Big B, Ajay Devgan changed people's view of Bhojpuri films

Mumbai, July 13 (UNI) Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Ajay Devgan have changed the viewpoint of general audience towards Bhojpuri films by acting in them, says Bhojpuri superstar Dineshlal Yadav.

In an exculsive chat with UNI today, Yadav said ''Earlier Bhojpuri films were looked down upon, but the Big B starrer Bhojpuri megahit 'Ganga' and its subsequent sequel 'Gangotri', which is being made, has changed people's response towards Bhojpuri films. We are no longer a small industry, but a force to reckon with.'' Of late, there has been a sudden boom of Bhojpuri films, in which Bollywood stars like Ravi Kishen, Nagma, Priya Gill and Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan have struck gold.

Explaining this sudden usurp, he says ''There are 33 crore Bhojpuri speaking people spread all across the world. The ability of the producers and directors to tap this potential by showcasing their own culture is a big USP. The audience identify with the films and hence they are such a huge hit.'' Quoting figures he states ''Even if you go to the interior parts of the country and compare a Bollywood and Bhojpuri film, the latter does more business. While in the 11th week, a Bhojpuri film still fetches Rs 1,17,000 as compared to Hindi films, which generates revenue of upto Rs 40-50,000 only.'' Some of the films which Yadav had done included 'Chalat Musafir Moh Leya Re', 'Hogailba Pyar Odhanaiya wali se', 'Kasam Dharti Maiya Ki' and 'Nirhua Rickshaw walah', which had broken box office records and a sequel of which has been made.

''Some of the major territories for our films are UP, Bihar, Punjab and Mumbai,'' he informs.

Yadav does his own stunts and claims he has never used a body double. He has been hurt in the process, but he takes it in his stride.

On an optimistic note, he adds ''Just as films made in South, like the recent Rajnikanth starrer 'Sivaji', are a big rage among the Bolleywood viewers, similarly I forsee the same future for the Bhojpuri industry.'' UNI LS SSS JK HS1011