A bonding called 'bromance'

Male bonding, also called as ‘bromance’ is not a new thing in tinsel town. Through the years, there have been many films where two actors have shared the screen space; either they are good friends who fall in the love with the same girl or else are a part of each other’s journey in exploring the true self. Remember ‘Dosti’, or the Raj Kapoor-Rajendra Kumar-starrer Sangam? But why is it that such films are not being made so frequently in the industry these days?

“Stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan know that they can carry a film on their shoulders alone. They, therefore, are not willing to work with other actors,” says Manoj Sharma, doctorate in Indian cinema and also an assistant professor, History, Kirori Mal College.

Apparently it was totally different in the late 90s when they were only a few years old in the industry. “Shah Rukh and Salman worked together in Karan Arjun and Salman and Aamir worked in Andaz Apna Apna. But over the years as they gained popularity, they have realised their box office success is different. They know their self-worth,”
he says.

This also highlights the actors’ changing sensitivity towards cinema. “Aamir is one of the most matured actors in Bollywood. His focus is on script. Meanwhile, Salman, after the success of Tere Naam, Wanted and Dabangg, has realised his strength and signs only a particular genre of films that resonate with his strong points. Since they are poles apart they cannot be seen ‘bromancing’ on the screen,” says Manoj.

Even if these actors work with their co-stars, they do not compromise with their dominant role in the script. “3 Idiots is a fine example of it. Aamir had a prominent role in the entire film. Likewise in Dhoom 3, Aamir was the only actor, Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra were in the side roles,” says filmmaker Chandramani Roy.
He cites the example of Amitabh Bachchan – Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan-Vinod Mehra and Jackie Shroff - Anil Kapoor who have done dozens of films together. “Earlier the script was written keeping characters in mind. Two actors were ready to work together if their ‘jodi’ was popular. But, today, once an actor is popular he is in a different league and doesn’t believe in repeating himself with similar faces,” say
Chandramani.

Surprisingly, if Chandramani is to be believed Aamir decided to work in Dhoom 3 only on the basis of charging 50 per cent profit of the film. “The amount charged by the actors also plays a role in bringing ‘bromance’ on screen,” he quips.

So, definitely portrayal of male bonding falls on the shoulder of the new breed of actors or those who are not part of 100-crore club. Gunday, Kai Po Che, Chashme Baddoor are fine examples of present-day ‘bromance’ featuring newcomers like Arjun Kapoor, Sushant Singh Rajput, Divyendu Sharma and Ali Zafar.

“It is easy to rope in new faces or those who are struggling to create a niche for themselves in the industry,”
he says.

“All these actors are running to grab the limelight and good production houses. So, if an opportunity comes to them even with less dominant roles they are ready to do it,” adds Chandramani.