The Relevance of UP Govt.'s Film City Offer in the Context of Bollywood

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has made an offer to build a film city, sparking discussions on its potential impact on India's film industry. Is this new initiative in Noida meant to counter the ongoing thali controversy in Bollywood or is it a political move designed to address longstanding issues of national integration?

Addressing the Film City Offer

The UP film city, while lauded as the biggest in India, may not significantly alter the landscape of the existing film cities and studios. Apart from Mumbai, there are numerous other prominent film production centers in the country, such as Ramoji Film City. Additionally, the shift towards more digital content production is changing the infrastructure needs of the industry. This suggests that it may not be highly impactful in revolutionizing the existing structure.

The Nexus of Bollywood

Understanding the workings of the Bollywood nexus provides valuable insights into the industry dynamics and the factors influencing the current debates. The nexus, comprising producers, directors, media, PR firms, and financiers, operates like a tightly-knit network, where decisions resonating with "the script" often transcend individual preferences and talents.

The thali controversy, mentioned by Jaya Bachchan, refers to a perceived nepotism and corruption within the Hindi film industry. This contentious issue has its roots in the close-knit nature of the industry, where certain individuals and families maintain a monopolizing influence. Other talented artists often struggle to break into this circle without adhering to the established norms.

Current Dynamics in Bollywood

During the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown, everyone is trying to score points over each other, making the current drama even more intense. However, it's important to note that once things return to normal, relations between the industry personalities are likely to normalize. The industry is inherently collaborative, and personal rivalries are often overshadowed by the need to work together.

The Role of Film Cities in the Digital Age

A new film city in UP, although promising in terms of revenue generation and providing more space, may not fully address the root of the thali problem. The rise of Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms and subscription-based services, such as Amazon Prime and Disney Hotstar, is changing the game. Actors are gaining substantial income from these platforms without being confined to the traditional film release structures. For instance, Manoj Bajpayee is earning more from a single season of a show than he did from several Bollywood films combined.

Similarly, the popularity of actors in series like Mirzapur and Panchayat has led to unprecedented earnings and visibility, highlighting the evolving landscape of the Indian film industry. The success of these new formats demonstrates that audiences are open to alternative storytelling methods that bypass the traditional thali structure altogether.

Conclusion

The UP government's initiative, while commendable, is merely an incremental step towards addressing the broader issues facing the Indian film industry. The real challenge lies in the adoption and acceleration of digital formats and the embrace of new technologies that can democratize the industry, giving more opportunities to artists and reducing the clout of the established elite.