The attention directed towards global issues, regardless of their nature, is particularly significant concerning Bollywood cinema. Discussions have intensified amid the backdrop of wars happening worldwide and political transformations in many countries. However, the focus on Bollywood and Hollywood cinema and their stars remains unwavering. Accordingly, India has inherited a massive film industry. Within its society, Hindi films, as well as Tamil and Telugu cinema, are prominent.
Discussion about Amir Khan
One of the most talked-about figures in Indian society is the top actor, Amir Khan. He is known for his roles in popular films like Lagaan and 3 Idiots. His stardom is such that even while walking down the street, he cannot escape the gaze of fans. However, he has secretly stepped back from the film industry.
There are discussions within Indian society that he has distanced himself from cinema due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Amir Khan stated that he decided to step back from the cinema at the request of his family. Nonetheless, his fans were not entirely receptive to this decision.
If spending time with his family is his ultimate goal, his fans wonder what happens to those who have lived their lives through cinema. The choice of a prominent artist like Amir Khan to step back from the film industry has been viewed as a reason for the industry’s decline. Reducing film offerings can provoke anger within Indian society. Khan’s quiet withdrawal highlights such a situation.
Pressure from fans and family
However, he found himself compelled to pay attention to fan demand, which stemmed from the constant calls and accusations appearing in the media. Amir Khan has now intensified his engagement with promoting the Lost Ladies. It has been officially selected as India’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars.
Regarding this, Amir Khan stated, “While I aimed to spend 24 hours with my family, my family members were reluctant to spend that time with me.” He also mentioned that they subtly pushed him to return to cinema. After three decades of work as an actor, director, and producer, Amir Khan is now 59 years old. He is one of the three “Khans of Bollywood,” the others being Shah Rukh and Salman.
Many believe that Amir Khan’s films, which have broken box office records, focus strongly on social issues. Although he is not a guest at the Oscars, his film Lagaan, set against the backdrop of cricket, was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film in 2002.
His current effort is to embark on a new journey with the Lost Ladies. Khan mentioned that he is not particularly interested in awards since he believes people’s understanding of cinema is evolving. Nonetheless, if there is something he can do for the public, he aims to fulfil that through cinema and to justify the expectations surrounding it. He also noted that if his creations bring fame and pride to India, it brings him joy.
Discussing women’s suffering in Lost Ladies
Khan expressed confidence that if an Indian creation wins an academic award, it would resonate nationwide. Lost Ladies is based on a rural Indian backdrop. The film’s narrative revolves around a young man who brings home a misguided bride, leading to various ensuing situations during which his actual wife gets involved.
The film also discusses a woman’s struggle to secure her safety without a husband. It is a sensitive commentary on domestic violence. Lost Ladies can be identified as a satirical cinematic piece reflecting how women are treated. Khan suggests it can be seen as somewhat “Shakespearean.” However, he believes that the audience should make such determinations rather than himself.
For women around the world
This film addresses women’s issues, their independence, and the impacts on freedom and rights, among other topics. He believes he has created a fair space for discussing a range of issues, primarily concerning women. The film can be recognised as a creative effort to raise awareness about the daily challenges faced by society.
Separation and closeness
Kiran Rao is Amir Khan’s wife. She has contributed to directing this film. They were married in 2005. However, they decided to part ways amicably in 2021. Nevertheless, they have managed to remain close both professionally and personally.
Their bond remains intact to this day. “Without Kiran, this project would not have happened; our relationship might have changed slightly. But that doesn’t eliminate our feelings for each other,” he stated. Meanwhile, Amir Khan has revealed another ambition: to create a grand film based on the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata.
The challenge facing Bollywood
After a year, the number of films emerging from Bollywood has grown significantly, primarily due to the massive audience of cinema lovers in India. Recently, the industry has seen success at award ceremonies, with RRR’s song “Naatu Naatu” winning Best Original Song. Moreover, The Elephant Whisperers won the award for Best Documentary Short Film. However, Bollywood has yet to achieve international acclaim. Despite India producing outstanding films for many years, the right films have not been submitted to award ceremonies, contributing to this lack of recognition.
A rising argument within this context is that Indian film producers do not produce films targeting the global market. Critics also suggest that the time has come for that. If films are produced with international audiences in mind, it could lead to Bollywood’s transformation. Amir Khan shares his view that the film industry in India, which targets international audiences, has yet to be identified.
