There is often a saying that making people laugh is one of the hardest things to do. People crave happiness, and they tend to grab anything that brings them joy. And in this saga of finding happiness through entertainment, Bollywood has been doing the job for years. With tons of comedies for generations, it has enlightened our hearts and also motivated us to live our lives in a more joyful way.
As mentioned, the Hindi film industry has given us several iconic comedy hits, including Hera Pheri, Munna Bhai MBBS, 3 Idiots, and Garam Masala, to name a few, and it continues to do so. However with making comedy movies being a trend during the 2000s, the trend has returned, with lots of comedies at present becoming major hits.
But how has the comedy genre made a major comeback? Why do people want comedy films? It’s what the article talks about.
The Post-Pandemic Need for Lightness
In the fierce pandemic situation, people wanted to get out of their homes and desperately wanted to breathe the fresh air outside.Releasing comedic dramas is the best thing they could have experienced to enjoy that fresh air. Releasing comedic dramas is the best thing they could have experienced to enjoy that fresh air. Slowly recovering from the situation, Bollywood gifted us with a major comedy-drama family film in the likes of Goodbye (2022), featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Rashmika Mandanna.
Besides accompanying the comedic genre, the movie also circles moments of levity, becoming a surprisingly heartwarming experience. Subsequently, another comedy movie named Doctor G (2022), featuring Ayushmann Khurrana, was a treat to the eyes too, which highlighted several social themes that entertained the audience by keeping their emotions intact.
The Return of Mass Appeal
The phrase “particular target audience” doesn’t blend with cemodic genres perfectly, as comedy doesn’t look for any specific type of people. Unlike other genres, which might be confined to a type of audience, based on their specific tastes and demographics, comedy is a genre that is open to all, because who doesn’t want to laugh?
We all know how Akshay Kumar’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa was a great Psychological Horror comedy, and Karthik Aryan came up with Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022), which gained phenomenal success too, grossing over ₹250 crore worldwide. And talking about sequels, Ayushmann’s Dream Girl (2019), being a famous comedy movie, saw its sequel come in 2023 , Dream Girl 2, which circles around the fact that a man does his living by mimicking a woman’s voice. Despite the fact looking absurd and ridiculous, they made it work, and it earned huge recognition.
Theatrical vs OTT: Laughter Loves a Crowd
No matter how much we have habituated sitting and home and binge-watching content, there’s nothing like sitting with a crowd and enjoying a movie together and sharing all that laughter. OTTs excel with thrillers and action, but comedy truly shines on the big screen.
That’s a significant reason why streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime are pushing for releasing genres and filmmakers are hugely relying on this genre, considering the footfall will be pretty well in the theatres. And films like Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023) and Jugjugg Jeeyo (2022) did succeed in bringing back families to the big screen, which the action and thriller genre movies haven’t been able to do on multiple occasions.
Another reason why people, especially when they plan to watch a movie with their families, prefer comedy is that most of the time, these are safe to watch for children, and they, along with their grandparents, can wholeheartedly enjoy the delicacy of the content.
Smarter Writing, Wiser Laughs
As mentioned previously, making people laugh is hard, and especially the audience today has become much advanced. You can win their hearts by showing something silly, and the filmmakers are very much aware of the fact.
Hence, it is seen that they are aiming for intelligent comedy that surrounds real-life scenarios, witty dialogue, and sharp social commentary. We look back a little, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017) highlighted erectile dysfunction, which is a very sensitive topic, but handled with humour. And following that came its spiritual successor, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (2020), which again highlighted a social change, in the likes of same-sex relationships, and handled it effectively with both laughter and heart.
And talking about LGBTQ+ themes, Badhaai Do (2022) is also a great example dealing with the same genre, and is proof that you can make audiences think and laugh at the same time.
The Nostalgia Factor — 90s Vibes, 2020s Package
Let’s be honest — who doesn’t miss the golden era of Govinda’s comic timing, Johnny Lever’s epic one-liners, and David Dhawan’s laugh riots?
Bollywood is tapping into that nostalgia. They remade Coolie No. 1 (though it didn’t quite hit the mark), and now Hera Pheri 3 is one of the most highly anticipated sequels. The resurgence of physical comedy, bright visuals, and feel-good storytelling is helping today’s comedies recreate that old-school magic.
Even something like Tiku Weds Sheru (2023), though not a box office hit, attempted to bring back quirky characters and over-the-top scenarios reminiscent of a bygone era.
The Regional Wave and Its Impact
Let’s give credit where it’s due — regional cinema has been killing it in the comedy space. Malayalam and Telugu industries, in particular, have been producing light-hearted gems that feel fresh, honest, and highly relatable.
Films like Jathi Ratnalu (Telugu, 2021) and Nna Thaan Case Kodu (Malayalam, 2022) became viral hits. Their success has inspired Bollywood to revisit simple, character-driven humour that doesn’t rely on star power alone.
Even directors are crossing borders. Bollywood producers are increasingly noticing writers like Lijo Jose Pellissery and Anudeep KV for their grounded, absurd-yet-effective storytelling.
Star Reinvention Through Comedy
Comedy also offers Bollywood stars a chance to reinvent themselves. After action-packed roles and serious dramas, many actors are choosing to explore their lighter side.
Take Ayushmann Khurrana — after a run of socially conscious films, he found massive success with comedies like Bala, Dream Girl, and Doctor G. Even Vicky Kaushal, known for intense roles in Uri and Raazi, showed his goofy side in Zara Hatke Zara Bachke.
And of course, Akshay Kumar continues to straddle action and humour with ease. Whether it’s the Housefull franchise or Welcome Back (in development), he remains Bollywood’s dependable comic draw.
Lower Risk, Higher Rewards
From a producer’s standpoint, comedy is a relatively safe bet. These films often have smaller budgets compared to action thrillers or period dramas. But if they connect with audiences, the returns can be massive.
Take Stree (2018) — a horror-comedy made on a modest budget that grossed over ₹180 crore. Its success gave birth to an entire cinematic universe (Roohi, Bhediya) blending laughter with scares.
Even smaller films like Pati Patni Aur Woh and Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui benefited from their humorous tones, despite modest marketing.
Talking about recent comedy hits, Rajkummar Rao’s Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video has been a major comedy hit, along with emerging star Tripti Dimri, and not to mention his horror comedy Stree 2 with Shraddha Kapoor was a record-breaking hit too. And lastly, horror comedies are the concern. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 became a blockbuster as well.
Bottom Line
In a world that’s increasingly complex, fast-paced, and overwhelming, comedy provides a much-needed pause. And Bollywood — often criticized for its formulaic approach — is now embracing that pause in the best way possible. Gone are the days when comedy was treated as “low art.” Today, it’s smart, sharp, socially aware, and most importantly — in demand. So if you’re a filmmaker wondering what genre to bet on next, take a hint from the laughter echoing in theatres across India — comedy is back, and it’s here to stay.
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