I had the good fortune of meeting a representative from CAA (Creative Artists Agency) at the Cannes Film Festival. In a long discussion we had, one of his questions, foxed me! Are you a hero or a lead actor?
It set me thinking, why Indians or rather people brought up on commercial cinema, call the lead actor, hero?
Delving deeper I found, the whole concept of 'Hero' is a glam up, prop-tool, created by marketing & distribution teams of the famed Film Industry Studio system; idea being, audiences readily identify with the lead actor and the film makes a kill right at the opening weekend, because of that identifiable 'hero'. Nothing wrong, films are business, the wise say!
Honestly, I am a lead actor, I am not perfect, so unlike 'hero'; a hero sets everything right, brings a feel-good element to the audiences; whereas a lead actor is an integral part of any story, the story moves with him or her, they might fail, as in life, the film might end in tragedy, but nevertheless the story centers around a lead actor, in spite of him failing to achieve his goal!
Even in "69 Opposites Attract", I introduce myself in all meetings as a lead actor. The story arc moves with the lead character, Honey Kapoor. Though I would be honest, I would love to be a 'Hero' in future, who doesn't want to get six-pack abs, a nice-looking diva to romance; but most importantly, a fat paycheck.
Delving deeper I found, the whole concept of 'Hero' is a glam up, prop-tool, created by marketing & distribution teams of the famed Film Industry Studio system; idea being, audiences readily identify with the lead actor and the film makes a kill right at the opening weekend, because of that identifiable 'hero'. Nothing wrong, films are business, the wise say!
Honestly, I am a lead actor, I am not perfect, so unlike 'hero'; a hero sets everything right, brings a feel-good element to the audiences; whereas a lead actor is an integral part of any story, the story moves with him or her, they might fail, as in life, the film might end in tragedy, but nevertheless the story centers around a lead actor, in spite of him failing to achieve his goal!
Even in "69 Opposites Attract", I introduce myself in all meetings as a lead actor. The story arc moves with the lead character, Honey Kapoor. Though I would be honest, I would love to be a 'Hero' in future, who doesn't want to get six-pack abs, a nice-looking diva to romance; but most importantly, a fat paycheck.
