Why Bollywood is struggling: A deep dive into Hindi cinema’s crisis ft. industry stalwarts

Bollywood, once the undisputed king of Indian cinema, is going through one of its toughest phases. While a few films like Stree 2 and Chhaava have managed to draw audiences, the overall state of the industry remains concerning. Despite Shah Rukh Khan’s record-breaking successes in 2023 with Pathaan and Jawan, Bollywood has failed to maintain momentum, and 2025 hasn’t brought much improvement. The industry is at a crossroads, struggling to find its footing while South Indian films dominate the Hindi box office. So, what exactly is going wrong? Why are Hindi films failing to connect with audiences? A closer look reveals multiple factors at play.

Disconnected Storytelling: Losing Touch with the Audience

One of the biggest criticisms Bollywood faces today is that it has lost touch with its audience. Veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar pointed this out in a discussion with Aamir Khan. He noted that dubbed South Indian films, featuring actors unfamiliar to the North Indian audience, are still outperforming Bollywood films, sometimes collecting over Rs 600-700 crore. Akhtar bluntly asked, “What happened to our people?”

South Indian films are succeeding because they are deeply rooted in their culture and emotions. As Aamir Khan explained, We’re not focusing on the broader strokes like anger, love, and revenge. South films are what we used to call single-screen films, very mass, very rooted. Meanwhile, Bollywood has shifted its focus toward more polished, multiplex-friendly films, often overlooking the raw, emotional connection that mass audiences seek.

The Rise of South Indian Cinema

South Indian filmmakers have cracked the formula that Bollywood once mastered, making films with conviction. As Sunny Deol noted, “The story is the hero for them.” He believes Hindi cinema should go back to its roots, citing examples like Ghatak, Damini, and Arjun, films that resonated deeply with audiences. Sunny also pointed out how South Indian producers trust their directors and let them execute their vision without interference, something that Bollywood often fails to do.

This has allowed South Indian cinema to go beyond regional boundaries and become pan-India blockbusters. Films like Pushpa: The Rise, RRR, KGF, and Kantara found audiences across the country because of their universal appeal and strong storytelling. Meanwhile, Bollywood’s recent trend of remaking South Indian hits instead of creating original content has made it look creatively bankrupt.

The OTT Disruption: The Changing Viewing Habits

Another major factor contributing to Bollywood’s struggles is the rise of OTT platforms. With streaming services providing high-quality content at home, audiences no longer feel the urgency to visit theaters. Aamir Khan highlighted this issue, saying, earlier, I used to watch movies because I had no option. Now, it’s dependent on a fancy for films. So we’ve killed our own business model.

Javed Akhtar agreed, emphasizing the need for a longer gap between theatrical and streaming releases. “A film should have at least a three to four-month gap before it arrives on OTT,” he suggested. Currently, the short window between cinema and digital release discourages audiences from buying theater tickets, as they know they can watch the same film at home soon.

Bollywood’s Unrealistic Budgeting and Star-Driven Model

Another major issue plaguing Bollywood is its unsustainable financial model. Filmmaker Karan Johar recently pointed out that There are about 10 viable actors in Hindi cinema, and they are all asking for the sun, moon, and earth. He revealed that some actors demand Rs 35 crore per film but fail to bring even Rs 3.5 crore in opening-day collections.

The over-reliance on star power has backfired. Films led by big names no longer guarantee box office success, as seen in the failures of Selfiee (starring Akshay Kumar) and Laal Singh Chaddha (starring Aamir Khan). In contrast, South Indian cinema places more importance on storytelling than stardom, allowing them to make films with better budgets and higher profitability.

The ‘Cool’ Filmmakers vs. The Mass Audience

Salman Khan recently voiced his concerns about Bollywood filmmakers being “too cool” and disconnected from the real India. “They feel it’s from Andheri to Colaba,” he said, referring to the limited urban-centric view of many directors. He emphasized that Hindi films must cater to audiences beyond metros and target the heartland of India, which South Indian cinema is doing successfully.

Similarly, Karan Johar mentioned how Bollywood suffers from herd mentality. If Jawan and Pathaan worked, suddenly everyone wants to make action films. Then a love story works, and everyone shifts there. This lack of conviction and originality is hurting the industry.

Corporate Takeover and Loss of Passion

Another major issue is the corporatization of Bollywood. Sunny Deol lamented how filmmaking has become purely a business, with corporates replacing passionate producers. Earlier, the producer used to love a story when the director narrated it. Then they would commit to making it. Now, the joy of filmmaking is sucked out because it’s all about numbers, he said.

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap also shared his frustration with the industry, saying, Everyone is chasing unrealistic targets, trying to make the next Rs 500 or Rs 800 crore film. The creative atmosphere is gone. Kashyap, who once thrived on making unconventional films, admitted he has distanced himself from Bollywood due to its increasing toxicity.

A Glimmer of Hope: The Road to Revival

Despite the grim situation, not everyone believes Bollywood is doomed. Director Hansal Mehta remains optimistic, saying, “The industry isn’t dying. It’s waiting to be disrupted.” He believes Bollywood must move away from formulaic films and focus on raw talent and bold storytelling.

New-generation actors like Adarsh Gourav, Zahan Kapoor, Lakshay, Sparsh Shrivastav, Sharvari Wagh, Pratiba Ranta, Triptii Dimri and others are showing promise. These actors, along with fresh storytellers, could be the key to Bollywood’s revival if given the right opportunities.

Bollywood’s current struggles stem from multiple factors: disconnected storytelling, competition from South Indian cinema, the rise of OTT, unsustainable star fees, and a lack of conviction in filmmaking. However, the industry is not beyond repair. By focusing on storytelling, engaging with real audiences, reducing financial excesses, and embracing fresh talent, Bollywood can reclaim its lost glory.

As Aamir Khan wisely said, “It’s like a cycle. You make mistakes and then course correct.” The question now is- will Bollywood take this much-needed course correction before it’s too late?