Youth-based films or films about Generation Y are regularly hitting the screens in Bollywood these days. It is said that these films are specially manufactured for today’s youngsters. But in my personal opinion, all these films don’t relate to the majority of India’s youth.
Movies like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, I Hate Luv Storys, Aisha, Break Ke Baad, F.A.L.T.U, Luv Ka The End and Always Kabhi Kabhi do centre around young Indians but majority of youngsters aren’t like what is shown in these films.
Characters in the above mentioned films are from elite classes or millionaire’s families who spend a bomb on their dressing and looks. They wear modern branded clothes with some girls going for minimal clothing. They mostly speak in a westernized manner with words like ‘cool’, ‘guys, ‘babes’, ‘hot’, ‘sexy’, ‘dude’ ‘f***’, etc being a regular feature in their vocabulary. They regularly hangout in discos and pubs. Needles to say – one of their biggest mottos in life is to find a girlfriend or a boyfriend.
There is no denying that such youngsters do exist in India and there is nothing wrong in making movies on them. However, I am unable to understand why every youth-based film these days focuses only on such youngsters. Although I have nothing against such movies or such characters, I am just unable to relate myself with them.
There is a large majority of the Indian youth, who is stark opposite of these. They come from the middle-class or lower middle-class who think twice or thrice before spending even Rs 100 as they are concerned about their family budget. They wait for the day when they can free their parents from the responsibility of running the house.
These people are also much Indian or traditional in terms of their language, behavior, clothing, beliefs, values etc. They believe that life is much more than having a girl or a guy to hang around with. Most importantly, they are very much concerned about the socio-political situation in India.
Why there isn’t a single youth-based film focusing on the majority of Indian youth? Even forthcoming films like Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, Virus Diwan and Student Of The Year focus on the same set of ultra-modern youngsters. But since some untouched topics are touched these days in Bollywood, maybe the day is not far away. Till then, I am waiting. Fingers crossed!
The Common Man Speaks 
Posted by Himadri Buch on June 26, 2011 at 7:24 am
Very true Keyur I agree with u
Posted by Keyur Seta on June 26, 2011 at 7:27 am
Thanks Himadri 🙂
Posted by natasha on June 26, 2011 at 5:11 pm
another good one:)
Posted by Keyur Seta on July 4, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Thanks Natasha 🙂
Posted by spideyachu on June 26, 2011 at 5:37 pm
wonderful post boss: bollywood sucks. look southwards. they’re making movies drenched in the seas of reality!
Posted by Keyur Seta on July 3, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Yes, I would like to see more films from down south.
But I don’t think Bollywood sucks. There are good films made here too. But the problem is that such films are overshadowed by those brainless masala commercial entertainers. Due to this, a number of sensibly made films go unnoticed or are never heard of. For example, films like Rann, Karthik Calling Karthik, Aakrosh, etc.
Thanks a lot for reading and commenting 🙂
Posted by sudarshan varadhan on June 26, 2011 at 5:40 pm
good post boss. maybe u should look southwards where they’re making movies about the real youth; movies that are drenched in the sea of reality. we have this tendency of getting obsessed with bollywood. indian cinema is better served by bengali, tamil and malayalam movies. bollywood makes a lot of crap. they rarely come up with good movies
Posted by Keyur Seta on July 3, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Yes, I know there are good films being made in the south. Would like to see.
But I don’t think Bollywood isn’t that bad. There are good films made here too. But the problem is that such films are overshadowed by those brainless masala commercial entertainers.
Thanks a lot for reading and commenting 🙂
Posted by Padmanabh S on June 27, 2011 at 6:59 am
Buddy, I’ll tell you where’s the ‘bottleneck’ here…
Firstly, the young brigade of film-makers today, enjoy similar kind of lifestyles in their respective lives, and therefore recreate their own caricatures on screen. However, If you remember, in Mumbai Meri Jaan, this difference of lifestyle has been brilliantly showcased by Nishikant Kamat. Ex: The Irfan Khan track. In recent times, Ashutosh Gowariker(Whats Your Rashee), Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (Rang De Basanti), Rajkumar Hirani (3 Idiots), Farhan Akhtar(esp. Lakshya) & Shimit Amin(Rocket Singh / Chak De India), have tried portraying a different view of the youth.
Point no.2 : Incidentally, I happened to speak to one of my school teachers, few months back and asked her about the current batch of students. She said they are ‘too eager & restless to come out of their cucoon’. One problem is there too much information dissemination through media sources, and very little regulation from parents side. Either because parents are too busy with their work, or perhaps they don’t want to control kids too much. Remember, I told you about the school-kids, I came across in New Delhi ?
Thirdly, one more possible reason in my opinion, might be this: Our parents belong to a generation wherein most of them had 3 or more siblings was a regular affair. The youngest sibling was either the 4th or 5th in the family, and our grandparents (i.e our parents’ parents) were tired looking after kids by that time :-), as a result, these ‘youngest ones were ‘kind of’ let loose, highly pampered and given lot of liberty. These YOUNG GUNS passed on the legacy to the next generation, i.e. the current ones, whom you have mentioned in your blog.
There needs to be a trade-off somewhere, else our nation shall head nowhere. Lets see how we can bring in the change.
Sorry for the loooooong reply, couldn’t resist myself from voicing my opinion.
Posted by Keyur Seta on July 3, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Hello,
I really like your in-depth analysis of the whole issue. The points that you have made do make sense.
Yes, there needs to be some control else our nation will be full of shameless breeds like we see in the US and other countries of the west. Let’s hope and even try that such a situation never comes.
And please don’t be sorry. It’s great to receive such comments.
Cheers,
Keyur
Posted by ankita on July 1, 2011 at 5:26 pm
very truee…..
Posted by Keyur Seta on July 2, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Thanks Ankita 🙂
Posted by The Lost Common Man on July 3, 2011 at 8:51 am
Dear Common Man,
Please watch ‘Delhi Belly’ , and post your views on the same if possible. I would love to understand your take on the film.
Posted by Keyur Seta on July 3, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Dear Lost Common Man Of India,
It is extremely difficult for me to watch such a movie. Hahahaha! Will try though. Let’s see.
Thanks for commenting,
Regards,
Keyur
Posted by The Lost Common Man on July 3, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Dear Common Man,
I believe, you’ve heard about the film from people and have chosen not to watch it. Its great to understand that you have your value system intact and decided to stay away from such films. But, please keep voicing your opinion through your blog which has quite a good reach out. We need to resurrect our system before it totally gets lost like me, the lost common man. And people like can only do it.
Posted by Keyur Seta on July 3, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Dear Lost Common Man Of India,
Yes, I have heard in detail about the movie and I was furious at whatever I heard. But your words and your faith in me have made an impact. So, I will try to watch. I don’t know whether I will see soon but I will surely keep in mind what you have said.
Regards,
Keyur
Posted by Hiten Pandey on August 8, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Focus on youth is necessary… youth has power to do all the good society wants… i think making films on youth is a good move…Y films are creating opportunities by making films on youth….
http://www.facebook.com/YFilms
Posted by Keyur Seta on August 8, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Yes, they are making films on the Youth. But do these films really reflect majority of today’s youth?