The powers-that-be aren’t yet in the mood to reflect on what led them to this point of repeated failures while the Hindi film industry mopes about how their work isn’t recognised enough and encounters opposition. Instead, what motivated the industry to grovel than the people’s movement to avoid Bollywood? What caused Indian moviegoers to vehemently shun Hindi cinema (in 2022, not a single movie could break even except for superhits The Kashmir Files and Bhool Bhulaiyya 2) after decades of devoted support?
Well, Last 3 years saw a massive hit of Boycott bollywood trend in the industry. Even the biggest Khans, kapoors weren’t forgived. Same happened with the movies of Salman Khan because of his history and past doings. Boycott Bollywood, people decided, would not only be a hashtag on Twitter but also a significant movement that exposed Bollywood’s dark and dishonest side, which dresses up narco-terrorism, child trafficking, repulsive nudity, objectification of women, and other pervasive illegal practises in an air of sophistication and glamour. The untimely death of an intellectual silver-screen celebrity from Bihar tore up the carefully crafted PR halo intended to exalt the talentless, elite circle.
Recently, Salman Khan was invited on the Rajat Sharma’s ‘Aap ki Adalat’ where he was questioned about various things and his views.
Rajat sharma asked, “Aaj Kal boycott trend bohot chal raha hai. Aapka kya vichaar hai iss cheez par?” (Boycott bollywood trend has hit the industry massively. What is your take on that?)
Salman Khan replied, “Ye toh pehle se chalta aa raha hai. Pehle gharo ke aur theatres ke bahar morche aate the. Ab social media aa gaya hai. Usi cheez ke wajah se the name of my film ‘Bajrangi bhaijaan’ was asked to be changed by the film board. Fir humne usse explain kiya ki kyu iss film ka naam Bajrangi bhaijaan rakha gaya hai tab jaakar vo log maane” (This has been going on since a very long time. Since, there was no social media, people use to protest infront of the artist’s home or theatres. Now, in the world, where social media exists, everyone is a keyboard warrior. Everyone now has a option of putting out their opinion. Because of this same trend, i was asked to remane one of my movies i.e. ‘Bajrangi Bhaijan’. But then we explained to them about why we have kept the title as the same and they were convinced!)
In recent years, it has become more popular to avoid Bollywood films for petty and insignificant reasons. A number of high-profile films released last year, including Brahmastra and Raksha Bandhan, were adversely affected by online boycott campaigns.