, Too much of anything is no good. Too much of praising masala movies is not good either. :D Take this blog as a light hearted movie. :) Chill now. :D :D
14 comments:
a very sensible article!! especially to all the masala movie bashers!! The funniest part is most of them would not have even seen the movie!!
thanks thamizh.
hmmm a blog from your desk after a long time.. Interesting read!
But then, being accused of belonging to the "A" class category (Though I dont go and see these masala movies- its been ages since I saw Dhanush or vijay on screen and I am happy abt it!). The fundamental problem with these "A" class ppl is that, they are BIG movie buffs.. so they have to see all the movie and have an opinion on them.. (some of these ppl become critics and take it as a job) but then asking them not to express themselves their opinion of a movie is like pressure building inside a bottle.. So if I can request, can you ppl of the not "A" class please turn a deaf ear to these ppl and continue to enjoy ur masala movies. :))))
Divya,
I understand that they are movie buffs, So am I. You know me.
But then, You dont have to be a critic for every scene that you watch and need not comment on movies then and there. And as my fren thamizh commented above, Some of those so called quality movie buffs, would not even watch the movie but go crazy about it. My major concern is that, just cos they were disappointed or not happy about the lead actor (like u said Dhanush & Vijay), they criticize the whole unit of that film. I laugh out loud when they dont even like the music scores composed for those movies. How fair is that? And no one wants to be a deaf inside a cinema hall.
Good one sir - but as you say there is a niche for all genre's how you see it is what is on your blog.. if majority of ppl were against our so called masala ones - we wouldnt be even talking abt Masala movies they would be extinct.. their mere mushrooming is standing testimony that ppl love em... i am not an avid movie watcher but.. just my thot..
@praphul sir: Yeah, thanks for the comment. I appreciate that you read this long blog of mine, though u r not an avid movie watcher. thanks thanks.
Completely agree with you on the fact that Masala movies are a different genre all together. One more thing I would like to add is that movie industry is also (basically) a business. A producer will not invest in a particular genre of movie unless there is a market for that. Just by seeing the number of masala movies; one can safely say that it is a profitable business model which will always give the producer a minimum guarantee. To put it differently; there is always a big segment of people who will always lap up such kind of movies. So, I really admire directors like Dharani, Lingusamy, Murugadoss etc who can bring both the A class people (who will say the movie is crap after seeing the movie) and the front benchers. However, I really despise directors like Boopathy Pandian and Perarasu who makes movies with fixed number of songs (with Lewd lyrics courtesy the director who doubles up as lyricist also), fights and comedy scenes and somehow try to fit a story within these constraints...
Hi anna !! really good one to read through. Though people like masala movies they dont express their liking openly. They just watch it and criticize. I really liked this article for the "Honest Expression of Your Thoughts" keep going , keeping writing!!
hmmm.. once again u come up wit blog related to cinema... This time around supporting a specific genre... i wud agree on that accusing of A class audience.. Unfortunately i also fall into tat category.. De American pie comment is too cool... But we got to admit tat our audience are expecting some new concepts an some intent in movie making...rather than serving old wine in new bottle.. Remember most of us wer irritated by simbu's movie but not after vtv.. cos tat was a class movie.. i wud say ayan was de best commercial movie of recent past cos it had some knots which wer new to our audience.... We are not entirely against masala but we expect some new elements.. Even if vijay does a class movie now who knows he could turn de tables...
@Unni: Its a pleasure to receive a comment from you. I have read your cricket comments. I am a fan of you, could become a secret admirer soon :P and your hidden comment on perarasu was cool. However, sometimes directors (who have just stepped in as directors) tend to fall prey for mass heros. (Like Vijay, Simbu etc). They simply listen to these heros and follow a simple formula. And I can keep on writing on this topic, but dont want to make this another blog. Well, thanks for spending time on my scribblings. Do read my first ever blog, which is about cricket. :)
@sundar: thanks da. I din know you read blogs. But I really know that you will be on my side. :) :D You know why.
@Karthic: All I have been trying to tell is that there is a little marginal difference between a commercial movie and masala movie. Ayan could fall under both, but dont tell me Pithamagan was not a commercial movie. Why would you think Bala wanted a dance number from Simran? was he having an affair with her. No, kamal sir enna adipaaru. Iyo, am getting too personal here. The exact feel is that masala movies are for people who like it. Its like me not for sci-fi movies. same way, masala movies r not for few people, so better avoid it rather than commenting on it again and again.
Yeah raghav a good writing after a very long time. i have read all your short stories and infact thought why we dont even any talents like this...ok coming to point, If a good product is being delivered with exact masala by the industry, dont u believe that even the so called 'A' class audience wont watch the movie and enjoy it. so it again depends on the directors to show their innovation and satisfy everyone. Am not so good in writings. So anyways u keep scribbling...!!! will always be there to read n njoi.
@Siva: you are missing my point here. I am not saying masala movies has to be appreciated every time. At least dont criticize each and everything just cos you dont like an actor/director. When you dont like it, dont watch it or just leave the hall. Simple and effective.
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