Mumbai – 2025
Veteran actorNaseeruddin Shah, never one to mince words, has once again ignited a fierce cultural conversation. Speaking at a panel during the Pune International Film Forum, the legendary performer referred to a large section of mainstream Hindi cinema as suffering from“creative bankruptcy”, adding that “Bollywood seems more interested in algorithms than art.”
His words—pointed, passionate, and unmistakably timely—have since gone viral, rippling through industry circles, social media, and creative guilds. For some, it was a long-overdue mirror. For others, it struck a nerve in an industry still balancing betweencommercial pressure and creative paralysis.
The Statement That Shook the Stage
Shah, seated alongside screenwriter Juhi Chaturvedi and cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay, delivered the now-headline-making quote:
“We are churning out films where the plot is an afterthought, the hero is a product, and the music is a meme. Bollywood is not short on money—it’s short on courage.”
He further criticized thehomogenization of storytelling, where even supposedly “different” films fall into formula:“gloss, gun, and redemption in 140 minutes.”
A Longstanding Critique, Newly Revived
This isn’t the first time Shah has challenged Bollywood’s direction. But in a post-pandemic, post-OTT India, his critique carries renewed weight:
- 2023–24 saw a flood of underwhelming big-banner releases that failed at the box office
- Several “pan-India” projects leaned heavily on formula, star power, and visual effects—only to crumble under weak scripts
- The rise of regional and independent cinema has made Bollywood’s creative fatigue harder to ignore
The Industry Responds
While Shah received applause from indie filmmakers and cinephiles, his comments also triggered responses from commercial voices:
- A-list actor (name withheld) reportedly commented off-record, “It’s easy to critique from the outside. The market decides creativity now.”
- Producers Guild of India released a neutral statement, saying, “Every industry must listen to critique—but evolution takes time, not blame.”
Others, like directorNeeraj Ghaywan, welcomed the dialogue:
“Art should disturb the system occasionally. Naseer saab’s truth has more healing power than the denial of comfort.”
A Question of Responsibility
Shah’s statement has reopened a fundamental question:
Is Bollywood telling stories—or just producing content?
His critique challenges:
- The over-reliance on remakes and franchise fatigue
- The sidelining of screenwriters in favour of “bankable faces”
- The disconnect between Hindi cinema and India’s cultural present
Ironically, some argue Shah’s own iconic legacy (fromSparshtoA Wednesday) now highlightsjust how far mainstream cinema has driftedfrom narrative honesty.
Final Word
In a business of bright lights and loud applause, Naseeruddin Shah’s voice landed like silence—and it echoed.
Because the question isn’t whether Bollywood will survive.
It’s whether it remembers why it began in the first place:
To reflect life—not escape it. To stir thought—not just ticket sales.
And if art is meant to hold a mirror to society, perhaps it’s time Bollywood turned the mirror around.
