Hello Baby Trailer | Kavya Keerthi | Ramgopal Ratnam | Kandregula Adhinarayana | Sukumar Pammi

For several decades, Bollywood films dominated Indian cinema, enjoying nationwide acceptance without the barrier of language. There was a time when big-ticket Hindi films drew impressive crowds even in major South Indian cities. However, with the global rise of South cinema, the relevance of Bollywood has gradually declined in these regions. Despite this shift, there still remains a strong and significant market for Hindi movies in the South.

Every now and then, a notable Bollywood film manages to make a splash in South India. But the major drawback is Bollywood’s inability to fully capitalise on this market, as they often skip simultaneous releases in South Indian languages. The Telugu audience, in particular, have always shown admiration for select Bollywood films and actors, and their support reflects strongly at the box office. Bollywood producers could tap into this growing potential by ensuring timely dubbed releases, especially in Telugu.

Recent releases like Chhaava and Dhurandhar are perfect examples. Both films witnessed excellent occupancies in Telugu cities such as Hyderabad and Vijayawada. Even without officially dubbed versions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the Hindi screenings alone posted terrific revenues.

However, during Chhaava’s release—one of the highest-grossing films of 2025—the Telugu dubbed version arrived far too late, resulting in a missed opportunity. The same mistake has now been repeated with Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar, which also saw impressive houseful shows across the Telugu states despite the absence of a direct Telugu release.

Trade analysts strongly believe that Bollywood has once again missed a golden opportunity with Dhurandhar. Many in industry circles suggest that Hindi films must adopt simultaneous multilingual releases, especially in Telugu, to witness consistent growth in footfalls. The love for cinema among Telugu audiences is undeniable, and tapping into this enthusiasm could significantly boost Bollywood’s presence in the South.