So another year goes by. Quite an eventful year. The nascent energy of the new year sprouts out new hope. And what better way to start new year than by watching "3 idiots". A thought provoking movie in the light due to all wrong reasons. I still couldn't understand why the makers of the movie are so reluctant to share the credit with Mr. Bhagat. There is no denying the fact the movie is a good more than just 2 or 3% of FPS. And anyone who would have read the book and seen the movie would very clearly know that. And by sharing the credit with Mr.Bhagat, i don't see anybody losing out on anything.
This and all makes one wonder if this fights and war of words aren't just a publicity stunt. Considering the fact that both the movie and the book is benefited by this, this is pretty cost effective way of advertising. And if it is not, the people who are in charge of advertising should take a look at it in that perspective. Cost effective because you don't have to pay anything for airing your advertisements. The gossip hungry channels would always pick it up for free. With all due respect to the television media, the reason why they pick it up is basically because the public is gossip hungry! And its not just one side that is benefited here. I guess this is a perfect example of SYMBIOSIS.
Secondly this kind of publicity is more effective than showing trailers on music channels simply because this gets every body talking and the word gets spread. So next time you visit a bookshop and see a copy FPS, you think about the press conferences and the gentleman shouting "SHUT UP". Some one wise once said "Any kind of publicity is good publicity". Though i don't believe it is correct always, but it works if you are advertising movies. There has been various occasions where the makers of themselves circulated wild gossips to get attention of people.
I don't say that this was all fabricated to grab the attention of people. I just want to say if it is so, its creative thinking by the advertising managers.I would call this innovative marketing though it can be debated if it is ethical or not. Yes they are making fool out of the common man, but then some of advertisements also do same. Now if Mr. CB and Mr.VVC shake hands and finish of this issue, it can bring a perfect end it to the whole saga and every body stands benefited out of this. The book and the movies gets noticed and the tv channels get their TRP ratings.Even the gossip hungry public is also kept happy.
I wont be surprised if lot of advertising managers resort to similar tactics for advertising their products in near future. Especially in times of recession when you have a very strict budget controls, this is quite an effective way of making public notice.
Mr.Khan is himself famous for his unconventional methods of grabbing public attention for his movies.I would believe that "Mr.Perfectionist" tag that he carries itself is one good way of turning heads.Before Mangal Pandey was released there was a lot of stuff circulating in the media about how he had prepared himself for two long years for the movie. Before the release of Ghulam, i remember him saying in one of the interview how he hadn't washed his face for a week for a particular scene. And the list is long. When you hear that kind of stuff, unknowingly it stirs your interest in the movie. And that's what he capitalizes on and that's what any advertisement is aimed at. And i don't see anything unethical in this. If what he is doing is wrong, then its wrong to air advertisements also.I have great respects for Mr.Khan. And i don't know if really intends publicity by his actions or not.But if you look through IDIOTOSCOPE, this is what you will see!
I read FPS during my college days.Needless to say that it strikes the right chord with the youth and no wonder its still one of the most popular books amongst the college going guys.3 idiots is an equally good movie, i can see there has been a lot of effort taken to make a movie out of the book. The makers deserve their due of credit but so does Mr.Bhagat as seeds were planted by him.
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