Hindi cinema comprises majority of Indian film industry. For long, north India has been the dominant backdrop for Hindi films. However, over the last few years, regional India is slowly but steadily creeping in.
“I like Bollywood films but I am saturated with the Punjabi culture. I feel every regional sensibility has to be represented… since I am a Maharashtrian, I’m bringing in mine,” said Director Sachin Kundalkar of the upcoming flick Aiyya. Guru, Kahaani, The Dirty Picture and Paan Singh Tomar are a few examples that have managed to strike a positive chord.
It is not difficult to adhere to nationwide audience and retain the regional sensibilities as Internet and technology have managed to conquer the vastness of the country. “Earlier films were either meant for north India or south India. The regional aspect was hardly touched upon. Now with more awareness owing to technology, the multiplex audience look forward to movies that depict even the remotest part of the country,” explains film critic Joginder Tuteja.
Young filmmakers, story and script writers are willing to experiment and bring in regional references. “If one wants to make a film with a specific regional backdrop, one needs to pay attention to detailing. Be it the culture, dialect or the mannerisms of the character. Honest work will pay-off,” says Sanjay Chauhan, co-writer, Paan Singh Tomar, a film based in Chambal district of Madhya Pradesh.
At times, if a story-writer or the director is closely associated with a certain city, it is an added advantage.
“I have lived in Kolkata for a few years and know the pulse of the city. The city has various layers to it. While it can be extremely warm, it can also be dangerous and violent. I just had that in mind while I was writing the story,” says Advaita Kala, story-writer, Kahaani, a suspense thriller based in Kolkata. In the movie, the city is as important as any other character. “I think it was a clever decision on the part of the director to portray the central character as an outsider. The Bengalis are immensely sensitive as a class,” adds Kala.
Kai Po Che! is an upcoming film directed by Abhishek Kapoor and is based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel, The 3 Mistakes of My Life. The film is completely set in Gujarat and is being shot in Vadnagar, Ahmedabad. “For me, geography needs to be treated just like any other character of the film. Any sincere film should understand the importance of ensuring intricacies in depicting a certain region and its culture.” says Kapoor.