Bollywood talent meets the best of South cinestars
Telugu, Tamil, Kannada or Malayalam — film industries in the south of India have always been an attraction for Bollywood names looking to widen their fanbase. And the bonus is that one gets to work alongside some of the biggest cinestars.
Recently, actor Kiara Advani made her Telugu film debut in Bharat Ane Nenu opposite Mahesh Babu; the film broke several records. Next up, and hoping to be as successful are Adah Sharma, paired with Prabhudheva in Tamil film Charlie Chaplin 2; Niddhi Agerwal with Naga Chaitanya in Telugu film Savyasachi; and Shraddha Kapoor as Prabhas’s leading lady in tri-lingual film Saaho that’s simultaneously being made in Hindi.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Earlier, cinema lovers have seen successful pairings such as Kriti Sanon-Mahesh Babu, Sonakshi Sinha and Deepika Padukone with Rajinikanth, Preity Zinta and Katrina Kaif with Venkatesh, and Kangana Ranaut alongside Prabhas.
PRIVILEGE WITH A RESPONSIBILITY
Working with a big name is like a double-edged sword — it has its benefits, but there are responsibilities, too, say the Bollywood ladies. Calling Nagachaitanya “the perfect combination of a natural and an intelligent actor”, Nidhhi says, “It’s an advantage that many more people see you on screen, but you also have a responsibility to match up to their skill.”
Adah, who has worked with Puneeth Rajkumar and Allu Arjun in her Telugu films, says the stakes are higher with her Tamil film debut. “My films in the south were blockbusters, [so] people expect a lot from me in terms of entertainment and performance. Also, I’m going to be dancing alongside the legend Prabhudheva, so eyeballs are guaranteed.”
Sharing her experience of working with Mahesh Babu, an excited Kiara recalls, “He’s so grounded [as a] person and doesn’t make you feel he’s a super duper star. He’d give me my cues and help me say my lines... so supportive.”
EXPERT TAKE
Film industry experts say it’s a win-win situation. “Not only does your popularity increase, you also learn and grow as an artist while working with big names,” opines trade expert Atul Mohan.
Bollywood and movie expert Omar Qureshi sees it as a “convenient entry” into films via the south, as one gets a lead role as opposed to a cameo in Hindi films. “Some who find it tough to crack it here [in Bollywood] have scope to do more [down South] than just play debutante eye candy. Hence, the crossover is always going to be there.”