Actor Ranbir Kapoor has shared his views on the term ‘Bollywood’ and explained why he prefers to be identified as an Indian actor rather than a Bollywood star. The actor believes that Indian cinema is much bigger than one film industry and represents the diverse cultures, languages and traditions of the country.
Ranbir recently spoke about the subject during an interview with British media outlet ITV while promoting his upcoming film Ramayana in London. The actor was joined by his co-stars Sai Pallavi and Yash for the promotional event.
Ranbir Kapoor Explains Why He Is Not a Fan of the Term ‘Bollywood’
During the conversation, the interviewer asked Ranbir why he was not particularly fond of the umbrella term ‘Bollywood’ when it comes to describing Indian films. The actor explained that the name was originally derived from Hollywood and was created when Mumbai was still known as Bombay.
Ranbir pointed out that similar naming conventions were also used for other film industries, including Tollywood, which is associated with Telugu cinema. However, he believes that such labels do not fully represent the diversity of Indian cinema.
The actor said he would rather be recognised as a representative of Indian cinema. According to him, India is a country with different cultures, languages and states, but artists across these regions share a common purpose: creating meaningful art.
‘There Are No Borders in Art’: Ranbir on Representing Indian Cinema
Speaking about the power of storytelling, Ranbir highlighted how authentic stories rooted in local cultures can connect with audiences across the world.
He explained that art has the ability to bring people together, regardless of geographical or cultural boundaries. The actor also referred to internationally acclaimed films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Korean cinema and Life Is Beautiful as examples of how stories from different parts of the world can find a global audience.
Ranbir added that the goal should not be to blindly cater to international viewers. Instead, filmmakers should focus on telling authentic stories that remain deeply connected to their own culture and traditions. He believes that genuine storytelling can naturally resonate with audiences worldwide.
Ranbir Kapoor’s Upcoming Film Ramayana
Ranbir is currently preparing for the release of Ramayana, which is being produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in collaboration with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. The ambitious project is planned as a two-part cinematic adaptation of the Indian epic.
The film features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman.
The first part of Ramayana is scheduled to release worldwide on November 5, 2026, while the second part is planned for Diwali 2027. The films are expected to release in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
With his comments, Ranbir has highlighted the importance of recognising the many regional film industries that contribute to Indian cinema. For the actor, the identity of Indian cinema lies not in a single label, but in the rich diversity and authentic storytelling that bring audiences together.
