NEW DELHI, June 28: Advanced technology can make actors fly in the air, jump down high-rises and do other dazzling, dangerous stunts. But it is the old Bollywood staple that really sets the viewer’s adrenaline rushing - borne out by the success of Rowdy Rathore, another raw action entertainer that has earned over Rs105 crore.

Dabangg, Singham and Agneepath had their fair share of raw action and all did brisk business, earning Rs145 crore, Rs139 crore and Rs120 crore, respectively.

Salman’s Wanted and John Abraham’s Force also fall in the same league of films with tough and strong male leads, who make villains count stars with their kicks and punches with an result of the viewers hoot, clapp, whistle and came back for more.

Clearly, hi-tech entertainers made with mega-budgets like underwater thriller Blue and sci-fi Krrish and RA One have their place, but the masses, particularly those in the interiors, want raw, rugged action. Agrees Bollywood’s khiladi Akshay Kumar, who returned to action with the Rs 45 crore-worth Rowdy Rathore after six years.

“I personally believe that people enjoy raw action more than technology. If you use too much of technology, it will bounce back. People are very smart and understand what is real and what is unreal,” said Akshay.

“If you sit in single theatres and watch such films with the audience, you will hear people saying, ‘This is done on computer’. You can’t take your audiences for granted. So when I did my first action film after six years, I chose to do raw action. I believe in manpower and not technological power,” he said.

According to film critic Omar Qureshi, nothing works without a good story. “Essentially, bollywood is about songs, dance and drama. In between, our filmmakers were copying straight from hollywood. They have a different style of filmmaking, which does not really connect with the rawness of our interiors,” said Qureshi.

Rowdy Rathore co-producer Shabina Khan says action can be showcased in any form on the big screen, but it is of no use if it doesn’t entertain the right way. “People go to a theatre to be entertained. Today there are all sorts of action scenes - live action and special effects-created scenes. It’s not true that live action entertains better,” said Khan. Dabangg 2, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2 and Shootout At Wadala are amongst the upcoming films showing plenty of raw action. And the makers are hoping that they will be laughing all the way to the bank. (IANS)