Hollywood domination is affecting Indian cinema, says Irrfan Khan

E-Paper | May 09, 2026

Amitabh Bachchan might be of the opinion that Bollywood is no less than Hollywood and needn't get influenced by it, but critically acclaimed actor Irrfan Khan has stressed that foreign films are affecting the business of B-town's films, reported IANS.

The actor was last seen in Jurassic World, which did thunderous business at the box office. Having also starred in films like Life of Pi, A Mighty Heart, The Amazing Spider Man the 48-year-old Irrfan says: “I’m working in both the industries as I’m enjoying my work on both sides. Hollywood demands different kinds of skills. They have a different set of audience. So, as an actor it’s fortunate that I get chance to do different kinds of work."

“Both the industries have their own uniqueness. But Hollywood has a bigger reach and has its own universal language. It is more powerful. It has dominated our cinema. It can affect the business of Bollywood. But, our films are not affecting their business. It's Hollywood which is affecting Indian cinema,” he added.

The actor has reportedly also been roped in for the film based on Dan Brown's Inferno alongside Tom Hanks.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

World

Israel to release Gaza flotilla activists today ahead of deportation: rights group

European states to send planes to evacuate citizens from hantavirus-hit cruise ship

Putin says Russian army fighting 'aggressive' Nato-backed force in Victory Parade address

Ash

Jul 22, 2015 02:12pm

Hes a great actor!

Recommend 0

Vectra

Jul 22, 2015 02:15pm

I dont think so,Hollywood films have domination in certain catagories like alien,monsters like godgilla or anaconda or machine like transformer type of movies but not in drama or love categories like Great Gatsby and others.

Recommend 0

Bharatiya from Australia

Jul 22, 2015 02:16pm

Keep making Bharat proud Irrfan...loved watching your act in Jurassic world. Very impressive growth for you in Hollywood...Inferno with Tom Hanks..fantastic.

Recommend 0

Pune-India

Jul 22, 2015 02:18pm

Irfan Khan is going to mad..Hollywood and Indian movies are 108 degree different..

Recommend 0

Hasan

Jul 22, 2015 02:37pm

Beside Nawazuddin's acting in Gangs of Wasseypur and Rani Mukherjee's acting in Black, tell me one Bollywood (or Indian movie) of 21st century that was truly memorable for acting skill or deserves Oscar nomination for best actor / actress? Except Naseeruddin Shah, there is no one in Indian industry right now who could truly be called 'method actor', and he too is nothing compared to the likes of Adrien Brody or Daniel Day Lewis. Nothing against Indian cinema, but it is nowhere even close to acting skills compared to Hollywood.

Recommend 0

Zak

Jul 22, 2015 02:38pm

Yes Hollywood is affecting Lollywood too .

Recommend 0

Ali

Jul 22, 2015 02:42pm

And Pakistan cienma and every home is damage by bollywood movies , while Indin themselves want Holly wood and forcing us to watch bollywood

Recommend 0

mimi sur

Jul 22, 2015 03:04pm

If India produces more directors like Mr. Hirani and Mr. Mauli, we would continue our domination. But if we still continue with Farah and others, then god bless India . We need more Oscars .

Recommend 0

Satt

Jul 22, 2015 03:31pm

What..? He has also worked in Piku,how the hollywood had influenced Piku and it's success.O come on hollywood and bollywood are two different things,nothing effects each other,both have different audiences.

Recommend 0

Irfan

Jul 22, 2015 03:41pm

He is right. This is the main reason they copy too much things from Hollywood. Although after more than 50 years of Indian cinema, they are failed to produce even a handful of original scripted movies. Thanks to their melody singers like Kishore Kumar, Lata etc who made such a huge difference in the overall outcome of their movies. Given a chance, Pakistan would have done much better. BUT money talks.

Recommend 0

Leo

Jul 22, 2015 03:58pm

looks a misfit in Hollywood movies. you actually need to be taller and of a larger frame. Indian weak frame is not gonna take you far. Big eyes an help in Bollywood ..

Recommend 0

Raman

Jul 22, 2015 03:59pm

I think in fairness he is talking about himself, right? Among the Indian actors he is the only one who is busy at the 'woods!

Recommend 0

Madhusudan

Jul 22, 2015 04:22pm

@Hasan tell me about pakistani actors. Can u name few

Recommend 0

sap india

Jul 22, 2015 04:23pm

@Hasan and what about your own cinemas...is there any?

Recommend 0

ZAK

Jul 22, 2015 04:39pm

@Irfan Get that money first, than we can talk.

Recommend 0

India Always(Jammu)

Jul 22, 2015 04:41pm

I don't think so. Only a small section watches Hollywood sci-fi and action movies. And Indians just love their movies and stars and can never prefer other movies over them. It's conspicuous by the sort of business movies are doing. Moreover we are not like cry babies like some and welcome these Hollywood movies and believe in competition rather than ban, cry or relate it to being less patriot...

Recommend 0

Sudhir Neyalasinger

Jul 22, 2015 04:57pm

@Hasan You sound like you don't know much about Indian cinema beyond Bollywood. Tamil has actors like Kamal Hassan and Malayalam actors like Mohan Lal who are top class method actors. These movie industries turn out such superb cinema that Bollywood doesn't even come close.

Recommend 0

Amin Ali

Jul 22, 2015 06:00pm

Why is he complaining. Pot calling the kettle black. Sometime back Maharashtra government made a rule to screen Marathi films in multiplex theaters and Bollywood protested saying they cannot enforce such rules. Bollywood domination is affecting Marathi Cinema. Marathi films are much better content wise compared to Hindi potboilers. Films like Killa, Fandry, Bioscope, Court and Highway make you think. Bollywood cannot match Marathi films content wise. Content is king in Marathi Cinema.

Recommend 0

PARVEEN MALIK

Jul 22, 2015 06:25pm

I think India is not about Bollywood only. Watch other regional language movies, you would find much better content in script-wise.

Recommend 0

Kailash Singh

Jul 22, 2015 06:47pm

@Hasan Why would Indian actors bother about Oscar?If Salman Khan had started thinking like that nobody would have liked him.People like him for the kind of films he makes.Watch Bajrangi Bhaijan and forget Oscar.

Recommend 0

wiseman

Jul 22, 2015 07:14pm

@Hasan Watch Baahubali. :) At least a trailer. That would answer all your questions.

Recommend 0

Hadi

Jul 22, 2015 07:23pm

I am a die hard fan of Hollywood movies since my teens. Reason is that Hollywood makes (generally) awesome movies, and also a great variety of different genres. On the other hand if you have seen 10 Bollywood movies, you can guarantee you've seen them all. As Bollywood generally has limited variety. Secondly Hollywood Gets the best USA talent and picks ups great actors globally from the Far East / Asia / Africa and Europe. Bollywood is 99.5% Indian Only.... And lacks that creative/innovative diversity and richness of Hollywood. Finally Hollywood is Loved the world over. Bollywood is only more "Global" because of the Foreign born Indians living in the West. In Pakistan, Bollywood movies with bad stories but entertainment for the common man are successful. This is because the common man doesn't want to think. He wants flat silly comedy, item number song and action.

Recommend 0

Nasser

Jul 22, 2015 07:59pm

Hollywood makes rubbish films (concentrate on silly sci-fis) mostly, just like Bollywood. Except that their stunts and special effects are actually terrific; while Bollywood's are rubbish.

Recommend 0

sid

Jul 22, 2015 08:07pm

When our top stars will act for passion and not for crores, Bollywood will do well. The likes of Salman, Shahrukh, Devgan, Akshay...who command the largest budget movie, are only busy counting crore of opening. Honestly, all their movies are largely pathetic except for some good cinematography and few songs. Hollywood also churns out trash but their top actors also make great movies with passion. Tell me in last 2 decades, Sallu bhai has made any sensible movie from his crores that he dumps producing them. Having said that, it is still commendable that Bollywood makes money out of their efforts in a culture where people make money out of bribes and scams.

Recommend 0

all-is-equal

Jul 22, 2015 08:19pm

Hollywood casts Indian actors every now and then just to reach a billion movie lovers market. That's it. It's not because of talent or something it is only marketing and money making thought. Irfan's role in Jurassic World or Anil Kapoor role in MI are examples that tell hollywood only wants to make money by forcing Indian crowd to watch their crap. I have respect for Irfan or Anil Kapoor as actors but Hollywood is not using their talent.

Recommend 0

noshin

Jul 22, 2015 08:29pm

Really you want to beat hollywood ...What a spirit! First he made appearance in hollywood movie and then daydreaming!

Recommend 0

Jul 22, 2015 08:39pm

Bollywood mostly produces formulaic melodramatic escapist tripe. While Hollywood is not immune to these follies it does offer more originality and diversity backed by an amazing pool of outstanding acting talent.

Recommend 0

sunny_boye

Jul 22, 2015 08:45pm

Globalization has its benefits and costs too.... Indian movies are also earning in states also...

Recommend 0

rohan

Jul 22, 2015 09:34pm

1992- he didn't have enough money to buy a ticket for jurrasic park.. 2015- well, he is acting in juerasic sequel.

Recommend 0

Changez_Khan

Jul 22, 2015 09:56pm

True but you people have to say NO to acting in Hollywood movies.

Recommend 0

rich

Jul 22, 2015 10:02pm

or forget to add in india overall aroud a 1000s movies are made a year on average. last year I think 800 plus, in 2013 over 1200 movies

Recommend 0

Indian

Jul 22, 2015 10:02pm

Competion improves quality. . we can see a change in Kind of Movies being made in India

Recommend 0

a shah

Jul 22, 2015 10:47pm

I must say as a Pakistani I love Bollywood films and they are definitely getting better. If this is the influence of Hollywood then good thing.

Recommend 0

akbar

Jul 22, 2015 10:50pm

@Hasan what you are saying is of the Hindi cinema and not of the indian cinema at large.the regional cinema runs parallely to so called Bollywood..satyajit ray used to make movies in Bengali..real content and acting were seen in regional.movies which are duly recognised in national.awards..which are true representitive of India cinema...and not the Filmfare.

Recommend 0

Jul 23, 2015 12:01am

Can Bollywood make Star Wars or Jurassic World or Gravity etc. It simply cannot. Just because Bollywood makes more movies doesn't mean its an industry leader.

Recommend 0

UMAR BALOCH

Jul 23, 2015 12:10am

Get real !!! Bollywood movies stand no chance against Hollywood movies. Hollywood actors are head and shoulders above bollywood actors. Surplus, Bollywood better hire sensible story wrights, seriously.

Recommend 0

Hasan

Jul 23, 2015 12:25am

@SUDHIR NEYALASINGER: I think you didn't read my comment completely. I know the difference between Indian film industry and Bollywood. Read my post again, please. Kamal Hassan is a good actor, I agree. But now way is he a world-class method actor. Sorry.

Recommend 0

Hasan

Jul 23, 2015 12:28am

@KAILASH SINGH: I am not talking about Oscar. That was just for comparison purposes. I am asking does any Indian actor come even remotely close to acting skills of Adrien Brody or Daniel Day Lewis? And I say this because the title of this news is "Hollywood domination is affecting Indian cinema, says Irrfan Khan". You get my point? For me cinema is not about entertainment alone, it's an art form.

Recommend 0

Hasan

Jul 23, 2015 12:32am

@WISEMAN: You are talking about Baahubali. Well, I have not only watched its trailer but in fact the entire movie . It is kitsch, to put it mildly. You watch Baahubali again and then watch "There will be blood".

Recommend 0

Black Sabbath

Jul 23, 2015 12:50am

@Hasan : Comparing Hollywood & Bollywood actors is like comparing apples to oranges. The style of acting in both industries is very different due to various reasons, primarily being different cultures & catering to very different audiences. What an average Indian wants to see in a movie is very different from what an average American wants to see. I would say Amitabh Bachchan is a great & very versatile actor. If you see the range of his acting from his early days to date, you'll know what I'm talking about. And I'm not saying that just cuz I'm Indian, he can do what most Hollywood actors do but no Hollywood actor can do what he does.

Recommend 0

raj

Jul 23, 2015 12:54am

Of all I am a fan of this guy. His acting is great.

Recommend 0

Musthaque

Jul 23, 2015 01:05am

@Hasan There are many talented actors which were never been highlighted from tamil malayalam telugu kannada bengali odiya marathi etc simply because they nvr been appered in 'bolly wood cinema'and each region produces more than 100 movie and the so called bollywood only amounts to another 100 movie. In malayalam almost all main actors were winners of national award were in bollywoood its harldy any. Talent of Thilakan ,Venu,Jagati Sreekumar from malayalam and Nasser from tamil will simply outsmart any one from world stage.

Recommend 0

parveez

Jul 23, 2015 01:08am

quality and not quantity, there are about two to three good movies a year, at the most from bollywood, thats a poor percentage. there is no story line to these 100 core movies. Its all about core.

Recommend 0

Gp65

Jul 23, 2015 01:18am

@Hasan Hrithik Roshan in Guzaarish, Lakshya, Kangana Ranaut in Tanu weds Manu returns, Queen, Shah Rukh Khan in Chak De India, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Shabana Azmi in Arth, Ankur, Smita Patil in Mandi, Manthan, Amitabh Bacchan in Saudagar, Paa, Alaap and many others, Amir Khan in Taare Zameen par, Ranbir Kapoor in Rockstar, Kareena Kapoor in Jab we met, Juhi Chawla in Gulaab Gang, Sridevi in English Vinglishh, Lamhe, Rekha in Ghar, Khoobsurat The list is quite long actually.

Recommend 0

MNM

Jul 23, 2015 01:26am

I admire this man, one of my favourties

Recommend 0

Ajith Doval

Jul 23, 2015 02:16am

@Hasan : On the same lines can you pls. Compare shaan, Fawad with Adrian Brody and Lewis and provide your insights?

Recommend 0

ENIGMA

Jul 23, 2015 02:43am

Irfan Khan is a fairly good actor, only in the looks dept. - not even close compared to our uber handsome Pakistani actors - who can also act, sing, produce and direct ; )

Recommend 0

Anon

Jul 23, 2015 03:56am

@Hasan Indian movies are mainly for the Indians. Others are welcome to watch movies from other countries.

Recommend 0

Anon

Jul 23, 2015 03:58am

@Ali Who forces you? People of Pakistan should get Indian movies banned in Pakistan and Cable operators showing those movies should be jailed.

Recommend 0

Anon

Jul 23, 2015 04:01am

@mimi sur Please note Indians are not in any competition with movies from other countries. Even what Irfan Khan had said is that occasionally they cause a bit of losses as that money gets diverted to those English movies but only occasionally!

Recommend 0

Anon

Jul 23, 2015 04:10am

@ga The special effects you watched in Gravity were from the company owned by an Indian in Britain.

Recommend 0

Anon

Jul 23, 2015 04:15am

@UMAR BALOCH Bollywod was never or will ever be in any competiton with movies from other countries because this thing has never been in their minds at all! They are two different worlds. Just because the medium is film does not mean you should compare them. Bollywood is for not-so-rich people.

Recommend 0

Anon

Jul 23, 2015 04:18am

@Hasan Bahubali was not meant for non-south people. Just because one of the producers is a Bollywood producer so the Hindi version.

Recommend 0

Anon

Jul 23, 2015 04:21am

@Hasan The West and Whites are mechanical thinking people. The East is not. So don't expect them act like zombies. You will always see their personal self in their acting which you call non-acting. The East has Civilisation and Culture of thousands of years. By the way, the West is now flocking to East for peace and tranquillty.

Recommend 0

Anon

Jul 23, 2015 04:27am

@Hasan The method-acting that you call, we in the East consider it over-acting. We may appreciate it but we don't like it. In the art, you and we all know what all they do on-screen which we don't support.

Recommend 0

Jul 23, 2015 04:55am

@Hasan That would be Kamal Haasan. I don't think any actor in india comes close to his capabilities. among others I'd say nana patekar, naseeruddin shah, shabana Azmi to name a few.

Recommend 0

Jul 23, 2015 05:04am

@Hadi good point. However, Bollywood is primarily for Indian consumption. There is a fundamental difference between western and Asian social norms and values. The films reflect that. So when you compare h to b , you are really comparing apples and oranges. A good or bad film is a personal opinion, but if the film makes money then that's what counts.

Recommend 0

Jul 23, 2015 05:08am

@rohan that's the beauty of Indian cinema. If people appreciate your talent......

Recommend 0

Jul 23, 2015 05:18am

@UMAR BALOCH I don't understand what you mean. Just because you or I don't like a movie, doesn't mean squat. If you are comparing, the technology in a movie then yes, Hollywood is better. If you mean revenue is better, then let's consider cost of living index and then compare the revenue. ( for eg 64 rupees can buy more in india than a dollar) If you are talking about the Bollywood romance and what it means to people, it's priceless!!

Recommend 0

Syed

Jul 23, 2015 05:28am

How is it effecting Indian movies when big bollywood movies are making 100 - 500 crore business and setting new records.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Master Group of Industries: Driving Pakistan's future through carbon negative innovation

By embracing clean energy solutions, the group continues to contribute toward lowering dependence on conventional energy sources and encouraging a more sustainable industrial ecosystem.

Climate uncertainty reshapes life in Pakistan as tree planting efforts shift towards survival

“The real work begins after the applause fades, in the quiet, daily acts of care that no camera records.”

Indus Cloud Limited, Indus DC REIT and UBL form strategic partnership to accelerate Pakistan’s digital infrastructure and cloud adoption

This collaboration marks a significant step toward strengthening the country’s digital backbone and locally hosted cloud services for enterprises and public sector organisations.