Cinema VinesFilmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia has opened a scathing critique of the Hindi film industry, arguing that the lack of vision among those who green‑light projects is choking creativity and forcing artists into a perpetual struggle. Speaking to PTI, Dhulia said, “Every film is a struggle. If you want to say a story in a different way, this industry stops us from making good art. The people who green‑lit projects here have zero vision. So, you are cursed.” He blamed producers and decision‑makers for stifling innovation, noting that even when formulaic films fail, the industry continues to rely on them.
In the same interview, Dhulia highlighted the challenges he faced with his latest release, Ghamasaan, which stars Arshad Warsi and Pratik Gandhi. Although marketed as a commercial gangster drama, the film was pushed to an OTT release on ZEE5 after the makers could not secure a theatrical launch. “It hurts a lot that the film, which was originally intended for the big screen, could only release on OTT,” he said. He insisted that Ghamasaan is not an unconventional project but a straightforward commercial tale with guns, bullets, and a conventional storyline.
Beyond Ghamasaan, Dhulia is preparing a new movie based on Hindi writer Uday Prakash’s short story “Dilli Ki Deewar.” The adaptation, titled Wo Phir Kabhi Dikha Nahin, is set against a Delhi slum backdrop and stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role. Production has reportedly wrapped, and the film is slated for a release later this year.
With a career that includes hits like Haasil, Paan Singh Tomar, and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Dhulia’s outspoken comments come at a time when Bollywood’s reliance on formulaic storytelling is under scrutiny. His call for greater creative freedom and a shift away from risk‑averse production choices reflects a broader frustration among filmmakers who feel constrained by a system that prioritises commercial safety over artistic exploration.
