Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan attends the unveiling ceremony of a Dubai-based property named after him in Mumbai on November 14, 2025. Sudhir Kasliwal, owner of Jaipur's Gem Cinema, recalled seeing hundreds of online bookings for one of superstar Shah Rukh Khan's releases, but only a fraction of the audience showed up in person. - AFP
MUMBAI: India's US$60-billion Bollywood industry is facing a deepening credibility crisis, as insiders warn that manipulated film reviews and inflated box office numbers are distorting public perception, ultimately hurting ticket sales.
Streaming platforms have disrupted traditional cinema but industry veterans say Bollywood's woes are also self-inflicted - including the trend to declare a film a "hit" even before its release.
