Covid-19 changed pattern of cinema consumption: Anupam Kher

Mumbai: The Covid-19 pandemic changed the behaviour of cinema consumption, veteran actor and mentor Anupam Kher said.

He recounted how audiences started consuming films from different sources, and it is not about cinema from different regions, but cinema from India alone.

He also stressed that one must be true and honest in their craftsmanship. “Whether you are broadcasting a mythic saga on the big screen or streaming a slice-of-life drama, honesty in storytelling is your greatest ally. Audiences may crave spectacle, but they will always applaud sincerity, and that is what works in films,” he said during a panel discussion on “Pan-Indian Cinema: Myth or Momentum” held at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit 2025 (WAVES).

The other panellists were Nagarjuna, Karthi, and Khushboo Sundar.

Nagarjuna echoed this sentiment by celebrating the rich cultural tapestry that weaves together India’s filmmaking traditions. He spoke of the myriad languages, customs and landscapes that inspire storytellers, and he reminded attendees that pride in one’s roots does not constrain creativity; it liberates it, and that is the true essence of Indian cinema.

Khushboo Sundar reminded the audience that cinema’s power lies in its emotional resonance.

She emphasised that there should be no perceived divide between Bollywood and regional film industries, as Indian films are created with the intent of resonating with all Indians.

“When you honour our shared heritage, our songs, our stories, our soil, your film stops being regional or national, it becomes Indian cinema, and that is what makes everything fall into place,” she observed.

Karthi reflected on the enduring appetite for larger-than-life experiences. He expressed that while audiences today have access to diverse content, they still flock to theatres for the magic of song-and-dance extravaganzas and heroic epics.