Shamshera, one of the most awaited films of the year 2022 and YRF’s third production this year has been released and well, it has not opened up to the bed of roses. It is being ridiculed and said to be a total disaster. This is not something new, because an overhyped movie when met with those over expectations, just ends up in a flop or ridiculed if those expectations are not met.
Bollywood has been one giant ball that everyone is kicking at or making fun of, like a kid who underperforms in studies. The fact is, South India is giving us such good content in their PAN INDIA films that Bollywood kind of falls short of that benchmark.
Bollywood, on the other hand, is producing content that is either badly written or badly produced. The movies these days Bollywood seems to be giving us, when compared to the South Indian movies like RRR, KGF, and Pushpa that have already spoiled us are nowhere near comparison.
Specifically talking about Shamshera, the topic portrayed seems like a new one or maybe a rip-off of South Indian movies but it is different from whatever crap we’re used to from Bollywood. We can all agree on that. Looking at the previous data, fans have never enjoyed movies like this coming from Bollywood. Here are a few examples that you can agree with.
Paan Singh Tomar
Just putting aside, the recognition the film had, the National Awards, and specifically looking at the box-office collection, the movie was a semi-hit which it did not deserve according to the caliber of the actor and the plot. The movie only earned Rs 20 Cr worldwide with a budget of Rs 7 Cr. It made a profit, no doubt but numbers overall made it an average movie at the box office.
Sonchiriya
Helmed by a diverse cast of people who are masters in their art and the director who is particularly famous for his other works like Ishqiya and Udta Punjab, Sonchiriya was a disaster when it came to Box-office. Made for a budget of Rs 22 Cr, it only earned Rs 10 Cr and hence it ended up being a flop movie which it did not deserve.
Laal Kaptaan
Released when Saif Ali Khan was enjoying his high just after Tanhaji, Laal Kaptaan was made for a budget of Rs 40 Cr but only ended up earning Rs 70 Cr when it deserved more. The film also received mixed reviews but the cinematography and cast were applauded. The film failed at Box-office when it did not deserve to do so. However lengthy, it was quite of a slow burn.
From these examples, we can fairly assume that Bollywood fans do not digest Bollywood making these period drama films, let them be whatever level of interest. It has not been the case before and it is not any different now. Shamshera, on the other hand, is not a perfect movie but it’s not at all that bad how it’s coming out to be.
YRF needs to be applauded for its effort to provide something new, for a change rather than that old coochie-coo love stories and drama. We’re not saying that Shamshera is on par with the South Indian flicks we’ve gotten too much accustomed to, it’s not but Shamshera deserves a chance just like any normal being would.