Vikrant Massey at Waves 2025: The Rise of Small-Town Stories in Indian Cinema
Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey recently attended the Waves 2025 event, where he participated in a panel discussion titled The Changing Face of Indian Cinema. The discussion also featured filmmaker Om Raut, actress Sonali Kulkarni, and actor Ravi Mohan. During the conversation, Massey shared his thoughts on the growing trend of small-town stories in Indian cinema, stating that filmmakers often choose locations based on the subsidies offered by state governments. He humorously remarked, 'Jo state sarkaar hame achchi subsidy deti hai, hum wahi jaate hai' (We go to the state that offers us the best subsidy). This shift towards small-town stories has been a significant trend in recent years, with many popular films and web series exploring themes and settings from rural India. The rise of OTT platforms has also contributed to the growth of regional content, making it more accessible to a wider audience. With the increasing demand for authentic and relatable stories, it will be interesting to see how Indian cinema continues to evolve in the coming years. Key topics such as film subsidies, regional content, and the impact of OTT platforms on the industry were also discussed during the panel.