Bollywood was once the heartthrob of Indian cinema — a vibrant, star-driven industry that created magic with stories, songs, and spectacles. But in recent years, things have changed.

Many viewers feel disconnected. Flops are frequent. South Indian films are stealing the spotlight. Even loyal fans ask:

“What happened to Bollywood?”

The truth? Bollywood isn’t broken, but it needs a reboot — fast.

Here are 7 radical but necessary suggestions to help Bollywood get back on its feet and connect with audiences again.

 

1. 🎭 Prioritise Writers Like Stars

In Bollywood, the scriptwriter is often invisible, while actors and directors take all the credit.

Contrast that with South Indian cinema, where writers are central to the storytelling process, and the results show.

Solution:

Pay writers well

Give them public recognition

Involve them in promotions

Build writer’s rooms, not ego-driven solo projects

🧠 Fresh ideas come from the page, not the poster.

 

2. 🛑 Stop the Remake Addiction

From Kabir Singh to Shehzada, Bollywood has been flooded with remakes of South Indian films, many of which flopped.

Audiences don’t want carbon copies. They want original stories with fresh energy.

Problem:

Most remakes lose cultural context

They feel lazy and unnecessary

They insult viewer's intelligence

Solution:

Say “no” to remake rights

Adapt only if there’s a meaningful spin

Trust Hindi-language writers to tell new tales

💡 Audiences want stories, not shortcuts.

 

3. 🎥 Rediscover Middle Cinema

Bollywood has become polarised between:

Big-budget blockbusters (with explosions and item songs)

Tiny-budget indie films (that barely get noticed)

What's missing? The sweet spot of “middle cinema” — smart, relatable, entertaining films like:

Queen

Vicky Donor

Piku

Kahaani

These films used to dominate the 2010s. Today, they’re rare.

Solution:

Bring back films that blend mass and class appeal

Support small studios with creative freedom

Give theatres a break from only spectacle-heavy content

🎯 Middle cinema is where audiences fall in love again.

 

4. 🌍 Respect Regional Collaborations — Don’t Hijack Them

Instead of copying Telugu, Tamil, or Malayalam films, why not collaborate with them authentically?

The South has brought out the best in storytelling lately — RRR, Kantara, Vikram, Jailer, and Pushpa all proved that cultural pride sells.

Solution:

Co-produce with South Indian industries

Let South directors and music creators lead

Make bilingual films where both cultures shine

🇮🇳 India is diverse — Bollywood should reflect that.

 

5. 🧠 Invest in Film Education for Creators

Let’s be honest — nepotism isn’t the only problem.

Many filmmakers, editors, and even actors enter the industry without craft training. This leads to lazy editing, poor direction, and overacting.

Solution:

Mandatory workshops for debut directors and writers

More support for FTII/NFAI/Whistling Woods grads

Partner with international film schools for exchange programs

🎓 Talent isn’t enough — skill needs nurturing.

 

6. 🧪 Experiment, Even If It Fails

Audiences are bored with formulas:

Love triangle? Seen it.

Rich boy–poor girl? Done.

Item number? Predictable.

The rise of OTT and global cinema access has raised expectations. Viewers want:

Non-linear narratives

Realistic characters

Social commentary

High-stakes innovation

Solution:

Create space for bold, weird, genre-bending stories

Encourage short film incubators to find new voices

Accept that some experiments may flop — but they’ll grow the culture

🧬 You can’t evolve if you don’t take risks.

 

7. 📢 Reconnect with Real India

Bollywood often shows a shiny, elite version of India that feels detached from reality.

Meanwhile, South cinema embraces:

Rural stories

Folk traditions

Mythology with modernity

Local dialects and characters

Solution:

Hire researchers and sociologists to craft real-world stories

Represent tier-2 and tier-3 India authentically

Let regional landscapes, festivals, and issues become part of the script

🎭 Representation is relevant.

 

💡 Final Thoughts: From Fixing to Flourishing

Bollywood is still capable of greatness.

The magic isn’t lost — it’s just buried under bloated budgets, outdated formulas, and an overreliance on name power.

But with a few brave shifts:

Back to writing

Back to roots

Forward into innovation
—Bollywood can lead Indian cinema again, not just follow trends.

The audience has evolved.
Now it’s time Bollywood does too.

 

📌 Bonus Ideas

🔧 Want to go deeper? Here are more radical but possible moves:

Introduce screenplay awards for new writers

Allow audience feedback previews like Hollywood test screenings

Support regional language dubbing for Hindi films (reverse the trend!)

 

📚 Related Reads:

“Bollywood’s Biggest Misses: What Went Wrong?”

“Is South Indian Cinema Taking Over Bollywood?”

“RRR vs Baahubali: What’s the Bigger Cultural Moment?”