In the world of cinematic arts, the age-old belief that the presence of a high-profile superstar can catapult a film to box office stardom is being increasingly scrutinized. Boney Kapoor, the seasoned producer behind the anticipated Ajay Devgn-starrer Maidaan, has joined the discourse, asserting that while big-name actors enhance the marketability of movies, they do not single-handedly ensure their financial success. As Maidaan gears up for its release, Kapoor has shared insights into the complex components that contribute to a film’s triumph or failure at the box office.
“No superstar ensures a box-office success,” states Kapoor. The superstars, according to the experienced producer, bring an element of saleability which stretches beyond just the ticket counters, giving movies a broader appeal and potential business traction. However, Kapoor is quick to emphasize that the film’s content is the ultimate key to its success.
Kapoor doesn’t shy away from praising the protagonist of his upcoming movie, Devgn, comparing the actor’s potential career longevity to that of the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. Kapoor is confident that Devgn, with his caliber of acting and versatility in embracing a gamut of characters, will remain a luminous constellation in the Bollywood skyline for decades to come, much like other stalwarts Anil Kapoor and the formidable Khan trio—Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir.
In a reaffirmation of the growing trend of actors turning producers, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is set to broaden her horizons with another production venture. After tackling hard-hitting topics in previous productions, Chopra Jonas now focuses on a new feature documentary, Born Hungry, directed by Barry Avrich. The film unfolds the emotional odyssey of a young Indian boy destined for culinary stardom after being abandoned by his family. Chopra Jonas admits to being deeply moved by the resilience of the central character and describes her eagerness to materialize his remarkable saga onto the screen.
Similarly, the industry witnesses a constant evolution of roles that challenge established actors. Akshay Oberoi, familiar to audiences for his role in Fighter, is slated to showcase his versatility in the upcoming spy thriller, Two Zero One Four, alongside Jackie Shroff. Proudly sharing his excitement for playing a terrorist, Oberoi perceives this significant deviation from his previous performances as an invigorating challenge. Likewise, the acclaimed actor Rahul Bose, cast in the spy thriller Berlin, underscores the importance of selective discretion, attributing his distinctive film career to the careful curation of roles aligned with his convictions and artistic ethos.
The conversation about cinema’s societal impact is further enriched by Manoj Bajpayee’s reflection on the medium’s role as a societal mirror and a potential catalyst for movements. The seasoned actor highlights cinema’s limitation in being a singular agent of change, recalling how Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal of the ‘angry young man’ became emblematic of a generation grappling with unemployment, allowing for a collective catharsis through film.
Even beyond the realms of storytelling, cinema intertwines with the realities of everyday life, as exemplified by Juhi Chawla’s personal accounts of watching IPL matches. While Chawla and Shah Rukh Khan may present an unmatched on-screen duo, the co-owners of the Kolkata Knight Riders share an understanding to keep a distance during the nerve-wracking cricket matches, each grappling with the intense emotions that the sport elicits.
The power of cinema in commemorating historical figures is captured through Vicky Kaushal’s portrayal of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in the biopic Sam Bahadur. Kaushal’s transformative performance has been praised for making the story of the legendary military strategist more accessible, thereby contributing to the educational fabric of society. On Manekshaw’s 110th birth anniversary, Kaushal took to social media to pay tribute to the iconic leader’s legacy.
Through the perspectives of industry icons like Boney Kapoor, the cinematic landscape is understood as an intricate mosaic of talent, content, and societal engagement. Stars may provide a glimmer of potential, but as Kapoor carefully notes, they are not the sole custodians of a film’s fate; rather, it is the combined efforts of an artistic collective, an appreciative public, and the ineffable magic of storytelling that hold the real keys to a movie’s success.
