This Independence Day, we are going to set corruption, poverty, and illiteracy aside to concentrate on a field closest to our hearts. Yes, we are talking about Bollywood that churns out approximately hundred to hundred and fifty movies every year. Let’s face it, Bollywood movies influence us in more ways than we care to admit. So on the 69 ^th  I-Day celebrations, we want freedom from the following elements…take a look: 

Stalker-turned-lovers:  

Bollywood not only glorifies stalking, but also lands the stalker the girl of his dreams. We hope that movies would stop turning possessive and obsessive psychos into the actress’ knight in shining armour. Any guy who relentlessly pursues you even after your ‘no’ is clearly not normal. No amount of dancing-around-the-trees can redeem that. 

Women-oriented movies limited to special features: 

Why can’t Bollywood show everyday woman as strong, liberated and carefree? Why does she need to be a cop, a karate instructor, or a victim of abuse to unleash her strength? Why can’t actresses show their independence via normal situations? Either the heroines are too na?ve or too aggressive. There’s never an ‘in-between’, where, in fact, most ladies actually are in real life. 

Item numbers: 

These songs do not take the story ahead, do not offer any context to the proceedings, and definitely make no sense whatsoever. But if titillating the audiences is the motive, Bollywood movies are failing even there because item songs are hardly raunchy. The item dancer is too conscious, her skimpy clothes too ‘in-your-face’ and her moves too practiced for anybody to even understand what’s happening. 

Actors as singers: 

Well, it’s certainly not wrong for an actor to croon a number, but making it a regular feature is unnecessary. Let singers do their jobs. Let’s not take away from a professional. Actors lending their voices would be epic fun when they do a live performance. Otherwise it’s a publicity stunt that’s been done to death. 

Black and white characters:  

No human can be slotted into black and white, except Bollywood movie characters. We wish they bring forth ‘grey’ roles that are close to who we are. It would not only make movies more exciting, but also take us at par with international films. It’s a pity that film-makers fail to take a cue from their own stories and people when sketching out characters. Also, a little bit of grey is exciting, real, and thrilling. 

Which Bolly element you want to say bye-bye to this year? Let us know…