We Don’t Have Scripts And Stars Are Making Films Says Suneel Darshan About Industry Crisis

Veteran filmmaker Suneel Darshan is stepping back into the director’s chair with his upcoming romantic drama Andaaz 2, a sequel to his 2003 hit Andaaz. But beyond promoting the film, Darshan is using this moment to speak out about what he sees as deep-rooted problems within the Indian film industry—starting with the lack of strong, original scripts. “We do not have scripts,” he said candidly. “Earlier a director would make a film—now a star makes a film. We’ve handed over everything to stars over the last 10 to 15 years.”

 

According to Darshan, this shift in power dynamics has led to an unhealthy corporatization of cinema. “Now stars are commissioning directors and producers. This never used to happen. People with overseas degrees are coming into the Indian film market with no understanding of our culture, and yet they’re controlling the narratives,” he warned. For a filmmaker deeply rooted in traditional storytelling and Indian sensibilities, Darshan sees this as a dangerous trend that’s alienating audiences rather than connecting with them.

 

The veteran director—who launched the careers of several major stars and was a hitmaker in the early 2000s—believes that cinema should guide and influence minds. “Cinema manages your thoughts—it seeds a thought in you. But if your thoughts are being externally controlled, it’s not a great place to be,” he said. His critique underscores the broader concern of art being overtaken by market-driven formulas and celebrity-led strategies, rather than being used as a vehicle for emotional and cultural resonance.

 

When asked how the industry can win audiences back to theatres in an era of streaming and content fatigue, Darshan remained hopeful but grounded. “Nothing is impossible. But we need to support one another. The biggest problem in our industry is internal division. Everyone is against everyone else,” he said. “Since the last five years, there has been constant animosity and disturbance. If we don't change that mindset, nothing else will work.”

 

Darshan also urged media outlets to act more responsibly, saying, “If the media wants to see real change, it’s their responsibility too. They sensationalize everything. That needs to stop.” With Andaaz 2—starring newcomers Aayush Kumar, Aakaisha, and Natasha Fernandez—slated to release on August 8, 2025, Darshan hopes to revive not only the romance of cinema, but also its sincerity. Through his words and his work, he’s calling for a creative reset—and perhaps a return to what made Indian cinema so powerful in the first place.

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