Going regional: How celebs stars are taking to cinema here in a big way
Big stars are not just restricting their connection with regional films to cameo appearances but are producing films in local languages.
Regional cinema in India comes into focus every time a Bollywood superstar forays it, if you discount the National Awards season. Big stars are not just restricting their connection with regional films to cameo appearances but are also expanding their reach by producing films in local languages. Many stars have lately tried producing films in regional languages, thereby increasing the overall budget and reach of these efforts.
Amitabh Bachchan was the first to shift focus, starting out with an appearance alongwith wife Jaya Bachchan in a Bhojpuri film Ganga Devi produced by his former make-up man Deepak Sawant. He launched the music of the film, hoping to encourage the small-yet-widely expanding Bhojpuri industry.
Big B's now-defunct production house Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL) ventured into regional films with productions such as Gulabi in Telugu, Yuvathurki in Malayalam and Ullasam in Tamil, which made news in the '90s. The actor recently produced the Gujarati film titled Saptapadii that made rounds at various prominent film festivals.
The Marathi film Vihir based on an unconventional story of two cousins was yet another offering from Big B's rechristened production house, Amitabh Bachchan Corporation, also known as AB Corp. Vihir was screened in Berlin Film Festival and Rotterdam International Film Festival 2010. Big B plans to produce more such films in various languages. "AB Corp has been actively involved in producing and promoting regional cinema. Our film Vihir in Marathi won several awards of recognition across the globe at various festivals," said Amitabh in an interview.
Akshay Kumar, who enjoys status of a mass hero, has revealed a varied taste when it comes to producing films. While he has produced Bollywood films such as OMG! Oh My God, F*ugly, Joker and the soon-to-release The Shaukeens, his production house Grazing Goat Pictures, jointly owned by the actor and Ashvini Yardi, has invested in Punjabi, Marathi and Gujarati films, too.
Akshay's journey begun with the Punjabi film Bhaji In Problem featuring cricketer Harbhajan Singh. Made on a budget of Rs 5 crore, the film earned Rs 17 crore. Grazing Goats Pictures further gained fame with a Marathi film called 72 Miles: Ek Pravas based on author Ashok Vatkar's memoir. Looking at the market potential, Akshay plans to explore Bengali and southern films as well.
Shah Rukh Khan recently shot a cameo in Rajasthan for Nagesh Kukunoor's Marathi film Dhanak, stressing on the noble cause of eye donation. Kicked with the idea of regional films, SRK might produce a Marathi film teaming up with Rohit Shetty. Salman Khan wooed his Marathi fans with his quintessential Marathi 'bhau' avatar in Riteish Deshmukh's Lai Bhaari as he appeared in cameo in a kurta teamed with a cap.
Riteish Deshmukh ventured into film production with the Marathi film Balak Palak and later appeared in an action role in Lai Bhaari. Directed by Nishikant Kamath, Lai Bhaari emerged as a landmark Marathi film. Made on a shoestring budget, it collected Rs 40 crore at the box office. After producing off-beat films such as Vicky Donor and Madras Cafe, John Abraham too has joined the bandwagon. He will produce a Marathi film and hopes to make a film in his native tongue Malayalam soon.
SHAH RUKH KHAN
Shah Rukh Khan took out time from his busy schedule to shoot a cameo for Nagesh Kukunoor's Marathi film Dhanak. Aimed at promoting the cause of eye donation, the film is reportedly inspired by an Iranian film. SRK played himself in the film and spoke only a few dialogues in Marathi but rumours are rife he might jointly produce a Marathi film with his Chennai Express director Rohit Shetty.
SALMAN KHAN
Salman floored his Maharashtrian fans when he did a cameo as a Bhau clad in kurta and Marathi cap in the Riteish Deshmukh-produced Lai Bhaari. Known to speak chaste Marathi in real life, Salman's was a comic appearance in the film, which was one of the biggest Marathi hits ever. Lai Bhaari was Salman's first outing in regional cinema but the buzz suggests he might make appearances in a few other regional films to oblige friends. Salman's bhau image in Lai Bhaari helped the film gain wide publicity.
AMITABH BACHCHAN
His now-defunct company ABCL produced films Gulabi in Telugu, Yuvathurki in Malayalam and Ullasam in Tamil in the '90s. Recently, under his new banner AB Corp, he produced the Gujarati film Saptapadii and the Marathi film Vihir. Big B wooed hardcore fans in Bihar and UP making a guest appearance with wife Jaya in the Bhojpuri film Ganga Devi. Produced by Bachchan's make-up man Deepak Sawant, the film gave an impetus to the Bhojpuri film industry. The presence of Bachchan and Gulshan Grover enabled its wide screening and it earned substantially in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
AAMIR KHAN
Aamir Khan's recent appearance at the screening of the Marathi film Saturday Sunday, directed by his old friend and theatre personality Makrand Deshpande, fuelled the rumour that he might soon be producing a regional film. Aamir along with wife Kiran Rao have supported documentaries, short films and have shown inclination at promoting regional films, too. He also met Punjabi actor Gippy Grewal andexpressed his desire to produce Punjabi films.
AJAY DEVGN
At the time of release of Son Of Sardaar, Ajay was rumoured to be keen on producing a Punjabi film. However, looking at the newfound market for Marathi films, he ventured into producing a Marathi film called Vitti Dandu (pic above) instead. The trailer of the film was launched with his recent Bollywood hit Singham Returns. Vitti Dandu is a period drama directed by Ganesh Kadam and is slated to release in the yearend.
AKSHAY KUMAR
Akshay's production venture Grazing Goat Pictures, co-owned by Ashvini Yardi, strictly aims at creating offbeat content irrespective of language. Besides producing films such as OMG! Oh My God and F*ugly in Hindi, the production house plans to make some unique films in regional languages. The Punjabi film Bhaji In Problem featuring cricketer Harbhajan Singh in a small role and the Marathi film 72 Miles: Ek Pravas based on Ashok Vatkar's memoir set a benchmark. Akshay now aims at making Bengali and south Indian films.
