Exclusive: Laal Singh Chaddha didn’t fail because of boycott campaign, says Prakash Jha

This year has been disastrous for Hindi cinema as only three films, Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), The Kashmir Files (2022) and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) have been clear hits so far. Several films have flopped, some with disastrous results at the box office.

Veteran filmmaker Prakash Jha felt that the quality of the films is the reason for this. He didn’t mince his words while speaking to Cinestaan.com in an exclusive conversation. 

“The industry should consider this as a very serious concern,” the filmmaker stated. “They should understand that they are making bakwaas [crap]. A film can’t be made only through money, corporates and paying a high amount to the actors. For that one needs to write a good story that makes you understand, shakes you up and entertains.” 

The filmmaker spoke during an interaction for his upcoming film Matto Ki Saikil (2022) in which he stars as the titular character. Directed by M Gani, the movie is due to be released in theatres on 16 September. 

Touching upon the kinds of films that should be made, Jha said, “They should make stories that are rooted. People from the Hindi industry are speaking in Hindi but what are they making? They are just making remakes. If you don’t have [an original] story to tell, stop making films. They should work hard and think original. People have become lethargic.” 

There is a general belief that the boom of over-the-top (OTT) medium over the last two-and-a-half years is also a reason why people aren’t visiting the theatres these days. Jha, however, doesn’t agree with this. 

“OTT has done satyanaash [caused annihilation],” he said. “Which are the good OTT shows in Hindi? Accidentally something good gets made. We are not investing in stories and content. We are not giving time to writing. We aren’t respecting those who have the right stories. We are respecting glamorous stars who come to the shoot with 8-10 vans and 20-25 staff.” 

When asked about the boycott campaigns going on against major Hindi films and their stars, he said the boycott wasn’t a concern. “This has been happening since long,” he said. “People used to say then too. It’s just that they have social media now. I don’t think this makes a difference. You will need to be careful and negotiate so that you put across your point too and there is no negativity either. We will get to know the result of social media when you make something good and then the film doesn’t do well because of the boycott.” 

Jha cited the example of the failure of Aamir Khan’s recent film Laal Singh Chaddha (2022). “It is being said that Aamir Khan’s film was boycotted on social media,” he said. “If he had made Dangal (2016) or Lagaan (2001) and then the film hadn’t done well, then we would have understood that it happened because of the boycott. But you have made such a film that majority of those who have seen it aren’t praising it. I am yet to find someone who has said, ‘Wow, what a film it was.’” 

He added, “I agree you have worked and tried hard but when there is no such factor in your content, you can’t say it didn’t do well because of the boycott.”