Ranbir Kapoor recently expressed his discomfort with the label ‘Bollywood actor,’ stating he prefers to be recognized as a representative of Indian cinema as a whole. In a recent interview with Variety India while promoting his upcoming project, Ramayana, the actor suggested that the term reflects an outdated perspective that fails to capture the vastness of the national film industry.
Reflecting on the industry’s history, Kapoor noted that the term originated when Mumbai was known as Bombay, similar to how regional industries like Tollywood are branded today. However, he believes the industry has outgrown these boundaries. For him, the label diminishes the magnitude of Indian filmmaking, which serves as a melting pot of diverse languages and cultures. ‘Ours is a land of many cultures and languages, yet we are all working to create one unified art form,’ he remarked, emphasizing that art transcends geographic and linguistic borders.
Experts suggest his comments echo the current shift in the industry, where regional films are increasingly achieving both national and international success. By distancing himself from the specific ‘Bollywood’ tag, Kapoor aims to highlight the unity and artistic breadth of contemporary Indian cinema.
Currently, the actor is deeply focused on the promotional campaign for his latest film, Ramayana. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, this highly anticipated fantasy drama, based on the classic Hindu epic, features Kapoor in the role of Lord Rama alongside an ensemble cast. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on November 5.
