Bollywood’s Veteran Film Makers Losing Their Midas Touch?

On August 8, 2025, Bollywood witnessed a disheartening chapter for two of its veteran filmmakers, Suneel Darshan and Rajiv Rai, whose latest releases, Andaaz 2 and Zora respectively, met with resounding rejection at the box office. These senior filmmakers, once titans of the Hindi film industry, are struggling to resonate with today’s audience, their latest works exposing a stark disconnect rooted in their adherence to outdated storytelling and production styles. Suneel Darshan, celebrated for launching stars like Priyanka Chopra and delivering hits like Jaanwar (1999) and Andaz (2001), returned with Andaaz 2, a sequel banking on nostalgia. Similarly, Rajiv Rai, known for stylish, music-driven blockbusters like Vishwatma (1992) and Gupt (1997), presented Zora, a murder mystery. Both films crumbled because of poor execution, weak screenplays and ineffective marketing. Andaaz 2 featured music by Nadeem of Nadeem-Shravan fame and lyrics by Sameer, the names synonymous with 90s chartbusters, but the soundtrack failed to evoke the same magic, sounding dated and uninspired. Zora’ suffered from a weak narrative and forgettable music, failing to capture the intrigue expected of a thriller. Both films were dismissed by audiences underscoring a critical truth: nostalgia alone cannot sustain success in today’s dynamic cinematic landscape. Interviews with Suneel Darshan and Rajiv Rai reveal a bitterness toward past collaborators, particularly actors who no longer align with their projects. This resentment, coupled with their reliance on 90s filmmaking tropes —melodramatic narratives, formulaic music, and predictable plots —highlights their struggle to adapt. The failure of Andaaz 2 and Zora mirrors the struggles of other veterans like Subhash Ghai and Ram Gopal Varma. Filmmakers, regardless of past laurels, must shed outdated baggage and embrace modern techniques.