Bollywood has long followed a simple rule – if one film clicks, everyone rushes to make something similar. But Kareena Kapoor Khan thinks that formula is outdated and she isn’t holding back about it.
In an interview, the actress, who is gearing up for the release of Meghna Gulzar’s investigative drama Daayra, spoke candidly about how Bollywood filmmakers often react to a hit movie by trying to recreate its success rather than focusing on originality. She pointed to Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal as an example of how one blockbuster can trigger an entire wave of similar films across the industry.
According to Kareena Kapoor, today’s audiences are sharp enough to know a good film when they see one and filmmakers shouldn’t assume that sticking to a “trending” genre alone will bring people to theatres. She explained that viewers no longer just want basic love stories and pointed out how the industry tends to follow whatever trend is currently working – if violence-driven films are doing well, everyone jumps on that bandwagon too. She admitted that this kind of copycat approach reflects a herd mentality within the industry and questioned how else one could describe it.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, led by Ranbir Kapoor, was one of the biggest commercial hits of 2023. The story revolved around a troubled father-son relationship, with Anil Kapoor playing the emotionally distant father. Even though the film sparked debates over its intense violence, it still crossed over Rs 900 crore worldwide. A sequel, Animal Park, is currently being developed.
Kareena Kapoor, however, also gave credit to filmmakers who choose to stick to their own creative vision instead of following trends. She said there are directors who prefer telling different, thought-provoking stories and have built loyal audiences of their own. She feels the industry is slowly shifting, with viewers now watching trailers and deciding for themselves whether a film is worth their time.
Kareena Kapoor further noted that younger audiences today are more curious and questioning when it comes to choosing what to watch. This, she believes, makes it harder for filmmakers to bank on just labelling something a comedy or romance and expecting guaranteed box-office success. She added that not every film can be expected to earn hundreds of crores and feels this shift in mindset is something audiences themselves are helping bring about.
Kareena Kapoor will next be seen in Daayra which also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran in an important role. The film marks a shift into a new genre for the actress. Daayra is set to hit theatres on September 18.
Do you agree with Kareena Kapoor?
