Filmmaking has been all about trendsetting and following trends. Sounds nice. But, when the same thing is said in Hindi, it is called Bhed Chaal, not so complementary a term.
Writers have always been a least acknowledged and paid community in films. That was true till things changed with writers Salim Javed and K.A. Narayan. Even their names were written in big fonts on film posters. Suddenly, these writers had become a drawing power. But, that phase was an aberration. It did not last for long. Films like Deewaar, Zanjeer, Sholay (by Salim Javed), Jewel Thief, Johny Mera Naam, Geeta Mera Naam (by K.A. Narayan), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Company, The Dirty Picture, and the early Delhi-based love stories were trendsetters.
Since Zanjeer, an angry cop had become saleable as had brothers at the crossroads after Deewaar. Sholay was imitated on a smaller scale by B-Grade filmmakers but then, Sholay itself had its inspiration in Raj Khosla’s classic hit, Mera Gaon Mera Desh.
Things were simpler earlier as each production house had its own trademark films. Like, B.R. Chopra’s banner was known to make films to initially depicting the post-independence leap that the country needed to take but, BR Films also took risks with making films on premarital or extramarital love stories like Dhool Ka Phool, Gumraah and Humraaz much before such stories were accepted. The banner also excelled in making suspense thrillers and court dramas like Kanoon, Ittefaq, Dhund and Insaaf Ka Tarazu, while also making low-budget comedies with Chhoti si Baat and Pati Patni Aur Woh. And, not to forget, the evergreen B.R. film ever, Waqt, which brought back the trend of lost and found formula.
The earlier lost and found formula was seen in Shakti Samanta’s China Town starring Shammi Kapoor. The film went on to inspire the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Don much later. Lost and found twins was a by-product. Ram Aur Shyam was followed by a line-up of such films like Seeta Aur Geeta, Angoor, Dhoom 3, Judwaa and its sequel, ChaalBaaz, Kishen Kanhaiya.
Rajshri Pictures, which was launched on August 15, 1947, specialized in family-oriented dramas, emphasizes always being on great, melodious music. The company had the knack for identifying emerging talent that helped it make films with a limited budget. The films like Dosti, Geet Gaata Chal, Piya Ka Ghar, Uphaar, Maine Pyar Kiya, VIvah, Saaransh, Chitchor, Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se, Dulhan Wahin Jo Piya Man Bhaaye. But the company entered the big league with Hum Aap Ke Hain Koun ..! as Sooraj Barjatya, after his glory with Maine Pyar Kiya, decided to go bigger.
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