EXCLUSIVE: Suneel Darshan looks back at the 90s; says, “Films in the 90s were made with heart, we told stories that meant something”
In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, veteran filmmaker Suneel Darshan opened up about one of his most personal projects — Andaaz 2. He also reflected on what made the 1990s a golden era for Hindi cinema and why he felt today’s Bollywood often lacks the emotional authenticity of that time.
Revisiting Romance with Andaaz 2
More than two decades after Andaaz (2003) introduced audiences to Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra alongside Akshay Kumar, Darshan shared that he was revisiting the world of his beloved romantic drama. With Andaaz 2, he aimed to revive the charm of old-school Bollywood romance — a genre he believed had gradually lost its emotional depth in today’s commercially driven landscape. “I wasn’t making this film because sequels were trending,” Darshan clarified. “I was making it because I wanted to bring back the sincerity and emotions that defined romance in our films. Today, so many projects are loud and hollow. Andaaz 2 was meant to have a heartbeat.” He explained that the film focused on heartfelt storytelling, melodious music, and emotional moments — much like its predecessor, which became a fan favourite for its simplicity and soul.
Why 90s Cinema Still Resonated
Reflecting on what made 90s films so enduring, Darshan said that filmmakers during that time were driven by purpose, not performance metrics. “Films in the 90s were made with heart. We told stories that meant something — about families, love, values. There was warmth.” He noted that even decades later, these films continued to feel relevant because they were rooted in emotions and truth. They weren’t designed around algorithms, but around shared human experience. “That’s why even after 20 or 30 years, those films still felt fresh. There are reasons why people went back to watch them again and again.”
How the Industry Had Changed
When asked about the difference between releasing films then and now, Darshan offered a candid response. “Earlier, when a film was about to release, there was a sense of joy — a kind of elation. We had worked hard, and we released the film in a free environment. There was a fair system then,” he said. But things had changed significantly over the years.
According to him, the joy of releasing a film had been replaced with stress, external control, and diminishing creative freedom. “Unfortunately, everything changed. Films became so controlled that it became unbeneficial for the filmmakers. There’s too much manipulation, too many hands in the process.” He also observed that Bollywood had become overly reliant on familiar faces and ‘outdated’ formulas, leaving little room for new talent or original storytelling.
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