Sonu Sood of Fateh fame defends Bollywood: 'We’re not creatively bankrupt'
Actor has turned director for the first time with a cyber-crime thriller, out in UAE now
Dubai: Bollywood star Sonu Sood has a message for critics, including director Anurag Kashyap, who recently told Gulf News that Bollywood has become creatively stagnant and risk-averse.
As he steps into the director’s chair with his debut film Fateh, Sood passionately defends the industry’s ability to innovate and produce quality content.
“Good films always work,” said Sood, dismissing the notion that Bollywood is creatively bankrupt.
In Fateh, out in UAE cinemas now, Sood not only tackles the timely issue of cybercrime but also makes a bold casting choice by bringing Jacqueline Fernandez onboard—a decision that has raised eyebrows given her involvement in the alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar controversy.
In an interview held in Dubai before the screening of his directorial debut, Sood talks to us about nepotism in Bollywood, making it big on his own steam, and why 'Fateh' isn't a formulaic action spectacle ...
Director Anurag Kashyap recently told Gulf News that Bollywood has lost its creativity and is afraid to take risks. Do you agree with this criticism?
No, I don’t think so. I believe good films always work. It’s not about Bollywood or South Indian cinema. I’ve done more Telugu and Tamil films than Hindi, and I’ve always believed that good cinema finds its audience. When I started my journey in the South, people would ask why I wasn’t working in Bollywood. But I’ve always felt that I need to be part of projects where I can proudly say, “This is good content.”
Bollywood has seen significant success in recent years, with films generating massive numbers. However, to make audiences sit up and take notice, there needs to be visible hard work on screen. That’s the key.
There’s a perception that Bollywood takes its audience for granted with formulaic storytelling. Do you think it’s time to break away from that template?
Every filmmaker begins with the intention of creating something unique. But yes, sometimes the plot gets lost, and the right film isn’t made. As actors, we can often sense when a project is going off track. Still, there are films made with average resources that resonate because of the hard work behind them. Respecting the audience is crucial. Today’s viewers are well-informed, so good content is non-negotiable.
Your film Fateh tackles cybercrime, a hot-button issue. What inspired this project?
It began during COVID-19, when people reached out to me for help—whether for medical aid, education, or jobs. Sadly, cyber fraudsters exploited these situations. That experience made me realise the urgency of addressing such issues. While Fateh highlights cybercrime, I wanted to package it in a way that’s enjoyable for audiences. No one wants to sit through a preachy film. Action has always been my comfort zone, so I thought, why not use it to tell this story?
You’ve cast Jacqueline Fernandez in the film, despite the controversies surrounding her alleged involvement with Sukesh Chandrasekhar. Was that a conscious choice?
I’ve always gone against the tide. Signing a successful artist is easy, but giving opportunities to those who need them makes a difference. Most of my film’s crew and cast are newcomers. For instance, my editor, Yash Parikh, is working on his first film. Supporting fresh talent ensures we see new ideas and cinema.
You mentioned action as your comfort zone. How different is the action in Fateh?
In my 22-year career, action scenes were often just outlined: “We need five days of action.”
But for Fateh, I wrote the action sequences like any other part of the script. For example, if a character runs out of bullets, he uses the gun’s magazine. When that’s done, he grabs a kettle or pan to fight. It’s all mapped out, down to the smallest detail. My son, Ayaan, challenged me to create action sequences Bollywood hasn’t seen before. That’s how we approached it—unique, high-octane, and meticulously planned.
The nepotism debate continues to rage on. As a self-made actor, do you feel your journey was harder because you didn’t have connections?
Definitely. When you’re not connected, it takes time to establish yourself. One generation has to struggle to pave the way for the next, whether in films, business, or any other field. I went through my share of challenges, but I’m grateful for the journey and for being able to entertain audiences along the way.
Lastly, what do you hope audiences take away from Fateh?
I hope they enjoy it. While the film highlights a serious issue, it’s packaged in a way that’s entertaining and gripping. That balance is important.
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'Fateh' is out in UAE cinemas now
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