Popular Indian YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has revealed the decline of Bollywood in his latest video, explaining how the industry’s standards have fallen drastically. Rathee discussed how corporate control, repetitive content, and fierce competition from regional and international films have eroded Bollywood’s creativity and left audiences disappointed.
The Rise of OTT Platforms
Rathee began by tracing Bollywood’s decline back to the COVID-19 pandemic. When theaters shut down, audiences turned to OTT (Over-The-Top) platforms, making it easy to enjoy movies from the comfort of home. With many platforms offering subscriptions at a lower cost than cinema tickets, people became less inclined to return to theaters. Rathee noted that this shift, combined with access to films from around the world, has led audiences to appreciate the diverse and fresh content that Bollywood often lacks.
Growing Competition from Regional and International Cinema
Rathee emphasized the increasing competition Bollywood faces from regional and international films. On OTT platforms, audiences can explore cinema from various Indian states and international studios, where they often find higher-quality, unique storytelling. Bollywood, on the other hand, has clung to formulaic approaches that Rathee argues no longer appeal to modern audiences who crave authenticity and creativity.
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Corporate Control
Rathee highlighted a deeper issue he described as “corporatization.” Large production companies are prioritizing profit, which has hurt the quality of Bollywood films. The industry’s shift toward profit-making has led to less investment in innovative ideas and fewer opportunities for creative expression. Instead, corporate influence pushes directors and writers to deliver safe, predictable content that can quickly yield profit.
This approach has eroded Bollywood’s originality, Rathee argued, as creative professionals lose control over their work and are forced to deliver content that aligns with corporate objectives rather than artistic vision.
The Formulaic Approach
Rathee criticized Bollywood’s current formula for filmmaking, which he claims is based on rehashed ideas and superficial elements. According to him, Bollywood relies on three major elements: repetitive storytelling, high-action sequences, and remakes of old films. This, Rathee claims, is why so many Bollywood movies today feel similar and fail to captivate audiences.
He noted that casting actors based on their “face value” rather than talent and heavily marketing films with “larger-than-life” trailers are now standard practices. Rathee also criticized Bollywood’s tendency to copy Hollywood, sacrificing originality for quick success. All these factors, he said, have left Bollywood films feeling mediocre and average compared to older movies that featured more profound storytelling and creativity.
A Stark Contrast with the Past
Rathee drew a strong contrast between Bollywood’s past and present. He noted that older films were more inventive, with directors and writers enjoying more creative control. In today’s corporate-dominated industry, Rathee argued, the creative teams are merely executing ideas dictated by profit-driven companies.
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