Biopics, nationalist themes see diminishing returns at box office

Biopic fatigue and nationalist tropes push audiences away from theatres to OTT streaming platforms

- Lata Jha

Biopics, once a viable genre at the box office, are increasingly losing their draw with movies such as Emergency, Chandu Champion, Sarfira and others, having underperformed miserably over the past few months.

Experts say such heavy dramas are not just better suited for home viewing on OTTs; audiences are seeing an overkill with far too many films on subjects not entirely relevant, especially to younger audiences. The nationalist streak, an important part of such films, is no longer working, with viewers tired of the same tropes.

Kangana Ranaut's Emergency earned ₹15.90 crore at last count, and Chandu Champion featuring Kartik Aaryan had finished its theatrical run at ₹62.95 crore last year.