Amish Tripathi Slams Bollywood for Casting Stars as Historical Invaders

At the launch of his latest book The Chola Tigers: Avengers of Somnath, bestselling author Amish Tripathi didn’t mince his words about Bollywood’s treatment of history. Known for weaving Indian epics into modern storytelling, Amish turned his sharp eye on Hindi cinema, criticizing the way invaders are often “glamorized” on screen.

The author pointed out how casting popular heroes as historical aggressors shapes public memory in problematic ways. He specifically called out Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat and Hrithik Roshan’s Akbar in Jodhaa Akbar. According to Amish, such choices risk creating sympathy—or even admiration—for figures who, in India’s historical record, were invaders.

“Cinema is the most powerful medium of our age,” Amish remarked. “When we cast our biggest stars as invaders, we unknowingly distort perception. People start remembering them as heroic rather than destructive.”

This critique touches a larger debate about how Bollywood represents India’s past—often choosing grandeur and romance over accuracy. Amish’s own works, like the Shiva Trilogy and Ram Chandra series, have always leaned towards reinterpreting Indian heritage with pride, and The Chola Tigers continues that legacy by spotlighting forgotten chapters of resistance.

Whether one agrees with him or not, Amish has added fresh fuel to the long-running conversation about Bollywood’s responsibility in shaping cultural memory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why is Amish Tripathi criticizing Bollywood’s casting? Amish believes that when Bollywood casts big stars as invaders like Khilji or Akbar, it unintentionally glorifies them, which misleads audiences about history.

Q2. Which Bollywood actors did Amish Tripathi mention in his critique? He mentioned Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji in Padmaavat and Hrithik Roshan as Akbar in Jodhaa Akbar.

Q3. What is Amish Tripathi’s new book about? His new book, The Chola Tigers: Avengers of Somnath, explores the Chola dynasty and their historic resistance after the plunder of Somnath temple.

Q4. How does this debate affect Bollywood? It raises questions about Bollywood’s role in shaping collective memory—whether it should prioritize entertainment or historical responsibility.