Real To Reel

History, mythology and biographies makes it convenient for filmmakers to garnish the narrative with emotions

- S. Shivakumar

After action, romance, family dramas, mythology and mumbo jumbo the new sure shot box-office formula is a biopic. Producers and directors are scouring sources to zero in on a character, past and present who will inspire and entertain, on-screen. It’s not a new phenomenon but is a rage now and a nearly readymade script makes it easier. From Dawood to Dhoni and Dhirubhai Ambani, Phoolan Devi to Mary Kom, Sobhraj to Subhash Chandra Bose crooks, politicians and sportsmen have been immortalised on-screen with equal enthusiasm. The results at the box-office have been more than encouraging save a rare Mangal Pandey and ‘Raees’. History, mythology and biographies are interpretive which makes it convenient for filmmakers to sprinkle with spices and garnish with emotional manipulation. Biopics are supposed to be inspirational but there are some like ‘Sanju’, made by the redoubtable Raj Kumar Hirani.