The film industry just got a reality check from Siddhant Chaturvedi, who shone a spotlight on the plight of writers from non-metro backgrounds striving for a foothold in Bollywood. In a no-holds-barred interview, the actor-turned-activist detailed the multifaceted struggles that stifle creativity from India’s smaller cities.
Chaturvedi painted a vivid picture: talented scribes from Bhopal, Surat, or Dehradun face skepticism about their ‘commercial viability’ right from the pitch stage. ‘Their stories smell of soil and struggle—exactly what audiences crave—but gatekeepers can’t see it,’ he explained with evident frustration.
He unpacked layers of discrimination, including accent biases during meetings and the expectation to conform to ‘Mumbai-standard’ Hindi. Without mentors or agents, these writers navigate a labyrinth alone, often self-funding travel for elusive auditions.
The Gully Boy fame didn’t stop at criticism; he rolled out a roadmap for reform—mentorship programs, inclusive contests, and producer sensitization sessions. ‘Empower them, and Bollywood will tell better stories,’ he concluded optimistically.
Echoes of his speech are rippling through Twitter and WhatsApp groups of aspiring writers, fostering a sense of solidarity. Critics argue it’s a step toward dismantling the ‘club culture’ in scripting. With Chaturvedi’s influence growing, this could catalyze real shifts, making Hindi cinema more representative of its vast audience.