This seems very surprising and almost a downright misassumption given that the Indian movie industry is the biggest industry in the world in terms of movies produced. If we are the largest movie makers in the world then why can’t we find opportunities for artists from non-influential backgrounds; why do they have to wait for years and even decades to get a break.
Let’s first clear our understanding.
The chances of someone breaking in the spotlight from an early age are very low. In every industry you have to start from the bottom and move your way up no matter how talented you are. In football, Lionel Messi wasn’t shooting goals left and right in his first year. After joining Barcelona, he had to spend years at their youth centre, followed by playing in the 2nd division with the B team. Even after promotion he couldn’t land a first team spot and struggled initially. He had to prove his talents to the Barcelona manager and club hierarchy at every stage.
That’s exactly where the problem lies: Promotion. Even when artist work in advertisements, independent movie or TV shows, there just can’t work to the top. Therein lays the fault in our entertainment system.
Look at this guy:
Who doesn’t know him? It’s Buttercup Bendersnatch!
Cumberbatch first began his career at theatres. He was a talented artist and received many accolades, yet it wasn’t enough to make him a “star”. He starred in other minuscule TV shows and movies until he landed the role of Sherlock Holmes in the BBC show Sherlock. This show helped him catapult as a household name in the world and especially Hollywood. After 2010, he has never looked back. Landing major roles in blockbuster movies.
This guy had even tougher.
Peter Dinklage had a tough time getting roles because of his physicality. There were either not many good roles of a dwarf or either he had to turn down ones that were stereotypical. He had acted in indie movie or as an extra but they couldn’t guarantee job security. It was when he became Tyrion Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones, he became a success. Now, he doesn’t have to work dwarf specific characters, he can play a “regular height person” or roles are being tailor made for him.
Even if there is someone who has broken through in an early age, he/she has graduated from a theatre group or school from a very early age.
In India this is simply not possible.
- Our TV industry is utter dog-shit. In name of drama we have formula based daily soaps and for comedy, laughter track laced loudmouth, silly or cross-dressing characters. TV shows here are run by TRP and not artistic choice. Stories feel dragged to gain maximum mileage. Many artists pass on and even the ones that perform, remain there indefinitely. In other film industries cinema continues to be the dominant medium but TV is not too far. Many stars have broken through and established film artists like Kevin Spacey, David Fincher, Sean Bean, Ramin Djawadi, Robin Wright continue to collaborate in this medium. This is why Indian youth swear by foreign shows like F.R.I.E.N.D.S or Money Heist or Last Week Tonight.The Wire made the careers of Dominic West and Idris Elba; Mr. Robot did it for Rami Malek; Spaced for Simon Pegg and Breaking Bad resuscitated the careers of Bryan Cranston and Bob Odenkirk. Quality mainstream content gets crushed. There is only some level of respite from web series.
- Forget independent cinema, even critically acclaimed movies are passed on for no brainer masala movies. If Hollywood can have mediocre movies like Hobbs and Shaw and Lion King earn billions it also makes bold movies like Arrival or Joker. You can’t cite language as barrier. Look at the exposure Korean industry is having. Even there artists work their way to the top. No one here has heard of movies like Mukti Dham, Neel Battey Sannata or Tumbbad.
- Industry insiders getting job isn’t a portrayal of a poor society. Everyone deserves to showcase their talents though they have an advantage of knowing the trade better than millions of others. You can’t say Meghna Gulzar, Ranveer Singh or Alia Bhatt are undeservingly at the top. It’s irritating when we HAVE to watch untalented scums who stick around like weeds. But on the other hand, we don’t have any grass root programs for average Indians.
There are many, many star kids in Hollywood. Charlie Sheen, son of Martin Sheen; Jake and Maggie Gyllenhal, children of Stephen Gyllenhal and Naomi Foner; Sofia Coppola, daughter of Francis Ford Coppola or the Skarsgard family.
But most of them are at least talented to some extent. There was always Nepotism in Hollywood and it will continue to be. But it’s because of opportunities to grow other successful artists like Matt Damon, Bradley Cooper, Sam Mendes, Jennifer Lawrence, Emilia Clarke, Wes Anderson or Conan O’Brian, there won’t be outcry against nepotism like in India.
Tom Hanks made it to the top from scratch. He is one of the most respected, loved and inspirational actors of all time. His son, Colin, is also a good actor with respectable success. But you won’t find the industry keep on shoving him on us saying “You MUST watch his movies and love him. It’s the common goal of mankind to establish him as superstar.”
Edit: Thanks for all the support. My first 100+ upvote answer.
Edit 2: In my original answer I pointed out the shortcoming of the system but one’s inherent willingness to serve can’t be ruled out. How else has a country of 1.25 billion accepted the monopoly of a handful over such an important industry?
People’s acceptance: In India, we are quick to deify people, be it cricketers or politicians. We literally worship celebrities.
Millions give up everything just to stand outside the mansion gate of these stars.
A bond is formed between the fans and their favourite celeb where their personal life becomes a part of them. We know more about Abram Khan and Taimur Ali Khan than about any major civil activist. Their children’s success is taken by many as a civic duty. Even if he/she may not be an offspring of a huge celebrity, being promoted by one is very beneficial. MNC’s are signing these “kid-wonders” as brand ambassadors even before making it big on the silver screen. When they masquerade their stoic face and steroid laced biceps as “acting”, people throng to cinemas and help them earn 100-200 crores.
Concentration of Power: The money involved in Film Industry is gigantic but even more tempting is the power. Film Stars play a huge role in India and their thoughts and expressions are given an unwarranted yet enviable attention. Political parties accept them with open arms and give ticket for major elections without proper experience or road-map. And guess what? Most of them win in their first attempt. Showmanship triumphs performance. Nepotism ensures this power to captivate people’s attention remain in the hands of the few.
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