FROM REGIONAL TO PAN-INDIAN

THE CAPTIVATING POWER OF REGIONAL FILMS IN INDIA

- SANJEEV KUMAR BIJLI

I have been often asked this past year, how regional films have been doing better at the box office, as compared to Hindi films. Although accurate, the question irks me and I find it very divisive, as for me they are all part of the large and prolific Indian film industry. Such is the nature of our business, that films in different languages, including English, sometimes perform better than others, and it all comes down to content that is well made and resonates with a large audience. I don’t see this as any kind of paradigm shift, but merely a trend that is visible in the past 12 months. It is a positive development that regional language films are not only catering to the states of origin and are being widely consumed and enjoyed throughout the country. It shows that we as an audience have evolved and have become language agnostic and are embracing engaging content. It shows that Indian cities are becoming more cosmopolitan, representing people from all states, thereby increasing consumption and acceptance of films, food and other rich offerings from around the country. That would explain the phenomenal success of films such as RRR that grossed Rs. 900 crores, KGF 2, Rs. 1000 crores and Kantara, that grossed Rs. 370 crores to name a few. The success of these films was abetted by the fact that all of these films were also dubbed in multiple languages including Hindi to reach a wider audience. But most significantly these films simply have been made exceptionally well and have resonated with a large audience. We have a very rich and diverse culture and it is heartening to see such talented film makers, make prodigious movies for the entire country.