Sources: 
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has publicly exposed what he calls a "box office fraud" in Bollywood, where inflated ticket sales are used to artificially boost the perceived success of films.
Agnihotri criticized the industry for "fooling itself" by inflating box office collections, a practice he says is primarily aimed at boosting the egos of stars rather than reflecting genuine audience approval.
"In recent years, it has been observed that several production houses buy tickets of their own movies in bulk, giving the impression that their films are a hit," he explained.
"The audience is too smart to be fooled by such tactics," Agnihotri asserted, emphasizing that viewers can see through these artificial boosts.
Despite his criticism, Agnihotri praised actor Aamir Khan, stating,
"Aamir has changed the face of Hindi movies with his unconventional choices." He also lamented the industry's shift from its socially conscious roots, saying,
"The film industry was at the forefront of every movement. Now they travel by chartered planes. They’ve ruined the country." Agnihotri's comments highlight growing concerns about transparency and authenticity in Bollywood's box office reporting, suggesting that while some films may appear successful on paper, the reality is often different. His remarks call for a more honest reflection of audience reception and a return to cinema that values substance over inflated numbers.
Sources: Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri accused Bollywood of inflating box office numbers to boost star egos, exposing a widespread practice of production houses buying their own movie tickets. He praised Aamir Khan for changing Hindi cinema and asserted audiences are too smart to be fooled by such tactics.
