Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan has voiced his concerns over the current state of the Hindi film industry, observing its struggle to maintain authenticity in recent times. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, the director contrasted Bollywood with South Indian cinema and shared that Bollywood no longer ‘feels real’.
Ghaywan was attending the 7th edition of the Indian Screenwriters Conference (ISC), and during a panel discussion, he was asked about the recent success of South Indian films compared to Hindi cinema. He found South Indian movies to be more rooted in reality and authenticity. The filmmaker noted that characters in South Indian films appear more genuine and grounded, whereas in Bollywood, they seem more sanitised for a certain audience. “It has to go via Bandra. It doesn’t feel real. In the process of making a film palatable to a certain audience, you might lose what is real,” Neeraj added.
Ghaywan also expressed his disappointment over the absence of independent funding opportunities in India, a support system that he noted is readily available in European cinema. He highlighted the struggle filmmakers face in maintaining creative integrity while working with studios. He pointed out that financial recovery in Bollywood often depends on music sales or casting popular actors, making it difficult for directors to stay true to their vision. Despite these challenges, he emphasised that filmmakers must navigate these constraints and fight to bring their artistic vision to life.
Before becoming a director, Ghaywan worked as an engineer and a film critic. His breakthrough came as an assistant to Anurag Kashyap on ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ and ‘Ugly’. He later made his directorial debut with ‘Masaan’ in 2014, featuring Vicky Kaushal and Richa Chadha.