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The entertainment industry once explored versatile talents from across the nation, with cameo appearances by big stars in various films creating an adrenaline rush for fans and boosting box office success. However, the industry landscape has evolved, with linguistic and regional barriers fading as actors seamlessly transition between different film industries.
The rise of the ‘Pan-India’ movement has encouraged many actors to explore opportunities beyond their regional cinema, making cross-industry collaborations more common than ever. In a recent interview, South actress Regina Cassandra remarked that Bollywood has no other option but to cast South Indian actors, highlighting the growing presence of Southern talent in Hindi cinema. Her statement calls for a much-needed discussion on how South Indian actors have not only entered Bollywood but also established successful careers in the northern film industry.
Let’s take a look at some of the South Indian actors who have been making significant strides in Bollywood and how this can shape the inclusive nature of showbiz.
‘I don’t think Hindi films are going Western…’- Naga Chaitanya
In a recent interview with ETimes, Naga Chaitanya addressed the ongoing South vs Bollywood debate. When asked whether South Indian films are performing better because they are more rooted in culture compared to Bollywood movies, which often have a Western influence, he said, “I don’t think Hindi films are going Western. There are so many Hindi films that have influenced us. However, in the South, if you look at the trend, the films that are rich in culture, rooted in the stories of the land, where the characters speak in a certain dialect and belong to a particular region, resonate more with audiences. Right now, there is a greater curiosity for such stories, which is why they are traveling much better.”
‘They don’t have a choice. Before… they were pretty snooty’ – Regina Cassandra
Regina Cassandra was recently asked about the reception of South Indian actors in Bollywood. She responded,Now, they don’t have a choice. Before… they were pretty snooty. If they knew you were from the South, there was hesitation. I don’t know if it was because of the language barrier, but for me, it never was. I don’t look like a South Indian. I don’t know if these factors worked in my favor, but I think now it has become a necessity. They need actors from the South, especially after the pandemic hit. They needed Southern talent for a wider audience.”
She shared these views with News18 during a recent conversation while also discussing her upcoming Bollywood movie ‘Jaat’ with Sunny Deol. The actress emphasized that Tollywood director Gopichand Malineni is working on a Bollywood film, which she considers a special opportunity.
‘South Indian film sets have always been chaotically organized’ – Jr NTR
Jr NTR has undoubtedly gained a pan-India persona after the global success of his 2022 film ‘RRR’, directed by SS Rajamouli. He was last seen in Koratala Siva’s high-octane action drama ‘Devara: Part 1’. While promoting the film, the actor discussed how the South Indian and Bollywood film industries differ.
“South Indian film sets have always been chaotically organized. For example, if the final prints are due tomorrow, the team will still ask for an extra hour because they want to make some last-minute changes in the edit,” he shared in a promotional interview with Alia Bhatt and Karan Johar.
Talking about his experience in Bollywood, he added, “When I was shooting for War 2, Ayan (Mukerji) did not know what was going to happen next because he was trying to bring it out from me, and that’s how this was going to unfold.” Jr NTR is set to make a significant mark in Bollywood with ‘War 2,’ starring alongside Hrithik Roshan. Reports suggest that the film is gearing up for a release in August this year.
‘I did Jawan only because I love Shah Rukh Khan’ – Nayanthara
Nayanthara, often referred to as the ‘Lady Superstar’ of the South, made a powerful Bollywood debut with ‘Jawan’, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan. Following the massive success of the film, she opened up about her reasons for taking on a Bollywood project.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, she said, “Shah Rukh Khan made me feel at ease, ensuring a smooth transition into Bollywood with Atlee Kumar’s Jawan. I did Jawan only because I love Shah Rukh Khan, sir.”
‘The second step was convincing Telugu producers that we could make films in Hindi’ —Rana Daggubati
SS Rajamouli’s ‘Baahubali’ was a game-changer, not only for its lead actors, Prabhas and Rana Daggubati, but also for the entire perception of Indian cinema. In a 2023 interview with India Today, Rana credited Rajamouli’s vision for revolutionizing filmmaking in India.
He stated, “For the first five years, I had to go around telling people in Mumbai that I was from Hyderabad, not Chennai, because they didn’t know the difference. The second step was convincing Telugu producers that we could make films in Hindi. The industries were doing the same thing, but no one communicated with one another. Then, Baahubali and Ghazi became the first two films to break these barriers and unite the industry.”
South stars taking over Bollywood
Both Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Keerthy Suresh have made notable Bollywood debuts. Samantha was seen in an action-packed role alongside Varun Dhawan in the ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ series, which has garnered positive responses from fans and critics alike. Meanwhile, Keerthy Suresh had teamed up with director Kalees for ‘Baby John,’ featuring Varun Dhawan in the lead role.
Mollywood star Prithviraj Sukumaran was seen in ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ with Akshay Kumar. Meanwhile, Sai Pallavi is preparing for her much-anticipated Bollywood debut in ‘Ramayana,’ directed by Nitesh Tiwari, alongside Ranbir Kapoor. She is also set to share the screen with Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan, in a romantic drama. Following the massive global success of the KGF franchise, Yash is also preparing to step into Bollywood with ‘Ramayana.’.
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