By Rohan Sen, Film Critic
For decades, Bollywood has been pejoratively labeled as “over the top,” “illogical,” and “masala-driven” by purists who worship at the altar of European neorealism. But in the last five years, a seismic shift has occurred. The critical and commercial consensus is quietly solidifying around a provocative truth: Mad movies make Bollywood better.
We aren’t talking about low-budget B-movie schlock. We are talking about a specific breed of Hindi cinema—deliberately absurd, aggressively colorful, and narratively unhinged—that has outpaced its serious, brooding counterparts at the box office.
From the rise of the Stree universe to the unhinged blockbuster Jawan and the meta-commentary of Brahmāstra, the industry’s health is directly proportional to its willingness to embrace the “mad.” Here is why absurdity is not a bug of Bollywood, but its killer feature.
These films freely blend romance, action, comedy, melodrama, and musical sequences. That unpredictable mix keeps audiences engaged and often produces fresh, inventive storytelling moments that feel wholly original rather than formulaic.
| Film | IMDB Rating | Cult Status | Why "Better" | |------|-------------|-------------|---------------| | Gunda (1998) | 8.1 (for cult fans) | Legendary | Every dialogue is a meme; pure chaos as art | | Kabir Singh (2019) | 7.0 | High but controversial | Logical but predictable; mad movie offers more fun | | Andaz Apna Apna | 8.2 | Undisputed | Failed in 1994, now called "best comedy" – because it was mad ahead of its time | mad movies bollywood better
To prove the thesis, look at 2023. On one hand, you had OMG 2—a smart, logical, impactful courtroom drama. It was great. It won awards. You watched it once.
On the other hand, you had Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. Salman Khan, aged 57, fighting men half his age while his shirt conveniently explodes off his body. The plot involves a brother who doesn't speak for his lover for ten years. A villain who laughs evilly for no reason. A song where a goat dances.
Which one are you streaming on a lazy Sunday when you are hungover? The mad one. Because Mad Movies provide comfort. They are predictable in their unpredictability. You know the hero will win. You know the logic will be absent. And in a chaotic world, that certainty is "better."
One cannot discuss the "madness" of Bollywood without discussing the background score (BGM). In Hollywood, scores are often subtle, designed to manipulate the subconscious. In Bollywood, the score screams.
The "Mad" Bollywood movie uses sound to dictate the audience's pulse. The "Dhoom" whistle, the heavy bass drops in War, or the chaotic trumpets in a Govinda comedy are characters in themselves. This auditory aggression ensures that the viewer is never passive. You are forced to tap your foot, cover your ears in shock, or lean forward in anticipation. It is an immersive, sensory assault that Hollywood’s subtle soundscapes rarely achieve. By Rohan Sen, Film Critic For decades, Bollywood
Visual Suggestion: A split collage. Left side: A still from Go Goa Gone (zombie, blood, laughter). Right side: A still from Andhadhun (a blindfolded man with a gun). Center text: "LOGIC? WE DON'T KNOW HER."
Caption:
We need to talk about the "Mad Movies" movement in Bollywood. 🎬🇮🇳
For years, we've been told a "good film" needs a linear plot, a heroic monologue, and physics that make sense. Boring. 🥱
But the real gems? The ones that stick with you at 2 AM? They're the mad ones. | Aspect | Conventional Bollywood Hits | Mad
Think about it:
1️⃣ Go Goa Gone – A stoner buddy comedy that turns into a zombie apocalypse. And it works. 2️⃣ Andhadhun – A blind pianist, a murder, a kidney racket, and a rabbit. Absolute glorious chaos. 3️⃣ Gangs of Wasseypur – Revenge spanning 70 years told like a folk song on cocaine. 4️⃣ Delhi Belly – Three friends, a diamond, and a very angry gangster. No heroes. Just idiots. Perfection. 5️⃣ Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) – Is it horror? Comedy? Psychological drama? Yes.
Why "mad" is better:
✅ Predictability is poison. Mad movies keep you guessing.
✅ They reflect real life. Reality is chaotic, messy, and doesn't have a three-act structure.
✅ They rewatch better. Sane movies end. Mad movies unravel new secrets every time.
✅ They take risks. You'll never see a "safe" movie have a character poop in a suitcase (Delhi Belly) or a hero who is secretly a goldfish (Lootcase).
The Bollywood films that scared Hollywood? They weren't the romances. They were the unhinged ones.
Your turn. Drop your favorite "mad" Bollywood movie in the comments. 👇
I'll start: Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! – A noir that gets lost in its own maze and I loved every second.
| Aspect | Conventional Bollywood Hits | Mad Movies | |--------|----------------------------|-------------| | Predictability | Formulaic (boy meets girl, villain, happy ending) | Completely unpredictable, shocking twists | | Dialogues | Romantic or heroic | Memorable, bizarre, quotable forever | | Logic | Tries to be realistic (but often fails) | Embraces absurdity without apology | | Entertainment Value | Forgettable after a week | Cult status, re-watched for years | | Emotional Impact | Melodrama | Pure, unfiltered joy or bewilderment |