Post the Covid-19 pandemic, Allu Arjun’s Pushpa: The Rise Later, SS Rajamouli’s RRR and now KGF 2. South Indian movies, including their Hindi dubbed versions are major blockbusters. These movies are raging hits while many Hindi movies are struggling to break even. This is because they are content driven – content is a star. Storylines are fresh and mind blowing. The south industry is technically far advanced and updated with Hollywood and the treatment is different. The film units including lead actors are prepared for the hard work and ready to think out of the box and take risks with their public image. They are willing to put in time for prep work. Importantly the directors go by their conviction and are not star driven. The South Indian fan following is Loyal. South stars stand for social issues and contribute towards community building. The Hindi film industry is still running around the bush and are copycats. Audiences have become mature and selective. Audience wants returns for the money he spends.
– Deepak Lobo, Writer, Director
Cinematically the larger than life appeal with a bit of fantasy and scale, is what I think works for the south movies but let’s not forget they always were popular, earlier we had the remakes of their biggest hits with some of our biggest stars and now the audience is happy to watch and enjoy the originals. Having said that, we do have some good Hindi movies that have been getting made and I look forward to that trend growing too. The audience enjoys change and cinema stays universal.
– Aadore Mukherjee, Director, Bambolim
I think South Indian movies add a new variety and flavour to the Indian moviegoers’ palate. South films have a great story to tell on an epic scale like Bahubali, for instance. Likewise, movies like RRR, Pushpa and KGF 2 have a lot of appeal to the audience, and rightly so. India loves its action movies and South films never cease to amaze us with their hardcore action sequences. Moreover, Bollywood has been dominated by a few big names for the longest time. In contrast, South Indian movies feature various other new and upcoming talents. South Indian films have a loyal fan base, which has undoubtedly increased over the course of the pandemic. Unfortunately, Bollywood films lately have been failing to make the cut. Maybe proper marketing would enable these movies to fare better.
– Joanne da Cunha, Actress, Porvorim
It’s not the movies themselves but the actors and the fan following they have individually. Regional cinema has an intense fan following and if you stay in any of the south Indian states you’d immediately understand why these movies are so successful. Fans of the Mollywood, Kollywood, Tollywood and Sandalwood industry are very passionate about their following.
– Megan Amanda Rodrigues, Student, Anjuna
Casting actors that know to act and are talented rather than casting those because of nepotism or relations. Secondly strong story line ups and heavily loaded with representing culture and cultural values of India rather than just blatantly westernizing everything makes it possible for the movie to strongly connect with the people and their emotions.
– Nishita Rivankar, Lawyer Guirim
Bollywood hasn’t made any good movies recently. The biggest
stars are doing repetitive roles with no new plots or ideas. South movie makers
have realised the potential and are making big budget movies now which were
unheard of before. This trend started with Bahubali. South stars always had a
following here and they now have a south and north fan base. Bollywood actors
were never really popular in the south. OTT now plays a major role in
Bollywood. People loved dubbed movies which Salman and other actor used to
recreate but now when they can see the original, why go for the remake? And yes
now the political scenario currently (hate being spread against Muslim actors
and Bollywood).
– Pranay Purohit, Realtor, Panjim
The main reason why these movies become blockbusters is
because of their storyline and their content. The South directors focus on
quality rather than the quantity unlike Hindi movies which want to put their
legs on two boats.
– Agnes Fatima Pinto, Freelance Content Writer
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I think the south Indian film industry shows more originality
and creativity in their movies and their stories. People now want innovation in
cinema which is lacking in Bollywood. Mostly Bollywood produces remakes of
South films.
– Dr Annie Gomes, Margao
