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While it may not be accurate to say that comedy is entirely disappearing from Bollywood, there is a noticeable shift and a perception that the quality and quantity of genuinely funny films have decreased in recent years. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:
Arguments for a Decline in Bollywood Comedy:
- Reliance on outdated tropes: Many recent comedies are criticized for overusing slapstick humor, exaggerated reactions, offensive jokes (fat-shaming, misogyny, targeting marginalized groups), and loud, forced antics instead of clever writing and situational humour. Examples cited include films like Housefull 4 and Coolie No. 1 (2020).
- Lack of innovation and experimentation: Filmmakers seem hesitant to experiment with new comedic premises and prefer to recycle old ideas or formulas. The willingness to explore genres like dark comedy, as seen in Delhi Belly (2011), appears to have diminished.
- Weak character development: Unlike the memorable and relatable characters from earlier comedies (e.g., Baburao in Hera Pheri, Circuit in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.), many recent comedies feature basic caricatures with poorly developed backgrounds and motivations, relying on exaggerated actions rather than personality-driven humour.
- Audience disconnect: Some argue that the humor in contemporary Bollywood comedies often fails to resonate with the audience, possibly due to a lack of relatable situations or an over-reliance on “WhatsApp forward” type jokes.
- Impact of “woke culture”: Some industry figures, like Akshay Kumar, suggest that the rise of “woke culture” has made filmmakers cautious about using the kind of cheeky innuendos and slapstick that were common in older comedies like Hera Pheri or Golmaal, for fear of causing offense.
- Focus on mass action films: Bollywood’s current focus on big-budget action films might be overshadowing the production and promotion of comedy films.
- Creative exhaustion of writers and directors: Some believe that the writers and directors known for successful comedy in the past may have run out of fresh ideas, and there aren’t enough new talents to take their place.
Counterarguments and Nuances:
- Comedy still exists: Bollywood continues to produce comedy films. Websites like Bollywood Hungama still list “Latest Comedy Movies.”
- Evolution of comedy: Comedy as a genre has evolved over time. What was considered funny in the past may not be as appealing to contemporary audiences. There’s a shift towards different types of humor, including horror-comedy and social commentary with comedic elements. Recent examples of horror-comedies like Stree and Munjya have been successful.
- OTT platforms: While mainstream Bollywood comedy might be perceived as lacking, some good comedy films are emerging on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, such as Madgaon Express and Wild Wild Punjab.
- Nostalgia for past comedies: Part of the perception of decline might stem from nostalgia for beloved classic comedies from the 1990s and early 2000s.
- Subjectivity of humor: Comedy is subjective, and what one person finds funny, another might not.
The Evolution of Comedy in Bollywood:
- Early Years: Comedy in Bollywood’s early days often involved slapstick humor and witty wordplay, with actors like Raj Kapoor, Johnny Walker, and Mehmood being prominent figures. Films like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and Padosan (1968) are examples.
- Golden Era (1970s-1980s): This era saw the rise of social satire and situational comedy, often blended with relevant social themes. Directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee created films like Gol Maal (1979) and Chupke Chupke (1975).
- The Rise of the Khans (1990s-2000s): The emergence of Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Salman Khan brought new styles to comedy, including romantic comedy and more mass-oriented humor. Andaz Apna Apna (1994) and the Hera Pheri series are notable examples.
- Content-Driven Comedy (Recent Years): There’s a trend towards comedies that incorporate social commentary, such as 3 Idiots (2009) and PK (2014), or address taboo subjects with humor, like Stree (2018) and Badhaai Ho (2018). The horror-comedy genre has also gained popularity.
Conclusion:
While classic Bollywood-style comedy with its emphasis on slapstick and innuendo might be less prevalent and arguably of lower quality in mainstream releases, comedy as a genre is still present and evolving in Bollywood. The audience’s tastes are changing, and filmmakers are experimenting with new subgenres and platforms. However, there’s a widespread sentiment that the industry needs to rediscover the art of clever writing, relatable characters, and genuinely funny situations to revive the golden era of Bollywood comedy.
