Huma Qureshi ignited a language debate in Bollywood by alleging that half the people in Bollywood don't even know Hindi anymore. Her comment raises questions about whether the film industry is drifting away from the language that gives Hindi cinema emotional depth, or whether it's just adapting to a more global, multilingual environment.
In a conversation with Shubhankar Mishra, Huma said, "The problem in our industry now is that even though it is the Hindi film industry, half the people don't really know Hindi properly. In fact, most of the communication on sets happens in English, and even our scripts are printed in English. My question is who are you making these films for? You are making them for a Hindi-speaking audience, right? So at least speak the language!"
Bollywood today works in a far more global setup than it did a decade ago. Scripts, narration sessions, and production briefs increasingly happen in English, especially in large productions involving international teams. Many younger actors, raised in metro cities or educated abroad, often default to English in daily conversation. On sets, the dominant language often changes between Hindi, English, and regional languages, depending on the crew.
In such an environment, Hindi fluency isn’t a given and is often not even required in the off-camera process.
Huma's apprehension comes from a certain cultural truth: Hindi cinema has always derived much of its emotional strength from the language itself. The everyday expressions, the poetic ring of the dialogues, and the cultural nuances inbuilt into Hindi and Urdu are at the core of what audiences relate to.
When actors aren't fully comfortable with the language, the emotional delivery can feel rehearsed. The improvisation becomes limited, and subtle cultural cues may fall by the wayside. All of this can affect how organic a scene feels on screen.
Meanwhile, the way Indians speak has changed. Urban India slips into Hinglish, and Bollywood reflects this linguistic blend of Hindi and English. Contemporary scripts often mirror how real metropolitan speech patterns are, making films feel current and relevant.
This shift doesn't always signal dilution; it may signify evolution, too. For many filmmakers, the use of a mix of Hindi and English seems modern, inclusive, and rooted in present-day realities.
The growing global footprint of Bollywood has also shaped its linguistic habits. International collaborations, OTT distribution, and worldwide releases are pushing filmmakers toward multilingual workflows. English becomes the functional neutral language that can help streamline production.
Seen this way, the decline of Hindi behind the scenes may simply be a by-product of Bollywood's expanding global presence.
The real challenge is in the balance between global efficiency and cultural authenticity. Many actors still train in diction; writers and dialogue coaches work to preserve the richness of Hindi even when sets operate in English.
Films like Gully Boy, Gadar 2, and Laapataa Ladies show that strong Hindi dialogue still deeply resonates with audiences. Bollywood might be changing, but its essence of storytelling is still connected with the language that built it. Huma's remark is a reminder that while the industry evolves, preservation of the heart of Hindi cinema matters more than ever.
