OPINION: Movies like Aattam and Maharaja prove great films don’t always need big marketing

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OPINION: Movies like Aattam and Maharaja prove great films don't always need big marketing

As a dedicated cinephile with decades of film-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that the tide is turning in the world of cinema. The audience today seems to be more captivated by the substance and storytelling of a film rather than its style or star power.

Movie genres and storylines frequently evolve based on the preferences of their target audiences. What was popular or effective a decade ago may not resonate as strongly with modern viewers.

It’s quite possible that the pattern we see now will continue and loop over again in the future. Given the current tendency, it seems like the majority of your audience might prefer watching movies that are rich in content.

In Tamil, there’s Maharaja, and in Malayalam, there’s Aattam – these films are cherished regardless of their lack of promotion or star power. Could it be that the taste of the audience is evolving differently from the way it used to be in the film market?

Are audiences more interested in the substance of films than style?

Discussing contemporary Indian films that have gained popularity, many of them, even with minimal marketing, have been warmly received by the public. A striking illustration of this trend is the recent box office sensation, Maharaja, featuring Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role.

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in Tamil cinema, I can confidently say that the movie, with its exceptional screenplay, offered a captivating cinematic journey filled with both action and emotion. Remarkably, it managed to captivate audiences despite lacking a grand promotional campaign. Its powerful content spoke volumes, effectively drawing everyone’s attention.

Check out Maharaja trailer:

Just like Aattam, a Malayalam movie that resembled the style of 12 Angry Men in being a suspense drama set primarily within a single location, garnered much interest. The film’s narrative was rich with emotion and maintained high levels of suspense even though it didn’t boast any well-known actors among its cast.

Without a doubt, the key strength of these two movies lies in their exceptional screenplays and execution. Actors’ wholehearted commitment to the films, immersing themselves completely, showcased their artistic spirit and created an environment for authentic performance and genuine content to flourish.

Providing ample room for innovation, the filmmakers were empowered to explore various movie genres, effectively showcasing the leading roles of the actors. In every aspect, the genuine nature of their work resonated with viewers, earning these films widespread acclaim.

Check out the trailer for Aattam:

In this context, it can be confidently stated that people tend to favor creative cinema over generic, formulaic films. Instead of simply rehashing old storylines with different titles and actors, these films aim to grasp the essence of filmmaking and its structure.

The fact that these film genres consistently perform well in both traditional theaters and online streaming platforms suggests a favorable response to such movie types. For instance, Aattam, Maharaja, Kill, Bramayugam, among others, are all evidence of audiences appreciating content-focused films.

In eras like Maharaja and Bramayugam, cinema stars often cling to their familiar personas and churn out profit-making films using tried-and-true formulas. Yet, two exceptional individuals, such as myself, delved deep into the scripts and fully surrendered to the characters they portrayed. For instance, despite Malaikottai Vaaliban not resonating with the audience, I, Mohanlal, dove headfirst into immersing myself within the character.

It appears that shifts in actors’ preferences for scripts may reflect an evolving trend in both films and their audiences, favoring and embracing productions with substantial content.

What does it mean for future movies?

Despite the popularity of such films among viewers, many individuals continue to cherish the excitement and grandeur associated with cinema. This paradox can be understood by examining Mammootty’s ability to transform a commercial blockbuster like Turbo into a successful production.

In a more natural and easy-to-understand way: Audiences are open to watching movies from all kinds of genres, not just those starring popular actors. For instance, the movie Indian 2, featuring Kamal Haasan, drew audiences in due to the success of its predecessor and heavy promotions, demonstrating that a film’s execution is crucial for its appeal, rather than relying solely on the fame of its cast.

The movie faced criticism from viewers due to its weak portrayal, unoriginality, mischaracterization, and skepticism towards current trends in storytelling. Instead of tailoring the film to specific audiences and their tastes, the commercially produced movie missed the mark by serving up content that was already disliked.

As a content creator with years of experience under my belt, I find that having a solid foundation is crucial for success. This foundation, or “ground,” as I like to call it, allows me to identify the best ways to present my content based on its genre and to be creative in my craft. Balancing style and substance is key, as I’ve learned from my own journey. I’ve seen audiences appreciate content that effectively combines both, whether they lean more towards form or substance. It’s a delicate dance, but one that can pay off handsomely when executed well.

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2024-08-05 22:07