In a candid Reddit AMA session, actor and director Divya Khossla has made shocking revelations about the rampant practice of corporate bookings in Bollywood, claiming that approximately 90% of films manipulate their box office collections to present inflated numbers to the public. The controversial statements have reignited discussions about transparency and merit-based success in the entertainment industry.
The Corporate Booking Exposé
Speaking openly about the industry’s underbelly, Khossla highlighted how corporate bookings—bulk ticket purchases by corporate entities, often without actual viewership have become a normalized practice for inflating box office figures. According to her, this malpractice has become so widespread that it fundamentally undermines the concept of merit in cinema.
“Corporate bookings are happening today in Bollywood with 90% of films. Whatever numbers are being declared shock me because the actual figures are nowhere close, and I think everyone in the industry and the audience knows this,” Khossla stated during the AMA session. She emphasized that this dishonest practice is “very sad” and reflects a deeper systemic issue within the film industry.
Merit vs. Power and Money
The actor pointed out the troubling reality that success in Bollywood is increasingly determined by financial muscle rather than cinematic quality or audience reception. She questioned: “You do corporate bookings, you buy awards, and you indulge in all of this because you have power and money. So what about people who have none of these? Where does merit stand then?”
Khossla’s commentary extends beyond box office numbers. She alleged that award buying and other malpractices are endemic to the industry, creating an uneven playing field where established actors with financial backing can artificially boost their projects’ perceived success, while talented newcomers without such resources struggle to gain visibility.
The Jigra Controversy Context
Khossla’s recent statements gain additional context from the ongoing Jigra controversy, where she had previously accused leading actor Alia Bhatt of manipulating box office figures. After visiting a cinema during Jigra’s release, Khossla shared images of empty theaters on social media, challenging the film’s reported collections. She wrote on Instagram: “Theatre was totally empty… all theatres are empty everywhere. #Aliabhatt truly has a lot of #Jigra… bought her own tickets and announced fake collections.”
Jigra eventually reported a collection of ₹56.93 crore against a budget of ₹80 crore, recording the weakest opening for an Alia Bhatt film since 2014. While Bhatt chose not to respond publicly, filmmaker Karan Johar responded cryptically, leading Khossla to double down on her accusations.
A Call for Industry-Wide Reform
Recognizing the severity of these issues, Khossla advocates for collective action from the Bollywood community. She believes that addressing these malpractices requires the industry to come together and establish transparent systems and ethical standards. However, she also expressed skepticism about the possibility of such unity, noting that “Bollywood is too divided for that to happen.”
The actor’s platform and willingness to speak out demonstrate a growing consciousness among industry insiders about the need for accountability. Her decision to use her position to highlight these issues reflects her belief that those with influence should advocate for systemic change.
Implications for the Industry
Khossla’s revelations raise important questions about how audiences evaluate film performance, invest in theater experiences, and ultimately decide which projects deserve their time and money. If her allegations are accurate, it suggests that current box office metrics are largely unreliable indicators of a film’s actual popularity or critical reception.
Recent Work
Khossla’s recent project, Ek Chatur Naar, which co-stars Neil Nitin Mukesh and features contributions from seasoned actors including Chhaya Kadam and Yashpal Sharma, received mixed reviews upon release. The film is now streaming on Netflix, allowing audiences to form their own judgments about her work independently of box office narratives.
As Bollywood continues to grapple with its credibility crisis, Khossla’s outspoken stance serves as a reminder that transparency, merit, and authentic audience engagement should remain at the industry’s core. Whether her calls for reform will catalyze meaningful change remains to be seen.
By – Sonali