Entertainment · Indian Cinema · 1 day ago
Shakun Batra says Bollywood has oversimplified love in films
Indian director Shakun Batra says recent Bollywood romances have struggled to connect with younger audiences.
He points to years of films that present love as finding a soulmate and then living happily, which he says is far from real life.
That picture can leave people unprepared for the difficulties of marriage and relationships.
Batra says filmmakers should make stories from what they genuinely feel, rather than trying to predict what young viewers want.
He recently portrayed a complicated romance between two people in their 20s in Lust Stories 3.
He says audiences may understand a filmmaker’s work later, even if they do not connect with it at first.
He did not describe a specific next step for Bollywood romance films.
Director Shakun Batra says some recent Indian romances aimed at younger audiences have failed to connect because filmmakers may focus on what they think young viewers want rather than on their own perspective.
Batra says storytellers should put forward what they genuinely feel and express, rather than make work designed simply to please an audience.
He says filmmakers can still make stories for younger viewers, but should base them on their own feelings instead of assumptions about what young people feel.
Batra argues that Bollywood films have often simplified love as finding a soulmate and then having an easy life, which can leave people with unrealistic expectations.
He discussed the subject after showing a complex romance between two people in their 20s in Lust Stories 3.
- Who
- Director Shakun Batra
- What
- Batra's views on why Bollywood romances may not connect with younger audiences
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- Bollywood and Indian cinema
- Why
- Batra says romances have often been simplified and filmmakers may rely on assumptions about what young audiences want.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to make something for a younger audience, but you should still make it from what you feel, not what you think they would feel.
We've done a huge disservice in movies for the last decade, or maybe more, of just simplifying love to be: You meet this person who is your soulmate and then life is amazing. But it never is.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Director
- Shakun Batra
- Film discussed
- Lust Stories 3
- Romance in the film
- A complex relationship between two people in their 20s
- Batra's criticism
- Bollywood films have simplified love by presenting a soulmate relationship as leading to an amazing life.
Sources
Related news
Drishyam 3 becomes Ajay Devgn’s highest-grossing film in India
Nana Patekar cremated with full state honours in Pune
Nushrratt Bharuccha shares first update after spine fracture in Bali
Fan gets past security to approach Dulquer Salmaan at film shoot
Drishyam 3 reaches ₹407 crore worldwide in eight days
Tanushree Dutta stands by remarks after Nana Patekar’s death
Shah Rukh Khan recalls Nana Patekar helping him get bail after arrest
Kareena Kapoor jokes about Saif’s film championship in chat with Lando Norris
Salman Khan launches official YouTube channel
Amitabh Bachchan remembers Nana Patekar with videos and a tribute
Rajinikanth says Jailer’s ending convinced him to make a sequel
