Whether it’s Shruti or Bittu, Duggal ji, or Sabrina, it seems Delhi’s middle-class is the new inspiration for filmmakers. Several films in the recent past have had Delhi as their central theme — No One Killed Jessica, Band Baaja Baraat, Do Dooni Chaar, and the image of the city has also undergone massive change in them. It’s no longer the power capital or spoiltbrat’s arena. It’s the rising middle-class now who are the heroes in these films.
Filmmaker Onir Anirban says Delhi actually is the testament of the fact that the city remains on the minds of a lot of filmmakers these days. “As compared to Delhi, Mumbai is an overexposed city. How much a place can add to the subject of the film decides how it will be showcased in the movie. Delhi has captured the fancy of directors who are fascinated with this unexplored city. Now every other film is based here. The middle-class is the way to reach your audience’s heart. Give credit to the rising number of upper-middle class, who want to relate to the characters they see on the screen.”
Surbhi Tandon, a Delhi University student, couldn’t be more proud to see the vibrant face of Delhi onscreen. “Finally, filmmakers have identified what Delhi is all about. It’s a welcome change to see a Dilliwallah that everyone can relate to. Especially, the lead actors of Band Baaja Baraat, who captured the nuances of their characters so beautifully,” she says.
She adds, “Until a few years ago, Delhi was barely acknowledged for its character or scope. Directors were convinced that only Mumbai has aam aadmis who travel in local trains and Delhi only has rich brats and politicians, but thankfully, they are looking deeper.”
Piyush Mishra, actor and scriptwriter, begs to differ. “Whether it’s the glossy side of Delhi, or bylanes of Chandni Chowk, nobody knows what is the true face of Delhi. Even the way Old Delhi has been depicted in films is a far cry from reality. Now there are malls in Chandni Chowk, bare bones remain of Parathewali Gali, shops have encroached it. Filmmaker Manu Rishi and I want to explore the underworld in Delhi by writing a screenplay on the mohalla culture in the underworld. It’s vastly different from the underworld Mumbai or elsewhere. Have you heard of boys aged 11-12 committing crime with blades and keeping acid in their pockets? It’s this dark side of Delhi which is yet to surface,” he adds.