The Bollywood industry is no stranger to controversy, and one of its most outspoken critics is filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri. Known for his unapologetic and frank statements, Agnihotri has made waves in the industry with his latest remarks. As the director of the hit film “The Kashmir Files” and with his upcoming release “The Delhi Files: The Bengal Chapter” on the horizon, Agnihotri has shared his concerns about the current state of Bollywood. In a lengthy post, he expressed his views on the decline of the industry, stating that it’s crumbling – and that’s a good thing.
Agnihotri lamented the lack of fresh ideas and new producers in the industry, which he believes has led to a stagnant and uncreative environment. The box office, once a platform for innovative storytelling, has become a hub for manipulation and deception. He emphasized that for a new structure to rise, the old one must be demolished, and this, he believes, is a necessary step towards revolutionizing the industry.
The director took to social media to share his thoughts, writing, “Bollywood is crumbling – and what could be better than that? The industry is in shambles, and that’s a good thing. To build something new, you need to tear down the old, and that’s exactly what’s happening right now.” He also pointed out that the absence of independent producers and innovative ideas has led to a monopoly, with only a few studios dominating the market.
Agnihotri also criticized the trend of re-releasing old films, stating that it’s a desperate attempt to cling to the past rather than embracing new ideas and talent. He expressed his disappointment that many directors have given up on creating meaningful content and have instead succumbed to the allure of OTT platforms. The filmmaker also bemoaned the lack of talented new stars, saying that the current crop of actors is more interested in their social media presence than in honing their craft.
In a scathing critique, Agnihotri wrote, “For the film business to thrive, you need star actors. But there’s a dearth of talented new stars. If you look for someone in the 21-35 age group, you’ll find hardly anyone – neither heroes nor heroines. Those who do exist can’t speak Hindi, can’t convey emotions, and are more interested in Instagram than their work. They haven’t achieved much, but they travel with a large entourage.”
The director also touched on the topic of corruption in the industry, stating that those who created this vicious cycle are now playing the victim. He believes that the monster they created will ultimately consume them, and he’s hopeful that this will lead to a rebirth of the industry, with creators focusing on producing good content rather than perpetuating a system of corruption and exploitation.
As Agnihotri awaits the release of his next film, his comments have sparked a heated debate in the industry, with some agreeing with his assessment and others dismissing his views as overly pessimistic. One thing is certain, however – the Bollywood industry is at a crossroads, and it remains to be seen whether it will take Agnihotri’s words as a wake-up call or continue down a path of stagnation and decline.
