Hansal Mehta is not only known for his remarkable films but also for his impactful social media posts. On Monday, the filmmaker shared a long post on X, addressing the ongoing discussions about the future of Bollywood. In his post, he expressed that Hindi cinema needs a “reset” and emphasized, “The formula is simple: invest in actors, not stars.”
This post came after filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri shared his thoughts, stating, “BOLLYWOOD IS FALLING — and it’s the best thing that could happen,” where he discussed various aspects of the industry. While Hansal Mehta didn’t name anyone specifically, his message was directed at those predicting the doom of Bollywood.
Mehta wrote, “Hindi Cinema Needs a Reset. For those predicting doom for Bollywood—pause. The industry isn’t dying. It’s waiting to be disrupted. The issue isn’t the audience losing interest, but that investments are going into safe, recycled, and formulaic content. The future of Hindi cinema lies in betting on raw talent, bold storytelling, and directors who can truly bring a script to life. The last few years have proven that stars don’t guarantee audiences; conviction does.”
He continued, “A new generation of actors, filmmakers, and writers is ready to change the game. But it requires producers with vision, platforms that prioritize stories over numbers, and directors who demand authenticity. It will need financial discipline, a smart marketing strategy, and less of the template paid publicity that makes publicists richer but harms the industry.”
Mehta also highlighted Bollywood actors he believes could be the future of Hindi cinema if given the right opportunities. He mentioned names like Adarsh Gourav, Vedang Raina, Ishaan Khatter, Zahan Kapoor, Aditya Rawal, Sparsh Shrivastava, Abhay Verma, Lakshya, and Raghav Juyal.
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In his post, Mehta addressed the current gaps in the industry. For producers, he wrote, “Think long-term. Stop chasing weekend box office numbers and start building talent that will keep audiences coming back for years.” For OTT platforms, he urged, “You have the data, now trust in talent. Back actors, not algorithms.” And for directors, he suggested, “Cast actors based on their skill and depth, not just familiarity. The audience craves authentic, lived-in performances.”
He ended his post with, “Hindi cinema doesn’t need saving—it needs a shift in priorities. The formula is simple: invest in actors, not ‘stars.’ Write without fear. Direct with conviction. Written in good faith. Apologies for any omissions or errors.”
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