The screenwriter calls for originality in storytelling, saying only disruptors will survive in Bollywood.
February 15, 2025: Niren Bhatt Slams Bollywood’s Over-Reliance on Remakes
Screenwriter Niren Bhatt, known for penning blockbusters like Stree, Munjya, and Bhediya, has spoken out against Bollywood’s remake culture. Speaking at the 7th edition of the Indian Screenwriters Conference (ISC), hosted by the Screenwriters Association of India (SWA), he criticized the industry’s reliance on rehashed content, stating that “the entire system is broken.”
“All Writers Are Struggling” – Niren Bhatt on Bollywood’s Crisis
During the conference, Bhatt addressed the current state of the Hindi film industry’s writing community, highlighting the challenges faced by screenwriters.
“There are two pictures—one is very bleak; all writers are struggling. This is the worst time for writers in the industry. But then, it’s up to you how to navigate. I think this is also the best time because all the established rules are broken. The entire system is broken. So only disruptors will survive, and writers are the biggest disruptors.”
Bhatt emphasized that filmmakers and writers who stick to “safe, formula-driven content” are failing, while those who innovate are the ones succeeding.
“Out of 25 Remakes Post-Pandemic, 23 Are Flops”
Bhatt particularly called out Bollywood’s remake obsession, citing dismal success rates for remade films in recent years.
“Out of 25 remakes post-pandemic, 23 are flops. The only way to succeed is to make original content.”
The writer’s remarks reflect audience fatigue with unoriginal storytelling, as remakes of South Indian films and older Bollywood classics continue to struggle at the box office.
The Future of Bollywood: More Originals, Fewer Remakes?
Bhatt is currently working on multiple upcoming projects in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, including:
- Stree 2
- Bhediya 2 (starring Varun Dhawan)
- Thama (starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna)
He believes that a franchise with original storytelling can extend its legacy organically, rather than relying on repeated formulas.
The ISC conference also saw participation from other major writers like Abbas Tyrewala (Pathaan), Kanika Dhillon (Haseen Dillruba), and Aakash Kaushik (Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2), who echoed similar sentiments about the importance of original storytelling.
The conference will also feature filmmakers like Shoojit Sarkar, Kiran Rao, Dibakar Banerjee, and Nikkhil Advani, all set to discuss the future of Indian cinema.
Final Thoughts: Will Bollywood Finally Shift Its Focus?
With audiences rejecting remakes and fresh, original content gaining traction, Bollywood may need to rethink its approach. The massive success of Jawan, Animal, and 12th Fail—all of which were original stories—has proven that viewers crave something new.
As Niren Bhatt puts it, “Only disruptors will survive.” The question is—will Bollywood listen?
Tags: Bollywood, Stree2, NirenBhatt, HindiCinema, OriginalContent, BollywoodRemakes,