Is Bollywood Losing Out To Tamil Cinemas?

This Diwali has exposed a striking contrast: Tamil cinema is enjoying a creative and commercial upswing while Bollywood offers a muted, formula-driven lineup. Two Tamil releases—Dude and Bison, both out on October 17, have captured audience attention. Dude, a breezy romantic comedy infused with local masala, opened strongly, while Bison, a sports drama from veteran director Mari Selvaraj, earned glowing reviews and solid opening numbers thanks to powerful storytelling and word-of-mouth. These films feel rooted, fresh and connected to contemporary audiences, especially younger and family viewers who respond to authenticity and strong narratives. By contrast, the Bollywood slate releasing mid-week on October 21 looks underwhelming. Thamma (an Ayushmann Khurrana horror-comedy) and Ek Deewane Ki Deewani (starring Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa) are competent but lack the novelty and scale we normally associate with Diwali. With neither superstar-driven star power nor bold thematic risks, these mid-budget releases lean on familiar formulas rather than offering new cinematic experiences. Historically, Diwali has been the domain of spectacle—big stars, family entertainers and larger-than-life marketing—but this year Bollywood’s offerings fall short of those expectations. The difference comes down to ambition and audience connection. Tamil films are taking creative risks, genre blends, culturally specific stories and directors with distinct voices, resulting in stronger word-of-mouth and sustained interest. Bollywood’s conservative programming this festive season suggests risk aversion and reliance on safe templates, which may cost it market share as regional films continue to raise the bar.