from past - Anatomy of a HIT

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HIT. This is undoubtedly the most anxiously awaited word in show business. It reflects box-office collections and revises star ratings, declares the public verdict and decides career moves. So what makes a hit? Simply put, a film is a hit when it works at all levels. To quote Taran Adarsh, editor of the weekly trade journal Trade Guide, “An Indian film is like a vegetarian thali that has a little of everything from roti, chawal and curry to raita, farsan and sweet. Similarly, a commercial Hindi film is replete with romance, music, action, emotion, drama and dance. When all these ingredients are in balanced proportions, the film can keep the viewer engaged for a good part of three hours without him looking for popcorn, listening in to his neighbour’s whispered chatter or squinting at his watch at frequent intervals.” It is this ability to weave a spell over a darkened auditorium full of people that, according to Taran, determines whether the film is a hit or a miss.

Taran is quick to add that to date no one has stumbled upon a fixed formula that guarantees a surefire hit. If music was the mantra for success then, he reasons, Sapne Saajan Ke shouldn’t have bombed. If stars sold a film then Lajja and the recently-released Haan...Maine Bhi Pyar Kiya would have been drawing full houses. If love conquered the world then Rajiv Rai should have been at the top of the world with Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat. If fists of fury pulled punches then Sunil Shetty and Akshay Kumar wouldn’t have been looking around for a change of image. If emotions worked then Filhaal should have set the cash counters jingling. And had promotion been all important then Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein would have sold more tickets.

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