Producer Shailendra Singh believes the answer is a clear yes. Speaking in a recent interview, he argued that today’s audiences are choosing compelling stories over celebrity names, pointing to the remarkable success of regional films like Deool Band 2 and Laalo while comparing them with Alia Bhatt’s Alpha.
“The Story Is the Real Star”
During a conversation with Cyrus Broacha, Shailendra Singh shared his thoughts on the current state of Bollywood and why many expensive films are struggling at the box office.
According to him, the industry has a very high failure rate, and star power alone is no longer enough to guarantee success. Instead, audiences are rewarding films that connect emotionally and offer fresh storytelling.
“The story has to be right and it has to be mounted well,” he said, stressing that content remains the biggest factor behind a film’s success.
Regional Cinema Is Winning Big
To support his point, Shailendra highlighted the impressive theatrical performance of regional films.
He said the Gujarati film Laalo emerged as a massive commercial success despite being made on a relatively small budget. He also praised the Marathi blockbuster Deool Band 2, saying it proved that audiences are willing to embrace well-made films regardless of language or scale.
The producer contrasted these films with Alpha, the YRF spy thriller starring Alia Bhatt, noting that despite its scale and star cast, it couldn’t match the box office performance of these regional hits.
Bigger Budgets Don’t Guarantee Bigger Success
Shailendra’s comments reflect a growing trend across Indian cinema.
Over the past few years, several regional films have delivered extraordinary returns by relying on strong scripts, relatable characters and positive word-of-mouth rather than massive promotional campaigns.
At the same time, a number of high-budget productions have struggled to meet commercial expectations despite featuring some of the industry’s biggest stars.
A Changing Audience
The producer also suggested that today’s moviegoers are more selective than ever.
With easy access to content across multiple languages through theatres and streaming platforms, audiences are focusing less on celebrity status and more on whether a film offers a memorable cinematic experience.
That shift, he believes, has created a more level playing field where regional cinema can compete directly with mainstream Bollywood releases.
Storytelling Takes Centre Stage
Whether one agrees with Shailendra Singh’s comparison or not, his remarks underline an important reality of the modern film business.
In today’s competitive entertainment landscape, a compelling script, engaging performances and positive audience response often matter far more than a film’s budget or the popularity of its cast.
As regional cinema continues to produce record-breaking hits, the conversation around “stories over stars” is only becoming stronger.
