Hansal Mehta Says Hindi Cinema “Needs to Reset”

by YOUxTalks | Mar 12, 2025 | Entertainment

For those predicting doom for Bollywood—pause. The industry isn’t dying. It’s waiting to be disrupted. The problem isn’t the audience losing interest; it’s that the industry is feeding them the same old, tired formulas instead of taking creative risks. When investment is funneled into the safe, the recycled, and the formulaic, innovation suffers.

Hindi cinema has always thrived on reinvention. The great eras of our film industry—from the golden age of the ’50s and ’60s, to the rebellious ’70s, to the experimental indie movement of the 2000s—were built on filmmakers and actors willing to take risks. But somewhere along the way, Bollywood lost that hunger. Today, it is obsessed with box office numbers, PR-driven stardom, and franchises that milk nostalgia instead of creating new legacies.

The past few years have proved that audiences don’t show up for just “stars” anymore. They show up for conviction. A great script, a well-crafted world, and a performance that feels real—these keep people coming back to the theaters or clicking ‘play’ on streaming platforms. The future of Hindi cinema lies in betting on raw talent, bold storytelling, and directors who can take a script and direct the hell out of it. It’s time for producers to stop playing it safe and start backing stories that matter. We need films that challenge, entertain, and push boundaries.

A new generation of actors, filmmakers, and writers is ready to change the game. But this movement won’t happen on its own. It will take producers with vision, platforms that back stories over statistics, and directors who demand authenticity over familiarity.

The Future of Hindi Cinema: Talent Over Stars

Talent that needs faith, not second-guessing—because if nurtured right, they’re the future.

Adarsh Gourav – The Shape-Shifter From The White Tiger (BAFTA-nominated) to Guns & Gulaabs and Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan, Adarsh disappears into roles. Hollywood is already betting on him (Alien TV series).

Vedang Raina – The Screen-Stealer The Archies was just the intro. In Jigra, he showed a presence that felt effortless, assured, and natural. With scripts that challenge him, he has the potential to break out as a serious leading man.

Ishaan Khatter – The Untapped Dynamo From Dhadak to Beyond the Clouds, A Suitable Boy, Pippa, and The Perfect Couple, Ishaan has proved he’s capable of far more than his filmography suggests.

Zahan Kapoor – The Breakthrough Name In Faraaz, he showed restraint and maturity rare for a young first-timer. Then came Black Warrant, cementing him as a name to watch.

Aditya Rawal – The Disruptor Bamfaad showed rawness. Faraaz won him a Filmfare. Bambai Meri Jaan proved he can command a screen presence in an ensemble.

Sparsh Shrivastava – The Silent Revolution From Jamtara to Laapataa Ladies, Sparsh has mastered the art of playing characters who feel lived-in and real. The industry keeps talking about “relatable actors.” Sparsh is already that.

Abhay Verma – The Wildcard The audience loved him in Munjya, turning a horror-comedy into a sleeper hit. But his range was already on display in The Family Man 2 and Safed.

Lakshya – The Relentless Fighter Lakshya stormed into cinema with Kill, delivering a raw, unhinged performance with the intensity of a seasoned action star.

Raghav Juyal – The Unpredictable Wildcard In Kill, he was terrifyingly unpredictable and showed potential beyond dancing. If given the space, he will surprise us again and again.

The Missing Piece? Faith, Investment, and Patience

Producers: Think beyond weekend box office numbers. Build talent that will bring audiences back for years.

Platforms: You have the data. Now have faith. In talent. Start backing actors, not algorithms.

Directors: Cast actors for their skill and depth. Not just familiarity. The audience is hungry for authenticity.

Bollywood has never survived by playing it safe. It has always thrived on reinvention.

The only question is: who will lead this next reinvention? Who will bet on talent when it’s still raw, still untested? Who will give us the next wave of great performances, not just the next wave of “bankable stars”?

For those who say Bollywood is finished, I say this: Hindi cinema is not dead. It is waiting.

Waiting for faith. Waiting for investment. Waiting for patience.