There was a time in Hindi films when opening credits were used as a means to let audience get settled into their seats so that they would not miss the film which actually starts once 'Directed by' came written. It still happens today in some films. And when I say plain written credits, then I mean no background photo or visual happening at same time, even no animation.

But as we have advanced now, lots of creative opening credits have started coming. In 'Jaane tu ya jaane Na', we see various couples in start of the film which has no direct connection with the main characters of the film, just a way to start the film with the feeling the director wants audience to have right from beginning. In' Break ke Baad', Kunal Kohli opts for writing the credits with moving visuals but they come written on various home furniture or non living things. Cool, but it was extended a lot...

Lots of directors choose background themes or instrumentals with visuals, it was the case in JTYJN, My name is Khan, Jhootha Hi Sahi, Ghajini and many many more films. Some directors use songs(it may or may not be item songs) as a means to begin a film, with credits over it. In doing so, some may start the film directly with it, while some may put one sequence and then bring the song to ease the action. Dabangg, Ready, Jism, Rog, DevD are few egs of this format.

And then there are some films, who follow the Hollywood format i.e credits with visual action going on, dialogues happening between characters. I can't actually recall the hindi films who did this, anyone wants to help? Maybe Kurbaan was one of it and yea Dil Se did it too. One may argue if thats the right way, who would notice the credits in all this. But how many do actually notice credits really ?


For End Credits, most of our films follow a common path, they end it with a remix track or promotional track done for the film, numerous egs of it like Yuvvraaj, Kidnap, Love Aaj Kal, Jab we Met, Murder2, Awarapan. There are some films that use background audio themes with either still last shot of film or black screen, like Fanaa, Dev.D, Raavan etc. Some creative instances are like Dev.D having credits coming in a 180 degree revolve that then shifts into normal mode. Then, Rab ne bana di jodi had the honeymoon of the characters happening in the left scaled photo along with credits. While Rohit Shetty has this habit of always showing behind the scenes of shooting in the end credits of his films.

If the audience have liked or loved the film, you would expect them to watch the end-credits before leaving the theatre, and hence the director has to make sure its worth it too. Though, there is section of audience where I belong too.. who aneways wait till the end-credits end.


If you ask my preference, then I feel the perfect Opening Credits are, when the film begins with 1-2 sequence, then goes into a song(which aint a item track) and rolls over the credits along with it. That's the one I love the most!  While in the end-credits, I prefer themes always with some unseen visuals from the film, or behind the scenes etc. I don't really like remixes or promotional tracks fitted at the end, as sometimes it hurts to see them if they were one of your most liked songs of the album.

Also, the font style used by lots of makers is modern and stylish, but some opt for simple look and feel, like Nagesh in Mod.

One thing for sure, we will keep getting lots of variety with each new film in terms of both the aspects of credits. And with time, surely gonna see more innovations done in this regard.. Keep the good work going.


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Yash.