What makes a hit film?

At the Ficci Frames conference, three generation of film makers had an interesting take on what makes a film work.

Ramesh Sippy of Sholay feels that there is no such thing as an ideal film. "When you make a film, too many people decide what is right or wrong. But a good film maker is one who keeps his own counsel and does what he thinks is right."

Vidhu Vinod Chopra of the recent Eklavya says what counts is the film makers passion and self belief. "The truth is that even after seeing a film it is not always possible to predict how it will do at the box office. For example, Sholay and Munna Bhai."

Shimit Amin who made Chak De feels that "There has to be something crazy in the film maker. It is an endless game, but so long as there is passion to keep trying and be innovative, we, as film makers, will derive satisfaction."

But hold on to your horses if you think passion alone makes a good film. I am sure Ram Gopal Varma, Subhash Ghai and Suneel Darshan were all passionate about Aag, Kisna and Shakalaka Boom Boom.

So is it then a good story that makes a hit film? If so how do you explain the non success of Dor or the success of Heyyy Baby! Maybe if Dor had stars it would have been a blockbuster. But then how did Laga Chunari Mein Daag flop?

The fact is nobody knows what will work or flop.