Veteran filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has weighed in on Bollywood’s recent dry spell at the box office, offering sharp insights and clear solutions to steer the industry back on track.
In a chat with ANI, the Ghulam and Raaz director noted a major disconnect between Bollywood and its core audience. “We’ve abandoned the masses,” he said. “Everyone shifted to niche storytelling. During COVID, the habit of theatre-going diminished — and we forgot how to make those whistle-worthy, clap-triggering films.”
Citing the South Indian film industry’s continued success, Bhatt said, “They still serve their mass audience. They give them heroes, villains, adrenaline. We forgot how to make that kind of cinema.”
He stressed on bringing back urgency in storytelling — an emotional or narrative pull that makes audiences rush to book first-day-first-show tickets. “Even my recent film Tumko Meri Kasam got good reviews but didn’t perform — because it lacked urgency,” he admitted.
Bhatt also flagged the industry’s obsession with star power over substance. “Good music, strong stories — that’s what people want. If digital platforms and music companies push content-driven films over star vehicles, producers won’t feel the pressure to bank everything on casting,” he argued.
Lastly, he urged for better understanding of cinema’s financial structure and a shift in priorities. “Support the film, not just the face.”
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