In a bold and unfiltered statement, critically acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has taken a dig at the Hindi film industry, accusing it of lacking originality and heavily relying on South Indian films for content. The Sacred Games and Gangs of Wasseypur star didn’t hold back as he labelled Bollywood filmmakers as “chor” (thieves), criticizing them for repeatedly remaking successful South Indian films instead of investing in original storytelling.
Nawazuddin’s Sharp Criticism
In a recent interview, Siddiqui expressed his discontent with the creative stagnation in Bollywood. He stated,
“Aaj kal toh Bollywood mein originality ki kami hai. Har doosri film South ka remake hoti hai. Kya hum mein khud ki kahaniyan likhne ki himmat nahi hai? Yeh toh chori hai — aur chori karne wale chor hote hain.”
(Translation: “These days, Bollywood lacks originality. Every second film is a remake of a South Indian film. Don’t we have the courage to write our own stories? This is theft — and those who steal are thieves.”)
His comments come at a time when several Bollywood projects — from Kabir Singh (remake of Arjun Reddy) to Drishyam, Jersey, and the recent Shehzada — have been adaptations of hit films from the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada industries.
A Wake-Up Call?
Known for his brutally honest take on the industry, Nawazuddin’s statement is being seen by many as a wake-up call for filmmakers who are prioritizing “safe bets” over innovative narratives. He emphasized that while South Indian cinema continues to experiment with bold concepts and storytelling styles, Bollywood remains stuck in a loop of formulaic, often recycled content.
WebsMosaic | TechsThrive | CodeCraftes | QuantumQuestes | WebesWhiz | ByteBeates | PixelPerkes | LinkLaunches | WebsWisdoms | InfinityInspires
“South films are leading because they respect their writers and narratives. Bollywood, meanwhile, is busy chasing trends instead of setting them,” he added.
Support and Backlash
While several fans and fellow artists on social media applauded Nawazuddin for speaking his mind, others criticized the harsh tone of his comment. Some industry insiders believe that remakes can serve as a bridge between regional and national audiences, while others feel that the constant dependence on them signals a deeper creative crisis in Bollywood.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t the first time Nawazuddin Siddiqui has been vocal about the industry’s issues. From critiquing the star system to calling out nepotism and formula-driven cinema, he has consistently pushed for more meaningful and rooted content in Hindi films.
His latest remarks reignite an important debate — should Bollywood continue banking on South Indian successes, or invest in nurturing original scripts and talent? With audiences becoming increasingly discerning and regional cinema finding national and global acclaim, the pressure on Bollywood to evolve has never been greater.