Zerodha founder Nikhil Kamath tip to 'struggling Bollywood': It's time to bring back the 'Biryani'
As Bollywood grapples with luring audiences back to theaters post-pandemic, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath has sparked a conversation with a simple yet provocative analogy: the industry needs to serve up films as comforting and crowd-pleasing as a plate of local biryani. In a viral tweet, Kamath expressed his preference for “good local biryani over a Michelin-star quality fancy restaurant 99 times out of 100,” urging Bollywood to reconnect with its emotional roots to win back audiences.
Kamath’s tweet amplified a 12-slide research thread by @FinFloww, which argues that Bollywood’s revival hinges not on global acclaim or polished productions but on delivering relatable, masala-driven stories that resonate with India’s heartland. The research paints a stark picture: Bollywood’s 2024 theatrical footfall was 883 million, still shy of pre-COVID peaks above 1 billion. High-budget, star-studded films have struggled, while regional cinema—particularly Malayalam and Kannada—has surged, with Malayalam cinema growing over 100% last year.
Low-Budget Bollywood Hits Steal the Show
The data highlights a clear trend: 8 of the top 10 Bollywood films in 2024, including Munjya, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Stree 2, were low-to-mid-budget entertainers. These films, packed with quirky folklore, supernatural thrills, and unapologetic drama, tapped into the chaotic charm that once defined Bollywood’s golden era. Critics may dismiss them as “brainrot,” but Kamath sees their success as a market signal—proof that audiences crave emotional resonance over artistic perfection.
“Bollywood needs to stop chasing subtlety and start embracing its roots,” Kamath tweeted, pointing to the success of films that prioritize myth, humor, and larger-than-life storytelling over minimalist prestige projects.
How Bollywood can Learn from South
The research draws a sharp contrast with South Indian cinema, particularly Malayalam and Kannada films, which have thrived by staying true to their cultural identity. Hits like Kantara and RRR leaned into mythic narratives and local flavor, avoiding the temptation to mimic Western storytelling. Meanwhile, Bollywood’s attempts to appear “global” have diluted its emotional core, the research argues, leaving audiences disconnected.
What OTT Fatigue and Concert Boom Tell
The thread also notes broader entertainment trends. Audiences are showing signs of OTT fatigue, with engagement plateauing despite endless streaming content. Conversely, India’s concert economy is booming, hosting over 16,700 events in 2025, up from 8,000 in 2018. This suggests a hunger for shared, community-driven experiences—something cinema once excelled at providing.
The research draws an unexpected parallel with anime, which has conquered global audiences by embracing its exaggerated, culturally specific storytelling. Shows like Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer succeed not by toning down their excesses but by leaning into them—a lesson Bollywood could heed.
Kamath’s broader point resonates in a post-AI world where content is abundant but connection is scarce. “Bollywood shouldn’t chase Oscars,” he argues. “It should chase emotions.” The solution lies not in bigger budgets or flashier VFX but in rediscovering the raw, messy magic of Indian storytelling—films that feel like a familiar, flavorful plate of biryani. As theaters struggle and regional cinema rises, Kamath’s message is clear: Bollywood’s path forward is paved with heart, not hype. It’s time to bring back the Biryani.
Kamath’s tweet amplified a 12-slide research thread by @FinFloww, which argues that Bollywood’s revival hinges not on global acclaim or polished productions but on delivering relatable, masala-driven stories that resonate with India’s heartland. The research paints a stark picture: Bollywood’s 2024 theatrical footfall was 883 million, still shy of pre-COVID peaks above 1 billion. High-budget, star-studded films have struggled, while regional cinema—particularly Malayalam and Kannada—has surged, with Malayalam cinema growing over 100% last year.
Low-Budget Bollywood Hits Steal the Show
The data highlights a clear trend: 8 of the top 10 Bollywood films in 2024, including Munjya, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and Stree 2, were low-to-mid-budget entertainers. These films, packed with quirky folklore, supernatural thrills, and unapologetic drama, tapped into the chaotic charm that once defined Bollywood’s golden era. Critics may dismiss them as “brainrot,” but Kamath sees their success as a market signal—proof that audiences crave emotional resonance over artistic perfection.
“Bollywood needs to stop chasing subtlety and start embracing its roots,” Kamath tweeted, pointing to the success of films that prioritize myth, humor, and larger-than-life storytelling over minimalist prestige projects.
How Bollywood can Learn from South
The research draws a sharp contrast with South Indian cinema, particularly Malayalam and Kannada films, which have thrived by staying true to their cultural identity. Hits like Kantara and RRR leaned into mythic narratives and local flavor, avoiding the temptation to mimic Western storytelling. Meanwhile, Bollywood’s attempts to appear “global” have diluted its emotional core, the research argues, leaving audiences disconnected.
What OTT Fatigue and Concert Boom Tell
The thread also notes broader entertainment trends. Audiences are showing signs of OTT fatigue, with engagement plateauing despite endless streaming content. Conversely, India’s concert economy is booming, hosting over 16,700 events in 2025, up from 8,000 in 2018. This suggests a hunger for shared, community-driven experiences—something cinema once excelled at providing.
The research draws an unexpected parallel with anime, which has conquered global audiences by embracing its exaggerated, culturally specific storytelling. Shows like Attack on Titan and Demon Slayer succeed not by toning down their excesses but by leaning into them—a lesson Bollywood could heed.
Kamath’s broader point resonates in a post-AI world where content is abundant but connection is scarce. “Bollywood shouldn’t chase Oscars,” he argues. “It should chase emotions.” The solution lies not in bigger budgets or flashier VFX but in rediscovering the raw, messy magic of Indian storytelling—films that feel like a familiar, flavorful plate of biryani. As theaters struggle and regional cinema rises, Kamath’s message is clear: Bollywood’s path forward is paved with heart, not hype. It’s time to bring back the Biryani.
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