Bollywood is finished, Salman doesn’t wanna act, Aamir doesn’t have any film, Shah Rukh does a film in two years, writes a social media user, Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor reacts

Shah Rukh and Salman Khan and Aamir Khan

Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor has recently opened up about the challenges faced by Bollywood, especially in light of claims that the industry is “finished.” The actor’s candid remarks are a refreshing take on the evolving landscape of Hindi cinema, with the younger generation of filmmakers and actors striving to break free from Bollywood’s traditional formula.

The conversation began when a social media user posted, “Bollywood is finished. Salman doesn’t wanna act, Aamir doesn’t have any film to act, Akshay has a dozen of films but of what use, SRK does a film in 2 years, Ajay could do big but he’s playing it safe. Ranbir Kapoor is the lone warrior from here, looks like.” The post expressed frustration with Bollywood’s reliance on established stars and conventional filmmaking techniques, suggesting that the industry’s future might be uncertain. This sparked a debate among many, with Harsh Varrdhan offering his perspective on the issue.

In his response, the actor rejected the idea that Bollywood’s demise was imminent. “Bollywood isn’t and shouldn’t be only about stars that have been there and done that and formulaic films,” Harsh wrote. He stressed the need for the industry to evolve and move away from the “star-struck” obsession and the over-reliance on predictable, formulaic content. Harsh believes it’s high time for filmmakers and producers to take more risks and embrace fresh storytelling that prioritizes innovative ideas over safe, formulaic bets.

He went on to advocate for low-budget, high-concept films that focus on unique narratives and exceptional filmmaking. “It’s time for producers and financiers to gamble on low-cost, high-concept films for cinemas without the usual tropes,” he said. “Prioritize never-before-seen storytelling and keep the upfront costs low, and the audience will come.”

Harsh emphasized that a good film does not necessarily need a big budget; in fact, smaller films with limited resources can often achieve better results if the focus is on quality production and storytelling.

One of the actor's more poignant points was about the state of current film production in Bollywood. Harsh lamented that many films getting green-lit today feel outdated. “It’s 2025 and the films that get green-lit are films that belong in the 1980s and not even the good ones,” he said. This pointed critique reflects his frustration with the industry’s reluctance to adapt to modern storytelling methods, opting instead for tried-and-tested formulas that may no longer resonate with contemporary audiences. Harsh made a comparison with his own work, revealing that a film like Thar, which had a modest budget, was able to achieve a visually stunning result. “We made that for 20 crores, it looks visually better than many films that cost 2-3 times that... why? Because every cent went into the making of the film and not unnecessary costs,” he explained.

While discussing the challenges of working in the industry, Harsh responded to a critic who suggested that he was wasting his potential. He countered with a passionate defense of his unconventional choices. “Dude with all due respect you have no idea how difficult it is to do anything that’s offbeat or not conventional in this business,” Harsh stated. He explained that it can take years for films like Bhavesh Joshi Superhero or Thar to come to life, as both projects were far from conventional commercial cinema. “It can take years and years to make one Bhavesh or Thar. Films like Ray and AK are so rare too,” he said, underscoring the difficulties in getting backing for alternative narratives. He also pointed to filmmakers like Raj Singh Chaudhary, whom he supported on Thar, as proof that talent exists in abundance, but securing the right kind of backing is often a huge challenge.

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Harsh also responded to a comment urging him to support low-budget films consistently. While acknowledging the financial constraints, Harsh reaffirmed his commitment to making unique films. “Bro I don’t have endless money but I do have endless passion and ideas. Filmmaking is a huge undertaking, and if I’m backed, I promise I’ll give you unforgettable films,” he shared.

The actor's comments reflect his frustration with the industry’s adherence to outdated formulas but also his unwavering commitment to creating something new. Known for his roles in Mirzya, Thar, and the upcoming biopic on Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, Harsh is determined to work on stories that challenge the status quo. He remains hopeful that the industry will eventually evolve to support unconventional, yet high-quality, films that focus on innovative storytelling and real creativity.