I have always had this desire to watch a Bhojpuri film and see what its all about.From what i hear, Bhojpuri movies are made on shoe string budgets, and extremly profitable, especially in UP and Bihar.The biggest star of the Bhojpuri film industry is Ravi Kissan, Ofcourse Rakhi Sawant is also there, but only for item songs, i dont know if she has acted as lead in any of this movies. I still do not know much about the Bhojpuri film industry, but am intrigued to find out more. From the kind of actors, to the kind of money and time that goes into the making of the masala Bhojpuri films.
The general impression is that most Bhojpuri films are showcased at shady theatres full of unemployed men, bhaiyas, rickshaw and truck drivers. So when i voiced the desire to watch a bhojpuri film, the immediate reaction of mosto f my friends and collegeous was in negative, they all had just one answer,that I was insane and I shouldn’t go to watch such a movie in a theatre. None of my male friends agreed to accompany me to watch the movie, instead they volunteered to buy me a DVD to watch it at home. But as i have always believed, that if you want to get the flavour of a particular thing, you have to experience it in its natural surroundings. Watching a Bhojpuri movie in a local theatre, would not only give me an opportunity to watch the film, but also see the target audience watching it, and observe their reactions.
The viewing
When i had almost lost hope of watching the movie, one of my journalist- friend, the same guy who had promised, to take me to a dance bar and did not do so, messaged me enquiring about the Bhojpuri movie. Here was my chance of settling my old score, not realizing what he was really getting into he agreed to join me for the movie. I had already done my R & D on the Bhojpuri movie scene. The latest flick, Ram Balwan, starring Ravi Kissan was playing at Super Cinema in Grant road. I called the theatre just to ensure its not housefull. The guy having recognised my voice from the previous day calling to enquire about show timings says "Madam chinta mat karo, bahut ticket hai, aaram se mil jayega."
In the afternoon heat i walk from Grant road station towards chor bazzar. Super Cinemas is located a couple of blocks further to Novelty. Its only 2:30pm yet, the waiting area near the theatre is slowly filling up. Although its not very crowded. When the booking counter opens i go and buy two tickets, i ask the guy for good seats. He smiles and tells me "Madam, yeah free seating hai"Already some people are starring at me, my journalist friend has just left from town, so i take shelter in the local mughali restauran next door.
By the time my friend arrives, most of the people have alreay entered the theatre. The theatre is actually quite nice. Its just not maintained properly. In its glory days it must have been quite popular. We walk in to the balcony section, the movie has almost started, its so dark inside i cant even see my friend. The seats are little uneven, and the fillings in seats is worn out or eaten by rats, i guess. There is no air-conditioning only huge fans
The movie begins, in a matter a couple of mins, the two heros, Ravi Kissan and dont know the hero`s name save two girls from getting raped, those girl fall in love with them, there is song dance, the heros try to escape from the women, the women pray to god and suddenly find them playing Kusti in those typical underwears in the kheth. The Heros again try to run away heroines entice them with dance and jhatka matka. The hooting happens only from the stalls, when the women are dancing. The Heros mothers, Aruna Irani find out of their chakkar and she goes into flashback and tells them they have to take badla for their fathers death from father`s elder brother who is shown as very a cruel thakur. In flashback mode there are more than 5 item songs, or mujra types, the biggest obviously is of Rakhi sawant. In the end like all movies the sons take revenge by killing the uncles sons, and the uncle and then they live happily ever after.
All in all, Bhojpuri movies are really time pass, watching them at a theatre like super cinema is fairly decent, people won’t really bother you
To know more about Bhojpuri films click the link below.
http://www.bhojpuri.org/film.htm
