The Confused Universe of Indian Superhero Movies!
When we talk about superhero movies, we think of Marvel, DC, and all the actionpacked, VFX-heavy films from the Hollywood. But what about India? We've got the potential, the stories, the drama basically, all the ingredients for a great superhero universe. And yet, somehow, Indian superhero films haven't really succeeded. Why?
First, let's be honest, we've tried. Krrish, Ra.One, Shaktiman and Hero: Bhakti hi Shakti hai have shown us instances of what's possible. Some of these movies were fun, some even had great ideas, but very few managed to build the kind of connection with the audience that a Spider-Man or Batman does.
One major reason? Budget. Superhero movies aren't cheap. They need solid VFX, a convincing backstory, larger-than-life action, and sometimes, even world-building across multiple films. That's a lot of money, and Indian studios often hesitate to invest that much unless they're sure of a blockbuster return. And let's face it audiences here still expect a "masala" experience, so balancing action, emotion, songs, and a hero in a cape isn't easy.
Then there's the cultural angle. Hollywood superheroes often come with their own universe superpowers, cities in chaos, alien invasions. Indian audiences, on the other hand, are deeply rooted in mythology. Our gods are already superheroes in many ways. So, when filmmakers try to create a new hero, it sometimes feels either too far-fetched or not fresh enough.
Bollywood believe that Indian superheroes can stand tall against global giants. Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, for instance, is not just a vigilante film, but a commentary on corruption, civic apathy, and youth-driven change. It's gritty, grounded, and painfully real. Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota breaks the mold with its absurdist humor, nostalgic nods to 80s action flicks, and a protagonist who feels no pain but plenty of heart, basically our in-house Indian Dead Pool. Minnal Murali, a Malayalam language gem, offers a homegrown superhero rooted deeply in his village and culture, with a story that doesn't rely on flashy effects but on strong emotions and local flavor.These films don't talk down to the audience. They trust the viewer to engage, to understand, and to reflect.
But for every Minnal Murali, we have a Flying Jatt. A film that thought putting a superhero in a turban and giving him dance sequences that could hide weak writing, poor VFX, and an unimaginable villain. It's not just about budget constraints it's about intent and vision. The problem is not the superhero. It's the treatment. Bollywood often approaches superhero films the same way like any other commercial film with senseless romance, slapstick humor, loud villains, and unnecessary songs. Krrish 3 is a prime example. While the original Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish had moments of brilliance specially the background score, the third installment was a bloated CGI-fest with villains that looked like rejected X-Men concepts.
Compare this to Hollywood. Marvel and DC have built universes that, while sometimes formulaic, are rooted in character development and consistency with there theme. The Dark Knight trilogy explored morality and chaos. Spider-Man whether it's Tobey Maguire's seriousness or Tom Holland's boyish charm speaks to everyday struggles. Audiences see themselves in these characters. Not just because they fly or fight, but because they feel. They lose.They break. And they rise.
So why don't Indian audiences have that kind of connection with our own superheroes? Maybe because we haven't let them be real. Because we keep serving them up in glittery packages with forgettable villains and recycled plots. Because we underestimate our audience.
But there's hope. A lot of it. The success of Minnal Murali, the cult following of Bhavesh Joshi, the critical acclaim for Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota these aren't just films. They're signals. That we're ready. That we want heroes who bleed, who question, who care. That a good story can beat even the shiniest CGI. That superhero movies don't need to be loud to be powerful.
