Shakun Batra Explains Why Bollywood Romances Fail to Connect With Gen Z: ‘You Meet This Person Who Is Your Soulmate, and Then Life Is Amazing, but It Never Is’

Traditional Hindi film romances often follow a familiar pattern. Two people meet, fall in love, overcome obstacles and eventually find happiness together. While this formula has created many memorable cinematic moments, real relationships are rarely as straightforward as they appear in films.

Batra summed up this contrast with the remark, “You meet this person who is your soulmate, and then life is amazing, but it never is.” The statement challenges the idea that finding the right partner is enough to resolve life’s problems and suggests why emotionally layered storytelling can be important when portraying modern love.

Why Shakun Batra Questions the Traditional Bollywood Romance

For years, Bollywood has presented love as a powerful force capable of overcoming almost every obstacle. Romantic films frequently end when the couple finally reunites, leaving audiences with the reassuring idea that finding true love leads to happiness.

However, the challenges of a relationship often begin after two people choose to build a life together. Differences in priorities, career ambitions, family expectations and communication styles can affect even the strongest emotional connections.

Finding a compatible partner does not automatically eliminate insecurity, personal struggles or everyday responsibilities. Relationships require patience, compromise and a willingness to understand another person’s perspective.

Batra’s observation questions the assumption that love should make everything effortless. Instead, it points towards a more realistic understanding of romance, one in which affection and happiness can coexist with uncertainty, conflict and personal growth.

Why Realistic Love Stories May Appeal to Gen Z

Gen Z audiences encounter relationship stories through cinema, streaming platforms and social media. The range of perspectives available to them includes stories about emotional boundaries, independence, dating expectations and the difficulty of balancing personal ambitions with romantic commitments.

These stories can portray characters who genuinely care about each other but struggle with compatibility or communication. Rather than suggesting that love solves every problem, they examine the choices and circumstances that influence whether a relationship succeeds.

For some younger viewers, such characters may feel more relatable than idealised romantic leads whose problems disappear once they find their perfect partner. Imperfect characters can reflect the confusion, vulnerability and contradictions that people experience in real life.

That does not mean Gen Z has rejected traditional romance. Many viewers continue to enjoy grand gestures, emotional reunions and happy endings. The difference lies in the variety of stories audiences can now explore and the opportunity to see love portrayed from multiple perspectives.