“Bollywood’s Lost Plot: Lack of Originality and OTT-Driven Mindset Hurting Box Office,” says Producer Anand Pandit

Veteran producer Anand Pandit critiques current filmmaking trends, citing weak scripts, forced item songs, and an over-reliance on OTT deals as reasons behind Bollywood’s dwindling theatrical appeal.

Mumbai, April 22:
With Bollywood witnessing a wave of box office disappointments in recent years, veteran producer Anand Pandit has weighed in on the industry’s ongoing crisis. In a candid conversation with ANI, the producer of films like Total Dhamaal and Thank God pointed to three key issues dragging Hindi cinema down: a lack of originality, an OTT-first mentality, and wavering creative conviction.

Reflecting on an era when writers like Salim-Javed were brands in themselves, Pandit noted a stark shift in how stories are conceptualized and sold today.

“There was a time when films sold purely on the name of the writers. Now, most people can’t name the writers behind big-budget films,” he remarked.

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🔍 OTT Calculations Over Box Office Appeal

Pandit argued that many filmmakers now treat movies as financial projects, aiming first to lock OTT streaming, satellite, music, and overseas rights, before even considering audience appeal.

“The calculation begins with rights sales. Box office comes as an afterthought,” he lamented.
He also highlighted how, in the ’80s and ’90s, the box office was the sole benchmark of success, keeping the audience at the heart of storytelling.

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📉 Loss of Original Voice & Script Innovation

Calling Bollywood “an inspired industry”, Pandit criticised the over-reliance on South Indian remakes, Korean thrillers, and Western concepts.

“We’ve stopped nurturing original ideas. We are constantly borrowing—be it from Tamil, Telugu, Korean, or Hollywood films.”

He emphasized that regional industries still invest heavily in writers, a lesson Bollywood must urgently relearn.

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🎬 The Conviction Crisis & “Forced” Item Numbers

Pandit also stressed the lack of creative conviction in the filmmaking process.

“Sometimes, the director is unsure, the producer doubts the project, and the star dominates decisions. That’s when the film starts to derail,” he explained.

He pointed out how the unnecessary inclusion of item songs for promotional value—especially on social media or TV—often disrupts a film’s narrative flow.

“If a song fits the story, it’s great. But forcing it in for marketing kills the mood of the film.”