In the midst of promoting his latest film Costao, currently streaming on Zee5, Nawazuddin Siddiqui offered a candid take on the current state of Bollywood in an interview with Puja Talwar on YouTube. Known for his raw honesty, Siddiqui didn’t hold back as he expressed concern over what he sees as a growing creative stagnation in the industry.
According to the actor, the root of the problem lies in the industry’s increasing insecurity, which has led to a troubling trend of recycling ideas and relying heavily on formulas. “In our industry, the same thing is repeated for five years straight — then, when people get bored, they finally let it go. Actually insecurity bohut badh gayi hai. Unko lagta hai ek formula chal raha hai toh usse chala lo, ghiso isko. Aur usse bhi pathetic yeh hogaya ki yeh 2, 3, 4 (sequels) hone lag gaya. Kahin na kahin jaise bankruptcy hoti hai, waise yeh creativeruptcy hogaya. Kangaliyat hai bohut zayada. Shuru se humari industry chor rahi hai. Humne gaane chori kiye, story chori ki,” he said, describing what he calls a state of “creative bankruptcy.”
Nawazuddin Siddiqui went on to elaborate that this lack of originality isn’t new but has been a long-standing issue. He noted how the industry has normalized copying from other sources, including South Indian cinema and cult classics. “Ab jo chor hote hain, woh kahan se creative ho sakte hain. Humne south se churaya, kabhi yahan se churaya, kabhi wahan se churaya. Even some cult-films which became hits, unke scenes bhi chori kare hue hain. Isko itna normalise kardiya gaya ki chori hai toh kya hua?” he added, questioning how creativity can flourish in an ecosystem that celebrates imitation over innovation.
The remarks have stirred conversations among fans and industry insiders alike, as Siddiqui’s criticism cuts deep into an uncomfortable truth: while the industry boasts talent and resources, it often struggles to break free from tried-and-tested formulas. As Costao garners attention on digital platforms, Nawazuddin’s voice stands out as one calling not just for applause, but introspection.
