Q : Queer Props and Sets in Hindi Films / Bollywood #AtoZChallenge 2019

Once upon a time in Hindi Films, the highest gaudiest forms of creative expression were the props used and sets erected for shooting the songs. Sometimes they made sense too. But mostly the brief was simple - the props should be bigger, brighter, garish and preferably queer. 

In a 1984 film Tohfa (Gift), hero gifts the heroine a sari. A song follows. The entire song is shot with hundreds of saris as props, used in different ways. There is a mannequin too which shows up randomly. And let me assure you, this song is least weird in terms of prop usage you will see in this post. Of course the dance steps here are crazy too.

Have you ever had a Batata Vada (Maharashtrian Potato Fritters)? Well it is really yummy snack. Now imagine a song based on it. A song which ideally should not have existed in the 1987 film Hifazat (security). This song features Madhuri Dixit in her worst dance performance ever. But there is a reason for it. Both the leads are under the effects of drug laden batata vadas and are imagining this song. Both of them imagining the same song at the same time? Inception anyone? I am digressing though! So the highlight prop in this one is potatoes. And wait for the giant potato to make an appearance. 

I have seen songs where thousands of oranges are rolled down a hill as the lead actors dance. I have seen songs where a large telephone or a large tabla / drums are used as sets and stages for dramatic (comic?) effect.  But this song from the 1983 film Himmatwala (Courageous) tops it all. The colors in this song almost blind you. The stupid dance steps by Jeetendra (Jumping Jack is his moniker in Bollywood) can even put you off! If not for Sridevi's beauty and oopmph quotient, watching this song would be a total waste. But don't miss the pots and cartwheels used as props here! Is there a metaphorical significance which I didn't understand?

May be the answer lies in the following song (Taki Taki) from the same film. This one has no props.  They spent entire money on pots and cartwheels in the song above. But with similar dance steps without any queer props, this one pales in comparison. Don't watch the following song.

As we entered into 2000's the fascination with such gaudy and big props peaked in this song from the 2001 film Nayak (Hero). There are standard pots, but then there are large corn cobs too. And giant sunflowers. And scarecrows. I remember liking this film a lot because it had a meaty plot based on politics. But I also remember hating the songs in it. This film didn't need any. 

We still get to see lot of set-piece songs in Hindi films, but the props have got subtler over the years and it is a good thing and I think the following one from 3 Idiots is for the keeps. 

---

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 Q: Queue Story - A post about my Queue experiences. Click here to read.

2018 Challenge Post from Letter Q: Questions that are silly - A post about avoiding certain questions, in life altering situations. Click here to read.