Ameesha Patel Reflects on Bollywood’s Future Beyond Superstars

Ameesha Patel, a prominent figure in Bollywood known for her performances in films like Gadar and Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, recently shared her insights on the industry’s trajectory in an exclusive interview with Zoom. She critically examined the future of Bollywood in the wake of the long-standing era dominated by male superstars, expressing her concerns about the industry’s direction.

The Changing Landscape of Bollywood

Patel raised significant questions about the sustainability of Bollywood once the veteran actors like Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Sunny Deol, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Hrithik Roshan step back. “I wonder sometimes what’s going to happen to Bollywood after superstars like them, who have been around for 25, 30, or even 40 years,” she stated. Notably, she highlighted Sunny Deol as having the longest standing presence in the industry, still captivating audiences at the age of 68.

Patel expressed skepticism about the current generation’s content, noting that audiences often do not engage with new material, even on streaming platforms. She emphasized, “Forget coming to the cinema; I don’t know about that because the box office has a very different story to tell.”

Advocating for Stronger Female Representation

In her analysis, Patel also advocated for better roles for women in Bollywood. She believes that female leads are essential to the industry’s appeal, stating, “Women deserve better roles because there is a huge audience that comes for them.” Her comments underscored the importance of female characters who bring depth and emotion to stories, whether they portray love interests, mothers, or sisters.

She lamented the industry’s failure to provide women with the opportunities and recognition they deserve: “It’s actually the industry’s loss that they are not giving women the position they deserve, they are not giving them roles, privileges, or even putting them on posters anymore.”

Last seen in Gadar 2 alongside Sunny Deol in 2023, Patel has yet to announce her next project. Her reflections resonate with a broader conversation about the evolving dynamics within Bollywood, highlighting the urgent need for change in how stories are told and who gets to tell them. By shedding light on these issues, Ameesha Patel not only critiques the current state of the industry but also champions a future where diverse narratives take center stage.