- From Joy to Jaded: What Happened to Our Movies?
There was a time when watching a Bollywood film meant laughing, crying, dancing, and dreaming—all in one package. But these days, most films feel heavy, slow, or just plain sad.
Bollywood seems to be going through a phase of gloom, pessimism, and self-pity, leaving the audience wondering: Where’s the magic gone?
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📉 The Death of Escapism
Once upon a time:
Shah Rukh Khan would make us believe in love (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge)
Govinda and Salman would make us laugh with their silliness (Partner, Judwaa)
Hrithik danced through heartbreak (Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai) and we still smiled
Now?
We have:
“Animal” – full of trauma, blood, and toxic masculinity
“Gehraiyaan” – everyone cheats, cries, and ends up broken
“Laapataa Ladies” – thought-provoking, yes—but no masala, no joy
“Darlings”, “Kathal”, “Thappad” – all socially strong, but emotionally draining
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😔 Why So Serious?
1. OTT Influence
Web series brought deep realism and dark themes—now Bollywood is trying to copy that depth, but forgetting the charm.
(Problem: Not every story has to be sad to be meaningful.)
2. Overdose of Social Messaging
Every other movie is a lecture—about patriarchy, caste, gender, trauma… important topics, yes, but where’s the balance?
3. No More ‘Filmy’ Feel
No iconic love songs, no dreamy sets, no grand gestures.
You don’t walk out humming a tune anymore—you walk out wondering, “Why is everyone so broken?”
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💔 Even Romance Is Tragic Now
Romantic films used to be about butterflies, eye contact, heartbreak, and healing.
Now it’s:
Affairs
Therapy sessions
Depression arcs
No songs, no hugs, no dreams
Compare “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil” to “Jab We Met” and you’ll see how far we’ve fallen.
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🎭 Not All Is Lost
✅ There are still a few sparks of joy:
“Dream Girl” (Ayushmann Khurrana) – light, quirky fun
“Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar” – tried to be commercial and colorful
“Jugjugg Jeeyo” – emotional, but balanced with humor and song
But they’re rare. And that’s the problem.
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🗣️ What the Audience Wants
Audiences are saying it loud and clear on social media:
> “I go to movies to feel better, not worse.”
“Where are the movies like DDLJ, Hera Pheri, or Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani?”
“We want magic, not misery.”
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🔚 Final Thoughts
Bollywood seems to have forgotten that films are also about fun, fantasy, and feel-good moments.
Yes, reality matters—but so does hope, love, laughter, and dreaming with open eyes.
Let’s bring back the Bollywood that made us want to dance in the rain, not drown in it.
