'Characters are sanitized...': Neeraj Ghaywan criticizes Bollywood's lack of authenticity
What's the story
Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, best known for Masaan, has slammed Bollywood for its inauthenticity. He compared it with the "authenticity" in South Indian cinema during a talk at the 7th Indian Screenwriters Conference (ISC) in Mumbai. Ghaywan said that characters in Bollywood are "sanitized for a certain audience," adding that they have to "go via Bandra" and don't feel real.
Industry insights
Ghaywan's views on South Indian cinema's success
Ghaywan also shared his thoughts on why South Indian films have been outperforming Hindi films at the box office. He said their success came from "authenticity." "The reason why the Southern industries are doing so well is because their lived reality is so authentic, and their characters are rooted and real," he said. "In the process of making film palatable to a certain audience, you might lose what is real," he said about Bollywood.
Funding hurdles
Ghaywan highlighted challenges in Indian film financing
Ghaywan further lamented the absence of independent funding for films in India, a support system that is common in European cinema. "The challenge is to make what you want with the studios while keeping your integrity intact," he said. "Recovery has to come from music or casting a particular actor. You have to battle your way through to achieve your vision."
Filmmaking journey
Ghaywan's career and contributions to Indian cinema
Before he became a filmmaker, Ghaywan was an engineer and film critic. He started his cinematic journey by assisting Anurag Kashyap on films like Gangs of Wasseypur and Ugly. He made his directorial debut with Masaan in 2014, starring Vicky Kaushal and Richa Chadha. Since then, he has directed Sacred Games's second season, Ajeeb Dastaans's Geeli Puchi segment, and two episodes of Made in Heaven.