India, April 7 -- V eteran actor Pankaj Kapur believes that even as big-budget spectacles and franchise films dominate Hindi cinema, storytelling is quietly reclaiming its space. Reflecting on the industry's evolution, Kapur, who was last seen in Jab Khuli Kitaab which was streamed on OTT, shares, "The biggest change is that stories have improved significantly. Content has come back strongly into cinema." He notes that even mainstream films today are attempting to say something beyond spectacle, signalling a gradual return to substance after a phase driven largely by scale and formula. At the same time, Kapur acknowledges the challenges faced by smaller, content-driven films, which often struggle to secure theatrical releases or adequate screens. Despite intent and craft, many such films remain limited in reach. For Kapur, however, the medium is secondary to the message. "As a performer or filmmaker, one should always be ready to present their work irrespective of the medium," he says, adding, "Today, every platform, whether theatre, television or OTT, has its own space. The main goal is that the work should reach people." Drawing from his own journey, Kapur adds that several of his earlier films found their audience much later through television. "If the work is good, people will talk about it. One tells ten, ten tell a hundred, and eventually the work finds its audience," he says, underlining the power of word-of-mouth over format. He traces this creative shift back to the early 2000s, when filmmakers began to strike a balance between artistic intent and commercial viability. "That's when filmmakers started understanding the combination of art and commerce. They were able to create films that had reach but also engaged the audience's intelligence," he explains. While trends continue to shape the industry, Kapur remains clear-eyed about the myth of formula-driven success. "Whenever a certain kind of film works, people say that this is the time for that genre. But that's not really the truth," he says. "We make hundreds of films every year, but only a few become widely successful. If a film is well-made, it will find its audience," he adds. For the actor, the current moment offers both challenge and opportunity. "It's a wonderful time for filmmakers because they can experiment and still connect with audiences. There is space for different stories, and that is always a good sign," he signs off....