Director Shakun Batra says Bollywood romance films miss Gen Z by mirroring themselves

In a recent interview with The Times of India, director Shakun Batra examined the disconnect between mainstream Bollywood romance narratives and the preferences of Generation Z. He argued that many love stories today rely on clichéd tropes and characters that are essentially reflections of the audience, leaving little room for surprise or relatability.
Batra highlighted that Gen Z viewers seek authenticity, nuanced emotions and protagonists who break away from the idealised, often unrealistic portrayals that dominate the genre. When a film presents a partner who is merely an amplified version of the viewer, it fails to spark genuine connection.
The director cautioned that without evolving storytelling techniques, Bollywood risks alienating a demographic that consumes content across digital platforms and values diversity in representation. He called for writers and producers to experiment with fresh character arcs and realistic relationship dynamics to regain relevance among younger audiences.