Paresh Rawal Highlights Intense Competition for Comedy Films from TV and Digital Platforms
Veteran Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal, currently starring in the recently released horror-comedy film 'Bhooth Bangla', has expressed concerns about the state of comedy films in today's entertainment landscape. Rawal, renowned for his iconic comic roles such as Babu Rao in the 'Hera Pheri' franchise and Ghungroo in 'Welcome', believes that comedy films are facing formidable competition from television and digital content, particularly popular shows like 'The Kapil Sharma Show'.
The Challenge of Writing and Maintaining Quality Comedy
In a candid conversation with Moneycontrol, Rawal emphasized that writing and sustaining good comedy is significantly more difficult than it appears. He pointed to the immense talent showcased on shows like 'The Kapil Sharma Show' and by performers such as Sunil Grover, describing them as "bloody huge talent" and "a bloody volcano." Rawal stated, "If you want to compete with that kind of comedy, you have to change your thinking or else it won't work. Writing comedy and maintaining it is very tough."
He further elaborated on the structural differences between film and television production, noting that television comedy shows often benefit from large writing teams of 10-15 people. In contrast, he lamented that many film producers lack the budget to hire even a single dedicated writer, making it challenging to match the quality and consistency of digital and TV content.
Everyday Competition and Benchmark Setting
Rawal described the current era as a tough time for comedy, with everyday competition posing a significant threat to comedy films. He specifically mentioned 'The Kapil Sharma Show' as a daily competitor that sets a high benchmark for humor. "Kapil Sharma's show is everyday competition to any comedy film. Sometimes they go over the top, but that's besides the point. But it is giving competition and setting a benchmark," he added, acknowledging the show's impact on audience expectations.
Reflections on Early Bollywood Days and Current Work
Looking back at his early years in Bollywood, Rawal recalled a more unpredictable working environment, contrasting it with his current enjoyment of filmmaking. He mentioned that while working with legendary writers like Salim-Javed in the 1970s or 1980s provided bound scripts, many other projects lacked clarity, making it a challenging period. "It was very frightening. You wouldn't even know what you were going to do. That time was very bad," he smiled, reflecting on the past.
On the work front, Rawal is currently featured in 'Bhooth Bangla', a horror-comedy directed by Priyadarshan that released on April 17. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Tabu, and Asrani alongside Rawal, marking his latest venture in the comedy genre amidst the competitive landscape he described.
Rawal's insights shed light on the evolving dynamics of the entertainment industry, where traditional comedy films must innovate to keep pace with the rapid growth and talent in television and digital platforms.
