Nawazuddin Siddiqui reveals dark reality of Bollywood, pain of true directors like Anurag Kashyap

In an unflinching critique of the Hindi film industry, acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has exposed what he calls the “creative bankruptcy” of Bollywood. 

Speaking candidly in an interview with Puja Talwar on her YouTube channel, Nawazuddin shed light on the industry’s obsession with repetitive formulas, sequels, and copied content, calling out the alarming lack of originality. He also highlighted how this stifling atmosphere has driven away visionary filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap, who once redefined Hindi cinema with bold storytelling.

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“Sequels are pathetic”: Nawaz slams repetitive formula

Nawazuddin, known for his bold choices and unfiltered opinions, did not mince words as he called out Bollywood’s obsession with repeating the same stories. “In our industry, the same thing is repeated for five years straight — then, when people get bored, they finally let it go,” he said. He pointed to an increase in insecurity among filmmakers and producers, who choose to cling to tried-and-tested formulas instead of innovating.

Highlighting the trend of multi-part sequels, Nawaz declared, “What’s even more pathetic is that now there are 2, 3, 4 sequels being made.” He argued that this reflects a fear of failure and an unwillingness to take risks, resulting in a culture of stagnation rather than growth.

“Creativeruptcy”: A culture of copying

Taking his criticism further, Nawaz accused the industry of long-standing plagiarism. “Just like there’s financial bankruptcy, this is creativeruptcy. There's creative poverty,” he said. He admitted that Bollywood has, for decades, copied stories, music, and even full scenes from other industries — especially from South Indian cinema.

“Even some cult films that became hits have scenes that were copied,” Nawaz revealed. He lamented how this behaviour has now been normalized to the extent that theft is no longer seen as problematic. “Earlier, they used to hand over a video and say, 'This is the film we want to make,' and they would just replicate it.”

According to him, this reliance on imitation has driven out filmmakers who dared to be original.

Also Read: Gangs of Wasseypur 3! Nawazuddin Siddiqui says, 'Without Anurag Kashyap, Faizal Khan'

Kashyap’s exit: A symptom of a deeper crisis

Nawazuddin singled out the case of Anurag Kashyap — one of Bollywood’s most critically acclaimed directors — as a prime example of the damage this toxic culture has caused. “What can you expect from an industry like this? What kind of actors will come in? They'll be of the same kind. And then actors and directors start quitting — like Anurag Kashyap, who was bringing in good work,” he said.

 

 

 

 

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Kashyap, best known for pathbreaking films like Gangs of Wasseypur, recently distanced himself from the Mumbai film scene, citing its growing obsession with box office numbers and a lack of creative nourishment. Though he has clarified that he hasn’t left filmmaking, his relocation from Mumbai is symbolic of a deeper shift — a retreat from the increasing toxicity and creative suffocation in Bollywood.