Filmmaker Hansal Mehta has weighed in on the ongoing debate about the state of Hindi cinema, responding to claims that Bollywood is facing a decline. Mehta, known for his bold storytelling, has argued that Bollywood is not dying but is in desperate need of a “reset” to realign its priorities and focus on genuine talent over market-driven stars.
“Hindi cinema needs a reset,” Mehta wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding, “For those predicting doom for Bollywood—pause. The industry isn’t dying; it’s waiting to be disrupted. The problem isn’t that audiences are losing interest, but that investment is being funneled into the safe, the recycled, the formulaic. The future of Hindi cinema lies in betting on raw talent, bold storytelling, and directors who can take a script and direct the hell out of it.”
Mehta’s statement touches on a critical issue within Bollywood—the over-reliance on stars and formulaic content that has dominated the industry in recent years. He emphasized that recent years have shown that “stars don’t necessarily bring audiences; conviction does.”
In the same post, Mehta also criticized the rise of paid publicity in Bollywood, which he believes is hurting the industry. He pointed out the trend of paid publicity, which has led to inflated reputations for some films and celebrities, thus impacting the overall credibility of the industry.
“A new generation of actors, filmmakers, and writers is ready to change the game,” he wrote, adding, “But it will take producers with vision, platforms that back stories over statistics, and directors who demand authenticity over familiarity.” Mehta argued that Bollywood’s shift should involve changes in storytelling and film marketing and production.
He pointed out that marketing should focus on authenticity and long-term vision, not on short-term gains or the typical templates that are commonly used for publicity. (ANI)
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