At the 70th Filmfare Awards 2025 in Ahmedabad, veteran actress and parliamentarian Jaya Bachchan made a bold appeal to reframe the identity of Indian cinema. While accepting the Cine Icon Award, she urged the audience to abandon the term “Bollywood” and instead honor it as the “Hindi-Indian film industry.”
In a moment that resonated across the entertainment world, Jaya Bachchan used her acceptance speech at the Filmfare Awards 2025 to challenge a long-standing label. With Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar presenting her the Cine Icon Award, Bachchan took the stage to thunderous applause and delivered a heartfelt message.
Key highlights
- Terminology matters: Bachchan emphasized that the term “Bollywood” diminishes the unique identity of Indian cinema, likening it to a derivative of “Hollywood”
- Call for respect: She urged artists, writers, directors, and audiences to refer to the industry as the “Hindi-Indian film industry” and give it the respect it deserves
- Legacy voice: With over 55 years in cinema, Bachchan’s words carried weight as she reflected on the evolution and global recognition of Indian films
- Cultural assertion: Her statement sparked conversations about reclaiming cultural narratives and resisting Western-centric nomenclature
Sources: Mathrubhumi, Onmanorama, The Shillong Times