Bollywood is having a tough time at the box office this year, with only two films doing well. In an interview with Indian Express, actor Randeep Hooda talked about the problems in Hindi cinema. He criticized the industry for always following trends without thinking and praised South Indian filmmakers for sticking to their cultural roots.
Randeep Hooda on the Crisis in Hindi Cinema
Randeep criticized Bollywood’s ‘bhedh chaal’, saying, “This is a social media trend. One or two re-released films have done well. It doesn’t mean everything is working. If one thing succeeds, similar projects start getting made. Sabko wahi banaana hai. Abhi sabko Stree ke baad horror comedy banaana hai (Everyone wants to make the same. After Stree, everyone wants to make horror comedies). As an actor, I don’t think that should be the parameter. The industry is facing a crisis due to several factors. There’s a lot of film execution happening now, not filmmaking. We have isolated ourselves in the ivory tower a little. There’s little room for experimentation.”
Experimentation in Storytelling on OTT Platforms
Randeep shared that OTT platforms are now the best place for trying new ideas in storytelling. However, he also mentioned that these platforms focus on content that can reach a bigger audience and increase subscriptions, making it a business-driven space. Randeep hopes to find a balance between popular and experimental projects, picking topics that connect with viewers.
Randeep Hooda Praises South Indian Filmmakers
Randeep praised South Indian filmmakers for their focus on real human emotions, which makes their films easy to connect with. He explained, “Their films feel more grounded, with real characters. For example, in Pushpa, the hero doesn’t have six-pack abs; he has a beard and a crooked shoulder. But some so-called top filmmakers and actors are more focused on building muscles than developing strong characters. They’re not making films driven by characters. However, people will continue to watch movies and OTT content; this is just a phase of change.”
Randeep Hooda’s Upcoming Project
Randeep Hooda will soon be seen in the action thriller Jaat, where he plays the dangerous villain, Ranatunga. The film also stars Sunny Deol, Regina Cassandra, Ayesha Khan, Saiyami Kher, Zarina Wahab, Vineet Kumar Singh, Prashant Bajaj, Ajay Ghosh, Dayanand Shetty, Jagapati Babu, and Babloo Prithiveeraj in important roles.
The movie is directed by Gopichand Malineni, who is making his debut in Hindi films. Jaat will be released in theatres on April 10, and it is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory.
