Actor and producer Rohit Choudhary, who made his Bollywood debut with Sunny Deol-starrer Gadar 2, feels that today the filmmakers are more focused on succeeding and box office numbers than new stories.
The actor played the character of major Malik in the Sunny Deol starrer. He points out how box office business is all what matters to the filmmakers. “I believe that filmmakers today are increasingly prioritising what will succeed at the box office and generate substantial profits. In the past, filmmaking was viewed as both an art form and a commercial endeavor. Creators took pride in selling unique stories, showcasing their artistic vision, and experimenting with different concepts. However, the landscape has shifted significantly; the industry now leans heavily towards remakes and sequels rather than innovative storytelling,” he explains.
Speaking on the recent trend of re-releasing movies in theaters, he credited OTT platforms for giving the audience a plethora of options to choose from.
“OTT platforms provide diverse viewing options, attracting educated audiences who prefer their convenience and variety. Meanwhile, traditional theaters cater to a specific demographic and must prioritize profitability,” he tells us.
Rohit explains how cinema has evolved beyond being solely an art form and when new releases struggle at the box office, theaters often resort to re-releasing past hits as a strategy to sustain their business.
“This trend reflects the industry’s shift towards financial viability, often at the expense of innovative storytelling. As a result, the focus on classic films can overshadow new, original content, limiting the artistic exploration that once defined cinema,” he ends.