Renowned screenwriter Niren Bhatt, known for crafting some of Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters like “Stree 2”, “Munjya” and “Bhediya”, recently voiced his concerns about the current state of screenwriting in the industry.
Speaking at the 7th edition of the Indian Screenwriters Conference (ISC), hosted by the Screenwriters Association of India (SWA), Niren Bhatt did not hold back in expressing his disappointment with the way the system operates.
Addressing the gathering, he described the industry as being in a state of turmoil, where writers are facing an unprecedented crisis. While acknowledging the struggles of screenwriters, he also pointed out that this period presents a unique opportunity for those willing to break conventional norms. According to him, the established rules of filmmaking are no longer effective and only those who dare to disrupt the system will thrive.
Niren Bhatt also criticised Bollywood’s reliance on remakes, highlighting their consistent failure in recent years. Citing industry figures, he noted that nearly all remakes (23 out of 25) released post-pandemic have underperformed, reinforcing the need for original storytelling. He emphasised that the only way forward for filmmakers is to focus on fresh and innovative content rather than rehashing old ideas.
Currently, Niren Bhatt is working on several projects within the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, including “Thama”, featuring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, along with highly anticipated sequels “Stree 3” and “Bhediya 2” starring Varun Dhawan.
The ISC conference which continues to attract some of the biggest names in the industry, will also see participation from filmmakers like Kiran Rao, Shoojit Sircar, Nikkhil Advani, Dibakar Banerjee, Biswapati Sarkar and Anand Tiwari, making it a crucial platform for discussions on the future of screenwriting in Bollywood.
We are sure that the majority of the fans will agree with Niren Bhatt that it is high time Bollywood inclines toward originality rather than relying on remakes. What is your take in this regard? Do share with us.
