Teen power rocks the BO

[1]

When Rohan’s father, Bhairav, shrugs and asks his son in a coarse tone, “tumse pucha koi” many youngsters can see themselves in Rohan’s helplessness to be unable to pursue his dream to become a writer thanks to his father’s reluctance.

Rohan from Udaan is not the only teenager who managed to touch the hearts of Indian audiences. Many on-screen teenage characters are also getting their due attention thanks to film scripts revolving around them.
“Films like Ek Tha Tiger earn crores and get high ratings but youngsters cannot relate to Salman Khan the way they can to Rohan from Udaan or young Lucky when he tries to impress his girlfriend in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!. Since filmmakers are trying to tap young audiences there are many films coming in keeping teenagers and their problems in mind,” says scriptwriter and lyricists Junaid Wasi, who is presently writing a script where a teenage character plays an important role.
Be it Manjot Singh from Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Rajat Barmecha from Udaan, Shraddha Kapoor from Luv Ka The End and Ali Fazal from Always Kabhi Kabhi roles highlighting teenagers is the latest Bollywood hit formula.
“There is a realisation that big-budget masala entertainers focused on major male stars are not the only formula for success. It is the unpredictability of today’s movie-goers that is prompting Bollywood to try its luck with scripts demanding less-known or even unknown actors,” says Anna M.M. Vetticad, author of the upcoming book The Adventures of an Intrepid Film Critic.
Not just the audience, the wave of upcoming young actors like Vivaan Shaan from 7 Khoon Maaf and Alok Rajwade who will be seen in Dekh Tamasha Dekh and many more are being appreciated by their co-stars as well. “There are many young actors who are keen to learn and work hard. Scripts focusing on teenagers are giving many newcomers ideal platforms and they are increasingly finding critical appreciation as well,” says Ronit Roy who played the strict father’s role in Udaan.
Meanwhile Manjot Singh says he enjoys the attention and appreciation he has been getting for his films. “Though I have yet to go very far I am getting bundles of appreciations and wonderful responses from everyone I meet. I feel so honoured when people appreciate me,” says Manjot, who was just 18-years-old when he made his debut in Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! He was recently seen in Akshay Roy’s short film, The Finish Line, which won a National Award, and will be soon seen in Disco Valley with Rajat Barmecha.