--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I used to watch Bollywood films, I…" description: "\"When I used to watch Bollywood films, I would struggle with the fact that our cinema was set in La La Land, with no social or political context. So I d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/kabir-khan-6082_cinema_when-i-used-to-watch-bollywood-films-i-w_477264.jpg" --- # When I used to watch Bollywood films, I would struggle… ![“When I used to watch Bollywood films, I would struggle with the fact that our cinema was set in La La Land, with no social or political context. So I decided that whenever I make a film, I'll try to put some context about what's happening.” quote by Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/kabir-khan-6082_cinema_when-i-used-to-watch-bollywood-films-i-w_477264.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/kabir-khan-6082_cinema_when-i-used-to-watch-bollywood-films-i-w_477264.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/kabir-khan-6082_cinema_when-i-used-to-watch-bollywood-films-i-w_477264.jpg) > “When I used to watch Bollywood films, I would struggle with the fact that our cinema was set in La La Land, with no social or political context. So I decided that whenever I make a film, I'll try to put some context about what's happening.” [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He recognized Bollywood's escapism and resolved to embed social and political relevance in his own films. **In simple terms:** He wants films to reflect real issues. Key Takeaway Add context to storytelling. Themes cinema social responsibility politics authenticity Mood reflective determined Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - film production - scriptwriting - directing - audience engagement Key Concepts narrative cultural critique Questions to Reflect On - How can filmmakers blend realism without alienating audiences? - What topics are most urgent for Indian cinema? A Different Perspective Balancing entertainment with message can limit commercial appeal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bollywood/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) ## Related quotes > [“The first six months are what I call the La La Land phase. This is what a lot of romantic novels, songs, and movies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-cummins/the-first-six-months-are-what-i-call-the-la-la-land-phase-this-is/) [Pamela Cummins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-cummins/) > [Some of the styles of dance in 'La La Land' I wish I had spent time on when I was a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-gosling/some-of-the-styles-of-dance-in-la-la-land-i-wish-i-had-spent-time-on/) [Ryan Gosling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-gosling/) > [I loved 'La La Land.' I would love to do a film like 'La La Land' which has so much simplicity and joy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shweta-tripathi/i-loved-la-la-land-i-would-love-to-do-a-film-like-la-la-land-which/) [Shweta Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shweta-tripathi/) > [We've been slagging off the E.U. for decades, and now we've gone and voted to leave. And if anyone thinks they are going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-soubry/we-ve-been-slagging-off-the-e-u-for-decades-and-now-we-ve-gone-and/) [Anna Soubry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-soubry/) > [ Kind of the critical acclaim of this movie \[La La Land\] is that it's striking a chord with the public in a way that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/kind-of-the-critical-acclaim-of-this-movie-la-la-land-is-that-it-s/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [ Black people invented jazz. But this story \[in La La Land\] wasn't ever claiming to be that. It's just a story about two people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/black-people-invented-jazz-but-this-story-in-la-la-land-wasn-t-ever/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [A movie like 'La La Land' would be just great. I just cant get over this musical love story. I loved Emma Stone and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shriya-pilgaonkar/a-movie-like-la-la-land-would-be-just-great-i-just-cant-get-over-this/) [Shriya Pilgaonkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shriya-pilgaonkar/) > [“In the movie La La Land, Mia has to put on a brave face at auditions, then put on her best clothes and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-green/in-the-movie-la-la-land-mia-has-to-put-on-a-brave-face-at-auditions/) [Bill Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-green/) > [We were producing 'La La Land'... and then we weren't. So it was a very painful topic, but I'm happy the movie was as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-blum/we-were-producing-la-la-land-and-then-we-weren-t-so-it-was-a-very/) [Jason Blum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-blum/) > [ If you want the film \[La La Land \] to represent all things jazz, it does not. You'll be disappointed by that. But, if… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/if-you-want-the-film-la-la-land-to-represent-all-things-jazz-it-does/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [It annoys me when contemporary films and television shows create artificial tensions that could easily be resolved by a quick email or the use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-rooney/it-annoys-me-when-contemporary-films-and-television-shows-create/) [Sally Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-rooney/) > [I'm super-into sappy movies like 'La La Land' and 'Midnight in Paris.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauv/i-m-super-into-sappy-movies-like-la-la-land-and-midnight-in-paris/) [Lauv](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauv/) > [La La Land' is really wonderful, and not just a romantic comedy, but a musical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-barbaro/la-la-land-is-really-wonderful-and-not-just-a-romantic-comedy-but-a/) [Monica Barbaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-barbaro/) > [I have watched 'La La Land'... it's a beautiful, magical film and I think Ryan Gosling sang like an angel and Emma Stone sounded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neha-bhasin/i-have-watched-la-la-land-it-s-a-beautiful-magical-film-and-i-think/) [Neha Bhasin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neha-bhasin/) > [I'm going to la la land for a huge business meeting. We got some sick things in the works so stay glued.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dahvie-vanity/i-m-going-to-la-la-land-for-a-huge-business-meeting-we-got-some-sick/) [Dahvie Vanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dahvie-vanity/) ## More by Kabir Khan > [I have been to Afghanistan many times, even before the Taliban collapsed. I was fascinated by the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/i-have-been-to-afghanistan-many-times-even-before-the-taliban/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [The main idea of making a movie is to provide entertainment. But as a director, I also say what I want to say with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/the-main-idea-of-making-a-movie-is-to-provide-entertainment-but-as-a/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [One of the biggest drawbacks of our industry is that we haven't nurtured our writers for years. Now, we realise we need to but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/one-of-the-biggest-drawbacks-of-our-industry-is-that-we-haven-t/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [We definitely need to give so much more importance, relevance, pay, glory to the writers because they are really the backbone of what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/we-definitely-need-to-give-so-much-more-importance-relevance-pay/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [I have realised the toxicity or negative impact of social media is more than the positive impact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/i-have-realised-the-toxicity-or-negative-impact-of-social-media-is/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [For nationalism, sometimes we need a counter point or a villain. However, you don't need any such thing for patriotism. Patriotism is a pure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/for-nationalism-sometimes-we-need-a-counter-point-or-a-villain/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [Everything is politics. And everyone has an ideology. Without one, we are animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/everything-is-politics-and-everyone-has-an-ideology-without-one-we/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [Honestly, one doesn't expect any awards, let alone a National Award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/honestly-one-doesn-t-expect-any-awards-let-alone-a-national-award/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [I've never compromised in the story of 'Ek Tha Tiger' just because Salman Khan is in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/i-ve-never-compromised-in-the-story-of-ek-tha-tiger-just-because/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [History always remains relevant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/history-always-remains-relevant/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [There is no ego whatsoever in Salman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/there-is-no-ego-whatsoever-in-salman/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [Post 'Ek Tha Tiger,' which was a more mainstream, action film, I spent a lot of time with Salman and I realised that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/post-ek-tha-tiger-which-was-a-more-mainstream-action-film-i-spent-a/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [I am a Pathan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/i-am-a-pathan/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [It's the easiest thing today, demonising the Mughals and various other Muslim rulers that India had at different points in its history. Trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/it-s-the-easiest-thing-today-demonising-the-mughals-and-various-other/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) > [For so long, we have believed that commercial cinema is nonsensical, but 'Bajrangi' was not nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/for-so-long-we-have-believed-that-commercial-cinema-is-nonsensical/) [Kabir Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) [Explore all 100 Kabir Khan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/) ## More Bollywood quotes > [I met Rajini sir after 'Jigarthanda,' and he said he liked my film. He told me I could approach him whenever I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karthik-subbaraj/i-met-rajini-sir-after-jigarthanda-and-he-said-he-liked-my-film-he/) [Karthik Subbaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karthik-subbaraj/) > [Bollywood is a cancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-banerjee/bollywood-is-a-cancer/) [Victor Banerjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-banerjee/) > [Innumerable lovers of Hindi cinema have lit up the big screen. But on screen, they are just two beautiful bodies. They have no caste…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravish-kumar/innumerable-lovers-of-hindi-cinema-have-lit-up-the-big-screen-but-on/) [Ravish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravish-kumar/) > [Hindi film music has always been completely driven by the plot. We singers never had any say in compositions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-bhosle/hindi-film-music-has-always-been-completely-driven-by-the-plot-we/) [Asha Bhosle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-bhosle/) > [I would love 'Aankhen 2' to happen. I would have Govinda and I play these two brothers and having kids who can take it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chunky-pandey/i-would-love-aankhen-2-to-happen-i-would-have-govinda-and-i-play/) [Chunky Pandey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chunky-pandey/) > [I have to mention that Taapsee and Ayushmann are my favorite actors - or stars, whatever you call them. I love them. Our thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anubhav-sinha/i-have-to-mention-that-taapsee-and-ayushmann-are-my-favorite-actors/) [Anubhav Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anubhav-sinha/) > [My characters in both 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama' films were so relatable that every other guy connects with me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kartik-aaryan/my-characters-in-both-pyaar-ka-punchnama-films-were-so-relatable-that/) [Kartik Aaryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kartik-aaryan/) > [I learnt a lot from the directors with whom I have worked like Sudhir Mishra in 'Daas Dev,' Prawaal Raman in 'Main Aur Charles.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richa-chadha/i-learnt-a-lot-from-the-directors-with-whom-i-have-worked-like-sudhir/) [Richa Chadha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richa-chadha/) > [It was my dream to work with Badshah and Diljit from the Punjabi industry. I had asked for these two wishes from God and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shehnaaz-gill/it-was-my-dream-to-work-with-badshah-and-diljit-from-the-punjabi/) [Shehnaaz Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shehnaaz-gill/) > [With 'Aurangzeb,' I just knew that the film wasn't going to work, though I think it was one of my most underrated performances. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjun-kapoor/with-aurangzeb-i-just-knew-that-the-film-wasn-t-going-to-work-though/) [Arjun Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arjun-kapoor/) > [I wish to contribute more to south Indian music, especially Tamil music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-honey-singh/i-wish-to-contribute-more-to-south-indian-music-especially-tamil-music/) [Yo Yo Honey Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-honey-singh/) > [Many of the heroines from outside Karnataka have worked in my films, but the attitude and adjusting nature of top South Indian actress Nayantara…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rockline-venkatesh/many-of-the-heroines-from-outside-karnataka-have-worked-in-my-films/) [Rockline Venkatesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rockline-venkatesh/) > [It is great to see Bollywood celebrities contributing to so many different trends in so many different ways. I think this is one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-dutta/it-is-great-to-see-bollywood-celebrities-contributing-to-so-many/) [Lara Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-dutta/) > [Bollywood is just amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-sean/bollywood-is-just-amazing/) [Jay Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-sean/) > [Learnt a lot like timing, voice modulation from Mohanlal sir. He is perfect in everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nayantara/learnt-a-lot-like-timing-voice-modulation-from-mohanlal-sir-he-is/) Nayantara [Browse all 4,174 Bollywood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bollywood/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I used to watch Bollywood films, I would struggle with the fact that our cinema was set in La La Land, with no social or political context. So I decided that whenever I make a film, I'll try to put some context about what's happening.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kabir Khan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/when-i-used-to-watch-bollywood-films-i-would-struggle-with-the-fact/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bollywood" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/when-i-used-to-watch-bollywood-films-i-would-struggle-with-the-fact/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/kabir-khan-6082_cinema_when-i-used-to-watch-bollywood-films-i-w_477264.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/kabir-khan-6082_cinema_when-i-used-to-watch-bollywood-films-i-w_477264.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/195/kabir-khan-6082_cinema_when-i-used-to-watch-bollywood-films-i-w_477264.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I used to watch Bollywood films, I would struggle with the fact that our cinema was set in La La Land…” — Kabir Khan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kabir Khan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir-khan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I used to watch Bollywood...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/when-i-used-to-watch-bollywood-films-i-would-struggle-with-the-fact/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir-khan/when-i-used-to-watch-bollywood-films-i-would-struggle-with-the-fact/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```