Ratna Pathak Shah discusses the lack of writers in 1980s-90s Bollywood
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Ratna Pathak Shah, a veteran actress with a career spanning five decades, recently expressed her views on the state of Bollywood in the 1980s and 90s. She highlighted the absence of genuine writers during that era and how it often led to Bollywood films mimicking Hollywood counterparts.
In an interview with Film Companion, Ratna Pathak Shah was asked why it took so long for a film like "Dhak Dhak" to be made.
In response, she candidly commented on the state of the industry during the 1980s and 90s, stating, "Writers have lacked imagination. We had no writers for a very long time. At least in the 80s and 90s, I saw just plain copies of Hollywood movies being made over and over again and passed off as originals. Some of our best-known films are literally frame-by-frame copies."
She further explained that the industry seemed content with such films for a significant period. However, the advent of the online world has exposed average Indian viewers to global cinema and different storytelling approaches.
Ratna Pathak Shah also discussed Taapsee Pannu's efforts to promote "Dhak Dhak." She acknowledged the challenges of marketing offbeat films without A-list stars and stressed the importance of conveying the message to the public that such films are being made and are on their way.
"Dhak Dhak" features an ensemble cast including Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Sheikh, and Sanjana Sanghi.
The film is scheduled for release on October 13.