Boney Kapoor and Naga Vamsi Discuss Trends in Indian Cinema
Producers Boney Kapoor and Naga Vamsi recently took part in a roundtable discussion where they shared their thoughts on the evolving trends in Indian cinema. The conversation turned into a lively debate about the influence of South Indian cinema on Bollywood.
Importance of Adapting While Staying True to Filmmaking Values
Both Boney Kapoor and Naga Vamsi emphasized the need for filmmakers to adapt to new challenges while staying true to the core values of filmmaking. Their discussion provided deeper insights into the current dynamics shaping Indian cinema.
Naga Vamsi’s View: South Cinema’s Impact on Bollywood
Naga Vamsi, producer of Lucky Bhaskhar, argued that South Indian films like RRR and Baahubali have significantly impacted Bollywood’s approach to mass entertainment. He credited South cinema with breathing new life into Bollywood. According to Vamsi, these films have reshaped Bollywood’s storytelling approach, especially with large-scale, high-budget productions.
Boney Kapoor Responds: Bollywood’s Global Influence
Boney Kapoor, however, disagreed with Vamsi’s perspective. He pointed out that Bollywood has a long-standing global influence. He mentioned that even Allu Arjun, the star of Pushpa 2, has publicly stated that he is a huge fan of Amitabh Bachchan, underlining Bollywood’s timeless appeal across different languages and regions.
Understanding Regional Markets in Indian Cinema
During the Galatta Plus Mega Pan-India Producers’ Round Table 2024, Boney Kapoor discussed how different genres and film styles cater to specific regional markets. He explained that certain types of films resonate more with audiences from particular areas, and understanding these markets is crucial for filmmakers to create content that connects with viewers across India.
Boney Kapoor shared examples of Bollywood’s global reach: “In countries like Russia, Raj Kapoor is still remembered. When I visited Egypt, people spoke only about Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. In Morocco, too, Amitabh Bachchan is a household name, and the King of Morocco even honored him, as well as Shah Rukh Khan later on.” He also mentioned how Telugu films have a strong presence in the US, while Tamil films are popular in Singapore and Malaysia. He noted that these markets are crucial for overseas box-office performance.
Naga Vamsi’s Counterpoint: The Gulf and Malayalam Cinema
In response, Naga Vamsi highlighted that the Gulf region has a massive market for Malayalam films, disagreeing with Boney’s view on regional cinema markets.
A Shift in Bollywood: Rediscovery of Mass Films
Vamsi further argued, “South Indians have changed the way Bollywood looks at cinema. Earlier, Bollywood was focused mainly on making films for Bandra and Juhu audiences. But now, films like RRR, Baahubali, Animal, and Jawan have altered that focus. After Mughal-E-Azam, there were no Hindi films that had the same mass appeal as Baahubali or RRR.”
Boney Kapoor’s Response: Filmmaking Trends Are Timeless
Boney Kapoor responded by saying, “When I spoke about films like Mughal-E-Azam and Baahubali, I was speaking broadly. It’s not that I’m unaware of those films; I certainly am. But I don’t believe Telugu films have ‘taught’ Indian cinema. The grand scale and mass appeal were always there.”
Vamsi interrupted, clarifying, “Not ‘taught’, sir. We’ve just rediscovered Hindi cinema through these large-scale event films.”
Bollywood’s Lasting Influence on South Cinema
Boney Kapoor disagreed again, stating, “I don’t think that’s true. Bollywood has always been a huge influence. Even Allu Arjun has stated publicly that he is a fan of Amitabh Bachchan.” To which Vamsi replied, “I’m a huge fan of Shah Rukh Khan myself.”
Boney Kapoor continued, “Allu Arjun could have said he is a fan of NTR, but what he has said is that he’s a fan of Amitabh Bachchan. That’s the point — it’s not about language, it’s about what’s good. People enjoy content based on quality, not language. Whether it’s Telugu, Tamil, or Hindi cinema, good content will always attract viewers.”
Changing Business Models and OTT Influence
Boney Kapoor went on to explain that the film business has changed in recent years, especially due to the rise of OTT platforms. He mentioned that the audience’s mindset has shifted, which has impacted how films are made and consumed. He clarified that he wasn’t dismissing Vamsi’s viewpoint but simply offering his own perspective on the matter.
Vamsi’s Final Words: South Cinema’s Growing Influence
Naga Vamsi concluded by pointing out that recent Hindi films such as Baahubali, RRR, KGF 2, Pushpa 2, and Animal (which was directed by a Telugu filmmaker) are examples of how South Indian cinema is increasingly influencing Bollywood. He emphasized that these films have brought a fresh energy to Hindi cinema, showcasing the growing prominence of South Indian cinema on the national stage.