Recently, Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap and Actress Taapsee Pannu were reportedly seen urging the media and people to boycott their newly released film ‘Dobaaraa’ as it allegedly tanked at the box office. This act was due to both the celebrities making disdainful comments about the theatrical audience prior to the release of the movie, as it did not go well with them. While the promotions for Vijay Deverakonda's film ‘Liger’ is on full swing, the netizens once again screamed boycott of the film for various reasons, firstly it's been flagged by Director Karan Johar, who is recently facing the brunt of people for being the prime ambassador for nepotism and the other reason being the ‘Liger’ actor supporting his fellow actor Aamir Khan on the massive failure of his film Laal Singh Chaddha.
But Why is this sudden culture taking over the Bollywood industry and the Internet by storm? Is it detrimental to the creativity of the entertainment or the movie business?
Usually this all starts for some frivolous reasons like “sentiments being hurt”, or the actor being a kid of a star etc. From famous movie boycotts of Udta Punjab to Padmaavat, it is important to assert that Bollywood has become a “soft target" in terms of entertainment. Bollywood is being used as medium for spreading false propaganda.
Putting ourselves into the shoes of the audience, it is very necessary to understand the reasons for the biggie films to flop. Remake being one of the top reason. As people already have an idea or know the movie, Remaking it again will be a wasted effort. Rise of OTT is something that we had no idea that it will happen anytime now, but thanks to the pandemic as it helps us to save few bucks. People prefer eating popcorn in their favorite couch rather than spending so much to watch the movie that is ready to be released within a few months in OTT platform. Stars and their affiliation with politics do play a role in boycott culture when they express certain thoughts that are opposed to their own. The audience need more raw performances as they connect with them but the present-day Bollywood fails to offer them one.
Thus Films are considered a success when they connect with each and everyone watching it. People should always remember a movie for how it made them feel and how much they can relate with he character. Mere taking a film of flying bikes and alluring dance will not stand a chance and will definitely fall under the radar for Boycott.
