--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no such thing as serious cinema…" description: "\"There is no such thing as serious cinema in India.\" — Naseeruddin Shah" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df3/naseeruddin-shah-5603_cinema_there-is-no-such-thing-as-serious-cinema_2196377.jpg" --- # There is no such thing as serious cinema in India. ![“There is no such thing as serious cinema in India.” quote by Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df3/naseeruddin-shah-5603_cinema_there-is-no-such-thing-as-serious-cinema_2196377.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df3/naseeruddin-shah-5603_cinema_there-is-no-such-thing-as-serious-cinema_2196377.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df3/naseeruddin-shah-5603_cinema_there-is-no-such-thing-as-serious-cinema_2196377.jpg) > “There is no such thing as serious cinema in India.” [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Criticizes Indian cinema for lacking seriousness, implying a need for depth and artistic ambition. **In simple terms:** Indian cinema lacks seriousness. Key Takeaway Seek deeper film content. Themes cinema culture artistic standards Mood critical reflective Type analytical opinion When to use this quote - film festivals - educational screenings - script workshops - industry panels Key Concepts film criticism national cinema Questions to Reflect On - What defines "serious" cinema? - How can filmmakers raise artistic standards? A Different Perspective May discount serious works that exist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bollywood/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Cinema India](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema-india-3690784/) [India](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/india/) [Serious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serious/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/) [Thing Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-cinema-609791/) ## Related quotes > [Cinema in India is growing big time and people abroad have started recognising us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sajid-nadiadwala/cinema-in-india-is-growing-big-time-and-people-abroad-have-started/) [Sajid Nadiadwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sajid-nadiadwala/) > [Cinema in India is like brushing your teeth in the morning. You can't escape it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shahrukh-khan/cinema-in-india-is-like-brushing-your-teeth-in-the-morning-you-can-t/) [Shahrukh Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shahrukh-khan/) > [Subtlety is my favorite thing in cinema. It lets you dream. When everything is on the nail and on show, it leaves no questions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-tyler/subtlety-is-my-favorite-thing-in-cinema-it-lets-you-dream-when/) [Liv Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-tyler/) > [The great thing about cinema is that it's a great binder. It brings people from across the world together, often erasing the lines between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanka-chopra/the-great-thing-about-cinema-is-that-it-s-a-great-binder-it-brings/) [Priyanka Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanka-chopra/) > [Hindi cinema has only one religion, and that's money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/hindi-cinema-has-only-one-religion-and-that-s-money/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [I am hard put to think of a single positive thing that commercial Hindi cinema has achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/i-am-hard-put-to-think-of-a-single-positive-thing-that-commercial/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [It was the '70s when mediocrity came in Hindi films. That's when the actor called Rajesh Khanna joined the industry. For all his success,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/it-was-the-70s-when-mediocrity-came-in-hindi-films-that-s-when-the/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [We have such fantastic talent in India, and there are some great Marathi singers, great sound producers, great sound engineers, and a great breed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anu-malik/we-have-such-fantastic-talent-in-india-and-there-are-some-great/) [Anu Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anu-malik/) > [We don't have a culture of realistic acting in India.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irrfan-khan/we-don-t-have-a-culture-of-realistic-acting-in-india/) [Irrfan Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irrfan-khan/) > [I wish a person with a record of competence such as Nitish Kumar would get a chance to lead India.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-nussbaum/i-wish-a-person-with-a-record-of-competence-such-as-nitish-kumar/) [Martha Nussbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-nussbaum/) > [One thing that is constantly on my iPod is India Arie - I like her a lot; I listen to her a lot. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audra-mcdonald/one-thing-that-is-constantly-on-my-ipod-is-india-arie-i-like-her-a/) [Audra McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audra-mcdonald/) > [Speaking in broken Telugu is one thing, and dubbing is another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakul-preet-singh/speaking-in-broken-telugu-is-one-thing-and-dubbing-is-another/) [Rakul Preet Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakul-preet-singh/) > [When you come to America, it's a very serious thing. It's not like you arrive and they say, 'Hey, come on! Do movies!' I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-q/when-you-come-to-america-it-s-a-very-serious-thing-it-s-not-like-you/) [Maggie Q](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-q/) > [If high-tech companies are serious about doing the right thing, they can join together and lobby for more transparency and accountability in the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-mackinnon/if-high-tech-companies-are-serious-about-doing-the-right-thing-they/) [Rebecca MacKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-mackinnon/) > [From my experience of having served for 3000 days, I can say that anything can be achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/from-my-experience-of-having-served-for-3000-days-i-can-say-that/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) ## More by Naseeruddin Shah > [Hindi cinema has only one religion, and that's money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/hindi-cinema-has-only-one-religion-and-that-s-money/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [To me, the most important elements in a theatre are the actors and the texts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/to-me-the-most-important-elements-in-a-theatre-are-the-actors-and-the/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [Actors have to learn that they are as important to a movie as the camera is, as important as the sound is, and less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/actors-have-to-learn-that-they-are-as-important-to-a-movie-as-the/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [I do what work I get. I'm disappointed half the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/i-do-what-work-i-get-i-m-disappointed-half-the-time/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [The film industry does not interest me greatly. The people, I don't mingle with them much. I meet them when I have to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/the-film-industry-does-not-interest-me-greatly-the-people-i-don-t/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [When I was 14 and went on the stage for the first time, it stimulated me so much that I was convinced that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/when-i-was-14-and-went-on-the-stage-for-the-first-time-it-stimulated/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [I don't want any memorials or a grave which my children would have to look after or feel guilty about. I don't want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/i-don-t-want-any-memorials-or-a-grave-which-my-children-would-have-to/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [I think our cinema has stayed in its adolescent stage largely because of our obsession with and our dependence upon stars to make our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/i-think-our-cinema-has-stayed-in-its-adolescent-stage-largely-because/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [I never go to film festivals. I am allergic to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/i-never-go-to-film-festivals-i-am-allergic-to-them/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [It was the '70s when mediocrity came in Hindi films. That's when the actor called Rajesh Khanna joined the industry. For all his success,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/it-was-the-70s-when-mediocrity-came-in-hindi-films-that-s-when-the/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [When I first dreamt of becoming a movie star, I wanted to be a Gary Cooper: I wanted to be rich and famous, living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/when-i-first-dreamt-of-becoming-a-movie-star-i-wanted-to-be-a-gary/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [I am hard put to think of a single positive thing that commercial Hindi cinema has achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/i-am-hard-put-to-think-of-a-single-positive-thing-that-commercial/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [I don't scoff at the desire to make good movies. I scoff at the quality at poseurs masquerading as masters of the medium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/i-don-t-scoff-at-the-desire-to-make-good-movies-i-scoff-at-the/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [I realise that I have made quite a few of the same mistakes with my kids that my dad made: not so much in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/i-realise-that-i-have-made-quite-a-few-of-the-same-mistakes-with-my/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) > [It would be impossible to find an actor to portray Om Puri, so I wouldn't even attempt it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/it-would-be-impossible-to-find-an-actor-to-portray-om-puri-so-i/) [Naseeruddin Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) [Explore all 100 Naseeruddin Shah quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nayantara/) [Browse all 4,174 Bollywood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bollywood/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is no such thing as serious cinema in India.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Naseeruddin Shah" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/there-is-no-such-thing-as-serious-cinema-in-india/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bollywood" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/there-is-no-such-thing-as-serious-cinema-in-india/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df3/naseeruddin-shah-5603_cinema_there-is-no-such-thing-as-serious-cinema_2196377.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df3/naseeruddin-shah-5603_cinema_there-is-no-such-thing-as-serious-cinema_2196377.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df3/naseeruddin-shah-5603_cinema_there-is-no-such-thing-as-serious-cinema_2196377.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is no such thing as serious cinema in India.” — Naseeruddin Shah", "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": "Naseeruddin Shah", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naseeruddin-shah/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is no such thing as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/there-is-no-such-thing-as-serious-cinema-in-india/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naseeruddin-shah/there-is-no-such-thing-as-serious-cinema-in-india/#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 } } ] } ```