Tigmanshu Dhulia Says Bollywood Stops Filmmakers From Making Good Art: ‘People Who Greenlight Projects Have Zero Vision’

Tigmanshu Dhulia on the struggle to make unconventional films

Mumbai: Filmmaker and actor Tigmanshu Dhulia has spoken candidly about the challenges of making films in Bollywood, arguing that the industry's decision-making structure can make it difficult for filmmakers to pursue stories that fall outside established formulas.

Speaking to PTI, Dhulia said that making every film becomes a struggle when a director wants to tell a story differently. He specifically criticised the people involved in approving projects, saying they lack the creative vision needed to support unconventional cinema.

“Every film is a struggle. If you want to say a story in a different way, this industry stops us from making good art,” Dhulia said.

He added that the people who greenlight projects have “zero vision”, arguing that filmmakers in India are often discouraged from attempting work that does not fit familiar commercial expectations.

Dhulia questions Bollywood's formula-driven approach

Dhulia also questioned the industry's continued reliance on established formulas.

According to the filmmaker, producers who follow conventional approaches can still experience a significant number of failures, suggesting that sticking to a formula does not necessarily guarantee commercial success.

His criticism echoes comments he made in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, where he discussed what he sees as limitations within contemporary Hindi cinema and the difficulties of getting unconventional stories made.

In another recent appearance, Dhulia also argued that corporate culture has contributed to a situation where “only one kind of film” is being made. He cited mainstream titles such as Pushpa, KGF and Dhurandhar while discussing the industry's preference for familiar commercial templates.

‘Ghamasaan’ faced its own release hurdles

Dhulia's comments come as his latest film Ghamasaan, starring Arshad Warsi, Pratik Gandhi and Rajpal Yadav, reaches audiences.

The filmmaker said the movie was initially intended for a theatrical release but eventually premiered on ZEE5. He acknowledged that the change was disappointing because he had wanted the film to reach cinemas.

Dhulia described Ghamasaan as a commercial film with a relatively straightforward story involving guns, bullets and a chase. Yet, according to him, the industry struggled to determine where such a project fitted within conventional ideas of commercial cinema.

A filmmaker known for unconventional subjects

Dhulia has built his career around films that frequently focus on crime, politics, history and characters from outside the traditional Bollywood milieu.

His directorial debut came with Haasil in 2003. He subsequently directed films including Paan Singh Tomar, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster and Raag Desh. He has also acted in projects such as Gangs of Wasseypur and Zero.

His approach to filmmaking has long been associated with stories rooted in specific social and regional settings. In a previous interview, Dhulia said he wanted his films to retain his own creative identity rather than simply being vehicles built around stars.

What is Tigmanshu Dhulia working on next?

Dhulia is also working on Woh Phir Kabhi Dikha Nahi, based on Hindi writer Uday Prakash's short story Dilli Ki Deewar.

At the same time, he has been developing a long-awaited biopic on legendary filmmaker K Asif, the director of Mughal-e-Azam. Dhulia recently said he has written around 100 scenes for the project and is focusing on Asif's life and creative journey rather than simply recreating the grandeur of Mughal-e-Azam.

Dhulia's wider criticism of Hindi cinema

Dhulia's latest remarks form part of a broader critique he has made about contemporary Hindi filmmaking.

He has previously argued that cinema is increasingly being treated as a commercial product rather than an art form. In a 2017 interview, he criticised the influence of corporate decision-makers who, in his view, lacked a creative orientation.

His latest comments similarly focus on the tension between creative experimentation and commercial decision-making—a debate that has become increasingly prominent as Bollywood studios, producers and streaming platforms assess projects through both artistic and commercial considerations.

For now, Dhulia continues to pursue projects outside conventional formulas, with Ghamasaan and his upcoming films reflecting his stated preference for distinctive stories and filmmaking approaches.