Bollywood Is Facing Criticism For A Perceived Decline In Quality

By Tanveer Zaidi (Actor–Author–Educationist)

Bollywood, once the undisputed heart of Indian cinema, is facing an unprecedented wave of criticism and decline. The charm that once drew millions to theatres is now being questioned, with many pointing to creative stagnation, an over-reliance on remakes, and formula-driven storytelling. Viewers and critics alike complain that the industry has lost its originality, failing to keep pace with evolving audience tastes — and, worse, chasing trends instead of setting them.

Trade Expert Sharad Rai lays the blame squarely on the industry’s dependence on rehashed content. “Bollywood has become overly reliant on remaking old classics or adapting stories from South Indian cinema, rather than investing in original scripts.

This creates a sense of déjà vu and leaves no room for freshness,” he says. “When Salman Khan began the trend with back-to-back blockbusters, it worked because it was backed by his charisma. But once other filmmakers started imitating that formula without the same magic, disaster struck at the box office.”

Rai goes on to say that Bollywood has lost touch with its audience. While dubbed South Indian films often outperform Hindi releases, he warns against blind imitation: “You can’t just copy their style. Audiences appreciate authenticity. That’s why original South films click — they’re rooted in their culture and vision.”

Another sore point is the decline in dialogue writing and acting dedication. According to Rai, many performances now feel mechanical. “Some stars don’t prepare for their roles, relying on teleprompters and repeating the same mannerisms in every film. One top star has delivered 13 flops in a row — overacting in roles that didn’t suit him. It’s a shame.”

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to streaming platforms, where viewers found global, high-quality content at a fraction of theatre prices. Rai believes OTT’s rise isn’t killing Bollywood — it’s exposing its weaknesses. “People are simply choosing better-written, more engaging shows and films. Bollywood needs to match that level.”

Concerns also run deeper, touching on nepotism, bullying, toxic work environments, and an obsession with celebrity image over storytelling craft. Financial pressures push production houses to stick with “safe” commercial projects instead of taking bold creative risks.

Adding to the disappointment is the absence of family-oriented entertainers like Prem Ratan Dhan Payo or the wholesome Rajshri Productions films. Audiences, especially older ones, crave the warmth and innocence of those narratives.

Yet, all is not bleak. Hits like Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki, Salman Khan’s Tiger 3, Sunny Deol’s Gadar 2, and pan-India blockbusters like Pushpa 2, RRR, and Baahubali 2 prove that strong stories and big-screen magic can still pack theatres. Even lighter fares like Housefull 5 and Chhaava have found commercial success.

The consensus among experts is clear: for Bollywood to reclaim its throne, it must reignite its creative spark, invest in original ideas, and reconnect with its audience — not just at the box office, but at the emotional core of cinema.

#Bollywood #FilmIndustry #CinemaCrisis #SharadRai #IndianCinema #OTTvsBollywood #OriginalContent #FilmQuality #FamilyEntertainment #BollywoodVsSouth #HindiCinema #EntertainmentNews #TanveerZaidi #IndianFilms