The incessant supply of superheroes from Hollywood every year has ensured that Americans are always safe. Barring Krrish to some extent, Hindi cinema has failed to make us feel safe in our homeland. Despite being a vibrant industry, our cinema has been unable to capture the imagination of a superhero tale with force and effectiveness. What’s ironic is the fact that several Indian authors have already created indigenous superheroes, who are perfectly ripe for the big screen.
We, at The Quint, have decided to throw some examples at our filmmakers to remind them of the treasure back home they should explore.
Super Commando Dhruv
What makes Super Commando Dhruv interesting is that he doesn’t possess any superpowers, and doesn’t hide behind a mask. Nor does he opt for an alter ego. Born to a couple who worked as trapeze artists, Dhruv’s journey started as an orphan seeking revenge, and consequently being adopted by a police commissioner. Having learnt acrobatic skills at the circus itself, he vows to end crime by sharpening his fighting skills and his sharply analytical mind, that uses science to its fullest.
Our vote: We need someone agile, lean and with substantial acting skills. Ranbir Kapoor gets our vote for essaying this guy on the big screen.
Nagraj
Nagraj, which literally means the king of snakes, has the ingenious desi spin to the idea of superheroes. Conceived as a negative character who finds his true calling after meeting his Guru, Nagraj is a wonderful mishmash of mythology, science-fiction, fantasy, and the myth of Ichchadhari Nag (shape-shifting serpent). With millions of microscopic snakes in his blood stream, Nagraj has the ability to unleash a slithering fear on his villains, while at the same time using them as a means of transport. A film on Nagraj requires heavy duty special effects, which means a mega-budget. We need someone who’s more than just lean and agile for this role. He’s got to have the moves too!
Our vote: If his dramatic skills are kept under check, Hrithik Roshan could be our snake man.
Doga
Unlike Nagraj or Super Commando Dhruv, this character created by Raj Comics adheres to the idea of a vigilante. He prefers the shortcut of uprooting the problem instead going the long haul in solving it. He is barbaric, and uses modern weapons with an intention to kill. Amply helped by street dogs, he wears a dog mask as his identity. This anti-hero navigates the grim realities of modern India, and carries the strange appeal of a law-breaker, who brings justice with violence.
Our vote: It would be great if Anurag Kashyap revives his film on Doga, because he is the right director for the required realism. But instead of Kunal Kapoor, why not have someone like, say, Ranveer Singh, with rippling muscles and an intense persona?
Chacha Chaudhary
Though there has been a TV series on the red-turbaned old man and his friend from Jupiter, it hardly brought to life the witticisms of the comic strip. A man of infinite intelligence, Chacha Chaudhary is probably the most prolific comic book character to have emerged out of the subcontinent, and a film on him would be just the right thing for our family audience. The trick would be to make Sabu, Chaudhary’s friend from Jupiter, appear believable and charming. And yes, don’t forget Chachi and the ever reliable dog, Rocket.
Our vote: Amitabh Bachchan, the grand old star of Hindi cinema is the perfect foil to play the charismatic old man.
Angara
A superhuman made out of animal body parts, he has bullet-proof skin of a rhinoceros, the sharp mind of a fox, the power of an elephant, the heart of a lion, and the eye of an eagle among several other animalistic qualities. Created on the lines of Tarzan by Tulsi Comics, all animals abide by his command, and help him vanquish evil.
Our vote: Since Varun Dhawan is already quite popular with kids, it would be interesting to see him essay the animal man, albeit with long, flowing hair.
(The writer is a journalist and a screenwriter who believes in the insanity of words, in print or otherwise. Follow him on Twitter: @RanjibMazumder)
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