SRK's Cool On Controversy
Pathaan: It’s a Golden time or a ghastly time for Bollywood is something we all can wonder about?
Shahrukh Khan’s upcoming film ‘Pathaan’ is already getting a lot of love and hate all at the same time. While we fans are gushing over the chemistry between Deepka Padukone and Shahrukh Khan in the controversial song ‘Besharam Rang’. The others have been irked by the picturisation, imagery and use of colours like Saffron and Green that have hurt the religious sentiments of some since the song is called ‘Besharam Rang’.
‘Ask SRK’ with Shahrukh on Twitter
Shahrukh Khan got into an online Twitter interaction with fans with the hashtag AskSRK and urged fans to watch ‘Pathan’.
Shahrukh gave his fans reasons to watch Pathaan. One user wrote” Pathaan movie dekhne kyun jaye?”
To which SRK replied ” Mazaa aayega isiliye”.
I guess maza aayega is liye…#Pathan https://t.co/u06GrsJGsw
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 17, 2022
Pathaan Controversy
Well, whether “Mazaa aayega” or not that only time will tell. Though one thing is clear the superstar is leaving no stone unturned to make sure the theatres are packed when the film releases.
The film is already trending with the Boycott Bollywood hashtag and surely it’s a sign that it has even affected the Swades actor.
At the inaugural function of Kolkata International Film Festival he was seen talking about how there are positive people still alive again in context of the controversy the film is surrounded with.
For Bollywood – Its all Business
The thing to note is at the end of the day Bollywood is strictly business. Shahrukh particularly is a good business and even runs a successful production house by the name of Red Chillies Entertainment. He even visited ‘Vaishno Devi ‘ recently some have even questioned that as an attempt to woo the Hindu audience. It might be a genuine visit but then one could look at the business aspect of things too. Yes, it does seem like a good move to find favour with the people who may have been hurt.
The online interaction with fans is definitely the way to go in the digital era. Though one can’t help but wonder if it is a desperate attempt to make sure that the box office sales boom.
Lessons to be Learnt
It hasn’t been a great year for Bollywood with big films with big actors having failed. Akshay Kumar’s Samrat Prithviraj, Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha, Ranveer Singh’s Jayeshbhai Jordaar, Ranbir Kapoor’s Shamshera and the list does not look good.
While South Cinema has been ruling hearts pan- India with films like KGF2, Charlie 777 and RRR even creating Oscar Buzz.
Bollywood needs to up it’s game for sure. Audience is looking for content -rich cinema and with the OTT platforms the choices are all in favour of the audience.
The online interaction with SRK might be a good promotional strategy though Bollywood needs to get it’s act together as a creative industry that should be a creative force to reckon with and not one that is surrounded with controversies evry second day for hurting someone’s sentiments or because of its fashion quotient or glitz and glamour alone.
There is a lot to be learnt from cinema down South as well as be more attentive to the customer and leave the arrogance behind.
Pathaan direction and production
Directed by Siddharth Anand and Produced by Aditya Chopra will be released on 25 January 2023. It stars Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone in leading roles and John Abraham as the antagonist.
