Bollywood’s going crazy with quirky titles

What’s in a name, you may ask. Well, a lot, especially if it’s Bollywood titles you are talking about. Attention-grabbing and amusing names have always been a part of the Hindi film industry — for example, Halaku and Shin Shinaki Boobla Boo were released in the 50s, over half-a-century ago. And it’s a practice that continues to date.
ALSO READ: How the film 'Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi' got its name
Take a look at some of the latest titles —Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi, Yeh Hai Bakrapur, Mastram, Banana, Mango, Singh Is Bling, Shortcut Romeo, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Fukrey, Fugly, Hasmukh Pigal Gaya, Disco Valley, Heropanti — and you’ll know what we are talking about.A couple of seasons ago you had gems like Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, Shahrukh Bola “Khoobsurat Hai Tu”, F.A.L.T.U, EMI: Liya Hai To Chukana Padega.
Says Ekta Kapoor, co-producer of Kuku Mathur…, “A film’s title should not only be true to its story, but also have a huge intrigue factor to make it exciting and inviting for the audience.”
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A title should not be quirky just for the sake of it, believes Rajkumar Santoshi. The filmmaker, who has ‘traditional’ titles like Ghayal, Ghatak and Damini to his credit, named his last two releases Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Phata Poster Nikhla Hero. Says he, “I have always gone by the subject. For instance, Ajab Prem… tells a strange love story, while Phata Poster… is about a boy who wanted to be an actor, a real hero. The title should not be flat. It should create curiosity and indicate the storyline. It should come naturally, not for the sake of being funny.”
However, some filmmakers have always had an affinity for funny titles. For example, the Mirza brothers — Aziz and Saeed — often opted for names like like Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai, Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman.
Even legendary filmmaker V Shantaram was known for unconventional titles like Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje and Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli. And who can forget comic genius and singer Kishore Kumar’s Jhumroo, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi and Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi?
While not all films with wacky titles have been hits, one can’t deny their ability to tickle the audience’s interest. Keeping that in mind, looks like the race for the craziest title is nowhere near the finishing line.
At a glance Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai (1980) Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein (1986) Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989) Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii (2007) Manorama Six Feet Under (2007) EMI: Liya Hai To Chukana Padega (2008) Shahrukh Bola “Khoobsurat Hai Tu” (2010) F.A.L.T.U (2011) Phata Poster Nikhla Hero (2013) Banana (Upcoming) Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi (Upcoming) Mango (Upcoming)
ALSO WATCH: Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi Trailer