Why is Bollywood dying?

 

By Shardul Joshi, SYBAF

Bollywood, which was once considered the icon of the Indian entertainment industry, is now

facing a gradual decline in recent years. Many factors are responsible for the same. First of all,

repeat storytelling and over dependence on following a particular trend of plot twists. All of these

factors have made Bollywood films boring. The audience today demands authenticity and

originality, which Bollywood is not providing nowadays. The rise of OTT platforms has given

exposure to content worldwide and has increased the expectations of the audience, as the

audience has a choice between variety or genres and the option to watch high quality content.

This makes Bollywood's traditional style of film making appear outdated.

In recent times many film makers focus on their star cast and not the script of a film. In the race

of making new stars famous, the Bollywood industry has forgotten to create films that stand out

in the field of global cinema. Moreover, regional cinema in India, particularly from the South,

has gained nationwide popularity with fresh ideas and strong narratives, drawing audiences

away from Bollywood. While Bollywood is not entirely “dead,” its dominance is certainly

challenged. To survive, it must reinvent itself by embracing originality, investing in good

storytelling, and connecting with the changing tastes of modern audiences. Without this shift,

Bollywood risks losing its cultural relevance.