Randeep Hooda on Bollywood facing struggle; Says, "We have isolated ourselves..."

Bollywood is currently going through a box office slump, with several re-released films attracting more audiences than new releases.
At the sixth edition of The Indian Express’ Expresso series in New Delhi, actor Randeep Hooda and filmmaker Hansal Mehta engaged in a discussion about the ongoing crisis in Hindi cinema.
Hansal Mehta on re-releases
During the conversation, when asked why re-releases are performing better at the box office, Hansal Mehta promptly responded, "This is a social media trend. One or two re-released films have done well. It doesn’t mean that everything has been done well."
Randeep Hooda on Bollywood’s crisis
Joining the conversation, Randeep Hooda pointed out how the industry operates. “I would bring it down to bhedh chaal. If one thing works, then similar things start getting made. Sabko vahi banaana hai. Abhi sabko Stree ke baad horror comedy banaana hai. I, as an actor, don’t think that should be a parameter. So, there is a crisis going on because of many things.”
Adding more about the films had become formulaic, “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.”
Randeep on OTT
Despite the ongoing challenges in Bollywood, Randeep Hooda sees hope in streaming platforms, acknowledging them as a space for experimentation. However, he also recognizes that OTT platforms are increasingly influenced by commercial demands, as they prioritize audience engagement and subscriptions.
He emphasized the need for individuals to take a stand in maintaining a balance between creative risks and mass appeal. Expressing his approach, Hooda suggested that he aims to strike this balance by choosing experimental projects that still resonate with a wider audience.
Talking about South Cinema
During the discussion, Randeep Hooda praised South Indian filmmakers for their ability to create movies with deeper rootedness and authentic characterizations. He noted, "Their working style is very different, and I truly admire what they do. They continue making films that reflect their own culture, focusing on basic human emotions that appeal to a wider audience."
He further compared their storytelling to classic Bollywood commercial cinema, saying, "If you look at the big movies that are succeeding, many incorporate the essence of traditional masala films, like Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic line, ‘Main aaj bhi pheke hue paise nahi uthata,’ and now we have Pushpa’s ‘Jhukega nahi.’ That kind of larger-than-life appeal is making a comeback."
The actor also pointed out that South Indian filmmakers excel at creating films with deeper cultural roots and well-developed characters, unlike Bollywood, which often prioritizes aesthetics over storytelling. He observed that characters like Pushpa, with his rugged appearance and distinct mannerisms, feel more authentic compared to Bollywood’s emphasis on sculpted physiques and glamour.
Hooda expressed concern that many elite filmmakers and actors focus on physical transformations rather than genuine character development. However, he remains optimistic about the future, believing that while the industry is going through a transitional phase, audiences will continue engaging with films and streaming content.