VETERAN actor-filmmaker Amol Palekar expressed concern about the state of Hindi cinema during his appearance at ABP Network’s Ideas of India 2025 event on Friday.
He argued that the definition of a "good" film should not solely be based on its box office earnings, citing the recently released film "The Mehta Boys" as an example of the heartfelt storytelling that is lacking in current Hindi cinema.
“A film is more than the money that it has earned. Why do we associate good movies with their business? Is our understanding limited to the business a movie makes? We are often told that a film earned ₹4 billion or 5 billion, but a good film should not be about how much it has earned at the box office,” Palekar said, commenting on the declining quality of Hindi films.
He pointed out that "The Mehta Boys" embodied the type of heartfelt narrative that was prevalent during his time in the industry, lamenting that such films are not being made today.
“I feel we are unable to make such beautiful films today, and we rather make only one kind of factory churn out kind of films,” Palekar noted.
Palekar also discussed the widespread hype surrounding massive blockbusters like "Baahubali" and "RRR," while smaller films with significant content often fade into obscurity.
He pointed to an OTT series "Manorathangal" based on the works of renowned Malayalam writer Vasudevan Nair, which featured prominent stars like Mammootty and Mohanlal. Despite its quality, Palekar suggested that such projects do not receive the same level of attention as blockbuster hits.
"An OTT platform made a serial based on a well-known writer from the Malayalam industry named, Vasudevan Nair, and it featured all the top stars including Mammootty, Mohanlal, and many others, and it was presented by Kamal Haasan. If a project like this is being made in the South, we must talk about it but we only talk about ‘Baahubali’ and ‘RRR’,” he remarked.
Addressing the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the entertainment industry, the 80-year-old actor emphasized that while AI has advanced significantly, it cannot replace human creativity.
"AI is another step or big jump for the industry. A noted musician Zakir Hussain passed away recently, his tabla and the sound he created, can easily be recreated and reproduced through AI, but still, the tabla played by him will have a human effect. AI is created by a human being but it can’t replace human talent,” Palekar explained.
On the issue of films addressing societal matters, Palekar noted that media, too, has a role to play in initiating conversations on important topics, beyond the political news that dominates TV channels.
“Can the media not touch upon these topics? More than 90 per cent of the news on TV channels is political as if there’s nothing else than politics in our lives. Why? We can talk about all these issues, or other things like art, painting, and literature that will help us become better human beings. But instead of that, we talk about politics,” Palekar said.
Reflecting on his own career, Palekar said his films have always highlighted social issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease in "Dhoosar."
He mentioned how his films "Thang" and "Daayraa" were not released in India due to their exploration of sensitive subjects like same-sex relationships and trans issues.
Katrina Kaif reacts to postpartum beauty comments, reveals her 'skin became sensitive' and 'feeling best matters more'
Katrina Kaif attends the green carpet at the NEXA IIFA Awards at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre on March 09, 2025 in Jaipur, India.
Katrina Kaif has spent much of her career being associated with beauty — from modeling and Bollywood films to red-carpet appearances and her makeup business. But motherhood has changed the way the actor looks at her appearance.
In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Kaif spoke about beauty standards, self-care and the changes she experienced after giving birth. Her comments come as paparazzi photographs and videos of the actor have drawn harsh reactions online, with some social media users comparing her postpartum appearance with how she looked earlier in her career.
Rather than focusing on returning to her old appearance, Kaif said her priorities have changed. For her, looking her best now starts with feeling her best.
Katrina Kaif reacts to changing beauty standards
Kaif recalled the pressure surrounding beauty when she began her modeling and acting career. She said there were many stereotypes about what women were expected to look like.
Today, she views beauty differently.
“Looking my best is really about feeling my best,” Kaif said, explaining that taking care of herself as a whole has become more important.
She linked that feeling to several aspects of her lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy diet, staying active, managing inflammation, meditating and spending time away from her phone. She also mentioned getting natural light in the morning as part of her routine.
For Kaif, the connection between health and appearance is straightforward: when she feels healthy, she believes that confidence naturally shows on the outside.
Her comments come at a time when celebrity appearances continue to receive intense scrutiny online. Paparazzi posts featuring Kaif have attracted comments about her postpartum body and appearance, with some users comparing recent images with photographs from earlier stages of her career.
Her skin changed after giving birth
Kaif also opened up about a specific physical change she noticed after pregnancy.
According to the actor, her skin became significantly more sensitive after giving birth. That made it difficult for her to determine which products were actually working for her.
She is now focusing on what she describes as deep cellular hydration, strengthening her skin barrier and keeping her skin calm and resilient.
Dermatologist Dr. Shireen Furtado, senior consultant in medical and cosmetic dermatology at Aster CMI Hospital, explained that postpartum hormonal changes, stress, sleep disruption and dehydration can affect the skin in different ways.
Skin may become drier, more sensitive, oilier or more prone to pigmentation after childbirth. Because of those changes, she advised new mothers to focus on basic skin health instead of trying to immediately recreate their pre-pregnancy appearance.
Kaif’s postpartum approach is more about self-care
For Kaif, the shift appears to be bigger than skincare. Motherhood has changed the way she defines looking good.
Instead of chasing a particular appearance, she is emphasizing health, balance and understanding what her body and skin need at a particular stage.
Furtado similarly recommends keeping postpartum skincare simple, with a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen as a starting point. She also cautions against unnecessary products, harsh scrubs, strong exfoliants and irritating fragrances when skin is sensitive.
Some ingredients, including retinoids, require particular caution during breastfeeding and should be discussed with a dermatologist before use.
Kaif's comments offer a different perspective on the pressure faced by women after childbirth, particularly public figures whose appearances are constantly photographed and discussed.
Her message is less about looking the way she did before motherhood and more about feeling comfortable in the person she is now. For an actor whose appearance has been part of public conversation throughout her career, that represents a noticeable shift in how she approaches beauty.