Bonded! For better or for worse?

Every time Bollywood witnesses a unique marriage of friendship and professional commitment, a camp is born.

And though not as old as the film industry itself, camp culture in Bollywood has been gaining constant momentum since 1960s and has assumed ‘mammoth proportions’ today in terms of sheer power and influence. Fortunes have been reversed and tides turned based purely on these filmi associations.

Sample this: Aishwarya Rai — who was ousted of the Yash Chopra camp post- Mohabatein, thanks to her alleged cold war with the Chopra camps’ favourite Shah Rukh Khan — regained an entry into the Chopra camp as Aishwarya Bachchan, or rather as soon-to-be-Bachchan with Kajra Re . And that one sizzling number did wonders for Ash’s otherwise not-so-great career.

She topped it with another Yash Chopra film Dhoom 2 and zoomed way ahead several actresses. Incidentally, SRK on his part shifted his loyalties to good friend Karan Johar. This divide was even more evident when camp loyalists were clearly demarcated by being invited to the Aishwarya-Abhishek Bachchan wedding. SRK clearly was not on the much coveted guest list. The need to be a part of such camps was also evident when Kareena Kapoor — who’s high handed attitude had cost her an association with Karan Johar post Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham — recently sought out KJo and extended him an olive branch. Govinda too managed to make a smashing comeback with Partner, all thanks to his good friend Salman Khan and David Dhawan.

The stars’ personal affinity translates for very strong cliques in Bollywood and being a part of such camps often offers an illusional security in this otherwise quicksand of fame and money. And their films stand witness to their unpledged loyalties and allegiances. “A hit often ensures that filmmakers repeat the same set of actors, directors and even technicians, hoping that they will be able to repeat their success innings. Add to that their high comfort level with each other both professionally and personally and bonds are forged that are not bound by any contract,” explains trade analyst Komal Nahta.

So, while Yash Chopra’s camp boasts of stars like the Bachchans (a camp in themselves with the combined star power of Amitabh, Jaya, Abhishek and now Aishwarya) and Rani Mukherjee; Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan are best buddies in showbiz and a camp in their own right. Similarly, Sooraj Barjatya’s a Salman Khan loyalist, while no film of Sanjay Gupta is complete without good friend Sanjay Dutt’s presence. Vipul Shah and Dharmesh Darshan swear by Akshay Kumar, while Guddu Dhanoa and Anil Sharma’s association with the Deols (Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby) is well-known. Ajay Devgan is Rajkumar Santoshi’s fave star, while Anil Kapoor has been Subhash Ghai’s hero. Who can ever forget the comic capers coming from David Dhawan’s stable starring Govinda and Salman Khan or the kissing histrionics of Emran Hashmi in Mahesh Bhatt films.

Suniel Shetty — who’s earned the nickname Anna aka big brother dismisses the term ‘camp’ he says, “I work with certain people over and over again, not because I am part of any camp, but because I consider them as my good friends. Often I have signed films without considering any risks involves only because my friends needed me at that point.”

Director David Dhawan, who’s been a close witness to the ups and downs in good friend and actor Govinda’s life, says, “Films or no films, both Govinda and I treasure our friendship. Success is very fickle in this industry, but friendship is forever. Govinda knows that I will always stand by him, as I know so will he.”

And even as many consider it a boon to be a part of the camp culture and don’t skip any chance to flaunt their association, newcomers often complain that it becomes difficult to break into big banners. “All the big banners have their favourites. It becomes difficult for any newcomer without a filmi background to even imagine to be a part of the bigger production houses,” rues a newcomer.

However there are many who beg to differ and are of the opinion that in fact, being a part of the camp often goes against one’s interests. More so in recent times, when the icy under-currents in the industry between some of the big camps has sparked new power equations.
Filmmaker Apoorva Lakhia puts it rather bluntly, “Not being a part of any camp is definitely a good thing. It makes both actors and directors more approachable as they are not under any obligation to work or not to work with any one.” Following this mantra are several actors like Saif Ali Khan and John Abraham who believe that choosing a film should be based on the script and not due to any obligation to work with someone. Says John, “I have always chosen my films based on their scripts and my role. I don’t believe in doing just about anything to gain an entry into any camp.”

Saif Ali Khan too agrees. “I repeated my films with Yash Chopra because they suited me and the Chopras had approached me only because I suited the role. Besides I love their style of filmmaking and share a good equation with their unit. They know their job well. They wouldn’t have approached me had I not fit their requirements. The same applies to Vidhu Vinod Chopra. I believe in their movies and that’s why I agree to do them in the first place,” he admits candidly.

But even though, some actors have escaped falling into the trappings of the camp-culture, there are many who would very lovingly jump into it blind-folded. After all, it’s one industry where the evergreen song from Sholay is still considered an anthem of sorts.
And it’s hard to resist singing this one: Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin Chhodenge...

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com