Renowned film trade critic Komal Nahta recently opened up about the often tumultuous relationship between critics and filmmakers, revealing instances of petty revenge faced by critics in the industry. In a candid interview with actor Vishal Malhotra, Nahta shared his experiences with notable Bollywood stars, including Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, highlighting their maturity in handling criticism.
Nahta recounted a pivotal moment involving Aamir Khan’s film “Laal Singh Chaddha,” a remake of “Forrest Gump.” Having seen the film eight months before its August 2022 release, Nahta told Khan that he believed the film would be a “disaster.” Despite the film’s eventual poor box office performance, Khan’s reaction stood out to Nahta. “He asked me how much it connected with me, and I said zero. Not once did he try to influence me or think that I should be kept away from him. That is maturity,” Nahta remarked.
In contrast, Nahta noted that other filmmakers often take criticism to heart, leading to retaliatory measures against critics. He emphasised that stars like Aamir and Salman are “above all of this,” maintaining professional relationships regardless of the reviews they receive. Nahta praised Salman for his ability to accept both positive and negative feedback without altering their equation. “I have written good and bad things about his films, but his equation doesn’t change just because I have not liked his films,” he explained. “I owe it to my readers and viewers, to be honest. If even a person is misled by me, it’s a crime.”
With decades of experience monitoring the film trade, Nahta also reflected on his early predictions, recalling how he warned producer Firoz Nadiadwala that the comedy “Hera Pheri,” directed by Priyadarshan and starring Akshay Kumar, would likely flop. “Firoz called me and said, ‘It’s an outstanding flop—which means it is an outstanding film, but it will flop at the box office,’” Nahta remembered. Despite his accurate prediction, the film later gained cult status among audiences.
Nahta’s insights shed light on the complex dynamics of the Bollywood film industry, where critical feedback can sometimes lead to backlash, yet certain stars manage to navigate this landscape with grace and maturity.
