Bollywood veteran Sunny Deol recently addressed the growing concern regarding the commercialization of cinema, lamenting how the focus on money has overshadowed the true spirit of filmmaking. While interacting with the media during the launch of the trailer for his upcoming film Jaat in Mumbai, Deol shared his thoughts on the changing dynamics of the film industry, particularly how the involvement of corporate entities has altered the creative process.
Reflecting on the earlier days of cinema, Deol recalled a time when filmmaking was driven by passion and creativity. “There was a time in cinema when a director would narrate a story to a producer, and they would like it and go all out making it,” he said. The actor emphasized how this free-flowing, creative process began to change as corporate businesses entered the film industry. “Then corporate got into business along with many other things, and all of a sudden everything became commercial. Cinematic became commercial, and everyone lost interest in making films,” Deol added.
According to the actor, this shift has resulted in films becoming more about generating profits rather than about creating quality, impactful cinema. “Everything became a tool to make money and just money. And everyone became a victim of the thing,” he stated. Deol expressed concern that those who were truly passionate about cinema, the ones who had "fire or hunger for cinema," were sidelined in the pursuit of financial gain.
Despite his critique, Deol remains hopeful for a change in the industry. "It is a cycle, it will change, it will change slowly," he concluded, hinting at the possibility that the industry could one day return to its roots of creative storytelling, unburdened by the overwhelming pursuit of commercial success. Sunny Deol’s remarks resonate with many who feel that the essence of cinema is gradually being lost in the business-driven culture of modern-day filmmaking.