There’s no denying that we have been slow learners when it comes to adapting techniques in Indian films. But, going by the spate of movies back to back, it seems the Indian film industry has started giving technology the due it deserves in the present cinematic scenario.
No, we aren’t talking about using technology in making of a film, but using technology as the very epicentre, around which the story itself revolves. No matter what amount of emotions and other normal ingredients the films have, but very core of the movie would be the technology itself.
A lot of credit must be given to Robot, Rajnikant’s magnum opus that, in more ways than one, could be termed the harbinger of actual change in the way technology can be not only used but given a pivotal role in the movie, as well. What Robot did can be seen in multiple ways. Even though the movie starred the superstar, and there’s no denying the fact that it was the only major draw for the audience, what can’t also be denied is that the very audience that idolises Rajnikant also was enamoured by the technology that was equally in the epicentre, sharing the limelight with the superstar himself.
Close on the heels of the success of Robot came Ra-One. Shah Rukh Khan’s grand movie whipped around the story of a video game with more than just a slight tweak must be termed a brave attempt, irrespective of the public response, which, of course, is a subject of a different debate. What the movie did, like Robot, was twirl everything around the technology, something which had not been done in Hindi films before. West, though, comes with a history of over three decades.
Looking at the West
The west had, of course, had long association with this usage of technology and robotics. While George Lucas could in a way be credited thanks to his Star Wars series, the eighties and nineties saw Spielberg, Cameron and other big filmmakers use technology to the hilt. Not only these great masters used technology in enhancing the way their films looked, but some of their products showcased to the world how mechanisation and technology was becoming part of a common man’s life. The era saw a spate of films like the Terminator series, Predator, Species and a whole lot which found a crescendo of sorts in Cameron’s magnum opus, Avatar.
There were two major winners for films like these. Even though, most of these films were far removed from the films made so far, these sci-fi and other such movies made more than just simple impact. A simple study of some of the biggest hits of the eighties and nineties would show some such films topping the lists. What these films also did was two-fold. One they were accepted by the cross-section of the people. Two, some of them were not the distant sci-fi movies, set among unknown species and with unpronounceable names, but were set in present day, among the humans, just tweaking the technology that gave them both the cinematic liberty yet making sure the idea didn’t seem far-fetched.
Think Contemporary
Much on the lines of what Ra-One did, Hollywood had touched upon similar subjects in films like Tron, War Games and Cloak and Dagger, as far back as early eighties. What these films also showcased was their poaching a contemporary subject. In a way, Ra-One hit bull’s eye when it chose a subject that must have mass acceptance and understanding, what with millions of youngsters hooked on to games of all sorts. Contemporary subjects and set-ups would definitely be easily accepted by the audience and filmmakers venturing into this zone must keep this in mind.
Beyond the Stars
There’s perhaps another aspect the filmmakers must remember is to make films that revolves around technology sans big stars. Take for example the film ‘Robot’. There’s no denying the usage of technology and creation of a robot, but the fact that it was being enacted by the superstar and the reactions were only for him makes it difficult as to how far did the technology usage actually impacted the audience.
With lots of new and experimental films being made in the recent years, it’s time the producers started looking at making more experimental films that would have technology as its core. This could perhaps go down well with the new generation of film-goers who are mature enough to take new subjects, but find the idea of mixing it with the stars serenading around and being mushy the old fashioned way.
Given the diet of Hollywood films they have grown up on, this young film audience invariably compare movies with the one they see that come from the west. And, when the Indian movie touches upon similar subjects, the audience expects a same level of maturity in not just usage of technology but in the other aspects of the movie.
Bangalored, Not Yet
Given the fact that India had been at the forefront in software development for over a decade now, it is surprising that its effects were not felt in other parts of society like the films. Add to it the fact that some of India’s studios had been, and still continue to be involved in creating some of the biggest technological on-screen films, it comes as a rude shock as to how far Indian films are from these very technologies, some of which have crossed over from our shores.
But, with the release of these two movies this year, the Indian film surely looks ahead at something that it should have long ago. And, irrespective of even the adverse reactions that these films must have drawn, especially when some section snubbing at what they term as obsolete technology, the fact remains is that both these films would eventually turn out to be watershed in more ways than one. And, every movie lover in the country must be hoping that soon many more join this wonderful bandwagon. It would only get better, won’t it!
