Anupama Chopra: Stardom Tied to Box Office Success

Anupama Chopra, a film critic, author, and journalist, recently shared her insights on Indian cinema at the JLF. She discussed the evolving dynamics of audience behavior, the significant role of star power, the impact of OTT platforms, and the contributions of writers and women to contemporary films. Chopra underscored that a star's enduring popularity is fundamentally tied to their consistent box-office performance, a sentiment she expressed during the 'Dining with Stars' session.

Reflecting on the deep-seated admiration for film stars in India, Chopra asserted that sustained stardom is inseparable from box-office success. She pointed to the decades-long appeal of Hindi cinema's three Khans as an example of their ability to consistently deliver films that resonate with audiences. Chopra clarified that audience attention to a star's personal life and career is contingent upon their success in theaters.

Chopra voiced concerns regarding Hindi cinema's over-reliance on star power, often at the expense of developing strong narratives. She advocated for a shift where stardom originates from compelling storytelling, asserting, "If your storytelling connects, you become a star." This perspective suggests that the industry should prioritize narrative strength to cultivate authentic stardom.