Bollywood Wants to Give You Really Desi Film Titles in 2018

Audience desi maangta!

Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma in Sui Dhaaga

(Photo Courtesy: YRF)

Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety was a cray cray tongue twister. But guess what? More and more upcoming Bollywood film titles are going to reflect a colloquial 'desi' vibe.

Picture this:

Batti Gul Meter Chalu

Veere Di Wedding

Dil Juunglee

Nanu Ki Jaanu

Shaadi Teri Bajaayenge Band Hum

Chanda Mama Door Ke

Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar

Sui Dhaaga - Made In India

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga

Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas

Huh?!

These are just some of the quirky movie titles this year that are arousing curiosity.

These titles maybe a mouthful, but they definitely get our ‘desi’ heart beating. And actor-cum-writer Manu Rishi Chadha (who has penned the Abhay Deol starrer Nanu Ki Jaanu) couldn’t agree more.

Words and names like Titu, Bittu, Tinku, Monu, Sonu, Bunty, Lucky, Nanu and Jaanu sound like your own kids’ names and the audience feels like it is their own story. So, it’s all an effort to reach the common family’s heart, to get their love and adulation, which leads to good box office.

Manu Rishi Chadha, actor-writer, to IANS

"As many as 80 percent of the people of India find a character like themselves in films; so, if a title gives them that, their heart and our box office gets set," Chadha told IANS.

It doesnt take a scientist to realize that the makers are going for a more local connect with such titles -- the boy or girl next door feel is a tried and tested formula, after all (When Harry Met Sally, anyone?)

Who wouldn’t feel special to have their favorite stars on the celluloid be called y their very own (silly) pet names?

Interestingly, the movies mentioned above are a mix of multi-starrers, comedies, sci-fi entertainers, romantic dramas, and experimental cinema.

Quirky titles with an informal and conversational style sound are not a new trend.

Film historian SMM Ausaja cited how movie makers have used this formula to attract attention since years.

Take a film like the 1955 film ‘Garam Coat’ or the 1956 movie ‘Chhoo Mantar’... Then there was ‘Chameli Ki Shaadi’ or more recent ones like ‘Utt Pataang’, ‘Bhagam Bhag’... Films of Johnny Walker and Bhagwan Dada had desi titles... Most of such quirky names are comedies which require amusing titles.

SMM Ausaja, film historian, to IANS

He said using offbeat titles not just amps up the audience's curiosity level, but also helps in retaining a movie in their mind.

Last year was also no different in terms of catchy titles.

Think Haraamkhor, Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana, Begum Jaan, Meri Pyaari Bindu, Behen Hogi Teri, Bank Chor, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shubh Mangal Savdhan and Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana.

Film and trade business analyst Girish Johar says the trend is becoming more visible with the changing taste of the audience, which has gradually taken a liking to stories that are Indian at heart and based in the hinterlands.

(With inputs from IANS)