ED recommends cancelling Vijay Mallya’s passport

The Indian film industry has undergone a significant transformation over the years. Once perceived as predominantly Bollywood-centric, the narrative has shifted dramatically with the rise of South Indian cinema, which has not only achieved massive commercial success but also gained international acclaim, including an Oscar win.

Historically, some Bollywood filmmakers were dismissive of South Indian cinema despite its consistent delivery of quality content. However, the past few years have witnessed the meteoric success of films like Baahubali, Pushpa, KGF, and several others, which captivated audiences across the North Indian belt. Meanwhile, Bollywood has struggled to maintain its earlier success rate, leading to the spotlight shifting toward South Indian films. This shift has sparked open debates in the industry.

During a recent roundtable interview, a Telugu film producer criticized Bollywood for being creatively confined to catering to the elite audiences of ‘Bandra and Juhu,’ a statement that stirred significant reactions. In a separate context, veteran filmmaker Rakesh Roshan commented on the success of KGF 2 and Pushpa 2, stating that South Indian films were not evolving as they continued following the “old-school format” of song, action, dialogue, and emotions. His remarks were widely criticized on social media, both for generalizing the four major South Indian film industries under a single label and for dismissing their innovative contributions.

While Rakesh Roshan credited himself for creating ‘path-breaking’ films like Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai, Koi Mil Gaya, and Krrish, his comments overlooked the fact that Bollywood has also frequently relied on formulaic storytelling in recent times, often with weaker narratives.

It is important to acknowledge that every film industry, including Bollywood and the South, produces a share of template-driven films each year. However, South Indian cinema has consistently stood out in recent years for delivering both groundbreaking storytelling and commercial success. The evolving narrative structures, technical brilliance, and engaging screenplays have set South films apart while Bollywood has often struggled to keep pace.

Moreover, Telugu cinema, known for its mass appeal, has retained its signature commercial elements while innovating with storytelling depth and visual excellence. Films like Amaran, Lucky Baskhar, Sathyam Sundaram, Mathu Vadalara, and Kalki 2898 AD break away from conventional formats, showcasing creative risk-taking. Additionally, movies such as Rangasthalam, Kantara, Manam, and Eega further emphasize the diversity and artistic innovation within South Indian cinema.

Rather than attributing formulaic storytelling solely to South cinema, a broader industry-wide introspection is necessary to recognize and appreciate the evolving creative standards emerging from the Southern film industries.