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Last Updated: March 31, 2025, 13:51 IST
Richa Chadha criticizes Bollywood for its reluctance to embrace new talent, attributing it to fear of failure following high-profile movie flops.
Richa Chadha conveys that Bollywood’s aversion to risk hampers opportunities for newcomers.
With the recent decline in Bollywood’s box office performance, industry figures have begun to voice their concerns regarding the stagnation in creativity. In light of discussions led by directors such as Anurag Kashyap and Hansal Mehta about the sector’s challenges, actor and producer Richa Chadha has contributed her insights—emphasizing the ongoing neglect of emerging talent in the industry.
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Richa spoke about the barriers newcomers encounter when seeking significant roles. “We need to provide more opportunities for fresh talent, yet it’s disheartening that even seasoned filmmakers often pigeonhole actors,” she noted. Drawing on her own experiences, she remarked, “In many ways, the financial calculations involved prevent us from taking risks. This mindset permeates not just actors but directors as well.”
Richa elaborated that the trend is exacerbated by the dismal performance of large-budget films, which has led producers to adopt an increasingly cautious strategy. “When a high-profile project featuring a major star fails, the immediate response is to retreat to safer choices. They often resort to adding popular elements, like item numbers and predictable action sequences, adhering strictly to established formulas. However, true innovation is essential for keeping the industry vibrant,” she explained.
As a producer herself, recently associated with the critically lauded Girls Will Be Girls, Richa is striving to pave the way for fresh voices in filmmaking. Nonetheless, she highlights that the reluctance to innovate is deeply rooted, particularly among industry veterans. “Why am I, as a budding producer with just one project to my name and primarily acting experience, having to make this argument? It should be the key stakeholders who address this issue,” she remarked.
Richa also pointed to the South Indian film industry as a valuable example for Bollywood to consider—especially in how they achieve a balance between commercial viability and creative risk-taking. “We can learn from them, particularly how top actors there are willing to embrace unique stories. They maintain affordable ticket prices, which helps draw bigger audiences to theaters. Here, it’s quite the opposite; when a film is heavily marketed, ticket prices often surge,” she said.
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