In the year of 2024, a trend of re-releases started. The main motive of the re-releases was to praise the old films that were masterpieces but were left unnoticed being way ahead of their time. A variety of such movies were re-released in the year including names like Rockstar, Tumbbad and the upcoming Ramayana by Yugo Sako.

 

Although the industry showed a good gesture by praising some great old films. Still, it feels like the industry is showing hypocrisy in praising the films that were unnoticed earlier, but then it also is ignoring the genius films that are being released in contemporary times.

 

Recently, the Film Federation of India (FFI) selected Laapataa Ladies as its official entry for the oscars. The FFI released a list of 29 films out of which Laapataa Ladies was chosen. Though the decision of selecting this film is itself controversial and the list of films too was criticized by many, the main concern is, one is not able to find the name of Bramayugam in the list.

 

Bramayugam, which is a period horror film, was released earlier this year and was a great hit in the box office with 80 crores of box office collection compared to the 28 crores of budget. The film was highly praised by all the critics and the direction of Rahul Sadasivan was great. The film’s treatment of period horror seems akin to the style of Robert Eggers.

 

Bramayugam, not being included in the list despite its high critical value, when certain sub-par commercial films were a part of the list is something worrisome. It shows that the industry, though ready to praise the older films, is completely ignoring the films of current times that have proved their mettle.

 

Although we are appreciating the excellent films which could not achieve the attention they deserved, ignoring the current films is something even more important. If a movie does not receive the acknowledgement it deserves in a particular time, the acknowledgement given later is of no use.