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Paresh Rawal expressed disapproval of people dictating audience tastes by dismissing popular cinema as ‘ghatiya’ (terrible).
Paresh Rawal slams criticism of commercial films like Pathaan and Jawan.
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has criticised the mindset of unfairly abusing commercially successful films like Pathaan and Jawan. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, the seasoned actor, known for his roles across commercial and indie cinema, described such criticism as “fascism of another kind.”
Rawal, who has spent over four decades in the film industry, expressed disapproval of people dictating audience tastes by dismissing popular cinema as “ghatiya” (terrible). “Those films are successful because audiences like them. Who are you to call their taste terrible?” he questioned, adding, “You can say what works for you or doesn’t, but expecting everyone to share your taste is fascism.”
The actor, gearing up for the release of The Storyteller on Disney+ Hotstar, also argued that the success of commercial cinema shouldn’t discourage filmmakers from pursuing meaningful stories. He stressed, “If a film like Pathaan becomes successful, it’s not stopping you from making what you believe is good cinema. Please do it. What’s the point of abusing these films? It’s absolutely pointless.”
Rawal credited filmmaker Anurag Kashyap for revolutionizing Bollywood by paving the way for new-age writers, directors, and talented actors. “Because of Anurag, we’ve seen a new wave in storytelling. OTT has also changed how producers and audiences think,” he observed.
Talking about impactful recent films, the actor praised Avinash Arun’s Three of Us and Devashish Makhija’s Joram, starring Manoj Bajpayee. “These films blew me away,” he shared enthusiastically.
As an actor who has balanced both commercial and indie films, Rawal said that embracing diversity in cinema is essential. He urged audiences to avoid blanket judgments and instead celebrate the coexistence of different cinematic narratives.
