Prakash Raj Criticizes Hindi Cinema as Fake, Money-Driven at KLF 2026

Prakash Raj Blasts Hindi Cinema as 'Fake' and 'Money-Oriented' at Kerala Literature Festival

In a scathing critique at the ongoing ninth edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), veteran actor Prakash Raj has accused mainstream Hindi cinema of losing its roots, describing it as increasingly "fake" and "money-oriented." The award-winning actor contrasted this with the strong, content-driven storytelling he praised in Malayalam and Tamil cinema.

Hindi Films Compared to Madame Tussauds Museum

Speaking at a session titled "The Artist I Became" on Saturday, Raj likened contemporary Hindi cinema to a "Madame Tussauds museum," where everything appears beautiful but lacks substance. "In the present context, I feel Malayalam and Tamil cinema are making very strong films... Hindi cinema, on the other hand, has lost its roots. Everything looks beautiful, wonderful, like plastic," he remarked.

The 60-year-old filmmaker-actor, renowned for his work across Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam industries, highlighted the social relevance of South Indian cinema. "We (the South) still have stories to tell, the new young directors of Tamil are talking about Dalit issues. And that gives so much of hope," he added, emphasizing the industry's commitment to meaningful narratives.

Post-Multiplex Era Blamed for Decline

Raj traced the decline of Hindi cinema to the post-multiplex era, arguing that the industry began catering primarily to urban audiences, thereby losing touch with rural India. "After multiplexes, the Bombay film industry started making films only for multiplexes. Very cute films and things like that. Because they were running well. They went into that Page 3 culture, and with that lost the touch with rural Rajasthan and Bihar," he explained.

This shift, according to Raj, has weakened the emotional connection with viewers, as the focus shifted to glamour and surface-level aesthetics. He cited his own performances in hit films like "Singham" and "Wanted" as examples of the industry's broader trends.

Loss of Nation-Building Narratives

The actor lamented the decline of the nation-building narratives that once defined post-independence Hindi cinema. To illustrate his point, he referenced the 1977 blockbuster "Amar Akbar Anthony," particularly its famous scene where three men from different religions donate blood to save a person, symbolizing shared values and social harmony.

"Now, it’s not like that anymore. Today, it’s all about money and appearances -- reels, page 3 coverage, and loud self-promotion. In the process, I feel the industry has lost its connection with the audience," Raj concluded, underscoring the industry's current preoccupation with commercial success over artistic integrity.