Bollywood’s Dark Truth Finally Exposed | Hanif Zaveri, Senior Film Journalist Speaks Out | Ep 115

In this powerful and brutally honest episode of the Meri Saheli Filmy Podcast, we sit down with Hanif Zaveri, acclaimed author and senior film journalist, who has witnessed Bollywood from the inside for decades. Hanif Zaveri shares rare, first-hand experiences from the golden era of Hindi cinema and explains how film journalism during the 70s, 80s, and 90s was built on respect, access, and meaningful one-on-one conversations. He compares that era with today’s PR-driven media culture, where real questions are avoided and journalists are reduced to scripted group interviews. The conversation takes a deep dive into the darker realities of the film industry — including bad behaviour by stars, manipulation by PR teams, fake box-office numbers, and the loss of originality in filmmaking. Hazif Zaveri also speaks candidly about controversial figures and stories involving Raj Babbar, Parveen Babi, Rekha, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, and other iconic names, offering insights that rarely come out in public discussions. This episode also tackles sensitive but important topics like nepotism, casting couch, media trials, and the Sushant Singh Rajput case, with clarity and conviction shaped by decades of journalistic experience. Hanif Zaveri explains why many legendary filmmakers chose to walk away from cinema, how inflated star fees are damaging the industry, and why today’s films fail to connect with audiences the way they once did. If you want to understand how Bollywood truly functions behind the glamour, headlines, and hype, this episode offers an unfiltered reality check straight from someone who lived it. Watch till the end for Hanif Zaveri’s thoughtful perspective on how the film industry can still correct its course and regain audience trust. Follow Meri Saheli on Social Media - Website - https://www.merisaheli.com/ Instagram -   / merisaheli.podcast   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0DsBpcA... Facebook -   / merisahelimagazine   Twitter -   / merisaheliind   Pinterest -   / merisaheli   0:00 – Introduction 3:00 – Then vs Now: How Movie Star Interviews Have Changed 8:32 – The Film Superstar Who Disrespected Him 13:43 – Shocking Bad Behaviour During Interviews 14:20 – Raj Babbar: Career & Controversies 15:54 – Raj Babbar’s Sons and Their Journey 16:45 – Raj Babbar’s Films and Filmography 18:01 – Raj Babbar and Rekha 20:12 – Parveen Babi: Her Life and Struggles 22:55 – Sushant Singh Rajput Case 25:31 – Rajesh Khanna: Stardom and Reality 30:11 – Raj Kapoor and the Golden Era 32:07 – Nepotism in Bollywood 37:59 – The Casting Couch Reality 43:59 – Sitare Zameen Par Discussion 44:40 – Why Movie Theatres Have Become So Expensive 46:01 – Why Original Filmmakers Stopped Making Films 49:33 – Bollywood Success Parties: The Dark Side 53:35 – Outro #BollywoodTruth #BollywoodExposed #HanifZaveri #FilmJournalism #BollywoodPodcast #DarkSideOfBollywood #IndianCinema #Nepotism #CastingCouch #MeriSaheli #bollywoodstories #bollywoodnews #bollywooddarkside #bollywoodcontroversy #hanifzaveri