INTRODUCTION:
The Indian film industry, referred to as ‘Bollywood,’ is one of the largest in the world—a place with endless creativity, talent, and cultural influence. Each year, it produces several cinematic masterpieces that people from the country and even outside of it thoroughly enjoy. However, there exists a less glamorous side of this magical world. Beneath this world of dazzling costumes and foot-tapping music lies the realities of the distribution sector, irregularities that impact the financial aspect of the filmmakers. These irregularities also harm the quality of content that reaches the mass audience.
ANALYSIS:
A few of the irregularities in the Indian Cinema are discussed below-
Monopolistic practices:
The first one is monopolistic practices. This is often the most significant concern that exists in the distribution chain. Certain distribution companies are already owned and operated by rather influential men. These influential people usually come from a place of money and often use that to dominate the market by controlling access to theatre screens. This prevents the small and independent filmmakers from rising, and they often need help to get their voices heard. Since a handful of people control the theatre, it restricts the entry of new concepts, and movies continue with their old, mainstream concepts. The lack of new filmmakers often leads to certain cultures needing to be portrayed more in the film industry. This monopolistic practice continues not only among the filmmakers but also among the actors. These well-known filmmakers repeatedly cast the same well-established actors in their movies, not providing space for new talent in the entertainment industry. The lack of fair competition leads to unfair practices like high ticket prices or cutting down on profits for other creatives.
Monopolies can be broken by supporting regional and independent production houses. This will also help to promote healthy competition and will lead to better quality work. Films from different production backgrounds should be given a chance in the industry. Filmmakers and distributors need to converse open-mindedly and discuss the sector’s future as they proceed.
Transparency issues:
The second concern in the film industry is the need for more transparency. Standardized procedures are needed for releasing, distributing, and screening these films. These filmmakers use unfair practices like hiding the deductions made. This opaqueness makes it challenging for the film’s producers to know the revenue the film made or the number of people they could reach out to. Lack of transparency in the industry leads to mistrust and pushes foreign investment further away from the industry.
There is a dire need to implement clear guidelines for the distribution of films and the screening processes. Fostering a more transparent policy among the creators can help solve the problems regarding the distribution issue in the industry.
Privacy concerns and anti-privacy measures:
Piracy concerns are the highest among the filmmakers[1]. The complex chain of intermediaries in the film distribution change increases the risk of illegal screenings, leaked copies, and distribution on online platforms. The ease of digital distribution has made it almost impossible to trace the circulation of films. All of this can hugely affect the revenue of the creative people employed in the industry. The Copyright laws in India could be much better in the implementation stage. Cyber laws in our country must also evolve to meet society’s upcoming needs. Stricter implementation should be ensured so crimes of this nature can be prevented. The stakeholders must keep up with the technological advancements to avoid privacy in the film industry. Filmmakers’ technological advancements can add an extra level of safety, which cannot be tampered with. Henceforth, more and more professionals should be well-equipped with the technical aspects.
Strengthening the anti-piracy measures by joining hands with law enforcement agencies and IT companies to curb the unauthorized spreading of films
This, along with some system of regular reporting and auditing, can help to keep the financial statements in check. The system can effectively prevent revenue leakages, ensuring that the money or the revenue reaches the well-deserved person.
Regional disparities in the cinema:
Almost all Bollywood films are centred around the lives of big metro cities and portray the lives of people living there. Even the distribution networks are primarily presented in such towns, usually neglecting small towns and villages. What this leads to is giving a limited view of the society at large. India is a land of customs consisting of people from different walks of life. Bollywood does not do justice only to paint a picture of a specific section of society. This disparity is why many excellent masterpieces in regional films fail to get the attention they deserve. Regional directors and producers need help branding and promoting their films to make their movies reach their commercial potential. There is a need to construct distribution channels in rural areas and foster inclusivity, giving people a safe space to display their talents. Diversifying cinema in India can help us scale an even larger audience and help people feel more connected.
Regional empowerment can be promoted by allocating some resources to develop infrastructure. Events like film festivals can be conducted where local producers and filmmakers have a stage to present their works. Such initiatives can help to diversify linguistic and cultural audiences.
These irregularities in the distribution centre affect not only the box office revenue but also the quality of the content that is being presented. When almost all filmmakers are driven by their primary profit motives, they keep delivering the same narrative in the industry. This brings in the same type of movies, conventional actors and villains. Even if it comes at the cost of solidifying the pre-existing stereotypes in the society. There always remains a need for more unconventional stories in the industry because producing a film not per social norms comes with the risk of being a loss at the box office[2].
The establishment of independent film funds and grants that support creative works based on their quality rather than merely financial capacity is needed. This helps the filmmakers to explore niches that are not so popular without the fear of financial failure[3]. Mentorship programs can be conducted to promote integrity in the creative space. This can help maintain a healthy balance between financial success and creativity.
The lack of regulations in this film industry also worsens the disparities existing in the not-so-glamorous world of Indian cinema. Ambiguous rules coupled with a lack of implementation are the few reasons the industry needs help creating a fair and sustainable work environment that allows everyone to thrive and grow.
A committee can be formed that involves people from diverse film industry sectors, like the producers, directors, actors, distributors, technicians, and stakeholders, along with some legal professionals, to access and strengthen the existing framework. Introducing some new policies can also be considered to make the system more reliable and transparent.
CONCLUSION:
In a nutshell, these irregularities in the country’s entertainment industry significantly threaten its future. Sustainability and holistic growth are essential to any industry. However, issues like lack of transparency, monopolistic practices, and piracy concerns are matters of urgent attention. While the Indian industry has been an enormous success on a global scale, eradicating the termites in the system can help it expand and create a resilient and inclusive space.
As the reel industry faces these challenges, a collaborative approach must be adopted to reform the distribution centres, break monopolies, and contribute to cultural richness. It’s time to unveil the veil that India’s entertainment industry is not just filled with creatives but with problem solvers who are resilient and can effectively navigate through challenges.
Author(s) Name: Khushi (Symbiosis Law School, NOIDA)
Reference(s):
[1]Rett Danaher, Michael D. Smith, and Rahul Telang, “Piracy and Copyright Enforcement Mechanisms” (2014) 14(1) Innovation Policy and the Economy 25, 61 <https://doi.org/10.1086/674020>
[2] Marie Seton, “Problems of Film Making in India” (1975) 2(2) India International Centre Quarterly 138, 143 <http://www.jstor.org/stable/23001808>
[3] Thessa Mooij, “The New Bollywood: No Heroines, No Villains” (2006) 31(3) Cinéaste 30, 35 <http://www.jstor.org/stable/41690003>
