Actor Tanishaa Mukerji has shared her thoughts on the changing culture of Bollywood, saying the Hindi film industry today feels far more “corporate” and emotionally distant compared to the environment she witnessed while growing up.
In a recent interview with Mamaraazzi, Tanishaa reflected on how relationships, passion and emotional investment in cinema have gradually been replaced by commercial priorities.
‘Bollywood Has Become Colder’
Speaking about the transformation of the industry, Tanishaa said she misses the sense of warmth and collective celebration that once defined Bollywood.
“I find it has become colder. Unfortunately, we grew up in an industry that was more about relationships, family and integrity,” she said.
“Now it has become more corporate — less about values and more about money, less about content and more about projects, less about the audience and more about profits,” the actor added.
‘Success Once Felt Collective’
Tanishaa recalled that during her childhood, one actor’s success felt like a victory for the entire film fraternity.
“I grew up in an industry where everybody celebrated each other’s success. Of course there were little jealousies — that’s human nature — but overall, one person’s success felt like the industry’s success because the industry itself felt like a family,” she shared.
Actor Reflects on Changing Award Culture
The actor also spoke about how prestigious film award ceremonies once carried greater significance.
Recalling stories from her grandmother’s era, Tanishaa said events like the Filmfare Awards were once considered highly exclusive and respected within the industry.
“Today, every second person seems to be getting an award. Sometimes it feels like if your film is commercially successful, awards automatically follow, irrespective of performances,” she said.
Despite her criticism, Tanishaa clarified that she continues to support the film industry wholeheartedly.
‘Producers Once Risked Everything for Cinema’
Tanishaa also reflected on the emotional and financial risks producers once took while making films.
“There was a time when producers would put everything on the line for cinema,” she said.
The actor recalled how filmmakers from earlier generations often invested their entire lives into projects, even risking personal losses if films failed.
“That kind of passion, that kind of risk, where your whole heart is invested in cinema — I feel that’s missing today,” she added.
According to her, corporate backing has made filmmaking financially safer, but also emotionally less personal.
‘Bollywood Is Going Through a Difficult Phase’
Tanishaa admitted that the Hindi film industry is currently facing challenges, with many projects reportedly stalled or delayed.
“Right now, a lot of projects in our industry are stuck. The industry is going through a difficult phase,” she said.
She also spoke about increasing public scrutiny surrounding Bollywood and noted that the industry has become a major topic of debate in society.
“Audiences are not going to theatres the way they once did,” she added.
Tanishaa Praises Dhurandhar and Ranveer Singh
While discussing modern cinema, Tanishaa praised Dhurandhar and described the film as “an enigma.”
She revealed that she watched the film with her mother and enjoyed it passionately inside the theatre.
“I genuinely think Dhurandhar is an enigma. I loved it. I was literally screaming and clapping in the theatre,” she said.
The actor also praised filmmaker Aditya Dhar and actor Ranveer Singh for their dedication to the project.
“What I loved about Dhurandhar is that you can see the passion behind it. You can feel that Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh poured their heart and soul into it,” she added.
According to Tanishaa, audiences in India connect strongly with emotional storytelling and sincerity in filmmaking.
