After years of sticking to formulas, Bollywood is finally waking up to "non-conformist" cinema, with filmmakers exploring not only newer topics but innovative techniques.
The Bollywood of yesteryears is making way for experimental cinema, and the audience's demand for fresh movie experiences lies at the centre of this change, say filmmakers and producers.
The latest and perhaps the most full-blown example in this long line is Dibakar Banerjee's much talked about, Love, Sex aur Dhokha, India's first digital film.
Dibakar, whose earlier directorial ventures have enthralled viewers and critics alike, has been known to believe in the maxim that the audience wants to feel connected to what is being shown on screen.
"My earlier films were on the periphery of mainstream Bollywood cinema, I agree, but what with their box-office success and a National Award coming my way, I daresay the audience is accepting my idea of cinema," he said.
Producer Ekta Kapoor, better known for her TV tear jerkers like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, took a risk with the film which has voyeurism as the central theme, but her belief in her director was never-faltering.
"It is a film we truly believed in. It was not a formula film. After giving two hits, Dibakar could have easily made a film with big stars but he did not. It is a big risk and speaks highly of his integrity as a filmmaker," Ekta said.