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South Cinema's Respect Earned, Not Given
7 Jul
Summary
- South Indian cinema's rise stems from deserved respect, not just hits.
- Actor recalls being told to hide his 'South actor' identity.
- Industry now sees collaborative exchange, not rivalry.
Actor Sundeep Kishan asserts that the growing acclaim for South Indian cinema is a recognition of its long-deserved respect. He noted that perceptions have drastically changed, recalling instances where he was advised to hide his identity as a South Indian actor to find work in Hindi films.
Kishan explained that South cinema was not only underestimated but also lacked the recognition it merited, partly due to limited access for wider audiences. Today, increased accessibility and the popularity of dubbed content have brought these stories to a national audience with greater understanding.
He shared a personal anecdote from 2008, where he was explicitly told not to reveal he was a South actor during meetings for Hindi film projects. This contrasts sharply with the present, where his origin is now a point of pride and recognition.
The actor emphasized the historical collaboration between Hindi and South film industries, suggesting that any perceived divide was a temporary PR narrative. He pointed to past instances of bilingual productions and actors like Amrish Puri working across industries as evidence of this long-standing relationship.
Furthermore, Kishan highlighted the current trend of Mumbai-based talent actively seeking opportunities in Hyderabad. This signifies that South Indian cinema, encompassing Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Tamil films, is achieving the global recognition it merits, with projects like 'Made in Korea' trending worldwide.
