Success of contemporary films inspiring Tollywood to experiment with unexplored-subjects
The success of contemporary Bengali films in the recent times has inspired directors and actors of Tollywood industry to toy with diverse genres and unexplored subjects. What proves the success is that despite big-banner Bollywood releases and the onslaught of digital media platforms, Kolkatans were seen queuing up for films like "Uma", "Haami" and "Guptodhoner Sandhane" over the past few weeks.
Fresh content, good direction drawing audience to theatres: Prosenjit Chatterjee
Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee, who recently received acclaim for his performance in the box-office hit "Drishtikone", feels that fresh content, backed by good direction, is what drawing audience to the theatres. "We hope the trend encourages young talented directors. I would do my best to support them. The industry has to adapt with the changing tastes of audiences," he said.
Success of films boosts economy, reach among audience: Shiboprosad Mukhopadhyay
Director-actor Shiboprosad Mukhopadhyay, who's busy shooting for his next outing "Kantho", said the success of these freshly brewed films would not just boost the economy of Tollywood, but also widen its reach among audiences. "If Bengali cinema fares well...I am not only talking about my cinema here, every industry stakeholder would feel inspired to deliver better. It would help the industry grow," he said.
Films special because of cinematic experience, larger-than-life imagery: Nandita Roy
Shiboprosad's last venture "Haami", which was co-directed by Nandita Roy, did well at the box-office at home and abroad. "Undoubtedly, Netflix and Amazon Prime are delivering great content, but the theatrical experience is what sets the cinema apart," Roy, who has also produced TV shows, stated. "You can not overlook the importance of single screens and multiplexes," she claimed.
Film success furthering cause of Bengali film industry: Srijit Mukherjee
Director Srijit Mukherjee, who described his last film "Uma" as an "emotional experience", said there's a "whiff of change" blowing. "Uma" recorded 80% occupancy across 70 theatres in its third-week. "Success of films like Uma will help in furthering the cause of the Bengali film industry. It has received acclaim in film festivals abroad, thus increasing its reach among audiences abroad," Mukherjee said.
Unconventional subjects are doing good business: Paoli Dam
Actor Paoli Dam, whose 2017 film "Machher Jhol" dealt with family ties and food, said "unconventional subjects" are doing good business over the past few years. "Success of Bengali films, both made by reputed and new directors, shows that audiences favor mature content," she noted.
One or two successes yearly not enough for Tollywood: Abir
Actor Abir Chatterjee, who plays a history professor in adventure fantasy "Guptodhoner Sandhane", said Tollywood films have become popular not just among Kolkata audiences, but elsewhere too. He, however, cautioned the trend has to continue to avoid Hindi and English films eating into its business pie. "The box office collection of recent films, however, has raised our hopes to a great extent," he added.
