Bollywood appears to have lost the essence of song picturization. It has been a long time since a song was filmed with creativity and artistry, where its visual storytelling was as compelling as the music itself. Only a select few filmmakers, such as Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, continue to uphold the tradition, while others have either sacrificed it in favor of narrative-driven cinema or dismissed its significance altogether. The era when songs and dance sequences brought depth to Hindi cinema, transforming emotions into something tangible and everlasting, seems to have faded. Today, songs are no longer crafted to be remembered but to be consumed in fleeting moments, designed less for impact and more for visibility on digital platforms.

The influence of social media algorithms has reshaped the way songs are composed and visualized. The focus has shifted to the hook line, while the rest is often disregarded. Melodies are no longer designed to linger; instead, they are engineered for quick virality, disappearing just as fast as they surface. The picturization follows this trend—where once an entire sequence was carefully choreographed, now only a single step is highlighted, ensuring its potential to trend. Extended shots and gradual storytelling have given way to rapid transitions, catering to the ever-shrinking attention spans of digital consumers.

Recent Bollywood tracks such as Tauba Tauba, Lutt Putt Gaya, and Aayi Nayi are recognized not for their musical richness but for their signature moves. Listeners barely recall the sequences leading up to or following the popular moments. Similarly, Pehli Bhi Main, Aabaad Bardbaad, and Mera Dholna have gained traction in fragmented bursts across social media, rather than through traditional cinematic appreciation. There was a time when songs were deeply ingrained in collective memory, not just because of their chorus or dance steps, but because of the way they were presented on screen.

This shift has given rise to a phenomenon where everything is tailored to the format of short video content. Songs are no longer tied to their original cinematic moments; instead, they are repurposed, overlaid on unrelated clips, and turned into viral trends. While this has occasionally led to creative reinterpretations—such as the revival of forgotten melodies and the introduction of new sounds to broader audiences—it has also contributed to diminishing patience for immersive storytelling. The need for immediate engagement has overtaken the appreciation for slow-burning narratives and layered emotions.

The impact of this transformation extends beyond music to storytelling as a whole. In the era of digital entertainment, genres that rely on instant engagement, such as crime thrillers and investigative dramas, have gained prominence. These narratives maintain their grip through sharp twists, rapid developments, and dramatic cliffhangers. The theatrical space has also adapted, favoring high-energy genres like horror-comedies and action spectacles. The gradual buildup of tension, once a hallmark of Bollywood storytelling, has been replaced with rapid sequences designed for maximum immediate impact.

Directors such as Atlee and Shankar, who have long been associated with South Indian mass cinema, have contributed to this evolving aesthetic, where spectacle takes precedence over nuanced storytelling. Bollywood, too, has followed suit, embracing a style where films are structured like highlight reels, packed with fast-paced sequences that demand instant reactions from the audience.

This approach has also influenced projects like Badass Ravi Kumar, which leans into its over-the-top nature, fully embracing exaggerated performances, extravagant action, and heightened drama. Instead of challenging prevailing trends, it revels in them, making a spectacle that is meant to entertain both earnestly and ironically. The lines between cinema and meme culture have blurred, creating a space where films are designed to be consumed in the same way as viral digital content.

The increasing trend of film re-releases further reflects this shift. Many older films that struggled upon initial release have found a second life, driven by their popularity on social media. Movies like Laila Majnu and Sanam Teri Kasam have gained newfound audiences, not because of traditional word-of-mouth but through their continuous presence in digital loops. Their resurgence in theaters is fueled by nostalgia shaped by the internet, proving that in today’s era, a film’s success is no longer confined to its original run but is instead dictated by how well it survives in the ever-evolving digital space.

Disclaimer:This image is taken from NDTV.