North Meets South: The Rise of Pan-India Films and the Bollywood Love for Southern Stars

“We are South Indians, and that’s how we do it in the South,” remarked Rana Daggubati. A few months ago, Samantha, following her co-star Varun Dhawan’s lead, bent down to touch Karan Johar’s feet at an event.

The growing camaraderie between the North and South Indian film industries extends beyond just the bromance between their mega stars. Actresses like Samantha and Rashmika Mandanna are frequently seen traveling between Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. Samantha, who made her Hindi debut with The Family Man 2, has now become a favorite of filmmakers Raj and DK, being cast in three consecutive projects, including the Indian adaptation of Citadel. Having opened up about her divorce and health struggles on Karan Johar’s talk show, Samantha has found significant support within Bollywood. “Bollywood loves Sam. She also feels less judged here than in the South and is seen as something of a wonder girl in the North,” an industry insider revealed.

Meanwhile, Rashmika Mandanna, dubbed the ‘National Crush,’ has become a favorite with the paparazzi. After her role in Animal alongside Ranbir Kapoor, she is set to appear with Salman Khan in Sikander and with Vicky Kaushal in Chava. “I knew my show wouldn’t be complete without her. When I first met her, I was struck by her personality,” says Neha Dhupia. A casting director added, “Rashmika has a natural screen presence and doesn’t project a curated image like many Bollywood stars. She has a relatable, girl-next-door vibe.”

As the lines between Northern and Southern cinema blur, the term ‘pan-India film’ is gaining popularity. Director Atlee delivered Shah Rukh Khan’s biggest hit with Jawan, while Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal is directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The Prabhas-Deepika Padukone starrer Kalki 2898 AD also broke box office records in the North. “This cross-industry collaboration is a smart strategy. Southern films gain access to new markets with a Bollywood name, and Bollywood, facing some fatigue, benefits from aligning with Southern stars and directors,” noted a trade analyst.

With Jr. NTR set to debut in Bollywood with War 2 and Fahadh Faasil likely collaborating with Imtiaz Ali, this cross-pollination between the two industries has now become the norm.