Boycott Trend And Its Impact on Bollywood In 2023

Boycott has indeed become a trend on Twitter in recent years, and Bollywood films have been hit hard by this phenomenon in 2023. With every new film announcement, from Laal Singh Chaddha to Pathaan, a wave of boycott calls has swept through the social media platform.

The reasons behind these calls for boycott vary, but they often stem from controversial statements or actions made by actors, directors, or producers associated with the film. These statements or actions may be perceived as offensive, insensitive, or disrespectful to certain communities or individuals, leading to calls for boycotts as a form of protest.

The impact of these boycotts on Bollywood has been significant, as they can harm the commercial success of a film and damage the reputations of the people associated with it. However, it is important to note that these boycotts also represent a form of free speech and expression, and they can serve as a powerful tool for holding people accountable for their actions and statements.

How #Boycott started and comes in trend 

The sudden passing of Hindi actor Sushant Singh Rajput in July 2020 shocked the industry and the nation. In the aftermath of his death, several controversies emerged, shining a spotlight on some of the darker aspects of the entertainment industry.

Nepotism ( The dark side of Bollywood )

The issue of nepotism in Bollywood was thrust into the spotlight following the tragic death of Sushant Singh Rajput. Many industry insiders, including filmmaker Karan Johar and Mahesh Bhatt, were accused of favoring insiders and sidelining talented outsiders like Rajput.

Amidst this controversy, the release of the Hindi film Sadak 2 starring Sanjay Dutt, Alia Bhatt, and Aditya Roy Kapur became a lightning rod for criticism. The film's trailer, which was released on YouTube in August 2020, quickly became one of the most disliked videos on the platform, as many viewers saw it as emblematic of the industry's nepotistic practices.

However, with the closure of movie theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bollywood was hit hard by the lack of theatrical releases. As a result, many films were released on OTT platforms, providing a new avenue for filmmakers to showcase their work. While this shift in distribution may have helped to cushion the blow for the industry, it also meant that Bollywood had not yet fully experienced the impact of the boycott trend.

Despite these challenges, the Bollywood industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances. As more and more people demand greater accountability and transparency from the industry, it is likely that we will see further changes and reforms in the years to come.

Impact On Bollywood 

In 2022, Bollywood faced the impact of the Boycott trend as previously shelved films featuring A-listers began releasing in theaters and audiences returned to the cinemas. However, this time, even the star power of actors such as Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, and Saif Ali Khan couldn't attract audiences to the theaters. Films like Laal Singh Chadha and Vikram Vedha failed to perform well despite their big-name casts. In the past, movies like Padmaavat and PK were able to draw in crowds even amidst boycott calls.