Bollywood’s Re-Release Boom: Why Old Films Are Outshining New Ones
In the world of Indian cinema, something exciting is happening. While many fresh Bollywood movies struggle to draw crowds, classic films are making a grand comeback through re-releases. Think timeless gems like Pyaasa and Shree 420, 90s blockbusters such as Karan Arjun and Andaz Apna Apna, and even recent favorites like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Sanam Teri Kasam. Over the past two years, these re-releases have packed theatres, sparking a big trend in the Bollywood film industry.
Fans on social media are buzzing about this shift. Many point fingers at Bollywood’s lack of fresh ideas, saying the industry has run out of creative spark. But not everyone agrees. Acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap offers a fresh perspective on why new Bollywood movies aren’t clicking.
In a chat with , Kashyap puts the blame squarely on producers. He says writers and directors are full of innovative stories, but producers play it safe every time. "Fresh stories are there—it’s not like we don’t have them. The biggest problem in our industry is the producers. They decide what will work and what won’t because they only chase hit films," Kashyap explained.
He adds that producers often shy away from anything new or deep. "They don’t get nuanced ideas. Writers and directors have so much they want to create," he shared. Kashyap highlights how rare it is for filmmakers to stick to their vision despite pushback.
Take the recent blockbuster Saiyaara, for example. Directed by Mohit Suri, this film stars debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. It became a surprise hit after facing rejection from many producers. Kashyap praises Suri’s persistence: "Very few people hold on to their stories like Mohit did with Saiyaara. So many producers said no; nobody understood it."
Kashyap recalls how Suri wanted to make the film his way, with fresh faces. "He suffered for 6-7 years but didn’t give up. He made it exactly as he envisioned," he said in Hindi, emphasizing the director’s grit.
Now, with Saiyaara‘s success, Kashyap predicts producers will jump on this as the next big trend. He calls it their "herd mentality"—always following the crowd instead of taking risks. For Bollywood re-releases to keep thriving and new films to shine, he believes producers need to change their approach.
On a brighter note, Kashyap is all set for his own project. His upcoming film Nishaanchi is a gripping crime drama set in early 2000s Uttar Pradesh. It marks the debut of Aaishvary Thackeray in a double role as brothers Babloo and Dabloo, with Vedika Pinto in a pivotal part. Fans can catch Nishaanchi in theatres starting September 19.
This re-release trend shows how much audiences love Bollywood classics, but it also spotlights the need for bold new stories in Indian cinema. What do you think—is Bollywood ready for more innovation?
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