Renowned filmmaker R. Balki has taken aim at recent Bollywood blockbusters, calling them “boring” and “the worst films,” during a talk at MIT World Peace University. Known for hits like Cheeni Kum and Paa, Balki criticized today’s big-budget movies for lacking the charm and entertainment value of classics from the 1970s, particularly those directed by Manmohan Desai.
“Some blockbusters of the last four or five years have been damn boring,” Balki said, explaining that the focus has shifted from storytelling to marketing. “It’s become like a project… They’re pumping the marketing out. By the time people believe it’s bad, the film has made its money.” He contrasted this with Desai’s films like Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Naseeb (1981), which, despite their melodramatic tropes, were undeniably entertaining and “paisa vasool.” (worth every penny)
Balki believes modern blockbusters prioritize economics over creativity, leading to formulaic films that fail to captivate audiences. Social media reactions echoed his views, with one user commenting, “Yes, I’ve been saying that. It’s boring. I don’t care for artistic cinema but make it interesting.” Another lamented the absence of smaller films in theatres’: “No films for kids, no smaller dramas & no rom coms. Mostly plain actioners & horror comedies.”
Balki’s observations highlight a broader trend in Bollywood, where the emphasis on high-stakes marketing and star power often overshadows narrative innovation. Smaller films and mid-budget genres like rom coms, once Bollywood staples, are increasingly relegated to streaming platforms.
This evolution has sparked nostalgia for earlier eras, where movies combined engaging storytelling with mass appeal. The success of Manmohan Desai’s films, for example, lay in their ability to balance outrageous plots with heartfelt drama and humour. In comparison, many recent blockbusters seem to rely on spectacle over substance.
Interestingly, Balki himself faced stiff competition in 2023 when his film Ghoomer, starring Abhishek Bachchan and Saiyami Kher, clashed with Gadar 2. “It didn’t get sandwiched; it got smashed!” Balki said, attributing Ghoomer’s underperformance to the “tsunami” created by the Sunny Deol-starrer.
While blockbusters like Pathaan and Jawan prove there’s still an appetite for larger-than-life cinema, his call for more engaging and diverse storytelling is a reminder of Bollywood’s roots.
The debate also underscores the growing importance of streaming platforms as a haven for innovative and smaller-scale projects. Perhaps, as one fan suggested, it’s time for Bollywood to rediscover its balance—delivering not just massive hits, but also stories with heart.
