Bollywood Needs a Renaissance, Not Reels”: Vivek Agnihotri Urges Govt to Support Bold Cinema

Mumbai: Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has written a powerful open letter to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, urging the Indian government to support bold, value-driven storytelling in cinema rather than superficial content that chases social media trends. The message, titled “Bollywood Needs a Renaissance, Not Reels,” is being widely shared for its clear critique and constructive vision.
Referencing Goyal’s recent statements at Startup Mahakumbh, Agnihotri draws parallels between India’s startup ecosystem and its struggling film industry, stressing that cinema must move beyond elite appeasement and Instagram virality.

“Just as startups must prioritise real value, Bollywood must shift to global relevance,” Agnihotri writes.

The Crisis in Bollywood
In the Vivek Agnihotri Bollywood Renaissance letter, he outlines multiple structural issues:

• Major production houses shutting down
• A growing gap between the industry and middle-class audiences
• Overreliance on star power and social media gimmicks
• The dominance of foreign platforms like Netflix and Amazon over Indian stories

He likens the industry to suffering from an “East India Company syndrome” where Indians create content, but outsiders own and profit from it.
 Cultural Comparison
Agnihotri contrasts India’s film trajectory with countries like South Korea and Japan, whose entertainment exports contribute billions to their economies. India, he argues, has the content—but lacks the infrastructure, incentives, and intent to capitalize on it.
 The Cost of Telling the Truth
The director also reflects on the backlash he faced for ‘The Kashmir Files’, including threats and harassment, emphasizing how costly it is in India to tell stories that challenge narratives.

“Innovation in Indian cinema comes at the cost of safety and mental health,” he shares.

Call for Reform
Agnihotri urges the government to treat Indic cinema like a startup sector, with:

• Financial incentives
• Tax reforms
• Dedicated platforms for cultural content
• Global positioning as soft power

“Indic cinema can be India’s biggest startup—creating jobs, exporting culture, and building real global influence,” he concludes.