They are more than just advertisements on a roadside; they are a kind of cultural phenomenon in India. Huge, over-scaled billboards loom over the city and have been used for publicity of films for several decades. Vibrant hand-painted hoardings of the 1970s to sleek digitally printed ones have played an essential role in maximizing interest audiences create for movies, pushing them to theaters, and using a strong company-nation market where cinema is embedded in culture as one of the most lasting impressions tool for filmmakers. If you are to be an aspiring filmmaker, a marketer, or a cinema buff, this guide will introduce everything what needs to be understood about hoardings in Indian cinema, from their history to modern-day applications and strategies.
What are Hoardings?
Hoardings are majorly outdoor advertisement types that also come along with the name billboards and tend to catch the eye of any passerby. In India, hoardings of this ilk are intended to promote films that are coming up with star cast, dates of release, and other major visuals. An example of a hoarding-type positioning would be outside bus stops, railway stations, or city squares. Hoardings are highly visible and extremely powerful advertising forms which would continuously remind the audience of the movie and generate excitement amongst them.
Types of Hoardings in Indian Cinema
Theatrical Hoardings
Near any cinema theatre, hoarding is fixed for announcing the film release to attract viewing public.
Example: The hoardings of Baahubali were working like magic in creating an artistic presence beyond-the-theatre.
Cityscape Hoardings
Publicly showcased in eminent areas of cities to reach a wide audience.
Example: KGF: Chapter 2 ruled cityscapes with the largest hoardings in the metro.
Digital Hoardings
Use LED screens for a more dynamic and interactive effect content.
Example: Brahmāstra displayed its digitally created glamorous trailers through digital hoardings.
Mobile Hoardings
Vehicle mounted on buses and trucks, usually to reach another part of the city.
Example: Mostly independent filmmaking gets to use mobile hoardings for cheaper publicity.
Special Event Hoardings
For example, the hoardings of Pathaan premiere portrayed Shah Rukh Khan in his unique pose.
Hoardings (Regional)
Targeted towards a particular audience as per their language and culture and showcase regional films.
Example: Pushpa released hoardings separately for its Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu audiences.
Key Elements of Effective Hoardings
Visual Impact
Catchy bold colors, striking illustrations, and oversized designs all direct attention.
Example: The hoardings of Sholay are still remembered today due to their rich and dramatic presentation.
Clear Messaging
Brief and powerful text conveying what the movie exemplifies.
Example: The Dangal hoardings spoke of an inspirational theme, accompanied by superb taglines.
Star Power
Showcase the lead actors of the film, whose audiences would follow.
Example: Hrithik Roshan and Tiger on War hoardings were instant buzz creators.
Call to Action
Encouraging the audience to watch the movie by giving date and other theater details.
Example: KGF: Chapter 2 had hoardings with hashtags and social media handles for online engagement.
Cultural Relevance
Important aspects that make connections with things relevant to the culture and tastes of the target audience.
Example: These hoardings have more local languages and pictures in the regional films.
Steps to Create a Hoarding Strategy
Set Your Goals
Find out what you want to achieve with your campaign, whether it is making people aware of it, filling tickets, or anything else.
Determine Your Audience
Get to know your audience and have an idea of their preferences, behaviors, and the kind of media they consume.
Example: Students of the Year could be hyped up with gaudy designs with just a bit of thrill to entice Gen Z.
Choose the Most Fitting Type of Hoarding
Pick a type of hoarding that resonates with the goals of your promotion and target audience.
Example: Theatrical hoardings are good for the moviegoer, while cityscape hoardings will have a mass reach.
Hoard and Create Content that Stings
Collaborate with designers to build attractive and attention-grabbing hoardings.
Example: Using brilliant hefty typography combined with stunning visuals, Kabir Singh hoardings accumulates all attention.
Strategically Distribute
From here make optimal placement in mega traffic and exposed locations.
Example: Hoardings put up for KGF: Chapter 2 were found in metro cities and tier-2 towns.
Survey and Change
Monitor the progress of your hoarding campaign and change things when necessary.
Example: If the design of a hoarding does not evoke any response, experiment with a different one.
Essential Skills for Hoarding Campaigns
Aesthetic Hoarding Design: Designing hoardings, which are enlivened and made powerful through design.
Strategic Hoarding Planning: Formulating a well-coordinated effective hoarding schedule.
Cultural Considerations: Understanding the audience’s taste and cultural spaces.
Collaboration: Working with designers, printers and distributors for the campaign’s execution.
Budget Control: Distributing resources for maximum impact.
Challenges of Hoarding Campaigns in Indian Cinema
High Costs: The printing and installation of hoardings do involve a lot due to conspicuous expenses in the case of bigger campaigns.
Limited Reach: Hoardings may not reach audiences in remote areas or the digital-first regions.
Sustainability: Using materials such as vinyl raises environmental sustainability concerns.
Competition: In a week of several releases, it can be tough to get noticed.
Logistical Complications: Coordinating production and installation of hoardings can be complex.
Tips for Effective Hoarding Campaigns
Start Sooner: If you want to present an approach for advertising hoarding that builds anticipation, do it quite early.
Utilize the Star Cast: Featured prominently in your presentations should be the leading men of your film; vitamin F fans will be attracted.
Think Outside the Box: An imaginative design or concept adds extra oomph to your hoarding.
Strategic Targeting: Put the hoardings where likely target audiences will see them.
Digital Integration: Provide QR codes or social media handles that connect the physical world with digital.
Feedback Surveillance: Get feedback from audiences and improve upon them for your campaign.
Iconic Hoarding Campaigns in Indian Cinema
Having hand-painted hoardings across the country made Sholay one huge hoarding.
Baahubali (2015, 2017)
Hoardings which made one feel larger than life created huge buzzes in India.
Dangal (2016)
Inspirational-themed hoardings connected people nationally.
KGF: Chapter 2 (2022)
Hoardings-minimal designs-an aggressive campaign across cities.
Pathaan (2023)
The hoardings with Shah Rukh Khan made instant buzz and speculation among people.
Career Opportunities in Hoarding Campaigns
Graphic Designer: Make hoardings and promotional material that draw one in by sheer beauty.
Marketing Manager: Planning and managing hoarding campaigns.
Media Planner: Maximizing hoarding impact through strategized placement.
Print Production Specialist: Overseeing printing and installation of hoardings.
Public Relations Specialist: Liaising with media and designers and distributors.
The Future of Hoardings in Indian Cinema
Hoarding’s future in Indian cinema is changing along with sustainable development and innovation. The next generation of hoarding campaigns will be structured using eco-friendly materials and digital means of a new creative approach. Hoardings are a weighty medium for filmmakers amid the growth of digital media in developing an immediate and tangible connection with an audience.
Conclusion
Hoardings have cast a spell over Indian cinema for engaging audiences. From the quintessential hand-painted designs to the much newer and slicker digitally created billboards, hoardings have always offered an audience the wide-as well as the gorgeous canvas to create buzz and lure them in. It is in the making that hoarding campaigns bring films maximum visibility, ensuring in the long course that the effects are lasting. Be it a blockbuster or indie gem, hoardings stand between you and the audiences’ heart; your hoardings are like magic. Action, camera, and hoarding!
