Sonam Wangchuk's wife takes a swipe at Bollywood while praising The Odyssey: ‘Need to rediscover its role’

Sonam Wangchuk's wife praises The Odyssey, says Bollywood needs to 'rediscover its role'

Sonam Wangchuk's wife has ignited a fresh debate over the direction of Indian cinema after praising Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated film The Odyssey while suggesting that Bollywood needs to "rediscover its role" in shaping society.

Sharing her thoughts on social media, she lauded the scale and storytelling associated with The Odyssey, saying films have the power to inspire audiences and provoke meaningful conversations beyond entertainment.

"Bollywood needs to rediscover its role," she wrote, implying that Indian cinema should focus more on meaningful narratives that leave a lasting social impact.

Remarks trigger online discussion

Her comments quickly gained traction online, with social media users debating whether Bollywood has moved away from content-driven storytelling in favour of commercial formulas.

While some users agreed with her assessment and called for more socially relevant films, others defended the Hindi film industry, pointing to several recent productions that have explored important social and political themes.

The remarks also reignited discussions about the evolving expectations audiences have from mainstream cinema in the era of global streaming platforms.

Praise for The Odyssey

In her post, she praised The Odyssey for its ambitious vision and storytelling, expressing admiration for cinema that blends artistic excellence with universal themes.

Christopher Nolan's adaptation of the classic Greek epic has generated significant global anticipation, with film enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the director's interpretation of Homer's timeless tale.

Bollywood under scrutiny

The statement comes at a time when Bollywood continues to face criticism from sections of the audience over originality, storytelling and the increasing reliance on remakes and franchise films.

Supporters of the industry, however, argue that Hindi cinema has produced several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films in recent years that address social issues while also entertaining audiences.

As the discussion continues online, her remarks have once again placed Bollywood's creative direction at the centre of public debate, highlighting the growing conversation around the purpose and influence of cinema.