Screenwriter Niren Bhatt, known for his work on blockbuster films like ‘Stree 2’, ‘Munjya’, and ‘Bhediya’, has voiced his concerns about the remake culture in Bollywood. Speaking at the Indian Screenwriters Conference (ISC) on Friday, Bhatt highlighted the ongoing crisis faced by writers in the Hindi film industry.
As the primary writer behind the Maddock horror-comedy universe, Bhatt described the current period as the worst time for writers. He stated, “There are two perspectives. One is quite disheartening, with writers struggling immensely. However, I also see this as the best time for writers, as all established rules have been shattered.
The entire system has collapsed, meaning success will come to those who drive change. Writers are the biggest disruptors. Those who remain rigid are seeing their films fail. This is the perfect time for transformation.”
Bhatt also strongly criticized Bollywood’s increasing reliance on remakes. He pointed out that out of 25 remakes released post-pandemic, 23 failed at the box office, reinforcing the importance of original storytelling. He emphasized that if a writer finds their unique voice, they can elevate any franchise. Currently, he is working on upcoming projects like ‘Thama’, ‘Stree 3’, and ‘Bhediya 2’ within the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe.
His remarks underline the urgent need for change in the industry and the ongoing struggles of writers. Bhatt believes that the industry’s growth depends on originality and that writers who embrace their creative vision can drive significant transformations in Bollywood.
