Few readers might find me unreasonable discussing Ramaiya Vastavaiya since I haven't watched it (and no, I am not willing to sacrifice 2 and half hours of my life even if someone offers me a free PVR ticket. Temple Run is a far more engaging option if I have to waste my time). I remember how my jaw dropped (ok, I'm exaggerating a bit) upon seeing a guy sporting ridiculous hair and smiling like a buffoon romancing Shruti Hassan (Aww!) in the movie's trailer. I did wonder how on earth someone could commit a crime of pairing a svelte actress like Shruti opposite that guy. Of course, I didn't even make a feeble attempt at gaining some valuable information about this guy which would enlighten me. It was only when he and Prabhudeva appeared on few reality shows to promote the film (sans Shruti Hassan. See, how even the most basic element of the promotion of a film - glamour - is sacrificed at the altar of ... read on) that I came to know that he is a new entrant to that exclusive club which consists of distinguishing members like Harman Baweja and Jackie Bhagnani (Didn't recognize them by names? Don't worry, just give a close look to the privileged surnames and you will know). Anyway, this article is not about the 'poor guy' (of course, not in the literal sense). The thought of writing this piece occurred to me when I read few reviews of the film and came to know that the cost of film was close to, (gulp!), 30 crore.
For those who have no idea about the film, let me explain the two liner plot in, well, two lines. A NRI guy in love with a village belle must grow more crops than her brother in order to get his assent for their marriage (Oops! it doesn't stretch beyond a line and half). A lot of masala has been sprinkled on the plot to give it a true commercial potboiler look. But the essence of the story is grow crops and get the girl. Jokes apart, it is really very difficult to understand what made producer father to fund a film on a hackneyed plot like this. I agree it worked in Maine Pyaar Kiya, but that was more than 25 years back (Girish is younger than the film). It was a completely different era. I agree that similar films like Pyaar Kiya to Darna Kya saw a huge success in late 90s. But it had Salman Khan who makes even the ridiculous films like Ready work today. But again, the problem isn't with the film being made on wafer thin plots. Every year we get to see similar films based on done to death stories. I have problem with the exorbitant cost associated with these kind of films, especially the ones produced as a star vehicle for sons/daughters of actors and producers/directors. It is a sin akin to spending huge sums on movies that you find ridiculous even on paper (Joker, a very recent example). It is better to burn your hands in the name of experimental cinema than committing harakiri with banal plots after investing crores. Films like Kai Po Chhe, Raanjhanaa and Fukrey too had a budget on the higher side considering the face value. However, the films were content driven and so found success at the box office. On the other hand Ramaiya Vastavaiya has been written off as a failure in the very first weekend itself.
I don't have anything against Girish Taurani (I won't hate anyone just because of weird hair and silly facial expressions). I don't have anything against the film as well (I'm not an exhibitor and I didn't oblige even as a viewer). But 30 crore on this kinda film? Ouch!
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