The name Anurag Kashyap stands out in the vibrant and ever-evolving world of Indian film. Kashyap, who is sometimes credited with starting the independent cinema movement in Bollywood, is known for his experimental filmmaking and unconventional narrative. The bulk of Hindi moviegoers haven’t always appreciated his distinctive style, nevertheless. The 2014 movie “Ghoomketu” is among the greatest instances of this difference. Even though the film was finished, it took a long time to find a distributor ready to distribute it. In this article, we look at the interesting story of “Ghoomketu” as well as the reasons behind Anurag Kashyap’s films’ underperformance among Hindi moviegoers in general.
Anurag Kashyap came up with the idea and produced “Ghoomketu” in 2014. The story follows the journey of Ghoomketu, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, a budding Bollywood screenwriter who leaves his birthplace and relocates to Mumbai to pursue his goals. This character-driven comedy-drama was intended to be both a satire on the Bollywood film business and a satirical look at the peculiarities and challenges experienced by budding authors.
The raw, undiluted storylines that regularly vary from the conventional Bollywood formula have always made Kashyap’s films stand out. He is recognized for giving voice to underrepresented tales and upending the established quo, which contributes to the fact that his films have a limited appeal among the general public.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui, an actor lauded for his flexibility and remarkable performance in movies like “Gangs of Wasseypur” and “The Lunchbox,” was cast in the main role. Ragini Khanna, Raghuvir Yadav, and Anurag Kashyap himself were among an exceptional ensemble that made the movie engaging for both reviewers and moviegoers.
On the other hand, since Siddiqui is an atypical talent and there aren’t any A-list Bollywood actors in the movie, distributors could have been hesitant to buy it for the general audience. The general Hindi cinema public commonly makes this connection between a movie’s popularity and its star power, which may have been a deal-breaker for “Ghoomketu.”
Not everyone will like Anurag Kashyap’s films because of their oddity and distinctive style. “Ghoomketu” was no different, either. The film’s offbeat humor and sarcastic view of the Hindi film business appealed to a certain audience that prized distinctive storytelling. This unusual appeal may have turned off mainstream distributors who were more attracted to predictable, big-budget, star-studded movies.
When “Ghoomketu” was completed in 2014, it was challenging to find a distributor. Anurag Kashyap often struggles to get mainstream distribution because of his reputation for producing pictures that defy convention and push the envelope. Distributors’ predilection for tried-and-true formulae and well-known performers, who are mainly motivated by maximizing revenues, may be the reason “Ghoomketu” remained in limbo.
Anurag Kashyap is a pioneer in the Indian cinema business. Although reviewers praise his work, the general mass of moviegoers has mixed feelings about him. Due to the fact that they typically deal with controversial issues, display brutal reality, and defy traditional narrative, his films are difficult to recommend to the normal Bollywood spectator.
The success of his movies “Black Friday,” “Dev.D,” and “Ugly” have established Kashyap as a well-known filmmaker who doesn’t back down from a challenge to the existing quo. However, it’s possible that this reputation scared off distributors from trying “Ghoomketu.” As opposed to the glamour and escape that define Bollywood movies, his works are recognized for delving into the murky recesses of human mind and society.
The Indian cinema business has seen a major change throughout the years, with Bollywood setting the pace. Despite the fact that star-studded spectacles and commercial blockbusters continue to dominate the mainstream, there is an increasing desire for content-driven film. This shift is shown by the success of movies like “Newton,” “Tumbbad,” and “Andhadhun,” which show that there is a demand for creative narrative.
However, Anurag Kashyap has always produced inventive movies. It could take some time for the general audience to warm up to his work since it typically deals with challenging issues and has a unique narrative style. During this pivotal time in Indian cinema history, when it was becoming more difficult to tell apart alternative films from popular ones, “Ghoomketu” was published.
In India, a movie’s success is greatly influenced by its marketing and promotion. Larger budgets and A-list talent enable these movies to finance expensive marketing campaigns, extensive theater runs, and endorsement partnerships. But “Ghoomketu” lacks the star power and the little marketing budget required to generate a significant amount of excitement before its debut.
The fact that Anurag Kashyap seldom hosts expensive promotional events for his movies further added to the film’s demise. Kashyap believes that as a director, his work has to be able to stand on its own. Unfortunately, this may not be the greatest course of action in the competitive Bollywood industry, where marketing is just as crucial as the movie’s substance.
Despite having a hard time obtaining an established distributor, “Ghoomketu” finally reached audiences via unconventional means. ZEE5, a digital platform, bought the movie in 2020. The development of streaming services has fundamentally altered the way people watch movies, making it a shelter for titles that may not be compatible with the conventional distribution structure.
Unconventional and eccentric films now have a new audience thanks to the rise of OTT (Over-The-Top) platforms. Finally given the opportunity to shine, “Ghoomketu” was able to be seen by a much broader audience. The transition to digital media reveals a significant shift in how movies are disseminated. The movie’s popularity on ZEE5 demonstrates that there is a substantial market for unconventional storytelling strategies.
The “Ghoomketu” story is a testimony to the challenges faced by movies that deviate from the typical Bollywood storyline. The lack of A-list actors, Anurag Kashyap’s unique approach to filmmaking, and his association with offbeat issues all contributed to the film’s failure to secure a conventional distributor. However, the film’s internet distribution ultimately demonstrated that there is a substantial audience for content-driven films and that the lines between mainstream and alternative are eroding.
As the Indian film business expands, diverse narrative and the changing distribution environment are crucial factors to take into account. The film “Ghoomketu” serves as a reminder that, despite it taking a long for odd movies to catch on, they may ultimately attract audiences who are attracted to tales that challenge expectations. The difficulties that Anurag Kashyap encountered during the making of “Ghoomketu” shed light on the complexities of the Bollywood industry as well as the enduring value of imaginative narrative in movies.