Now Reading: Bollywood stars flock to niche filmmakers as formula films fail
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Bollywood stars flock to niche filmmakers as formula films fail
Alia Bhatt will appear in the next Tumbbad instalment with Sohum Shah, while Ranveer Singh has signed Pralay, a survival thriller directed by Jai Mehta (Scam 1992). Salman Khan is set for a superhero comedy from Raj & DK (The Family Man). These projects mark a growing trend: mainstream stars are ditching formulaic vehicles for experimental, lower-budget films by directors with niche digital followings.
Recent star-vehicle failures, Alia Bhatt's Alpha (Rs 57.72 crore), Chand Mera Dil (Rs 27.78 crore), Shahid Kapoor's O'Romeo (Rs 59.90 crore), prove star power no longer guarantees box-office returns. Hits like Stree 2 and Munjya show audiences prefer rooted storytelling and genre franchises. Industry experts say niche filmmakers understand youth tastes better than established directors now.
The challenge: a star's presence inflates budgets toward Rs 150 crore, forcing leaner creative choices and risking the franchise's original voice. Film producer Shariq Patel warned that when a star overpowers the project's identity, the result 'turns into no man's land.'
Indian Opinion Analysis
The shift marks a structural change in Bollywood's risk calculus. For years, star-driven films commanded 60-70% of a project's budget in fees alone, leaving little for writing, production design or marketing. The 2024-2026 run of big-budget disappointments has eroded the premium financiers once placed on a marquee name. Meanwhile, digital platforms have built a new talent pipeline: directors like Raj & DK and Jai Mehta developed fan bases on streaming before crossing to theatrical. The real test comes when these niche filmmakers handle a Rs 150-crore star budget without losing their creative edge. Watch which of these announced projects actually release by mid-2027, and whether the star takes a pay cut to keep the budget lean.
Source: livemint.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
