Jaideep Ahlawat’s recent comments about a growing issue in the Hindi film industry have caused quite a stir. During an interview, he revealed his shock at discovering that many actors working in Hindi-language films cannot read scripts written in Hindi, specifically in the Devanagari script. What disturbed him even more was that these actors aren’t just anyone, they are from Hindi-speaking backgrounds, yet they struggle with the very language they are acting in.
Recalling his experience, Jaideep admitted that he was genuinely taken aback when he realised how unfamiliar some actors were with reading Hindi text. He said that he wasn’t joking about the matter, adding that actors are unable to read properly if the script is written in Devanagari. He further pointed out how serious this issue is, especially when actors from Hindi-speaking regions can’t read the language, while someone from a non-Hindi background wouldn’t be expected the same. According to him, these actors stumble over every other word and can only manage reading Hindi if it’s written in Roman script, which they are much more comfortable with.
Here is the video:
Jaideep was surprised to see actors can't read script written in Hindi while acting in hindi movies 😅
byu/mahaavtar inBollyBlindsNGossip
Click to watch this video directly on Reddit
His candid remarks quickly spread on social media, with Reddit becoming a hotbed of discussion. Some users speculated whether Jaideep was indirectly referring to Saif Ali Khan, especially considering a recent appearance the two shared in a film and a past Koffee With Karan episode where Saif appeared confused over a Hindi term.
One user recalled how Sharmila Tagore had scolded Saif during that appearance, disappointed that her son, a Hindi film actor, didn’t understand the language properly. Others humorously echoed the sentiment, suggesting Jaideep’s comments were likely aimed at Saif and referencing his already infamous “putramoh” moment from the show.
But the conversation didn’t stop with Bollywood. Many users broadened the discussion, acknowledging that the issue extends beyond the film industry. Several people commented that many urban Indians, especially those educated in English-medium schools, find reading Hindi challenging. Some pointed out that even advertisements and public signs increasingly use the Roman script to accommodate this shift. One user mentioned that the problem lies in the school system, while another admitted that even though they speak fluent Hindi, reading it in Devanagari gives them a headache. They felt that the lack of exposure to the script was the root cause.
Jaideep Ahlawat’s comments have ignited a much-needed conversation about the declining familiarity with the Devanagari script and the wider implications for cultural literacy. While opinions are divided, the debate has certainly put the spotlight on how modern education and societal trends are reshaping even the basic linguistic identity of Hindi-speaking Indians.
Meanwhile, Jaideep will be returning to screens soon alongside Manoj Bajpayee in the upcoming season of The Family Man, bringing the focus back to powerful storytelling, hopefully, still rooted in the language of the land.
