Manoj Tiwari Advocates for Visionary Filmmakers in Bhojpuri Cinema
Manoj Tiwari Advocates for Visionary Filmmakers in Bhojpuri Cinema
New Delhi: Actor and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari emphasized the need for visionary filmmakers akin to Satyajit Ray and Prakash Jha in the Bhojpuri cinema industry to propel it forward in alignment with contemporary times. Tiwari, a former Bhojpuri star and singer, expressed during an interaction with PTI editors that despite its immense popularity, Bhojpuri cinema is yet to achieve national recognition.
Tiwari underscored the importance of directors who possess the sensibilities to elevate Bhojpuri cinema to a higher artistic and narrative standard, citing luminaries such as Satyajit Ray, who achieved global acclaim for his Bengali films, and Prakash Jha, known for his socio-political narratives set in Bihar.
He envisioned a future where Bhojpuri cinema would produce narratives akin to popular web series like “Mirzapur” and “Maharani,” asserting that such storytelling would enable the industry to compete with the flourishing south Indian cinema.
While reflecting on the state of the Bhojpuri film industry, Tiwari noted its production output of around 60-70 films annually but lamented the decline in theatrical exhibition, attributing it partly to waning interest from both audiences and theater owners.
Despite the challenges, Tiwari reminisced about the golden era of Bhojpuri cinema when modestly budgeted films could rake in significant returns at the box office. He emphasized that the industry remains a global talking point, buoyed by the massive online viewership of Bhojpuri songs featuring popular voices like Ritesh Pandey and Pawan Singh.
Tiwari’s insights shed light on the potential and challenges facing the Bhojpuri film industry, underscoring the need for visionary filmmakers and innovative storytelling to propel it into a new era of growth and recognition.
