Hackneyed plots are recycled on screen again and again.
NIDDERAU, GERMANY: This is with reference to Anwer Mooraj’s article “The classic face of Indian cinema” (August 27). It is true that Bollywood has come a long way over the last 70 years. But if you look closely, you come to the conclusion that there is one aspect that has not been improved upon and that is the choice of plots that you see in Indian movies. Hackneyed plots are recycled on screen again and again. Over the years, we have come to learn five things from these plots:
1) One of the identical twins is born evil;
2) While defusing a bomb, you don’t have to worry; whichever wire you cut, it will be the right one;
3) The hero will show no pain while being beaten up by dozens of men but will always wince and express pain when the heroine cleans up his wound;
4) A detective will only be able to solve a case when he is suspended from duty, and last but not least,
5) If you decide to start dancing on the street, everyone you meet on the way will know all the steps.
Sharif Lone
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2012.
