O : Occupations in Hindi Films / Bollywood #AtoZChallenge 2019

In recent years, I have increasingly felt that protagonists in Hindi films now have real jobs or occupations. Like we have. These jobs have some impact on their lives and in few cases even important to the plot of the film. Example in Badhaai Ho, the lead protagonist works in a modern office and is in a relationship with his colleague. His father has a job in railways. These jobs provide character to these leads and help us understand them better. In fact the lead protagonist stops going to office because of an incident and it impacts him and his family. 

So just to prove / disprove my hypothesis I did the following analysis. I picked up top 10 Bollywood hits (box-office collections) from 2018, 2008 and 1998. Then I listed what job / occupation the lead protagonist in each film had and see if any trends are emerging. 

2018

Movie - Occupation of the lead protagonist(s)

Sanju  - Bollywood Actor

Padmaavat - Rulers / Warriors / Queen

2.0 - Robotic Scientist / Ornithologist

Race 3 - Arms Traders / Gangsters / Shady Business Owners

Baaghi 2 - Soldier

Thugs of Hindostan - Pirates

Badhaai Ho - Salaried employee in a modern office

Stree - Ladies' Tailor

Raazi - Spy / Soldiers

Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety - Salaried Employee / Heir to a sweet-shop magnate

2008

Movie - Occupation of the lead protagonist(s)

Ghajini - Businessman / Medical Student / Advertising Model

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi - Salaried employee

Singh is Kinng - Gangsters

Race - Businessmen / Personal Assistants / Part-time horse racing

Jodhaa Akbar - Rulers/ Warriors / Queen

Jaane tu... Ya Jaane Na - College Students

Golmaal Returns - Has an office / not clearly defined

Dostana - Male Nurse / Fashion Photographer / Editor in a fashion magazine

Bachna Ae Haseeno - Game Designer / Super Model / Female Taxi Driver

Sarkar Raj - Gangsters

1998

Movie - Occupation of the lead protagonist(s)

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - College Students / Not clearly defined in second half

Pyaar to Hona hi Tha - No job / One time thief

Soldier - Some soldier who doesn't really look like one / on some special assignment / not clear

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan - Policemen / Thieves 

Pyaar Kiya toh Darna Kya - Over aged college students 

Satya - Gangsters

Ghulam - Local Boxing Champion

Major Saab - Armymen; but surprisingly the movie is not about that

China Gate - Ex-Army men

Dulhe Raja - Dhabha owner

Before we analyze the trends, I also wanted to list commonly seen character occupations in Hindi Films since 1950s. This is based on some articles I read and my own experience of watching so many films. Here's the list : Farmers, Policemen, College Students, Singers/Performers, Soldiers, Bandits/Dacoits, Gangsters, Conmen / Thieves, Lawyers and Teachers.

Trends

• Clearly Bollywood is enamored by law enforcers and law breakers. Out of the top 10 films, these are the main vocations in 6 films in 1998, 2 in 2008 and 3 in 2018. Though over the years, new occupations are making appearances. 
• Farmers have lost it to city dwellers. Not even a single film in these 30 have a farmer protagonist. In last two decades, Bollywood started telling more urban stories. 
• Thankfully over-aged college students are not in vogue any more. We get more stories of people having real jobs now.
• We see more diversity of occupations in 2018 and also see resurgence of a middle-class salaried employee. Also, in 2008 salaried employees are there, but to make them look glam, they are either in fashion or gaming
• Sweet-shop owner and Ladies' Tailor indicates that off-late urban stories have moved to fast urbanizing smaller towns. 
• Sadly, women occupations are still limited to fashion and modelling largely. Mostly, they don't have any well defined occupations in Hindi Films. With more women-centered stories being told and more women spending money to watch films, this is going to change soon.

What are the trends you noticed? Please share in the comments section.

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My theme for this year's #AtoZchallenge is Hindi Film Industry / Bollywood cliches. You can read the theme reveal post here.

2017 Challenge Post from Letter O: Oh Brother! - A post about childhood adventures of my brother. Click here to read. 

2018 Challenge Post from Letter O: Once Upon A Time - Three tiny tales based on real incidents. Click here to read.