New Delhi: Have you taken notice of the changing pattern of the titles of Bollywood films in recent times? Blame it on the fast food generation, but they are nothing else than a stale product in a new wrapping. In September, the spectators are going to watch well publicised films like 'Shuddh Desi Romance', 'Grand Matsi', 'Phata Poster Nikla Hero' and 'John Day'. They are also going to see 'Zanjeer', 'Horror Story', 'Warning', 'Super Model' and 'The Lunchbox'.
There is a pattern hidden in these names. They have either been derived out of some famous dialogues or they have just been the sequels. 'Zanjeer' is the remake of Prakash Mehra's pathbreaking cop story of 1973 while 'Grand Masti' is the sequel to Indra Kumar's 'Masti' (2004).
And, of course, you remember 'Hero Hiralal' (1988). Directed by Ketan Mehta, the film featured Naseeruddin Shah in one of his rare avatars. The actor was seen dancing, punching, singing around the tree in this film. He was presented as a macho man who arrives at the scene of crime by announcing 'phata poster nikla hero'. Rajkumar Santoshi, who has directed 14 films so far, initially preferred a single word name for his films. Apart from 'Andaz Apna Apna', Santoshi named his films as 'Ghayal, 'Damini', 'Ghatak', 'Lajja' and 'Pukar'. 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' was his first four letter title but the success of 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' probably prompted him for another such name.
'Masti' sequel is 'Grand Masti' for obvious reasons. The trailers suggest that it is going to be raunchier than what the viewers have seen so far.
The days of classical, lyrical titles are gone. You won't see names like 'Gumnaam', 'Mera Saaya', 'Laawaris' or 'Mr Natwarlal' anymore. These titles used to be the showcase window of the film while the new titles are much more funkier but they fail to introduce the theme of the film. For example take 'John Day' or 'Horror Story'. Can you figure out what these films are about?
We have seen confusing titles in the past which didn't reflect the actual content. The makers of 'Aurangzeb' had to spend a good ten minutes of the celluloid space in explaining the name of his film. Similarly, 'Daag - The Fire', 'Lucky No Time For Love', 'My Name Is Anthony Gonsalvez', 'Ghajini' and 'Dil Bole Hadippa' were all confusing titles. Kiska dil aise hadippa bolta hai yaar (Whose heart says hadippa like this).
Be sure that even those who have seen 'Ghajini' wouldn't be able to recall the reasons behind putting such a name at once. Interesting titles have probably become a thing of the past. This trend is here to stay as the names of such forthcoming films are 'Zindagi Jalebi', 'Mickey Virus', 'Bull Bulbul Bandook' and 'Sooper Se Ooper'. It's not that makers have completely chucked the idea of classical names but they are definitely less in number. Titles such as 'Maazii' (Past in Urdu) and 'Bullet Raja' give some hope but overall the style and trendiness are ruling the roost.
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