Why Vidyut Jammwal believes Bollywood needs a mindset change, not just bigger budgets

Actor Vidyut Jammwal has weighed in on the differences between the Indian and Hollywood film industries, arguing that bigger budgets alone cannot guarantee better filmmaking. As he prepares to make his Hollywood debut with ‘Street Fighter’, the action star has highlighted the importance of planning, discipline and professionalism in producing films. 

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Jammwal reflected on his 15-year career across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu cinema and discussed how working on an international production offered him a different perspective on filmmaking. The 45-year-old actor plays Dhalsim in the upcoming adaptation of Capcom's popular video game franchise, which is scheduled to release in cinemas on October 16.

Vidyut Jammwal on Bollywood and Hollywood differences

Jammwal said his experience of working on a Hollywood production differed considerably from his previous projects in India. While acknowledging the scale of investment in Hollywood, he stressed that financial resources alone were not enough to deliver quality cinema.

“It’s very different from what we have here. Yes, the money they spend is phenomenal, but just by spending money, you cannot create phenomenal stuff. You see a different kind of planning, professionalism, discipline, and legal aspects. They are very particular about what they do. That is a big difference.”

The actor's remarks come at a time when Indian cinema is increasingly investing in big-budget productions, with filmmakers looking to enhance their films' technical quality and global appeal. However, Jammwal believes that the approach to filmmaking matters as much as the money invested in a project.

“If a person suddenly gets a lot of money, it doesn’t mean they will suddenly learn manners, too.”

Clarifying his point, Jammwal said his observation was not intended as criticism of the Indian film industry alone. He argued that the underlying issue extended beyond cinema and involved a broader change in mindset.

“I am not talking just about our industry, but about people in general, too. Money is not everything. There is a certain mindset change that needs to be brought,” he added.

Indian cinema has improved its action standards

Despite pointing out differences in working practices, Jammwal acknowledged the progress Indian cinema has made in action filmmaking. Known for his martial arts skills and action-oriented roles, the actor said the quality of action sequences in Indian films has improved significantly in recent years.

“Things have changed. We are doing excellent,” he said.

“The standard of action is very high here now. We get the best action directors in our films now. I get the opportunity to work with everybody who is big in India, also.”

According to Jammwal, the distinction between the two industries is not necessarily about the quality of action but the regulations governing how it is executed. He pointed to Hollywood's stringent legal requirements and insurance procedures, which determine the risks actors can take while performing stunts.

“The only difference there is the legal system. The laws are very strict, the insurance companies are very fastidious about what the actor can do,” he said.

Vidyut Jammwal makes Hollywood debut with ‘Street Fighter’

Jammwal's Hollywood debut comes with ‘Street Fighter’, the latest live-action adaptation of the video game series created by Capcom. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, the film features an ensemble cast that includes Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, Callina Liang, Roman Reigns, David Dastmalchian, Cody Rhodes, Eric André, Andrew Schulz, 50 Cent and Jason Momoa, alongside Jammwal.

The actor plays Dhalsim, a character from the popular fighting game franchise, marking a new chapter in his career after 15 years in Indian cinema.