“Bollywood Is Stuck In The 80s”: Anil Kapoor’s Son Harsh Varrdhan Slams Star Obsession, Urges Change

Anil Kapoor’s son says it’s time for Bollywood to back content-rich, low-budget films over outdated formulas and star power.

April 1, 2025: Actor Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor, known for his offbeat film choices, has sharply criticised the Hindi film industry’s reliance on aging superstars and outdated storytelling. Responding to a fan’s lament over Bollywood’s current crisis, Harsh called out the obsession with big names and formula-driven content, declaring that “films that get green-lit today belong in the 1980s — and not even the good ones.”

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The Thar actor, known for films like Bhavesh Joshi Superhero and Mirzya, argued that the industry’s survival depends on bold moves toward high-concept, low-budget cinema. “It’s time producers gamble on ₹8–15 crore films with minimal promotion costs but strong storytelling,” he posted on X.

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He cited Thar, made for ₹20 crore, as a benchmark for what efficient, focused filmmaking can achieve, visually outperforming movies with double or triple the budget. His message was clear: the industry needs less glam, more grit.

This comes amid the disappointing performance of big-banner releases like Salman Khan’s Sikandar, which was outpaced by smaller, content-driven films such as Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava.

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