Shubh Laabh actor Rahul Singh: The craze for theatre and stars will never diminish… if a good story features stars, then it’s a sure shot hit formula

We all have grown up watching Bollywood. For years it has been a source of entertainment, there is nothing like the larger-than-life experience. Post lockdown, the viewing habit has changed and people have got hooked to OTT, where the content also is more relatable. Shubh Laabh actor Rahul Singh’s take on this issue is different. He also opines on whether Bollywood needs to buck up to match up with OTT.

“The craze for theatre and stars will never diminish. Those who are lovers of the big screen will have fun only there. It is true that after the lockdown, OTT was a big source of entertainment and people got into a habit of watching content online. I also agree that it did change the viewing habit in general. Now people have started liking both the realistic content and cinema. So right now the interest of making and watching biopics has awakened and Bollywood is also in the race,” he says.

Many are of the opinion Bollywood is going through a rough phase as footfall in theatres have gone down due to the popularity of OTT. The attitude is that it’s okay now to miss a film in theatres because very soon it will be available on a streaming platform. However, Rahul thinks otherwise

“I believe that people don’t want to go to the theatre because of the content. If the movie is good they will definitely flock to theatres because even today, people like to watch good movies on the big screen. Social media has become so strong that the review comes from the first show itself about how a certain film is like. If the content is good enough it will definitely draw people back to cinema halls,” he adds.

Industry pandits are blaming the content and lack of star value in films is affecting Bollywood’s popularity. There are others who have opined that social media has decreased the star value. “As I said, the value of the star is and will always remain the same. Even today, no matter how Salman Khan’s film fairs, people go to the theatre to watch it at least once,” he says.

On what he thinks should be done to revive footfall in theatres, Rahul shares, “There is a lack of good content in Bollywood that the audience want to watch, so the industry should focus on that, and success will follow. Audiences like good stories and also want to watch their favourite actor on screen. So if it’s a good story that stars their favourite actor, then it’s a sure shot hit formula. I watched Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 in the theatre. Watching this film only means that we directly compare it with Akshay Kumar, but Kartik Aaryan has done a fabulous job and therefore the film is so successful.  All the rest were old-fashioned and after a long time, Anees Bazmi showed his magic. I’m a big fan of his work. Now, I am waiting for Laal Singh Chaddha.”

Apart from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Rahul has watched films like Gangubai and Kashmir Files in theatres. He liked all these films. They were different from each other and were a combination of good concepts and brilliant performances.

In the last six months only Bhool Bhulaiyaan 2, Kashmir Files, and Gangubai have been certified hits. Many films, even with big stars, failed to make a mark including Prithviraj Chauhan, Jayeshbhai Jordaar, Heropanti, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, Jersey, Runway 34 etc.

“In today’s time content is the star. Any film with good content doesn’t need publicity. It might have a slow start, but eventually it will pick up the pace and be successful,” he ends.