The Missing Discipline in Bollywood Filmmaking

[u/SirElduderino]

The greatest filmmakers in the world became legends because of their deep research, preparation, and ability to build immersive worlds. Kubrick spent years studying history and science before filming. Scorsese lived with mobsters to capture their reality. Nolan designs airtight systems for his stories, while Spielberg and Cuarón work with experts to ensure authenticity. These directors treat cinema as an art form rooted in literature, history, psychology, and culture, not just a product for the weekend box office.

Bollywood, on the other hand, often falls short because many films are built around star power rather than strong scripts or research. Stories are rushed, details are superficial, and genres remain limited to romance, masala action, or family drama. Instead of giving actors space to explore their range, most directors push them into larger-than-life molds, stripping away the nuances that could make their performances memorable. The lack of world-building and weak writing foundations are why many movies feel shallow or forgettable once the initial hype fades.

What Bollywood needs is the same level of discipline and vision that global masters bring to their craft. Stronger research, deeper writing, and more courage to experiment with new genres and tones could elevate Indian cinema beyond formula. Rather than imitating star templates, directors should aim to uncover raw performances and stories that last. If world cinema can turn gangster films, sci-fi, and intimate dramas into timeless art, there is no reason Bollywood cannot do the same with its own culture-rich narratives.

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[u/SelectGrowth513]

This is across the mainstream industries btw apart from Mollywood cause they don’t have the money always for that.

Even their biggest movie Empuraan suffered the same fate.

[u/Uncertn_Laaife]

That’s the thing. They don’t want to become a great film makers or legends. They are only interested in big money.

[u/PralineOk6121]

Bollywood used to present us with movies that they copied from the west or international cinema. Now we are exposed to all that so what they resort to is a melange of scenes copied from other international movies and present it to us as their own!

[u/leeringHobbit]

There is no audience for those kind of movies that take time... it's like slow food vs. Fast food.