Defination of Alternate Cenima in sub-continent

Entertainment Showbiz Pakistan , Bollywood & World Entertainment
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Since the movie industry does not exist anymore in Pakistan. I unfortunately have to talk about Indian film industry mainly based in Mumbai, Banglore and Calcutta. Please also share your views on the Lahore based Pakistani film industry till its death in late 70s (if this genre ever existed in Pakistan). Thanks.

What is the defination of alternate cenima in sub-continent?

We know the movies used to be called Art Movies in 70s and 80s usually starring…shabana azmi, naseeruddin shah, nana patekar, kamla haasan, samitha patel etc etc. Then that era was over in early 90s, when the muflis artists of that genre dragged into the mainstream (commercial) theaters.

Now the things are quiet changed. The improved technology, commercialism, hollywood copy craze, lack of originality, very bad writers, not so hardworking musicians, repeated stories, people having easy access to hollywood movies, much more publicity and many other factors which are good and bad points of this khitchri industry.

Time is to combine both genre and make more sensable movies, with strong and original stories, good and educated directors (clowns like Subhash Ghai should leave), work on more social issues than the regular romantic crap happening since early 90s. The masala (songs and glamour) can be added but it should make sense.

I think directorys like Ram Gopal Verma and Ramashiyam are giving this industry the break that it needs badly. Movies like DilSe, Lagaan, Filhaal, Bandit Queen, Company, Darr, Road, Ye Tera Ghar Ye Mera Ghar, LoveKeLiyeKuchBhiKarega, DarnaManaHai, Bhoot, Fiza, Shool, Armaan, movie(anil kapoor was made CM for one day) etc etc are making difference from the rest of the regular soppy plots.

Your opinion please…

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youre right smooth,
the art movies of india from that era were indeed master pieces and they produced gretaest of actors such as the ones you mentioned above, and unfortunately the pakistani cinema never got far enough to pull something like that together. however the Tv scene in pakistan has totally been different since the begining and Pakistan has been very creative with tv productions. recently with the hype created by pvt. channels in Pak, the telefilm or tv movie trend is on the rise and out of the many directors, producers and actors there are some very unique people who have the potential to get something big done. the photography for instance is finally catching up, with the rotten old cameras and reels (ever notice the movie prints and sound qualities?)finally being disposed.

on the other side in india, i think the lack and fading out of the art movies of the 70s-80s is being felt by the new generation now too. i remember my mom and dad and family watching those movies when i was a little kid and had no interest in the stuff, but now i feel, like many others that we need to have more of those serious, worthsomething movies. ppl are tired of the crap with 15 songs, half nude women, frustrated men, unrealistic fights and so on. that stuff is perhaps catering only to the uneducated now.

for movies pakistani ppl have always relyed on the indian industry and they have their eyes on ppl like shekhar kapoor, the guy who made Vaastav, old great actors; naseerudin shah, shaban azmi, etc to get something extraordinary done that would make up for the lost time without their good movies. meanwhile we hope that pakistan would be able to make a mark by creating something worth mentioning at leatst on tv if not cinema.

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Re: Defination of Alternate Cenima in sub-continent

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by smooth_guy: *
We know the movies used to be called Art Movies in 70s and 80s usually starring...shabana azmi, naseeruddin shah, nana patekar, kamla haasan, samitha patel etc etc. Then that era was over in early 90s, when the muflis artists of that genre dragged into the mainstream (commercial) theaters.

[/QUOTE]

I disagree. I must say that during late 70s-80s (Also the Disco Era) we made the crappiest movies, Our movies were bad, Songs were horrible, Actors and Actresses were Ugly and couldn't act at all. Ofcourse we had some good directors who made some excellent movies but most of them were a no show at the Box Office. Some of these memorable movies are 'Arth', 'Bazaar', 'Saath Saath', 'Golmaal', 'Masoom' etc.

In the late 80s and Early 90s Bollywood was back on track with good music and good movies like Lamhe, Chandni, Darr, Ashiqui, Roja etc.. in the later part of 90s Bollywood had some young directors who were not afraid ro experiment and thus came movies like 'Rangeela', 'Satya', 'Kaun', 'Chandni Bar', 'Astitva', 'Bombay', 'Dil Se' and many other movies.

Of Course these directors are in minority and majority of the Bollywood is still producing same crappy cinema it used to produce in 80s and that's sad.

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Asif_k....read it again....we are talking about the alternate cenima not the mainstream commercial movies from 80s. Everyone hate 80s movies whether be it Indian or Pakistani. And whatever you said them is true.

Here we are talking about alternative cenima or the movies which don't fall into the commercial/masala catogary. Since 90s only formula movies are being made and there is a big lack of originality and stories. Technology has been improved, no doubt, so are the actors/actresses, we do have pretty faces now. But name the movies you would like to watch again. Only few. The thing is its time to produce movies which are not only worth watching but will remain in the viewers memories for long time. From which one can learn something. Art movies of 70s and 80s had one thing in common......original and strong storyline, a story which you can find easily in your surroundings or would know that these things do happen in our society. A story which will leave an effect on you. Which will show new faces of life to you. The actors were ugly by then but they knew how to act.

The writers have stopped reading....they are more into watching Hollywood and making charba.

So in short combining the two genre will make some really good movies like the ones we mentioned above. There are only few directors/producers who are taking risk.

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Smooth yaar - Cinema is Cinema why classify the movies as Art or Masala. A good movie needs a sound script, good acting and an intelligent director. The movies you have classfied as 'ART' movies are really excellent movies and directors/Producers of those movies had no intention of labeling them as 'ART' movies.

I have watched lot of similar movies in 90s - For example :- try watching movies like Sardari Begam , Mammo, Suraj Ka Saatwan GhoRa, Antarnaad, Hari-Bhari, Zubeida (All directed by Shyam Benegal and made in 90s) and all of them have good story, script and direction. There are many which I dont remember but if you want I can find out.

I still remember watching 'Sardari Begum' in a Theater and I was the only One there. It is a masterpiece which many of us haven't even heard about.

Anyways - I do agree with you that these director are in minority.