Saturday, March 29, 2025
Nawazuddin Siddiqui Calls Bollywood Thieves for Copying South Cinema
Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has stirred controversy by calling the Hindi film industry a “thief,” criticizing its lack of originality and over-reliance on borrowed content. While promoting his latest film Koastao, the actor expressed strong opinions about the creative bankruptcy in Bollywood, claiming that the industry continuously copies content from other sources, especially South Indian films.
Speaking candidly in an interview, Nawazuddin said, “Since the beginning, our industry has been a thief. We stole songs, stories — even iconic scenes from cult films. And the saddest part is that it has been normalized to such an extent that no one even questions it anymore.”
He further commented on the repetitive nature of Bollywood content, saying that the industry clings to one formula for years. “A single trend continues for five years until people get bored. Now the situation is worse — we have sequels upon sequels, all from the same tired formula. It’s like creative bankruptcy — there’s a real poverty of imagination,” he remarked.
Siddiqui also pointed out the growing insecurity within the industry. “People feel if one idea is working, just squeeze it dry. And then come sequels — part 2, 3, 4 — even when there’s nothing left to tell. This shows how desperate the situation is,” he said.
He referenced filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap, known for unique storytelling, saying they are pulling back due to the industry’s declining standards. “Talented directors are stepping away, because what’s the point of fighting a system that rewards plagiarism and mediocrity?”
Meanwhile, Nawazuddin’s upcoming film Koastao, directed by Sejal Shah, is streaming on ZEE5. He plays a customs officer who loses everything during a gold smuggling operation. The film also stars Priya Bapat, Kishore, and Hussain Dalal in significant roles.
Through his bold statements, Nawazuddin has reignited the debate on Bollywood’s creative crisis and reliance on South Indian cinema, questioning whether true originality can survive in such an environment.
