Reasons Why Films Are Not Performing at the Box Office as Expected

1) Investment vs. Return

Let's analyze how much a middle-class family spends on paid entertainment annually:

- OTT Subscription – ?4,000

- 4K Television – ?40,000 (lasts 10 years) → ?4,000 per year

- Soundbar/Speakers – ?10,000 (lasts 10 years) → ?1,000 per year

- Internet – ?500 per month → ?6,000 per year

Approximate monthly cost: ?700–800 per family

Average family size: 4 members

Cost per family member per month: ?200

Now, let's compare this with the cost of watching a film in a theater:

- Weekend ticket price – Minimum ?300 per person → ?1,200 for a family of four

- Parking in multiplexes – ?100

- Time spent – ~5 hours

- Food expenses – ?500

- Travel expenses (if using public transport) – ?200–400

Total approximate cost: ?2,000 per outing → ?500 per person

And this cost is for just one film.

If a family watches one film per month:

?2,000 × 12 months = ?24,000 per year

Comparison:

- OTT: ?9,000 per year (unlimited content + home comfort + no travel)

- Cinema: ?24,000 per year (only 12 movies + traffic + parking headache)

2) The Decline of Storytelling

Most Hindi filmmakers rely on outdated, clichéd storytelling and star power. However, in the age of social media, where fame is just a click away, star power alone no longer attracts multiplex audiences.

While Tier-3 audiences may still be drawn to star-driven films, they prefer single-screen theaters over multiplexes. Unfortunately, single-screen cinemas are disappearing. For instance, in my hometown, Shamli (Uttar Pradesh), all three single-screen theaters have now been converted into wedding halls.

3) Lack of Opportunities for Outsiders

Most studios and big producers need to establish a smoother entry for outsiders, especially in:

1. Writing (top priority)

2. Direction

3. Acting

Only outsiders from small towns and diverse cultural backgrounds can bring fresh, rooted ideas. These can evolve into small-budget or even big-budget films. Unfortunately, industry insiders prioritize screenplay structure and technical aspects over the magic of originality. This is why they keep hiring the same writers, leading to repetitive, uninspiring films.

4) Glamour & Stardom No Longer Attract Small-Town Audiences

There was a time when Bollywood stars influenced fashion, hairstyles, and action sequences. Back then, the behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking were unknown to the common man. However, in the age of smartphones and social media (especially YouTube), audiences now understand the mechanisms behind the glamour—hairstylists, action directors, makeup artists, VFX, etc.

Instead of idolizing stars, people now follow the professionals behind the scenes—hairstylists, costume designers, VFX artists. Additionally, platforms like YouTube have educated audiences on editing, VFX, and filmmaking techniques, making them more discerning.

5) Bollywood’s Disconnect from Indian Culture

Many Bollywood celebrities lack an understanding of regional languages, Hindi, and rooted culture.

A decade ago, the Westernized mindset (e.g., “I don’t believe in God” or “I’m not into traditional rituals”) resonated with urban audiences. However, over the past 10 years, small-town North Indians have been rediscovering their roots, heavily influenced by the current ruling party.

Now, Bollywood celebrities seem confused—should they cater to modern city audiences, who find traditions outdated, or should they appeal to small-town audiences by visiting temples (especially the trending Mahakal Temple)?

Future Outlook

I sincerely thank the next generation of nepotism-backed actors. Their lack of fluency in Hindi and poor acting skills will force the industry to give chances to outsiders, who are still working hard day and night.

For industry insiders in power, it’s time to wake up:

- Stop blaming MBA-driven research for failing films.

- Stop selecting scripts based on data analytics instead of storytelling magic.

- Stop prioritizing social media followers over talent.

- Stop obsessing over numbers, numbers, and just numbers—filmmaking is art, not binary code.

If the industry doesn’t evolve, not just theaters but even OTT platforms will collapse. Right now, short-form content like Instagram reels is more engaging than most Bollywood films and web series. Meanwhile, Hollywood is already miles ahead.

Thank you.