The “double standards” of the Bengali film audience are being called out by Parambrata Chattopadhyay. During an interview with Calcutta Times, the actor expressed his opinion that Bengali films such as Jawan and Pathaan would not be watched by anyone.
Parambrata discussed the success of complicated storylines on over-the-top (OTT) platforms in contrast to theatrical release. “I think it’s very simple. The national audience seems to prefer a spectacle on the big screen to get their money’s worth. This spectacle is connected to machismo, and the machismo as defined by RRR or Jawan in our country unfortunately is all about men. There are a handful of states where this spectacle does not always work- Kerala, Bengal and Maharashtra. Will you say it speaks of progressivism? Not really.”
The actor further added, “Bengali audiences have tremendous double standards. SRK’s [Shah Rukh Khan] films do very well here but if you make a Jawaan or Pathaan in Bengali, nobody is going to watch it. This is the era of homegrown family dramas, fantasy adventures, sleuths. That’s the maximum we can think of.”
With Shah Rukh Khan at the forefront, Pathaan and Jawan are two of the biggest blockbusters of the year. It took Jawan 23 days to surpass Pathaan’s ₹1055 crore lifetime worldwide gross collection. Shah Rukh has made history by being the only Indian actor to star in two films worth a combined ₹1000 crore in a single year.
With Kahaani (2012), which starred Vidya Balan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Parambrata made his Bollywood debut. Among his major works are Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi, Mumbai Diaries Season 2, Baishe Srabon, Sold, Kadambari, Anukul, Pari, and Bhalo Theko.
