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Bollywood's Power Shift: How Actors Overrule Filmmakers, Says Taran Adarsh

Film trade expert Taran Adarsh has pointed out a major shift in Bollywood's power dynamics. He says actors now exert too much control, demanding changes to scripts and casting, which spoils the creative process. This puts immense pressure on producers and filmmakers who feel compelled to please the stars. However, Adarsh notes that strong directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and SS Rajamouli still maintain creative control by having the conviction to say no.

Key Points: Taran Adarsh Says Actor Control Has Spoiled Bollywood Dynamics

  • Taran Adarsh claims actor-driven control has spoiled Bollywood compared to earlier years
  • He says actors demand script, casting, and story changes, overruling filmmakers
  • Adarsh urges filmmakers to stop the practice of pleasing actors under pressure
  • He praises directors like Bhansali and Rajamouli for having conviction and saying no
2 min read

Many actors overrule: Film trade expert Taran Adarsh on Bollywood's changing dynamics

Trade expert Taran Adarsh criticizes rising actor interference in filmmaking, citing pressure on producers, while praising directors like Bhansali and Rajamouli.

"Many actors actually, they overrule... The producers and the filmmakers are under so much pressure from those actors. - Taran Adarsh"

Mumbai, December 10

Film trade expert Taran Adarsh reflected on the industry's changing dynamics, noting that the actors today exert significant influence over the creative choices in filmmaking.

In an interview with ANI, Taran Adarsh shared his views regarding the changing dynamics of Bollywood when compared to earlier times.

He noted that actor-driven control has "spoiled" Bollywood in many ways compared to earlier years, when such interference was much less prevalent.

"The final approval comes from the actor. They will tell you ye change kariye, ye casting lijiye, is kahani mein ye mod aana chahiye, iska ye draft change kariye..that has spoiled a lot of things (And the final approval comes from the actor. He will tell you, change this, take this casting, In this story, this mode should come. Change this draft completely). And this has spoiled a lot of things if you look at today's date, compared to the earlier years," said Taran Adarsh.

He claimed that the actors are trying to "overrule", which creates pressure on the filmmakers, urging the filmmakers not to follow the "please the actors" practice.

"Many actors actually, they overrule. That's what we have said, it should be done. The producers and the filmmakers are under so much pressure from those actors that they don't understand that we are making a film. We shouldn't please the actors," said Taran Adarsh.

Despite this, he acknowledged that some modern directors such as Sanjay Leela Bhansali and SS Rajamouli continue to assert creative conviction, refusing to compromise their scripts or craft under external pressure.

"But even today, there are filmmakers who say no. It's a very simple word, no. But it's a very powerful word. Aaj aap ye Sanjay Leela Bhansali se nahi keh sakte that change this, change that. Aaj SS Rajamouli hai aap unhe ye nahi keh sakkte ye change kariye vo change kariye(S. S. Rajamouli is there. You can't tell them to change this or that) because they have conviction in their command over the script. Over their craft. It's so enormous. It's so beautiful," noted Taran Adarsh.

Taran Adarsh is an Indian film critic and trade analyst known for his film reviews, box office figures, and social media updates.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who follows global cinema, this is an interesting point. In Hollywood too, big stars have influence, but the director is still the captain of the ship. The examples of Bhansali and Rajamouli show that strong visionaries can still succeed. Hope more filmmakers find that courage.
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Priya S
But isn't this also because actors are now producers on their own projects? They have a financial stake, so they want control. The line has blurred. But yes, when it hurts the story, it's a problem. We need more content-driven films like the OTT releases.
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, I think Taran Adarsh is generalising a bit. Not all actors are like this. The new generation like Rajkummar Rao, Vicky Kaushal are known to be director's actors. The problem lies with a specific set of superstars from the 90s and 2000s who can't adapt.
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Karthik V
True talk! Remember the classics from the 70s and 80s? The director was the boss. Salim-Javed, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Bimal Roy... they created magic because they had control. Today, it's all about hero worship and product placement. Story takes a backseat. 😔
M
Meera T
It's a business at the end of the day. If the actor brings the audience, they will have power. But the audience is changing now. We want good stories, not just star power. The success of films like '12th Fail' proves that. The power will shift back when the box office demands it.

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