Jaaved Jaaferi opened up about the state of independent cinema in India. The actor shared why it's important for small films to work.
Jaaved Jaaferi, born Syed Jaaved Ahmed Jaffrey, is a multitalented persona who has made his mark in the Indian cinema with his phenomenal skills. He is not only an actor but also a dancer, comedian and politician. He is the son of the famous comedian, Jagdeep.
Jaaved Jaaferi's recent film, Inn Galiyon Mein, was released across theatres in the country. The independent film has no big names tied to it. However, it has done well, if not broken the box office. Jaaved, in a recent conversation with Hindustan Times, opened up about the films and the state of independent cinema in India. He also cited the example of the ace filmmaker, Rajkumar Hirani and shared how the latter has found a way to make socially relevant content big.
During the conversation, the actor revealed that even though commercial cinema has been avoiding message-led stories, filmmaker, Rajkumar Hirani has found his footing in the same. He shared that the director has kept the 'message alive'. However, he still showed some hope in the newer generation of actors and directors to share a more rooted meaning in their films. He stated:
"He has understood that if he wants to make a socially relevant film, he needs a big star so that, at least, people will come to the theatres. There is hope when I see small films starring Rajkummar Rao or Ayushmann Khurrana that may not be big blockbusters, but they earn money. They leave a mark."
In the same conversation, Jaaved Jaaferi shared the commercial aspirations of the small films. He urged the audience to encourage independent cinema. He asked viewers to watch the films in theatres and not wait for them to be released on OTT or cabel. Jaaved added that it was important for these films to stay alive. He was quoted as saying:
"I have one thing to say to the audience. People sometimes say, 'We will watch this one at home'. The thing is, you need to encourage such films so that independent cinema stays alive. Its light doesn't go out."
Inn Galiyon Mein is set in Lucknow and stars Vivaan Shah and Avantika Dassani as two vegetable vendors in love. Jaaved Jaaferi referred to the portrayal of these lower-class groups in mainstream cinema and stated that they hardly get any representation in Bollywood anymore. He shared how the films want to make aspirational stories about fancy lives despite the polar opposite being the rock of the real India. He was quoted as saying:
"Films are not made about this strata of the society even though this is the real India. Bollywood makes aspirational stories about summer clubs and fancy universities. And that is not bad. But the stories should be everyone. Stories can't be limited just to the rich or the powerful."
What are your thoughts on Jaaved Jaaferi's revelations?
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