Bollywood goes back to the past

Grandeur and opulence best describes the genre of period films. From the past couple of years, there has been a sudden rise in the number of film-makers who have wanted to experiment with this genre.

This year, there has been an influx of period films which include Salman Khan starrer Veer, Milan Luthria’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, Vipul Shah’s Action Replayy and Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se, out of which only Milan Luthria managed to make a mark on screen.

And now even a realistic filmmaker like Madhur Bhandarkar is talking of doing period films. So what is that draws filmmakers to period films?
Explains film-maker Vipul Shah,  “The cost and energy involved in making a period drama is definitely twice as compared to making a film in any other genre. Action Replayy was made on a big budget and not just the money but there are a lot of other logistics that need to be kept in mind before making a period film. But I would say all those efforts are worth the output because what you see on screen in the end is simply beautiful.”

Oscar-nominated film-maker Ashutosh Gowariker on being asked about his love for period films had earlier said that he didn’t try and purposely make a period film.

“Even though I have made three period films, I don’t feel the urge to make something modern or contemporary. I don’t purposely make a period film. But these are subjects that I naturally get attracted to. And to express that I have taken the help of history.”

Milan Luthria’s Once Upon A Time was well received at the box office and he attributes it to his love for the ’70s era. “The ’70s was the golden period of Hindi cinema and to be able to portray that on screen was a huge challenge. Though it is a huge task to put up a film not belonging to the current era, the sheer richness and splendor it brings to the screen is unmatchable. I have always wanted to make a period film and if I get another script then I will make another film.”

However film-maker Madhur Bhandarkar has given up on his hopes to make a period drama. The actor was in talks with Kareena Kapoor for a film titled Heroine but now the chances seem bleak.

“I lose interest very quickly and when this didn’t work out, I realised I had to make something else. I was very interested in making a film in that genre but now that doesn’t look like it is happening.”