The glitz and glamour of contemporary Hindi cinema dominate headlines, but director Ravi Udyawar is shifting focus to a neglected segment: films for children. In a candid conversation, the filmmaker expressed alarm at the industry’s drift away from kid-friendly content, blaming it on the obsession with action-packed spectacles and rapid narratives.
Once upon a time, Bollywood churned out simple, heartwarming movies perfect for family viewing. Today, those days feel distant as big-budget extravaganzas take center stage. Udyawar didn’t mince words: ‘Hindi cinema sorely lacks children’s films. We’ve abandoned stories that understand kids’ worlds and safeguard their purity.’
He drew parallels to romance in films, insisting on bringing back unpretentious charm. ‘I keep telling my actors to add innocence to love scenes. Old-school romances had an effortless sincerity that’s vanished amid today’s flashy presentations.’ This absence, he believes, drives young viewers to international options like Korean dramas, which offer genuine, unhurried tales of affection.
Udyawar elaborated on audience preferences: ‘People want less artificial drama and more real relational growth. My films aim to slow things down, allowing viewers to bond with characters and feel their emotions authentically.’ By dialing back the frenzy, he argues, cinema can rediscover its soul.
This critique comes at a pivotal moment for Bollywood, urging producers to reconsider priorities. Investing in children’s content could not only recapture lost audiences but also nurture the next generation of storytellers, ensuring Hindi cinema’s legacy endures with heart and honesty.