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March of the historical hopefuls
A number of epic-scale films are being made now. Is this the Baahubali effect or just creative energy at work?
It’s no secret that Baahubali 2 has gone on to become an alltime blockbuster across India, including the Hindi market. Now, it’s interesting to note that after SS Rajamouli’s epic war drama, a number of such historical dramas are being lined up by filmmakers.
In the latest instance, Akbar Khan is making a film on the life of Genghis Khan, the 11th century Mongol emperor. Khan admits that after the recordbreaking global response to Baahubali, he felt that “this was the right time to make a historical film”. He adds, “The film will have actors from India, China and Turkey.” Shooting starts in October.
Also in the pipeline is the Mohanlal-starrer The Mahabharata, which will be released in two parts and is to be made in English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada; and Ramayana, a three-part, trilingual, liveaction film in 3D with a `500crore budget. The two great Indian mythological epics had inspired insanely popular TV serials, but feature films based on them on this scale has never been attempted before.
Then there is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati, starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, based on the 1303 siege of Rajasthan’s Chittor fort by Emperor Alauddin Khilji, a man obsessed with queen Padmini. Another famous historical figure is celebrated in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, starring Kangana Ranaut, who plays the warrior queen Rani Laxmibai.
Is it a coincidence that so many historical films are being made or announced just when the Baahubali films, especially the sequel, have made some box-office history of their own? Or is it herd mentality? “It’s a classic example of herd mentality,” believes trade analyst Komal Nahta. “Most of these films that have been announced, won’t even get made. So, it’s premature to say if any of them could even come close to Baahubali.”
Filmmakers, however, look at it as creative freedom. “After Baahubali 2, my film Gautamiputra Satakarnialso did very well. Such huge successes make audiences as well producers and studios set the bar higher. That way, as directors, we can also follow our vision minus any apprehension,” says director Krish, who is making Manikarnika.
Exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi puts things in perspective, saying, “The humungous success of Baahubali 2 can be a boon or a bane. It’s dangerous, too, because it’s not just about making an epic drama; there has to be a grand vision for a film along with the scale. And not everyone is SS Rajamouli.”