ENTERTAINMENT
The curious case of quirky titles

Filmmakers are dangling new baits for cinegoers with quirky, tongue-twisting film titles. Impossible-sounding names like Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola and Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana are intriguing audiences and bringing them to the theatres
Deepa Ranade

Ever since Salman Khan’s films with dry and commonplace titles like Mr & Mrs Khanna and Veer tanked at the boxoffice, Salman has made sure that his films have catchy titles that will instantly catch the fancy of the audience. Wanted, Ready, Ek Tha Tiger and, of course, Dabangg bear testimony to his resolve that ‘well begun is half done’. Two years back when Dabangg released, most of us wondered what it meant. But today once-incomprehensible Dabangg has become a common phrase for anyone who is fearless and audacious!

Recent times have seen some really quirky film titles on the posters — Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, Shirin Farhad Ki To Nikal Padi, Kismet Love Paisa Dilli, Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, Aiyyaa and just recently — Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola!

Apparently, even filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj himself was skeptical about calling his film, Matru`85 and he consulted lyricist Javed Akhtar for a second opinion. Javed Akhtar backed the title and advised Bhardwaj to absolutely stick to it. Since then, the actors of the film come up with their own pronunciations of the film’s title. The title, which is a tongue twister of sorts, had many question the filmmaker about it too. Not only Vishal, even the actors Anushka Sharma, Imran Khan and Pankaj Kapur and have been correcting people with pronouncing Matru.

Bhardwaj has always had a penchant for innovative films titles. Whether it was Ishqiya or its upcoming sequel Dedh Ishqiya or the dark comedy thriller 7 Khoon Maaf, he has been tossing up new titles alright.

Quirky titles appears to be the new marketing mantra, with upcoming films — Shahid Kapoor’s Phata Poster Nikla Hero, Rohan Sippy’s Nautanki Saala, Yash Raj Films (YRF) Mere Dad Ki Maruti, Farhan Akhtar’s Fukrey, John Abraham’s Hamara Bajaj and Banana, sequel Bach Gaye Re Obama — filmmakers are gung ho about catchy titles. YRF set a trend of sorts by giving real foot-long names to their films with Aditya Chopra’s debut venture Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.

YRF has the longest list of long names to their credit — Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Band Baaja Baaraat, Ladies Vs Vicky Bahl, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Dil Bole Hadippa!, Laga Chunari Mein Daag, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Rocket Singh: Salesman of the year and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

In the recent years, there have been some curious titles like Khosla ka Ghosla, Wake Up Sid, Kartik Calling Kartik, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Deepti Naval’s Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish, Sanjay Dutt starrer Chatur Singh Two Star, Taxi No. 9211, Manorama Six Feet Under, Honeymoon Travels Ltd, RGV Ki Aag and Bheja Fry. Enough to send the viewer reeling!

Years ago art house films Salim Lange Pe Mat Ro and Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai didn’t get enough patronage but their curious titles stuck on to the memory board.

Marathi superstar famous for his double entendre dialogue created a laugh riot with his Hindi films titled Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein and Aage Ki Soch!

Filmmakers have been baiting the audience with long-winding titles since the times of V. Shantaram. He did not hesitate in naming his films — Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani, Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje and Do Aankhen Barah Haath. Those titles succeeded in intriguing the audience. Raj Kapoor opted for mile-long titles like Ram Teri Ganga Maili Ho Gayi, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Mera Naam Joker and Satyam Shivam Sundaram, which appealed to his fans. Then came Manoj Kumar with Purab Aur Paschim and Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan. But all the three filmmakers weren’t just being gimmicky, their film titles reflected the philosophy of their creations. It was a purely creative endeavor for them. But blockbuster maker Manmohan Desai exploited the potential of film titles to snare the audience — Rampur Ka Laxman, Aa Gale Lag Ja, Amar Akbar Anthony and Ganga Jamuna Saraswati to name some.

"But no amount of fancy titles, fabulous posters or tantalising promos can guarantee the success of a film. Content is always the king," argues Bhawana Somaaya, veteran film writer.

Publicity designer Atmanand of Studio Link reiterates, "Posters, promos and film titles can only hook the audience and bring them into the theatres, but the rest depends on the story, star power and marketing.’

So when Shakespeare’s Juliet said, "What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." And through these famous lines, the bard suggested that a name is an artificial and meaningless convention. But if these funky Bollywood film titles are anything to go by, Shakespeare may have to take back his lines!

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