Shekhar Suman warns of Hindi language erosion in Bollywood, launches academy to fix diction
Synopsis
Shekhar Suman has sounded the alarm on a cultural crisis in Hindi cinema: actors who mispronounce basic vocabulary, scripts written in Roman instead of Devanagari, and award-show speeches in English. His newly launched film academy is a direct rebuke to an industry drifting from the linguistic standards set by Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan.
Key Takeaways
Shekhar Suman has flagged widespread mispronunciation of Hindi words among contemporary Bollywood actors.
Many actors do not understand the meaning of words in their scripts, he said.
He launched the Shekhar Suman Film Academy to offer comprehensive training in acting, speech, and diction.
Suman objected to the use of Roman script instead of Devanagari in Hindi film scripts.
He criticized Hindi film professionals for defaulting to English at award ceremonies.
He cited Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan as exemplars of linguistic command in cinema.
Veteran actor Shekhar Suman has raised an alarm over the deteriorating command of Hindi in the entertainment industry, citing widespread mispronunciation among contemporary actors and a troubling shift toward Roman script over Devanagari. Speaking exclusively to IANS, the 'Dekh Bhai Dekh' star lamented that today's performers lack the linguistic precision that defined legends like Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan.
The mispronunciation crisis
Suman pointed out that actors routinely botch common Hindi words, often without understanding their meaning. "Today's actors frequently mispronounce everyday vocabulary," he told IANS. "What do you expect from an industry that once produced Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, both known for impeccable diction?" He drew parallels to international cinema, where actors like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and John Hopkins are celebrated partly for their command of language and speech delivery.
Why speech matters as much as acting
Suman emphasized that acting, speech, and behaviour are inseparable elements of performance. "Acting and speech are closely connected," he explained, arguing that linguistic precision amplifies on-screen authenticity. This conviction led him to recently launch the Shekhar Suman Film Academy, designed to address gaps in actor training.
The academy's mission
The new institution will offer a comprehensive curriculum covering acting, diction, speech modulation, and script comprehension — all anchored in proper Hindi pronunciation. Suman stressed that many actors do not even grasp the meaning of words in their scripts, a fundamental oversight that undermines performance quality.
The Roman script controversy
Suman expressed particular frustration over the prevalence of Roman script in Hindi film scripts, a practice he views as a capitulation to linguistic convenience over cultural integrity. He disclosed that he personally insists scripts provided to him be written in Devanagari, the traditional script for Hindi. He also objected to Hindi film industry professionals defaulting to English during award ceremonies, viewing it as a collective failure to champion the language.
A call for collective action
The actor framed the issue as a shared responsibility, urging the industry to prioritize Hindi language preservation as an urgent priority. His critique reflects broader concerns about the erosion of linguistic standards in Hindi cinema as production globalizes and English dominates.
Point of View
Actors treat dialogue as phonetic puzzles rather than language with meaning. This isn't about purism; it's about whether a performer can inhabit a character's linguistic identity. As Hindi cinema globalizes and English becomes the default, the irony is stark: a ₹20,000-crore industry built on Hindi-language storytelling is losing fluency in its own medium. Suman's academy is a necessary counterweight, but it signals a deeper malaise — that the industry itself no longer treats Hindi literacy as a core competency.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shekhar Suman say about Hindi language in Bollywood?
Shekhar Suman warned that Hindi language standards have declined significantly in the entertainment industry. He pointed out that contemporary actors frequently mispronounce common Hindi words and often don't understand the meaning of words in their scripts, a sharp departure from the linguistic excellence of legends like Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan.
Why did Shekhar Suman launch the Shekhar Suman Film Academy?
Suman launched the academy to address gaps in actor training, specifically focusing on acting, speech modulation, diction, and script comprehension. He emphasized that speech and acting are closely connected and that modern actors lack the linguistic precision needed for authentic performance.
What is Shekhar Suman's objection to Roman script in Hindi films?
Suman criticized the widespread use of Roman script instead of Devanagari in Hindi film scripts, viewing it as a cultural compromise that undermines linguistic integrity. He personally insists that scripts provided to him be written in Devanagari and sees the shift as symptomatic of the industry's declining commitment to Hindi language standards.
Which actors did Shekhar Suman cite as examples of linguistic excellence?
Suman cited Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan as exemplars of impeccable Hindi diction and command over language. He also referenced international actors like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and John Hopkins as examples of how language mastery enhances an actor's legacy and reputation.
Does Shekhar Suman blame only actors for the Hindi language decline?
No. Suman framed the issue as a collective responsibility, criticizing the broader industry for defaulting to English at award ceremonies and for allowing Roman script to dominate production pipelines. He called for systemic change across the Hindi film industry as a priority.
