Veteran performer Shekhar Suman, now focused on mentoring at his SSF Film Academy, has ignited a firestorm with his critique of Hindi cinema’s growing English influence. Speaking candidly, he dissected how the industry betrays its linguistic core amid evolving trends.
At the heart of his ire: Hindi actors accepting awards with English speeches. ‘Hollywood doesn’t do Hindi; why do we ape English?’ Suman challenged, branding it a persistent colonial hangover. He painted a vivid picture: post-independence, physical chains broke, but mental slavery endures without coercion.
Delving deeper, Suman criticized the unnecessary ‘a’ suffixes in titles inspired by epics—’Ram’ to ‘Rama,’ ‘Mahabharat’ to ‘Mahabharata.’ ‘These aren’t Hindi; they’re anglicized. Hindi films must honor originals like ‘Ramayan’ without alterations,’ he demanded, questioning meddling with Indian cultural treasures.
Scripts in Roman letters drew his wrath too. ‘I rage when given English-script Hindi dialogues. Demand Devanagari from the whole industry!’ Many Hindi nuances vanish in transliteration, he explained. Today’s youth, he warned, are Hindi-illiterate, with parents at fault. Contrast this with France’s French zeal, Japan’s linguistic loyalty, China’s firm stance—locals glare at English intruders. ‘We’re the only ones ashamed of our mother tongue at home,’ Suman sighed.
His words challenge Bollywood to rediscover its Hindi soul, potentially reshaping content creation and audience connection in a globalized era.
