Siddhant Chaturvedi Says Bollywood Needs Heartland Voices: 'We Not Only Need Massy Narratives...'

Actor Siddhant Chaturvedi has opened up about a subject rarely discussed in Bollywood — the lack of access for writers from smaller towns and the urgent need for authentic Indian stories. Highlighting

how talent often remains unseen due to geographical and structural barriers, the Gully Boy star, in a recent podcast, emphasised that the industry needs to look beyond its traditional hubs to tell stories that resonate with the heart of India.

“The writers are not getting access — as much access as we want,” Siddhant said, pointing out that storytelling talent from tier-2 and tier-3 cities often goes unnoticed. “We need stories from tier-2, tier-3 towns, and not only massy narratives — we need films like Laapataa Ladies. But those writers aren’t getting access because the industry is concentrated in Bombay… in Juhu, Bandra, or at most Andheri,” he noted.

Born in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, Siddhant Chaturvedi made his Bollywood debut with Gully Boy and, over the years, has impressed audiences with a versatile body of work including Gehraiyaan, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, and Dhadak 2.

During the conversation, Siddhant also highlighted the growing disconnect between mainstream Hindi cinema and its audiences, pointing to language and cultural shifts that leave many viewers feeling estranged. “If a writer from Bhopal, Gwalior, Ballia, or Banaras comes here, I don’t think he’ll get access — maybe because he doesn’t know English,” Siddhant explained, underscoring how structural barriers still determine whose stories get told. He added that today’s young audiences, especially Gen Z, are perceptive enough to spot when a story comes from genuine passion and truth.

On the work front, Siddhant Chaturvedi is set to appear in Bhansali Productions’ Do Deewane Seher Mein and the V. Shantaram Biopic. Just a few days back, Siddhant dismissed reports of being finalised for the Hindi remake of Dear Comrade and said, “Just to clarify, guys, this isn’t true. No remakes for me anymore, even though I’m a fan of the original film and the actors, much love and respect. Thank you. Anyhow, I’d love to collaborate with the supremely talented @pratibha_ranta on something original. Looking forward.”