'You keep bringing up Dalit stories': Neeraj Ghaywan reveals criticism
What's the story
Homebound director Neeraj Ghaywan, known for his socially relevant films, has spoken about the lack of representation in Hindi cinema. At Zoom's Best Performances Directors 2025 panel, he criticized the industry's narrow narrative lens that often reflects only the privileged minority's lives while ignoring vast sections of society.
Representation critique
'We fail to create films about the remaining 75%...'
Ghaywan pointed out how disproportionate representation has become a norm in Indian cinema. He said, "The films we produce only reflect the experiences of 15% of India's population." "We fail to create films about the remaining 75%. It's always narratives from the upper caste perspective, crafted by upper caste individuals." "This means that 75% of the population is consistently overlooked."
Geographic disparity
'Why aren't we talking about villages?'
The director further explained that this imbalance is not just about caste, but also geography and lived realities. He added, "This could also imply that we are only discussing urban populations." "Or small towns where we mock the English language and appearance, yet 60 to 70% of the economy is agrarian and based in villages." "Why aren't we talking about villages? Why aren't we presenting them?"
Dalit narratives
'You are focusing entirely on the 15%'
Ghaywan addressed the criticism he faces for repeatedly exploring Dalit narratives in his movies. He said, "People often ask me, 'Why do you keep bringing up Dalit stories in every film?' But the reality is that I am creating films for 25%." "You are focusing entirely on the 15%. The entirety of Hindi cinema revolves around that 15%."
Filmmaking motivation
'Nobody else is making - what do I do?'
Ghaywan clarified that his intent is not activism but honest storytelling. "And sometimes people have good intentions because, at my core, I am a filmmaker." "I don't aspire to be an intelligent filmmaker all the time. But the issue is that no one else is creating these stories - what am I supposed to do?" "You know, it's like an entire 25% population has been erased from all of Hindi cinema. All of it."