Renowned filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee recently shared his candid views on the state of Indian actors, describing them as often being perceived as ‘still-framed actors,’ a characterization he finds uninteresting. When asked about the prospect of collaborating with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Banerjee expressed reservations, citing potential reluctance on the star’s part to engage in a three-month workshop. The director delved into the evolving dynamics of the ‘100 crore club’ in the Indian film industry during a conversation on the podcast Unfiltered with Samdish.
Banerjee shed light on what he termed the ‘style of the star system,’ presenting a hypothetical scenario involving Shah Rukh Khan. He suggested that, even if the star were to agree to a three-month workshop, there might be doubts about the follow-through. Banerjee highlighted the awareness stars have regarding the financial aspects of their projects, expressing a sense of ennui with a system where a star’s awareness of box office numbers influences every scene they perform.
Responding to queries about whether actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh adhere to the “star system,” Banerjee affirmed, stating, “Totally.” He also expressed interest in collaborating with actor Rajkummar Rao, praising him for his talent. Importantly, Banerjee clarified that when discussing stars like Shah Rukh, he was not solely referring to their level of stardom but rather individuals with a mindset or cultural connection directly with the audience, irrespective of the film’s nature.
Banerjee delved into the impact of the emergence of the ‘100 crore club’ on independent cinema, which was gaining traction among audiences. Recalling the time around 2010 while working on “LSD” (Love Sex Aur Dhokha), he noted the first mention of the 100 crore club. Banerjee highlighted a significant shift in cinema history, observing that the trend of emphasizing a film’s box office success as a reason to watch it began around that period. He shared concerns with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, suggesting that this trend discouraged audiences from watching indie films due to their lower earnings compared to mainstream ones.
Reflecting on the past, Banerjee noted that audiences were not previously informed about a film’s financial success to encourage them to watch it. However, he observed a shift in this trend after the introduction of the marketing gimmick of the ‘100 crore club.’ When asked if this change was in response to his work, Banerjee remarked, “I think so. It’s how the market behaves; if such films come out, the star system might break.”
Banerjee drew a comparison to the 90s music scene, pointing out the thriving indie music culture. However, he highlighted that by 2004–05, Bollywood had shifted its focus back to mainstream music. Banerjee emphasized the importance of being cognizant of the industry’s system and market dynamics, particularly in an industry where star-centric elements play a significant role.
