Randeep Hooda on industry's 'bhed chaal': " Abhi sabko Stree ke baad horror comedy banaana hai"

Actor Randeep Hooda recently shared his views on the current state of Bollywood, pointing out that the industry often follows trends instead of focusing on originality. Speaking at an event, he expressed concerns about the repetitive nature of Hindi films, emphasizing that once a particular genre or style becomes successful, the industry rushes to replicate it without taking creative risks.

Randeep highlighted the recent rise in horror-comedy films following the success of Stree. He observed that filmmakers tend to jump on the bandwagon instead of exploring fresh ideas. 'If one movie becomes a hit, everyone starts making the same thing. After Stree, now everyone wants to make horror comedies,' he noted. According to him, this herd mentality, or bhedh chaal, has led to a lack of innovation in Bollywood storytelling.

He further elaborated that filmmaking has become more about execution than creativity. He believes that the industry has distanced itself from experimenting with new concepts, making films feel mechanical rather than artistic. This, he feels, has led to a crisis where audiences are being offered similar kinds of content repeatedly, reducing the scope for originality.

However, Randeep sees hope in digital platforms, stating that OTT services still offer some room for experimentation. But even these platforms, he noted, are increasingly driven by business considerations and audience demand rather than pure artistic expression. Despite these challenges, he is determined to break this cycle by taking on meaningful projects that can connect with a broader audience while maintaining originality.

Randeep also praised South Indian filmmakers for staying true to their cultural roots and making character-driven films. He pointed out that their success lies in telling stories that resonate deeply with their audience. Their approach is different. They continue making films that reflect their own culture and basic human emotions, which makes them relatable to a wider audience, he said.

He compared the success of South Indian films to Bollywood’s classic era, where strong characters and memorable dialogues defined the industry. He noted how modern South films have successfully incorporated these elements, referencing iconic moments like Pushpa’s “Jhukega nahi” and how such lines remind audiences of the golden days of Hindi cinema.

With his upcoming projects, Randeep hopes to challenge the industry’s repetitive nature and bring originality back into filmmaking.