In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Indian film industry, acclaimed actress Huma Qureshi has exposed the deep-rooted language crisis plaguing Bollywood. The actress boldly stated that approximately half of the industry professionals lack proper command of Hindi, despite working in the Hindi film industry.
The Language Paradox in Hindi Cinema
During a recent interview with Shubhankar Mishra on his YouTube channel, Qureshi highlighted the concerning reality of language usage in Bollywood. She pointed out that most communication on film sets happens entirely in English, and surprisingly, even the scripts for Hindi films are predominantly written in English. This creates a fundamental disconnect between the creators and their intended audience.
The actress posed a crucial question that strikes at the heart of this issue: "My question is who are you making these films for? You are making them for a Hindi-speaking audience, right? So at least speak the language!" Her comments, made in November 2025, have sparked widespread discussion about cultural authenticity in Indian cinema.
Industry Veterans Echo Similar Concerns
Huma Qureshi is not alone in her observations. Several prominent figures in the Hindi film industry have consistently raised alarms about this growing language divide. Notable actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap have previously expressed concerns about the industry's heavy reliance on English.
During his appearance at the Times Now Navbharat India Economic Conclave, Nawazuddin Siddiqui highlighted another dimension of this problem. He mentioned that despite creating content centered around Indian themes, the industry often casts English-speaking actors in roles that should naturally go to those fluent in Hindi. This practice, according to Siddiqui, creates significant barriers for talented actors coming from small towns across India.
The Impact on Audience Connection
The language barrier extends beyond film sets and affects how audiences connect with contemporary Bollywood productions. Industry technicians and veterans have noted that this over-reliance on English has gradually distanced the masses from both the films and the actors themselves.
Qureshi emphasized the consequence of this linguistic confusion, stating that many industry professionals end up in a peculiar situation where they can neither speak English fluently nor Hindi properly. This creates an authenticity crisis in performances and storytelling that ultimately affects the final product reaching audiences.
Interestingly, Huma Qureshi herself possesses a unique linguistic ability. In an earlier interview with Times of India, she revealed her "superpower" of quickly picking up languages after spending brief periods with native speakers. This skill has undoubtedly contributed to her versatile performances across different roles and characters.
The actress continues to maintain an active presence in the entertainment industry, with recent appearances in Netflix's Delhi Crime 3 and Sony LIV's Maharani Season 4. Her film Bayaan also premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), showcasing her commitment to diverse and meaningful cinema.
