Randeep Hooda on Bollywood: Calls Out Herd Mentality, Praises South Indian Filmmaking

In a recent interview, Randeep Hooda shared strong views on the current state of Bollywood, criticising its herd mentality and formula-driven approach, Randeep Hooda on Bollywood;s while admiring South Indian cinema for staying grounded in storytelling and culture.

Randeep Hooda on Bollywood’s Current Slump

Speaking candidly in an interview with The Indian Express, Randeep Hooda on Bollywood made it clear that the industry is suffering from more than just poor box office numbers. According to him, the root of the problem lies in Bollywood’s increasing obsession with trends and lack of originality.

“Bhedh chaal is driving the industry,” said Randeep Hooda, using the Hindi phrase to describe the herd mentality. “If one film works, suddenly everybody is making the same kind of films. After Stree, everyone wants to do horror comedies.”

This comment from Randeep Hooda on Bollywood comes at a time when the Hindi film industry is struggling to attract audiences. Several new releases are underperforming, while re-releases and old classics are seeing better box office performance — a sign, according to industry watchers, that originality is in crisis.

Randeep Hooda on Bollywood’s Creative Block

Randeep Hooda on Bollywood didn’t mince words when talking about the lack of creative risks being taken. “There’s a lot of film execution happening now, not filmmaking,” he said. “We’ve built an ivory tower around us. There’s very little space for experimentation.”

His critique was directed not just at producers or directors but at the entire ecosystem of mainstream Hindi cinema. Randeep Hooda on Bollywood highlighted that this pattern leads to repetitive content, making it harder for audiences to connect with films.

For an industry once known for its emotional depth and variety, Randeep Hooda on Bollywood reflects a growing sentiment — that storytelling has taken a back seat to surface-level glamour and pre-decided formulas.

OTT Platforms: A Silver Lining or More of the Same?

While OTT platforms were once seen as a revolutionary space for fresh content, even here, the situation seems to be changing. Randeep Hooda on Bollywood and its digital future mentioned that streaming platforms, too, are becoming increasingly numbers-driven.

“Experimentation is only possible on OTT platforms now,” said Randeep Hooda on Bollywood’s digital landscape. “But even they want content that pulls in subscriptions. It’s a business at the end of the day.”

Despite this, he maintains that digital media still offers more breathing space than theatrical cinema. For creators willing to tell unique stories, OTT remains the more open-minded avenue — for now.

Randeep Hooda on Bollywood vs. South Indian Cinema

A large part of the conversation revolved around the contrasting approaches between Hindi and South Indian film industries. Randeep Hooda on Bollywood praised South Indian filmmakers for their ability to stay connected with their audience through culturally rooted stories.

“The way they work is completely different,” said Randeep Hooda on Bollywood when comparing it to South Indian cinema. “They are still making movies about their own culture, built on basic human emotions. That’s why their films appeal to larger audiences.”

This appreciation wasn’t limited to storytelling alone. Randeep Hooda on Bollywood also pointed out how South Indian actors focus on developing real characters rather than just sculpting perfect physiques for the camera.

“Pushpa doesn’t have six-pack abs,” said Randeep Hooda on Bollywood. “He has a beard, a crooked shoulder, and a strong presence. They work on the character, not just the look. Meanwhile, elite filmmakers here are only focused on abs, not depth.”

Nostalgia and Character Matter: Lessons for the Hindi Film Industry

Using examples from both old and new hits, Randeep Hooda drew parallels between the past and present to highlight what audiences truly want.

“Look at Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic line — ‘Main aaj bhi pheke hue paise nahi uthata.’ That kind of impact is now seen in South films like Pushpa with ‘Jhukega nahi’. These lines stick because they come from strong character development,” he said.

According to Randeep Hooda, this difference in approach is what is driving audiences toward regional cinema. The emotion, the grit, and the rootedness are missing from many Bollywood projects today.

Business Implications of Bollywood’s Current Strategy

From a business perspective, Randeep Hooda also signaled concern over how chasing trends and playing it safe can hurt the industry in the long run. Box office performance isn’t just about release timing or star power — it’s about the emotional and cultural relevance of the story being told.

Randeep Hooda on Bollywood’s future suggests that unless producers, writers, and directors shift their priorities toward meaningful content, the gap between audiences and cinema will continue to widen.

The demand for authentic, emotional storytelling is clearly present, and South Indian cinema is fulfilling it better at the moment.

The Road Ahead: Randeep Hooda Remains Hopeful

Despite the critical tone, Randeep Hooda on Bollywood is not entirely pessimistic. “People are not going to stop watching movies or OTT content,” he said. “We’re just in a shuffle. It’s a transitional phase.”

As audience preferences evolve and platforms diversify, Randeep Hooda believes that there’s still room for change — but only if the industry is willing to take risks, step outside its comfort zone, and re-focus on characters over appearances.

What’s Next for Randeep Hooda?

Professionally, Randeep Hooda on Bollywood’s calendar looks promising. He will soon appear in Jaat, a film co-starring Sunny Deol. He’s also part of an upcoming Hollywood project titled Matchbox, marking his continued rise beyond Indian cinema.

Randeep Hooda on Bollywood’s status as both an insider and a critic makes him a powerful voice in today’s film landscape. His words reflect not only frustration but a desire to see the industry return to its storytelling roots.

If Bollywood aims to remain a dominant force, it needs to break away from the herd, stop following short-lived trends, and start making movies that matter again. And as Randeep Hooda rightly puts it — the audience isn’t gone; they’re just waiting for something real.