Kochi: Bollywood has tried this formula and come out triumphant, so has Kollywood and Tollywood. What then stops Mollywood from coming up with films that have an ensemble cast? Nothing, it seems!
The present crisis that the industry is going through viz-a-viz satellite rights could be one reason for filmmakers to now try and put all the eggs, sorry, stars in one basket to rope in the cumulative star power that helps generate revenue and hit the bull’s eye at the box office.
The advent of young filmmakers bursting with novel ideas has ensured that Mollywood is no longer a single-hero driven industry. A spate of upcoming films like Bangalore Days, Apothecary, Saptamashri Taskaraha, Iyobinte Pusthakam and Double Barrel-Eratta Kuzhal have an ensemble cast of young Turks joining hands with senior stars.
This trend has generally been welcomed by industry watchers, the audience and technicians. In marketing terms, the combined star power will only serve to enhance the brand value of the film and give it a high visibility.
Agreeing whole-heartedly with this trend is producer-cum-distributor Shaji Nadeshan, who is distributing the Dulquer Salmaan-starrer Bangalore Days.
The film includes stars like Nivin Pauly, Fahadh Faasil, Isha Talwar, Nazriya Nazim and Nithya Menon in prominent roles. He is also producing Double Barrel, which has an ensemble cast of Prithviraj, Fahadh and Indrajith in the main roles, and Saptmashri Taskaraha, which again has Prithviraj, Asif Ali, Reenu Mathews.
About the trend, he says, “As far as theatre collections go, it is a very positive trend! Most of the young stars have fan clubs and the senior stars have fan associations, which ensures that a healthy amount of the youth view the film in the initial days itself. This fan base boosts the initial collections , which in turn brings in the family audiences.”
Shaji says that theatre owners too are receptive to screening multi-starrers. “There is a big difference in the attitude of theatre owners when an ensemble film is to be screened. The audiences too looks forward to seeing their favorite stars together. Besides, there is a general perception that when three or more stars come together for a film, the film has something substantial to offer,” he adds.
An ensemble cast does up the novelty quotient but what about the escalated costs? Shaji answers, “The satellite rights and theatre collections takes care of that aspect.”
Shaji says that though it is a complicated affair to mix and match the dates of the busy stars, it is a minor hassle compared to the grand final product.
“Most young actors are easy-going and stand for good cinema rather than worrying about their screen space. Ultimately, it is good cinema that lasts and stands the test of time.”
Concurring with him is director Anil Radhakrishnan, director of Saptamshri Taskaraha. “The story and script hold prime importance for stars rather than their individual roles. Besides, there is no insecurity among the present stars.”
Anil’s film revolves around seven thieves. His story demanded A-listers, he says. He also states, “Mollywood is the only industry where big actors work together without ego problems. You rarely find big stars coming together in Tamil films, despite sharing great camaraderie with each other.”
There are also other advantages in having a multi star cast. In case a film flops, the blame never rests on one actor but would be shared equally.
Madhav Ramadasan’s film Apothecary deals with a serious, social issue set against the backdrop of the medical profession. This serious subject narrated in a thriller format made Madhav decide to cast stars like Suresh Gopi, Jayasurya, Asif Ali, Meera Nandha and Abhirami in prominent roles.
He says, “The presence of multiple stars ensure a better reach with the audience.” Terming the multi-starrer trend a welcome move, Madhav opines, “The scenario must change, only then will there be new ideas that move away from the clichéd hero-heroine formulae of yore.”
