I recently watched Dhamaal 4, and I’ll admit it, there was something comforting about seeing Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh and Arshad Warsi together again. Their chemistry instantly transported me back to an era when Bollywood comedies felt effortless and family movie nights revolved around films like Dhamaal, Golmaal and Hera Pheri.
For two hours, nostalgia did exactly what it was supposed to do. It reminded us why we fell in love with these actors in the first place.
But as the credits rolled, one question lingered: How long can nostalgia carry Bollywood?
The original Dhamaal wasn’t memorable simply because of its cast. It stood out because it was different. It brought a fresh style of comedy at a time when audiences were looking for something light-hearted and unpredictable. The same can be said for many of Bollywood’s biggest franchises. They became classics because they broke the mould.
Today’s audiences, however, are very different.
We’ve grown up consuming stories from every corner of the world. Whether it’s Korean dramas, Hollywood blockbusters, regional Indian cinema or independent films, viewers are exposed to richer storytelling than ever before. Expectations have changed. People still enjoy comedy, but they’re also looking for emotional depth, originality and characters they can genuinely connect with.
That’s why simply revisiting an old formula isn’t always enough.
This isn’t to say franchises should disappear. Some stories deserve to continue, and familiar characters will always have a special place in our hearts. But sequels should evolve with their audience rather than rely solely on memories of the originals.
Perhaps that’s where Bollywood’s biggest opportunity lies. Instead of asking, “What worked ten years ago?” maybe it’s time to ask, “What story does today’s audience need?”
The industry’s greatest successes have always come from filmmakers who dared to do something different. The next iconic franchise probably won’t be another remake or sequel. It will be the film that surprises us, makes us laugh in a new way, leaves us emotional, or transports us into a world we’ve never seen before.
Nostalgia may bring us into the cinema.
Original storytelling is what will keep us coming back.
-Anshi Agarwal
Anshi Agarwal
Anshi Agarwala is a South Asian biomedical science student based in Australia who is passionate about accessible education, dance, and celebrating diaspora voices. Her work reflects the lived experiences of young people navigating culture and ambition.
