Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Bollywood's Sudden Culture of Public Praise
Bollywood, known for its culture of silence and lack of public support among actors and filmmakers, is experiencing a shift.
Recently, prominent figures like Karan Johar and Alia Bhatt have been openly praising films and performances they are not directly involved in.
This change comes after the success of the film Dhurandhar, which defied initial skepticism and set a new box office template.
Industry experts suggest that this newfound warmth is not just about genuine appreciation but also about strategic alignment as the industry faces changing dynamics and high-stakes projects in the coming years.
The sudden outpouring of praise highlights the industry's tendency to rally around success and the need for unity to stay relevant.
Bollywood actors and filmmakers are suddenly publicly praising each other's work, marking a departure from the industry's usual culture of silence.
The film Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, has been widely praised by industry figures like Karan Johar and Alia Bhatt after its box office success.
Industry insiders suggest that the sudden outpouring of praise is strategic, driven by anxiety around future projects and the need to stay aligned.
Actors like Emraan Hashmi and Naveen Kasturia have previously spoken about the industry's exclusionary nature and lack of genuine support.
The shift in culture coincides with changing audience dynamics and several high-stakes films lined up for 2026, prompting industry figures to watch each other closely.
- Who
- Bollywood actors and filmmakers, including Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt, and Yami Gautam
- What
- A sudden shift in Bollywood's culture, with actors and filmmakers publicly praising each other's work, particularly the film Dhurandhar
- When
- After the success of Dhurandhar and ahead of several high-stakes films in 2026
- Where
- Bollywood industry, primarily in Mumbai
- Why
- The success of Dhurandhar and changing audience dynamics have led to a more supportive environment, with industry insiders acknowledging the need to stay aligned and protected
- Film
- Dhurandhar
- Director
- Aditya Dhar
- Actors Praising Dhurandhar
- Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt, Yami Gautam
- Film Expert
- Girish Wankhede
- Actor Criticizing Industry Culture
- Emraan Hashmi
- Actor Highlighting Industry Hierarchy
- Naveen Kasturia
- Film Praised by Alia Bhatt
- Haq
- Film Trailer Praised by Alia Bhatt and Karan Johar
- Toxic