Bollywood fans have long admired stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. However, many filmmakers struggle to bring out the full potential of these superstars. In an exclusive discussion with Pinkvilla, YouTuber and film critic Anmol Jamwal, along with marketing director Varun Gupta, highlighted this issue.
They noted that South Indian filmmakers, like Atlee and AR Murugadoss, consistently bring out the best in actors. Atlee’s work with Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan and Murugadoss’ handling of Aamir Khan in Ghajini were key examples. Both directors showcased their stars in new ways, leading to blockbuster successes.
Himesh Mankad, a trade analyst, explained that trust between the actor and director is essential. He mentioned that when actors feel safe with directors, they perform better. He gave an example of Salman Khan’s suggestions during filming. Mankad said it’s up to the director to pick the right ideas and reject the wrong ones.
Anmol Jamwal questioned if Bollywood stars are willing to adapt. He pointed to Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and noted that many films lack strong scripts. He asked if directors like Atlee could bring precision and elevate the material.
Varun Gupta spoke about how directors need to earn an actor’s trust. He pointed out that Ranveer Singh trusts Aditya Dhar because Dhar has proven himself in his genre. Gupta noted that in the South, filmmakers work hard to ensure both the stars and stories succeed.
The trio agreed that the audience plays a key role. Varun explained that watching films in South India is a part of everyday life. In contrast, Bollywood needs to work harder to earn the audience’s trust after disappointing films. The experts concluded that films like Jawan and Kabir Singh prove that great results come when the director and actor trust each other.