Heroine-oriented films changing the dynamics in Bollywood

Getting a dhamakedar opening at the BO has for long been considered to be the domain of our A-league Bolly heroes, as their star power guarantees that their films will draw in the maximum number of footfalls on its release.

But with the recent heroine-centric films like No One Killed Jessica and The Dirty Picture setting the cash registers ringing equally high, seems like the actresses may finally be getting their due. Though trade analysts and industrywallahs feel it’s too early to say if all heroine-oriented films will ensure as big an opening as these films recently had, they insist that the recent success of these two films is a clear indication of the changing dynamics and say that the scope is far more than it was till a few years back.

According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, The Dirty Picture and No One… both have certainly been game changers this year. “The myth of only heroes taking an opening has been shattered for sure. Even if it’s too early to label all heroine-oriented films as bankable as the male counterparts, there’s no denying that the actresses will soon be staking their share of the pie,” he says. “Take a look at the year ahead: Kahaani, Heroine… they are all creating a buzz and will definitely get an opening too. In fact, it will impact remunerations of actresses too,” adds Taran.

Trade analyst Bharti Pradhan says she would not call it a trend, ‘rather the films’ success has heralded a change in the industry’. Talking about what worked in the favour of these films, Bharti explains, “Both these films were marketed with as much gusto as a hero-centric film is usually done. To top it all, the subject though women-centric wasn’t treated like some issue-based art cinema, which people have always associated heroine centric films with. The films were sold as regular entertainers just like any hero-film is. They were unapologetic in marketing and promoting them as pure commercial entertainers and that’s made all the difference.”

About women-oriented films not doing so well in the past, Bharti adds, “Making women-centric films is not a taboo at the BO, making boring films is.”

Filmmaker Milan Luthria agrees and points out that the audience has always been open to interesting stories. “It doesn’t matter if it’s about heroes or heroines. All they want to see is entertaining fare, but yes, the film’s marketing makes a huge impact,” says the director who pulled all plugs to ensure that his film gets marketed as any other hero-oriented flick.

But trade is quick to point out that besides, a good story, smart marketing, it also needs the right actors to carry across the film. “No film can ever come with a guarantee. But yes, a good combination does minimise risk,” says filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, whose Priyanka Chopra starrer Fashion had got a good opening too. “It’s definitely a good phase for the actresses as more filmmakers are now making films around them and they are getting better scope to perform as well,” he adds.