Amish Tripathi Slams Bollywood for Distorting History with Glamorous Portrayals of Invaders

At a recent book launch, renowned author Amish Tripathi strongly criticized Bollywood for its frequent misrepresentation of Indian history, particularly in its depiction of historical invaders. Tripathi argued that the film industry distorts the public’s understanding by casting leading stars as figures like Alauddin Khilji and Akbar, thus romanticizing personalities who, historically, were invaders. He cited Ranveer Singh’s portrayal of Khilji in Padmaavat and Hrithik Roshan’s role as Akbar in Jodhaa Akbar, pointing out that such choices can blur the line between fact and fiction for viewers.

Tripathi highlighted that language and casting choices further contribute to the historical inaccuracies. Many of these rulers did not speak the Indian languages depicted in films, which creates a misleading sense of familiarity. According to Tripathi, Bollywood—being one of the most powerful storytellers—has a responsibility to present historical truths, not mere entertainment. He believes that the glamorization of invaders risks turning them into objects of sympathy or admiration, thus distorting perceptions of the past. His remarks have reignited debate about cinema’s role in shaping cultural memory, and whether Bollywood should prioritize historical integrity over box office appeal.