Koffee with Karan’s Salman Khan episode reminded me why I turned my back on Bollywood

The recent episode of Koffee with Karan featuring Salman Khan prompted a reflection on my dwindling interest in Bollywood. As Karan Johar and the actor revisited their first film, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the conversation highlighted the stark contrast between the past and present of the industry. The sentiment echoed that movies today just don't resonate the way they used to.

As the hosts delved into films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, I found myself pondering when was the last time I genuinely enjoyed a Bollywood movie. Somewhere along the way, my enthusiasm for mainstream Hindi cinema had faded. This wasn't a conscious decision or a grand boycott; it was simply a gradual loss of interest.

Repetitive storylines, familiar faces, similar-looking actors, and forgettable music made it increasingly difficult to find films that truly excited me. Every year, mainstream Hindi cinema seemed to be getting more predictable, with music often falling short of expectations. Nowadays, when I search for a song on YouTube, I often find myself returning to the 1990s and early 2000s.

Not because everything from that era was perfect, but because there was more variety. Films could make you laugh, cry, challenge you, or simply entertain. They had flaws, but they didn't all feel like variations of the same story. Remembering the films we still cherish, such as Dil Se, Sarfarosh, Roja, Andaz Apna Apna, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Damini, Baazigar, Satya, Kaho Naa.

Pyaar Hai, and Vaastav, it's clear that the 1990s and early 2000s offered a refreshing range of genres, sensibilities, and stories. The characters and music from those times still linger in our memories. Salman's performance in Pehli Pehli Baar Jab from Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai served as a reminder of his effortless charm. It's hard to imagine today's actors replicating that particular combination of looks and charisma, much like it's challenging to replicate Shah Rukh Khan's magic in Chaiyya Chaiyya.

However, I don't necessarily want them to. I prefer today's stars to carve out their own unique moments that audiences will remember for decades. The shift seems to have occurred from talented stars to carefully curated public personas. Public relations teams, media training, brand associations, and constructed personas have become prominent aspects of celebrity culture.

While there's nothing wrong with publicity, when everything feels meticulously planned, the spontaneity and authenticity that once defined celebrities begin to fade. Where does individuality go when everything is curated? The decline of independent music is another aspect that troubles me. In the past, songs could gain popularity independently of films.

Indian pop music had its own stars, albums, and identity, with artists like Shaan, Sonu Nigam, Falguni Pathak, Alisha Chinai, and Lucky Ali captivating audiences with their distinctive sounds and identities. Euphoria's Palash Sen, Silk Route, and Aryan's Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra are just a few examples of standalone hits that didn't rely on a film's success.

These songs transcended the movie scene, becoming timeless classics. Unfortunately, today, independent music struggles to compete with the mainstream attention given to film soundtracks. It feels as though the conversation is dominated by songs tied to blockbusters, rather than music that stands on its own merits. The space for independent music to thrive has become increasingly challenging to maintain in the current landscape.