In an industry known for its constant churn and evolving trends, some fundamental issues remain stubbornly unchanged. According to seasoned actor and director Tisca Chopra, Bollywood's deep-seated fear of risk and its neglect of foundational writing are creating a culture of shallow creativity.
The Core Problem: Watering Fruits, Not Roots
During a candid conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Tisca Chopra addressed a persistent pattern in both theatrical and OTT releases, where big-banner projects often overshadow others. She pinpointed the industry's core flaw using a powerful metaphor. "The problem is that we are watering the fruits and not the roots, which is writing," Chopra stated emphatically. She believes this approach has led to work that is "extremely shallow."
Chopra clarified that her critique isn't against commercial or comedy cinema, a genre she herself finds fascinating. The issue, she insists, originates much earlier. "But it starts from the writing. You need to give time to your writers and freedom to brainstorm ideas. We don't nourish writers," she lamented. Her comments highlight a systemic failure to invest in the very bedrock of storytelling.
A Creative Community Paralyzed by Fear
Delving deeper, Tisca Chopra expressed her frustration with how projects are greenlit. Despite being a creative community, Bollywood often rigidly follows a safe blueprint—from casting certain stars to inserting formulaic songs. "I have a problem with projects," she said, explaining this repetitive cycle.
The root cause, according to her, is widespread fear. "Everyone is petrified. I understand there's money involved," she acknowledged. However, she argued that financial investment is a constant, whether one takes a risk or plays it safe. The real obstacle is a collective reluctance to innovate. "We are very afraid. Nobody wants to take a chance. People keep doing the same thing with a little twist," Chopra observed.
The Audience Shift and a Call for Trust
Chopra noted a significant shift in audience behavior, which now rejects content that feels repetitively repackaged. This change, she believes, places greater responsibility on filmmakers and studios. The onus is now on them to break the cycle by showing faith in fresh, convincingly pitched ideas.
Her analysis paints a picture of an industry at a crossroads. While external factors like market tastes and new platforms evolve, internal hesitancy and a lack of support for writers keep Bollywood's creative output surface-level. For meaningful change, Chopra implies, the industry must conquer its fears and start nurturing the roots of its creativity.
