Wondering about how during the 70s, 80s and 90s, the filmmakers could come up with classics that had audience connection and emotional recall for moviegoers during that time and even in present times, Jackky Bhagnani delved into the subject of why classic films still matter and what makes a box office hit today, while speaking at WAVES Summit 2025 during the panel discussion of “Beyond Nostalgia: The Business of Restored Classics”.
The conversation opened with Kamal Gianchandani, a key voice in the film exhibition and distribution space, who emphasized the urgent need to make classics accessible on digital platforms. “So many of our films disappear from public memory because they aren’t readily available. Audiences constantly tell us they want to revisit the classics,” he noted, adding that despite the deluge of new content, the industry must work to preserve its foundational works.
Actor-producer and music entrepreneur Jackky Bhagnani reflected on why classic films continue to draw audiences, and what today’s creators can learn from the past. Citing the theatrical re-release of Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein and Biwi No.1 under his banner Puja Films, Jackky highlighted the power of emotional recall and audience connection—even in a world saturated with digital options. “People say ticket prices are high, but I believe people’s time is the most expensive. Gen Z wants experiences. That’s why they’re choosing to watch old films in theatres even when they’re available online,” he said.
Jackky’s admiration for the era between the 1970s and early 2000s is deeply rooted in how filmmakers did more with less. “There were no jibs, no steadicams—and yet the stories moved you. It was the simplicity of the writing and the sincerity of emotion that worked. Today, I still get influenced by those films. I keep asking myself—how did they do that back then?”
On the idea of restoring classics, Jackky Bhagnani pushed the envelope beyond just digital clean-ups. “Restoration isn’t just about scanning old prints. Imagine using technology to bring back iconic characters—like Mr. Bachchan from Silsila—into a new story. That too is a kind of preservation, and honestly, it excites me.”
But what makes a film work today? Jackky admits there’s no magic formula. “We re-released Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein and it did well. We thought Biwi No.1 would do even better, but it didn’t match expectations. Audience moods are subjective, seasonal, and layered. In hindsight, you can try to decode it, but at best, it’s 50% data and 50% gut. If you can blend both, you increase your chances.”
For Jackky Bhagnani, the future of cinema lies in treating the past not just with reverence, but with innovation—bringing timeless emotion to today’s audiences in ways they never imagined.
