'Blame Real Culprits, The Audiences', Ektaa Kapoor Says Indian Fans Are Not Ready For Evolved Cinema

Renowned Bollywood producer and filmmaker, Ektaa Kapoor is not one to bite back when it comes to speaking her mind. Amid the craze going on about Brad Pitt's produced American mini-drama series, Adolescence, Ektaa expressed her frustration over the commercial failure of films like Superboys of Malegaon and The Buckingham Murders. Even though both films received critical acclaim, they could not make their mark at the box office. Taking to her social handle, Ektaa Kapoor suggested that the Indian audience is to be blamed for such ‘international standard’ films to underperform in the theatres. 

Ektaa Kapoor comments on the box-office failures of evolved films in India

On March 21, 2025, Ektaa Kapoor took to her Instagram and shared a long note addressing the box office failure of evolved films in India. In a series of no-holds-barred Instagram stories, Ektaa questioned whether the blame lies with the filmmakers, streaming platforms, or, in fact, the audiences themselves. She wrote:

“When Superboys of Malegaon and my dear friend Hansal Mehta’s The Buckingham Murders don’t work in theatres, can we blame the real culprits — the ‘audiences’?”

Ektaa then went on to describe the Indian audience as being in an ‘evolutionary stage’, even comparing it to adolescence, a sly wordplay to hint at the Netflix series, Adolescence, which is earning massive praise in India. 

“And since it’s no fun blaming people in abstract terms (can’t bring them down on social media na, so no fun), let’s just say the major part of India is in its evolutionary stage as far as content is concerned! You can say it’s in its ‘adolescence’.”

Did Ekta Kapoor shade Anurag Kashyap with her post?

Ektaa’s note took the internet by storm within minutes, and as it reached the discussion platform, Reddit, well, netizens had a lot to say. Redditors were quick to speculate that Ektaa’s comments weren’t just general musings but a direct jab at filmmaker, Anurag Kashyap. The Gangs of Wasseypur director recently slammed Netflix India, calling its leadership ‘corrupt’ and creatively bankrupt. He contrasted the platform’s lack of vision with their support for the internationally acclaimed series, Adolescence.

At the end of her note, Ektaa’s carefully chosen word, ‘adolescence’, did not go unnoticed. Reddit exploded with users postulating different theories. One Redditor commented, “This must be a jab at Anurag Kashyap - given he just praised adolescence...and she made it a point to use that term in her statement.” Another pointed out, “She’s defending Netflix India because Monika Shergill, its head, is her friend.”

Netizens react to Ektaa Kapoor blaming the audience

Social media reactions to Ektaa’s comments are divided. Some agreed with her assessment. Some cited the example of 12th Fail which failed at the box office upon initial release until it was streamed on OTT, and that was when audiences got to appreciate the story. One user wrote, “You can blame the audience, if it was enticing enough one would go. People went for 12th Fail. So there’s no excuses.” Another argued, “It’s your job to make good films and then let the audience choose. This is the same audience that made 12th Fail a hit.”

See the Reddit thread here.

What are your views on Ektaa Kapoor blaming the audiences for certain films to fail?

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