Komal Nahta is a film trade analyst, the Editor-in-Chief of 'Film Information', and a well-known television show host. With decades of experience in the film industry, he is regarded as one of the most trusted voices in box office analysis.

Bharathi Pradhan is a columnist, film critic, and author. She hosts podcasts and Lehren TV and writes a Sunday column for The Telegraph. She has been reviewing films since the 1970s, making her one of the most respected critics in the industry.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Komal Nahta exposes how box office numbers are being manipulated. He reveals how producers use block bookings and fake figures to inflate collections. He also talks about the culture of paid reviews, claiming that 9 out of 10 movie reviews are bought. He shares his views on what’s wrong with Bollywood and why films are struggling to connect with audiences.

Bharathi Pradhan discusses how PR companies have become powerful in Bollywood and how actors misuse them. She shares untold stories about Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan and reflects on how the industry has changed since the 1970s. She also talks about the role of film critics and why they should stay honest to their readers, not cater to actors and producers.

00:00 – Introduction

01:58 – How movie critics review films

09:38 – The truth about Bollywood’s paid reviews

14:00 – Inside Bollywood’s PR game

21:12 – How box office numbers are manipulated

27:19 – Movies that got bad reviews but became hits

30:03 – Losing friends over honest movie reviews

43:31 – The rise of paparazzi culture

49:45 – What really makes a movie a hit?

1:01:42 – Remaking old classics and blockbusters

1:11:38 – The problem of over-PR in Bollywood