There was a time when the theatrical experience was not limited to a heavy dose of CGI and VFX, or a big-budget franchise and its sequels. Even though this commercial formula has always brought the big bucks in there was a long period when simpleton stories about love and its comical aspects ruled the hearts of audiences worldwide. There was a time before Modern Rom-Com when Dorothy Boyd completed Jerry Maguire, when Agastya sacrificed for his Preity, and when Kumail waited for Emily.
Hopefully enough, if you have related with any of those references, then congratulations on being a Modern romedy person, that looks for some hope in each new release, only to be left aghast with the question, “Why in the world have they given up on Romantic Comedies?.”
Modern Rom-Com Audience: A Dying Breed
Usually, when you have a bunch of answers about something or someone, you have a red-hot listicle or feature idea waiting to get typed at any given moment. To be precise, this is your inspiration, a random bunch of answerable things about a not-so-random topic. However, that wasn’t the case this time.
When asked about the last great romantic comedy of our time, I was stuck so badly, that I could literally give some competition to Raj and his inherent incapability to converse with ladies (or at least for a couple of seasons). In fact, the very feeling that you have to go 7 or 8 years back for the last decent Modern Rom-Com, tells you a lot about the long-lasting draught of movies.
The problem isn’t the volume (really not the case), the issue is with targeting the bullseye of originality. Something which a plethora of Netflix, Amazon, and theatrical releases (if they still take the risk) have failed to do so for a while.
I have missed out so dearly on Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) that anything near the heartwarming foolery and overtly simplified romance genre, feels like a worthy compensation. There hasn’t been another Silver Lining Playbook (2012) that I can watch on repeat anytime it comes on TV, by subconsciously keeping my remote aside for hours (yes I still browse television channels).
So what has been missing, good movies? or Good People? I wholeheartedly believe the latter. The chances of a soft film getting its fair chance on a theatrical screen are zero to none. There isn’t much scope for a new Surinder to remove his moustaches and transform himself for the sake of love and love alone, and still get the convincing attention of the audience. The modern-day Surinder from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi has to become a Pathaan to roar at the box office. No matter how cheesy that sounds, that is the case.
OTT, which was a second life to these kinds of movies, proved to be a collecting bag of cringe and cliches. Who would have thought the very idea of streaming will eventually turn into a wide variety of soap operas that make no sense? There is always a space for a new raunchy teenage tale that you will never ever have the power or peace of mind to relate to. But there will never be a column for faulty characters learning to course-correct their everyday problems with conversations and a Bob Dylan song.
The mere idea of adapting to “what is available” is haunting, to say the least. But there is hope. Or at least for us who believe in such fabel’s. As long as there is an honest attempt to make movies that not only sell tickets but the idea that people can remain funny and romantic throughout the 2 and a half hours of celluloid time, there will be an end to this sabbatical.
The new-age movie-going audience has a lot of hope for Luv Ranjan’s Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar to revive the spirit of the genre. Although I have my own share of opinions about TJMM being the saviour of the genre, I think any progress is good progress. Even if it is a repeated play on stereotypical nuances with a glimpse of abs and beach-centric songs.
My kind of resurrection for Modern Rom-Com will be a definitive Bareilly Ki Barfi that makes as much noise as its counterparts. A film that roots for the ordinary, by the ordinary, and from the ordinary. A set of optimism that shifts the debate from an underrated sleeper hit, to a well-received blockbuster. Until then, I’ll just listen to Bruce Springsteen’s Secret Garden on the loop for a while.
Let us know your favourite Modern Rom-Com Movies in the comment section below.
Also Read: Crash Course in Romance Finale Predictions: Will Choi-Chi yeol Confront the Actions of Ji Dong-hui?