Tolly discovers selfie posters. Where is Bollywood?

Selfie is most definitely the biggest discovery of this living-in-the-moment generation. Several films and songs have already been dedicated to these self-portraits. With appreciation, it also raised many a brow. Dubbed a psychological disease, it was thought to be a global threat when many lost their lives trying to capture the perfect frame. The latest craze? Going under the knife to make for the perfect selfie! So, it was only a matter of time before cinema held a mirror to this social trend. An increasing number of films are depicting the lead characters clicking selfies on their posters. Lovers or friends, young or old, if you are in the film, you got to be in the selfie poster! And this is one trend that Tollywood, finally, seems to have discovered before its Bolly counterpart (Time we reclaim the famous line — what Bengal does today, the world does tomorrow). And this, over and above the fact that candid, personal selfies, clicked by the actors on or off the sets, are being used by production houses to crank up the public interest in the film prior to its release, by either using them to introduce songs on YouTube or by releasing them as alternate artworks for the films. We take a look at some of the films that have nailed this trick.

Belaseshe

When the entire family unites, you know, including those you have only seen in your mum and dad’s dog-eared wedding pictures, what do you do? You take a selfie! And then, of course, reset the privacy settings on your social networking sites so none of your cousins can tag you in those pics. But then, you do smile in them, right? Because, however much cooler you might be to be taking selfies with family, secretly, you fear the ageing wrinkles on your dad’s face as bad as you love the taler bora grandma makes for you. And you want to preserve one frame to show off, if only to future generations.

<strong>Parbo Na Ami Chartey Toke</strong><br /> <br /> <br /> What&rsquo;s the one obsession that drives the social-networking generation? Indulgence. More importantly, self-indulgence. Exactly why the poster of <em>Parbona Ami Charte Toke</em> is bang on. You want to take a selfie with your boyfriend and show it off. But the boyfriend pretends to be irritated because, c&rsquo;mon, obsession with oneself is such a girlie thing. Even though, he too probably craves &lsquo;likes&rsquo; on his profile pic as bad as you do! BDW, do you know what Bonny and Koushani&rsquo;s prize was every time they gave an okay shot? A selfie with the director. Hence, proved.

<strong>Aro Ekbar</strong><br /> <br /> The film, about to release next week, revolves around three college friends, who reunite after 25 years. Predictably enough, when besties unite, selfie is a must. All the backbiting, heartburns and men-bashing can wait. First, the world deserves to know, as SJP said in<em> Sex and The City</em>, &ldquo;Maybe our girlfriends are our true soulmates and guys are just people to have fun with&rdquo;. Thus, this poster.

Kathmandu

Photographs of Kath Mundu’s stars clicking selfies have already generated quite an interest for this Raj Chakrabarty film! Here, Tollywood heartthrob Abir can be seen posing for a selfie with actress Srabanti against a picturesque backdrop of the mountains.

Aashiqui

Aashiqui, starring Ankush and Nusrat Faria, recently released a picture of the two clicking a selfie as part of their promotional campaign. Here's hoping the film gains from the selfie marketing and does wonder at the box office!

<strong>Family Album</strong><br /> <br /> Album. There you go. Enough explanation. But for the cynics out there, who have no clue how, making faces at each other can be construed as the purest form of companionship &mdash; check out this poster. Goofy faces are us girls&rsquo; second-most favourite selfie pose. The first is obviously the one where &lsquo;I am looking way better than the others&rsquo; in the frame. Also, if you do not possess embarrassing pictures of your besties to blackmail them with, what kind of a friend are you?<br /> <br />

Jamai 420

Makers of Jamai 420 used a selfie clicking photograph of Ankush and Nusrat to introduce the title song. Although the film went on to do average business at the box office, the promotional song garnered huge popularity.

Romeo Vs Juliet

In Romeo Vs Juliet, Ankush and Mahia Mahi are seen clicking a selfie in the backdrop of a foreign location. Foreign locations are, after all, crucial for a film’s performance and essential for its marketing.