Hindustan Times (Patna) - Hindustan Times (Patna) - Live
NEW COMBOS FOR STARS & FILMMAKERS
Top Bollywood stars are pushing the envelope in 2018 to work with filmmakers known for a different style
As content outweighs star power in Bollywood, the tried and tested actordirector pairings are making way for new collaborations. In the past, Shah Rukh Khan repeatedly worked with filmmaker Karan Johar; Govinda and director David Dhawan were the perfect partners; and Salman Khan was the face of many Sooraj Barjatya films. However, we’re seeing a shift, as many fresh actordirector pairings are lined up in 2018. Out today, Padmaavat sees Shahid Kapoor for the first time in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. This will be followed by several other new combos.
How these films fare at the box office can’t be predicted, but there’s contentment in working with someone who knows the craft well. Glad to have worked with Akshay Kumar for the first time (in Pad Man), filmmaker R Balki says, “There’s a different comfort when you work with someone of Akshay’s stature. He understands the character and makes it his own, and brings his own individuality and uniqueness to the screen.”
Experts feel this is a great move. Bollywood trade analyst Sanjay Mehta states, “When big names come together, it creates a lot of buzz.”
Praising the new pairings, trade expert and producer Amul Vikas Mohan says, “It’s a dream scenario if an actor who’s doing well in his own zone teams up with a director who’s known for making brilliant cinema.
It’s a great new trend and the industry needs that for its longevity.”
On the hype surrounding such new combos — and the risk of letdown that comes with it — film critic Omar Qureshi says that marquee names need to live up to audience expectations, no matter who’s directing them.
He says, “Our stars are loved, pampered, paid astronomical sums because they’re expected to draw in the crowds... more so when they do big movies.”