As Dhurandhar continues its record-breaking march at the box office, actor-director Tisca Chopra has reignited a long-simmering conversation in Hindi cinema — the industry’s growing fear of originality. Speaking candidly after the release of her directorial debut Saali Mohabbat, Tisca didn’t mince words while addressing what she sees as Bollywood’s biggest creative problem.
“We’re watering the fruits, not the roots”
In a recent interaction, Tisca pointed to weak writing as the core issue holding Hindi films back. According to her, the industry has become obsessed with packaging and surface-level tweaks while ignoring storytelling fundamentals.
She stressed that commercial or comedy cinema isn’t the problem — poorly nurtured writing is. Writers, she argued, are rarely given time, freedom, or space to genuinely develop ideas, resulting in shallow narratives that struggle to connect with audiences.
Fear has replaced conviction
Tisca didn’t stop there. She openly called Bollywood “scared”, saying filmmakers often recycle the same ideas with minor variations because nobody wants to take a real risk anymore. The result, she believes, is predictable cinema that audiences are increasingly rejecting.
Her point was simple but sharp: whenever filmmakers bring something new with honesty and conviction, audiences respond — but the industry rarely trusts that instinct.
Dhurandhar adds fuel to the fire
Tisca’s comments arrive at a time when Dhurandhar is dominating discussions across the industry. The Ranveer Singh–Akshaye Khanna starrer has delivered a historic theatrical run, crossing ₹1,100 crore worldwide and outperforming recent blockbusters like Pathaan, Jawan, and Chhaava.
Its success has once again raised uncomfortable questions: why do certain films explode at the box office while many others fail to survive beyond the opening weekend?
Supporters credit Dhurandhar’s gripping narrative, scale, and Ranveer Singh’s intense spy-avatar for its appeal. Critics, meanwhile, have debated its political undertones, with some branding it propaganda-driven. Regardless of opinion, the film’s impact is undeniable — it has forced the industry to reassess what audiences are truly responding to.
Tisca Chopra’s new chapter
Saali Mohabbat, Tisca’s first full-length directorial venture, released directly on digital platforms and features Radhika Apte, Divyendu Sharma, and Anurag Kashyap. Known widely for Taare Zameen Par, Tisca has steadily transitioned behind the camera after directing short projects, positioning herself as one of the few voices openly challenging Bollywood’s creative comfort zone.
Final Words
Tisca Chopra’s critique may sound harsh, but it echoes a sentiment growing louder within the industry. As films like Dhurandhar prove that audiences still show up for conviction-driven cinema, the bigger question remains — will Bollywood take the hint, or continue playing safe?
