Pic Source – Pixabay
Every few months, critics resurrect the same complaint: Bollywood lacks originality. That every second film is just a remix of star-crossed lovers, revenge dramas, family sagas, over-the-top action, or the eternal “rich boy meets poor girl” story — just dressed in new designer clothes.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: if these “recycled” stories keep filling cinema halls, topping OTT charts, and dominating playlists, perhaps the problem isn’t with the industry’s lack of originality — it’s with our obsession with it.
After all, if audiences are willingly spending their money and time watching the same tropes, without worrying about whether the story is historically accurate or if the hero defies the laws of physics — then who are we to argue? Cinema, like all art forms, survives on engagement. And if repetition sells, that’s not laziness — that’s smart business.
And let’s not act as though Bollywood stands guilty alone. Hollywood is no saint in this department. How many times have we watched World War II epics where the Allies defeat the Nazis — not that anyone minds watching them lose again and again — or the endless stream of superhero sagas, haunted houses, zombie apocalypses, and romantic comedies that follow the same predictable arc?
As an author, I can say this with confidence: books are no different. The “chosen one” trope in fantasy fiction? Overused a thousand times. The tale of two people from different worlds falling in love against all odds? Rewritten endlessly. Yet these themes keep working, because they tap into something timeless — our emotions, our fantasies, our hope.
So maybe it’s time to admit it: originality is overrated.
Perhaps the real artistry lies not in creating something entirely new, but in reimagining what’s already familiar. Think of it as remix culture — the art of making the old feel new again. Musicians have mastered this for decades, reinventing melodies, lyrics, and beats. The challenge isn’t to invent unheard-of themes, but to tell an old story in a way that still moves us.
Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar — the legendary screenwriting duo behind Sholay, Zanjeer, and Deewar — often admitted their stories weren’t built on groundbreaking ideas. Their genius was in knowing the audience’s pulse. They didn’t chase novelty; they chased connection.
So why do we continue to worship “originality” as the holy grail of creativity? Why do we judge filmmakers and writers harshly for embracing formulas that clearly resonate across generations?
I’ve met countless aspiring authors who hesitate to publish their work because they fear it’s “too cliché.” But here’s the thing — sometimes, that’s exactly what readers crave: the comfort of familiarity, presented in a fresh voice, a new setting, or with deeper emotion.
Because in the end, stories don’t need to be unheard of — they need to be unforgettable.
Maybe it’s time we stop chasing originality for its own sake and start celebrating the art of reinvention. After all, that’s what keeps stories — and art itself — alive.
“Originality is the art of concealing your source.” Franklin P. Jones
This brings us to an important point: if you copy, sample, or draw inspiration from someone else’s idea, always acknowledge the source.
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