Cinema of heart struggling in theatres: Bhardwaj

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has said that meaningful cinema driven by emotion and sensibility is facing a tough time in theatres, pointing to changing industry dynamics and evolving distribution models.

Speaking about the challenges faced by filmmakers today, Bhardwaj said that even quality cinema is going through a deep struggle. According to him, such difficulties existed even before the rise of OTT platforms and continue today as filmmakers navigate between theatrical releases and streaming platforms.

The director, known for acclaimed films such as Haider, said that two decades ago it was easier to raise funds for content-driven cinema that appealed to discerning audiences. He cited films like Udaan by Vikramaditya Motwane and Gangs of Wasseypur by Anurag Kashyap as examples of powerful storytelling that were supported and celebrated during their theatrical runs.

However, Bhardwaj noted that today such projects often struggle to secure funding and theatre space, as the industry increasingly prioritises large-scale commercial productions.

He added that filmmakers are sometimes encouraged to release their projects in theatres before approaching streaming platforms, which creates additional challenges for smaller or experimental films.

Bhardwaj expressed concern that this shift has affected what he calls “cinema of the heart and sensibility”, a form of storytelling focused on nuanced narratives and artistic depth.