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LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO BANK!
Comedy films rule the roost in 2017; Experts, filmmakers explain why they clicked
Remember Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Padosan (1968), Chupke Chupke (1975), Gol Maal (1979), Angoor (1982), Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) and Judwaa 2? They have all been box office hits, but there’s another commonality, all of them are high on the laughter quotient. Since time immemorial, comedy movies have worked wonders at the ticket windows and 2017 has been no different.
THE BIG LINEUP
This year, if Golmaal Again and Judwaa 2 have been among the biggest moneyspinners of the year, they have closely been followed by Mubarakan and Fukrey Returns (still in theatres). Also, films such as Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Jolly LLB 2, Hindi Medium, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Qarib Qarib Singlle, which did well, were high on humour.
Explaining why comedies work, Judwaa 2 director David Dhawan, says, “Today, when there’s so much stress, if you can make someone laugh, there’s nothing like it. Also, with the songs, dance routines and laughter, comedy films are a great entertainment package. But these films have to be made really well or they can fall flat on their face (at the box office).”
UNIVERSAL EMOTION
According to experts, Indian audiences “love their share of escapist cinema”. “And what can give you a better escape than comic films,” says exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi. For trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the “logic is simple”. He adds: “If you make audiences laugh, they — in turn — will make the makers, distributors and exhibitors laugh all the way to the bank.”
What’s interesting to note is that in the last few years, sequels of hit franchises that have been made are mostly comedies. Case in point: Hera Pheri (2000), Munna Bhai MBBS (2003), Masti (2004), Golmaal (2006), Dhamaal (2007), Welcome (2007), Housefull (2010), and Judwaa (1997), among others.
NEEDS MORE RESPECT
Golmaal series filmmaker Rohit Shetty, however, feels comedy films still don’t get the respect that they “richly deserve”. He says: “Comedy films are often looked down upon. But you come to know how much the film has been loved from the audiences’ reaction and box office collections.” Actor Akshay Kumar, who has been a part of several comedies, concurs: “Laughter is the essence of life, and that’s why comedians should be heroes and not extras [in a film].”