EntertainmentPosted at: Jan 15 2026 11:24PM


Taran Adarsh dismisses notion that extreme violence drives box-office success

Mumbai, Jan 15 (UNI) Veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh has rejected the growing belief that films that feature extreme violence enjoy an inherent advantage at the box office, asserting that audience approval continues to hinge on narrative quality rather than tonal aggression.
During a recent conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Adarsh was asked whether the success of films featuring intense violence suggests a shift in audience preference. He dismissed the notion outright.
“Not at all. It doesn’t matter. If the movie is good, if the story is good, it doesn’t matter,” he said.
Citing examples from the same release window, Adarsh pointed out that both violent and non-violent films have found equal acceptance when backed by strong content. “You said there is extreme violence, but I say Saiyaara is also becoming a success in the same year. After a few months of Chhaava, Saiyaara also releases and gets the same amount of love. And its songs become popular,” he noted.
He also referenced the performance of "Tere Ishq Mein", observing that its warm reception reaffirmed the enduring appeal of romance and emotional vulnerability on the big screen. In his assessment, the tendency to pigeonhole audience taste into rigid categories overlooks the viewer's openness to varied cinematic experience, provided the storytelling is sincere and well-crafted, reports Bollywood Hungama.
The discussion then turned to the growing trend of actors portraying darker, morally grey characters — often described as “bad boy” roles. Responding to whether audiences are embracing such characters, Adarsh pointed out that this is far from a new phenomenon.
He noted that such characters have been embraced across generations, citing iconic performances ranging from Amitabh Bachchan’s brooding intensity in Deewar to Shah Rukh Khan’s unsettling turns in Baazigar, Darr and Anjaam, as well as Sanjay Dutt’s defining role in Khalnayak.
According to Adarsh, experimentation is not only healthy for cinema but essential for actors looking to evolve. “Every actor has experimented and you should do it. Get out of your comfort zone. Give what the audience wants to see. At the same time, you are not typecast,” he said. UNI NST CDS
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