Under the relentless onslaught of a digital revolution, Bollywood is gradually changing into a more open space where the best can seek and gain success
Mumbai may be the commercial capital of India, but it draws its glamour from Bollywood. The over a century old Hindi film industry has been the magnet that draws shards of talent from across the country. Stories abound of people who travelled to this land of dreams, way back since the forties and fifties, and made it big.
Though this trend has continued till date, but the scenario has completely changed. The newbies now have to face tough competition, as the industry now has its own set of established actors, filmmakers, music directors who tend to perpetuate their legacy through their offspring.
The tragic death of Sushant Singh Rajput last month, has become a metaphor for dirty doings of Bollywood. It brought the focus on the shenanigans of the so called first families, the self-proclaimed ‘Movie Moghul’ and the different camps that function here. Much is now being said about the manner in which these ‘biggies’ stonewall and destroy young aspiring actors, musicians and even filmmakers struggling to be a part of the industry.
Mecca of creativity
Aspersions aside, the other truth is that it is almost impossible to talk out an aspiring actor, filmmaker or musician from trying his luck in this Mecca of creative art forms. Bollywood has the best of talent that the country has to offer. Those who make it here are the ones who have totally committed themselves to their craft, and are willing to wait a lifetime to see success. But the process of making it big is so tough that many get defeated by the rules the industry has set for itself.
“It could be a lifetime or if luck is on your side you may be a hit in just four or five years,” according to Daksh Chadda, a 22 year old filmmaker, who has studied cinematography at the Film and Television Institute, Paris. Daksh, and many others like him arrive in the industry armed with their own repertoire of short films. International Film Festivals are the forums where they highlight their work. ‘Nistran’, a feature film made by Daksh has fetched him accolades at many such events.
Making a film is the easiest part. The finance is also available as there are many who are willing to invest and reap returns. The struggle begins when they try to release it. “Releasing it in theatres needs only money, but there is no guarantee of audience. The challenge is to get a launch on the OTT platform. For that big names in the cast are required. To hire them one has to go through the agents who handle these actors. For a newcomer that’s extremely difficult if not impossible,” says Daksh.
Spirit of perseverance
The way forward then is to try and assist a famous film director. Though here too its mostly star kids and progeny of established directors who get the first chance, yet now, a more structured industry does have some open doors for 'outsiders'. The production houses are professionally run. Often a request for internship or an e-mail directly to the filmmaker gets a positive response. “The biggest pressure on an aspirant comes from the family back home. We all have fought a battle with our parents just to come to Mumbai and work in tinsel town,” says Lakhan Rathore a 25 year old cinematographer from Indore. “To get a collaboration with an established name requires that there be a spirit of perseverance to make it. There can be no plan B, as the industry seeks total commitment,” Lakhan feels.
Behind the camera jobs are still easy to come by. But for actors who come here to face the camera it’s a long wait with mind bending struggle and disappointments that often break the spirit to fight. Wading through an unwelcoming environment, a struggling actor has to put up with open hostility. The industry is not very willing to admit unknown faces from outside.
“It is all about being at the right place at right time,” says young actor Nanaki Asthana. She is not exactly an outsider as her late father Ragesh too worked in the film and television industry. “But that doesn’t count. I still have to struggle for an audition. It is not easy for me to approach people. Nobody in the industry has come forward to help me,” she says. Inspite of a large pool of available actors the search for the right face is perpetual. Most who arrive here hope to get discovered. “Our talent will speak only when we will face the camera. The entire effort is to be able to stand before it and show what we have. And that doesn’t happen easily,” Nanki says. The hope for that break is what keeps these young aspirants going.
Demand for content
What also sustains the strugglers in Mumbai are the opportunities which the ever-evolving entertainment industry keeps throwing up. The OTT platforms have created a huge demand for content and its makers. The big production houses of Bollywood are rushing in here too. “But the requirement is so huge and urgent that international crew are being called to direct films and web series,” says Lakhan who was the 2nd unit director of photography and 'B Cam operator' for the web series ‘Delhi Crime’.
There are also many unexplored streams like digital imaging technicians, colorists, data management technicians, which needs young professionals. There is also a dearth of expertise for underwater photography or aerial photography.
The rise in numbers of film and television institutes in the country speaks of this growing demand for trained people. The freshly minted young professionals from these academies arrive early and have a long career ahead. Then there are a number of competitions, film appreciation workshops and film festivals which engage the newbies and offer them platforms to showcase their talent.
Hunger for success
“Digital has changed the dynamics of the industry. Now even actors shoot their own reel and circulate them around to get noticed,” says Nanki who occupies herself with studying cinema as she waits for work to happen. “With digital being easy, affordable and accessible, the idea is to keep doing some work and putting it out. These baby steps help in keeping engaged and positive,” Lakhan advises. Many take the first step of their film career by launching themselves on the YouTube channel.
The Bollywood picture is not as dark and bleak as one would like to believe. Luckily now the silver screen is not the only work that keeps actors and filmmakers busy. The industry spans an entire eco system of live shows, fashion shows, celebrity presence at events, which are all paying jobs. “Even if your work is small but has been noticed, it can keep you going for a certain period. The only thing that has to be kept alive is the power of perseverance and the hunger for success,” sums up Daksh.
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