Anubhav Sinha Reflects on Popcorn's Cinematic Legacy: "How Did It Become Bigger Than Movies?"
Image via IANS
New Delhi — Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, known for critically acclaimed films like Mulk, Article 15, and Anek, recently turned social historian on social media. In a detailed Instagram post, Sinha explored the fascinating origin story of popcorn, tracing its path from ancient tribal cultures to becoming an inseparable companion of cinema lovers across the world.
The post, accompanied by an image of assorted popcorn varieties, reads like a socio-cultural reflection, blending culinary history with film industry economics. His question at the heart of it: "Why has popcorn become as iconic as the films themselves?"
Popcorn’s Ancient Roots
Sinha begins by rewinding thousands of years. He notes that popcorn isn’t a modern invention but has its origins in South America, where indigenous tribes in Mexico and Peru were consuming puffed corn as far back as 3,500 BC.
“In the early 19th century, Charles Crater discovered a method to make popcorn using steam,” Sinha explained. This innovation helped the snack gain popularity at fairs, circuses, and public events, marking the beginning of its commercial journey.
The Cinematic Ban and Great Depression Breakthrough
When cinema halls emerged in America during the early 20th century, popcorn wasn’t welcome. It was noisy, messy, and seen as a lower-class snack—hardly fitting for the plush, carpeted interiors of early theaters.
That changed during the Great Depression of the 1930s. As economic hardship struck, popcorn—being both affordable and filling—became popular. Street vendors capitalized on the crowds gathered outside theaters, setting up carts and stalls. Eventually, theater owners realized the profit potential and allowed popcorn inside—marking the beginning of its romance with movies.
“People had no money, and popcorn was cheap,” wrote Sinha. “Lihaza, shops opened outside theaters, and then slowly it was allowed inside—at higher prices.”
Cold Drinks Join the Stage
As popcorn found a permanent place in theaters, cold drinks also began making inroads. Sinha writes that during and after World War II, there was a sugar shortage, impacting cold drink availability and cost. But both popcorn and cold beverages bounced back, cementing their place in cinema culture.
“Now in cinemas, these two (Hindustan had samosa, now biryani has reached) earn more or equal money than cinemas in cinemas,” he remarked, highlighting the irony that concession sales often match or exceed ticket revenues.
The Popcorn Paradox for Filmmakers
Anubhav Sinha uses this historical lens to raise a modern dilemma for filmmakers:
Why should audiences pay high prices for a movie ticket if the real profits lie in popcorn and soft drinks?
“The accountability of the filmmaker is that why should we spend so much money and go to watch the movie. This is a reasonable question,” he wrote. “But the reasonable question of the filmmaker is: we have only made a film. Someone else is selling popcorn and cold drinks.”
This, he suggests, speaks to a broader disconnect between film creation and film consumption economics—a gap where the filmmaker’s effort might not be the main source of theater revenue.
A Question for the Audience
Sinha concludes his note with a simple but telling question:
“How much popcorn do we eat in our homes?”
“I eat often. You guys? Once a week? Once a month? Only in theaters?”
This ending reframes the narrative—popcorn is not just a snack but a ritualistic experience, deeply embedded in our movie-going culture, yet oddly absent from everyday life.
Final Thoughts by The Trending People
Anubhav Sinha’s Instagram note goes beyond trivia. It prompts a broader reflection on how culture, class, economy, and entertainment converge in the unlikeliest of places—like a bag of popcorn. His storytelling offers both a history lesson and a philosophical nudge, encouraging both audiences and creators to think more deeply about the rituals of consumption tied to art.
In an age where cinema is rapidly evolving, from multiplexes to OTT screens, the filmmaker’s musings are timely and relevant. They remind us that sometimes, the smallest things—like popcorn—carry the biggest stories.