'Ensemble' films in vogue now

(MENAFN- Arab News) Can big stars actually work together This is indeed debatable.

Time was when A-list actors didn't mind working together. Look at memorable hits like 'Sholay''Chupke Chupke' and 'Amar Akbar Anthony'. But over a period of time when actors became more popular (and so did their egos!) the 'multi-star cast' formula faded into oblivion.

But today the multi-star formula has reared its head again. With recent releases like 'Gunday' 'Finding Fanny' and the soon-to-be-released 'Happy New Year' this trend is returning. Yes the multi-starrer films seem to be back in vogue.

Big stars may hesitate to do multi-starrers but 'ensemble' cast movies are preferred as every character is well-etched. Sure we will see an array of Hindi films in the near future which will feature an 'ensemble' cast.

And insisting that that Farah Khan's directorial venture 'Happy New Year' should be categorized as an 'ensemble' movie is actor Shahrukh Khan. 'It's not just a Shahrukh starrer. It has Deepika Abhishek Boman Jackie Shroff Vivaan Shah and Sonu Sood. I think I am doing an 'ensemble' film for the first time. The beauty and newness of 'Happy New Year' is that it is not a hero or heroine- oriented film' noted King Khan.

In fact after the 2007 super hit reincarnation saga 'Om Shanti Om' the Shahrukh-Deepika Padukone-Farah team are coming together for 'Happy New Year' for the second time. Incidentally the film is scheduled for release during Diwali which is just round the corner.

Having no problem in working in multistarrers or 'ensemble' films is actor Farhan Akhtar who scored a major solo hit with his award-winning blockbuster 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'. According to Farhan 'ensemble' films are definitely fun to work in. Plus he feels that one also gets a chance to learn from all the people working in the same frame. The central pair was Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif in 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' but Farhan's character got noticed with his smart one-liners and soulful poetry.

His next film with Zoya Akhtar titled 'Dil Dhadakne Do' too is an ensemble venture where he will be seen sharing screen space with Priyanka Chopra Ranveer Singh Anil Kapoor Anushka Sharma and Shefali Shah.

Now watch out for Govinda and Parineeti Chopra in a never-seen-before avatar 'Kill Dil' .This is Yash Raj Films next in line a star-studded venture starring Ranveer Singh and Ali Zafar. It sure seems to be heading for the 'must-watch' list as the trailer looks very impressive. Looking at the impactful 'Kill Dil' trailer it seems Shaad Ali is all set to deliver a blockbuster again. Laden with cheesy one-liners action scenes bike stunts 'Kill Dil' seems to have all the trappings of a masala entertainer.

The sequel to the 2007 multi-starrer hit 'Welcome' is 'Welcome Back'. Point to be noted is that this version has the lead pair John Abraham and Shruti Haasan.

Backing multi-star cast films is actor Suniel Shetty. He says 'These days single screens don't run multiplexes do. Single shops don't do much business malls do. Similarly that is why single-starrer movies don't work these days multi-star cast movies work.'

In the past it has been seen that multi-starrers have always saved the day in Bollywood. This phenomenon has been observed generation after generation. With the release of so many 'ensemble' movies starring many superstars (instead of the usual lead hero-heroine combo) it sure looks like these movies are all set to shine brightly. And shine purely due to the abundance of talent!