The Rise of Content-Driven Cinema in Bollywood: A Quantitative and Thematic Analysis

Authors

  • Anu Jha Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian University, Patna, Bihar, India
  • Nikhil Anand Giri Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian University, Patna, Bihar, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17231954

Keywords:

content-driven cinema, bollywood, ott platforms, box office performance, narrative realism, indian film industry, audience trends

Abstract

This study explores the emergence and impact of content-driven cinema in Bollywood between 2018 and 2024. Moving beyond the traditional star-centric model, these films prioritize narrative depth, social realism, and genre innovation. Using a curated dataset of 50 films, the research analyzes budget-to-box office performance, genre distribution, and the role of OTT platforms. Findings reveal that content-led films often outperform star-led productions in return on investment, with social dramas and thrillers dominating the landscape. The study also highlights the democratizing effect of streaming platforms, which have enabled new voices and unconventional storytelling to flourish. These insights suggest a paradigm shift in audience preferences and industry economics, positioning content-driven cinema as a sustainable and influential force in contemporary Indian filmmaking.

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References

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Published

30-09-2025
CITATION
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17231954
Published: 30-09-2025

How to Cite

Jha, A., & Giri, N. A. (2025). The Rise of Content-Driven Cinema in Bollywood: A Quantitative and Thematic Analysis. Social Science Journal for Advanced Research, 5(5), 17–21. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17231954

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 5 (2025): September Issue

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Anu Jha, Nikhil Anand Giri

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Research Articles in 'Social Science Journal for Advanced Research' are Open Access articles published under the Creative Commons CC BY License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. This license allows you to share – copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format. Adapt – remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.