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One more day. One more trending story about nepotism. Yes, nepotism gives star kids an unfair advantage and there should certainly be a more even-playing field.
But perhaps what we aren& #39;t talking about is why (and how) we are obsessed with Bollywood stars to begin with.
#Thread
But perhaps what we aren& #39;t talking about is why (and how) we are obsessed with Bollywood stars to begin with.
#Thread
Bollywood is not Indian cinema, in fact, & #39;Bollywood& #39; isn& #39;t even all Hindi cinema. It is a glamorous & shiny ecosystem that, let& #39;s be honest, we, as Indians, can never get enough of. We& #39;ve always been more interested in celebrities & the idea of & #39;stars& #39; than in movies themselves.
Less than 5% Indians watch Bollywood films in theaters (true story) ,but it would seem more than 50% of us want & #39;Bollywood gossip& #39;, if we can have it.
The truth is: your parents know more about what& #39;s happening in Taimur& #39;s life than in yours. ONLY because he& #39;s a & #39;star kid& #39;.
The truth is: your parents know more about what& #39;s happening in Taimur& #39;s life than in yours. ONLY because he& #39;s a & #39;star kid& #39;.
This is what film studios capitalize on: the unending, publicity machinery that creates and feeds the monster that is Bollywood gossip, India& #39;s national pastime.
And this machinery depends not on & #39;actors& #39; but on & #39;stars& #39;. Because no one gossips about Pankaj Tripathi (thankfully).
And this machinery depends not on & #39;actors& #39; but on & #39;stars& #39;. Because no one gossips about Pankaj Tripathi (thankfully).
There are several great actors in India but they collectively don& #39;t occupy 1/100th the space in newspapers, magazines, or entertainment websites that a & #39;star& #39; does.
In fact, there& #39;s a separate category created for them - & #39;character actors& #39; - to clearly segregate them from stars.
In fact, there& #39;s a separate category created for them - & #39;character actors& #39; - to clearly segregate them from stars.
Our obsession with & #39;stars& #39; (who live in a & #39;galaxy& #39; removed from our own), becomes a big factor in who gets cast in multi-crore & #39;projects& #39; by studios/producers.
The question is: who& #39;d people pay to watch? Good actor they don& #39;t talk about or & #39;star& #39; they can& #39;t stop gossiping about?
The question is: who& #39;d people pay to watch? Good actor they don& #39;t talk about or & #39;star& #39; they can& #39;t stop gossiping about?
In Hollywood, studios create stars: they cast actors in & #39;summer films& #39;, because people show up for the promise of the blockbuster.
But in India, people show up for the & #39;star& #39;, who makes any film a blockbuster. Without stars, our best films - like Masaan - just about break even.
But in India, people show up for the & #39;star& #39;, who makes any film a blockbuster. Without stars, our best films - like Masaan - just about break even.
This is also the reason most aspiring actors in India are actually aspiring & #39;stars& #39;.
For many (not all) of the best talent on TV, web, or indies, the final destination is that big budget Bollywood film.. not because it& #39;s the best film, but because it will turn them into & #39;stars& #39;.
For many (not all) of the best talent on TV, web, or indies, the final destination is that big budget Bollywood film.. not because it& #39;s the best film, but because it will turn them into & #39;stars& #39;.
But they never get those films: because Bollywood is a business. So if you are putting & #39;x& #39; crores of your own (or your studio& #39;s) money, would you rather cast a great actor who fits the script, or would you rather cast a star kid, who already has tonnes of inherited PR and gossip?
This vicious circle of & #39;nepotism& #39; can and will be broken if we:
Stop obsessing about ‘stars’ & gossip.
Stop watching movies of star kids with less talent (*many* have failed this way).
Amplify the interviews and stories of actors you admire.
SHOW UP FOR THE MOVIES OF GOOD ACTORS!
Stop obsessing about ‘stars’ & gossip.
Stop watching movies of star kids with less talent (*many* have failed this way).
Amplify the interviews and stories of actors you admire.
SHOW UP FOR THE MOVIES OF GOOD ACTORS!
