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SOUTHERN FLAVOUR IN BOLLYWOOD
After several Bollywood stars having forayed into South Indian films, it now seems to be the time for the Hindi film industry to open its arms for regional talent
Each time a debutant is launched in Bollywood, or every time a Bollywo actor breaks into regional film industry or an international film, there’s much noise about it. And looks like it’s time the Hindi film industry indulges in promoting some crossover talent from different film industries.
This year, in particular, a cluster of actors from the South film industry are stepping into Bollywood. And they are not new to the film world. In fact, they have been immensely popular names in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam film industries.
So what’s luring them to Bollywood? Actor Regina Cassandra, a known name in Tamil and Telugu films, made an impactful debut in Bollywood with Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. “Hindi films have always been around the corner and it was the periphery. But because of the time that I had to give in Mumbai, the time I would have to give to get a movie here and all what goes on before getting a film were things that I wasn’t ready to commit to. But now I am,” she says.
Among others who are set to foray into Hindi films include Tamil actor Jiiva in Kabir Khan’s ’83, South actor Vedhika Kumar in the Emraan Hashmi-starrer The Body, Tony Luke in Sujoy Ghosh’s Badla and Amala Paul in a film opposite Arjun Rampal.
A ROLE’S DEMAND
Director Tigmanshu Dhulia is working with Shraddha Srinath, best known for Kannada psychological thriller U Turn (2016) and Tamil hit Vikram Vedha (2017), in his next, Milan Talkies. He says, “We’ve had a great tradition of casting female actors from
South India since a very long time like Vyjayanthimala, Hema Malini, Rekhaji and Sridevi. They have distinctive characteristic ich was something I wanted his character.” Further talking about his ision to cast Shraddha in film, he adds, “I was king for a girl who looked rth Indian but I found a th Indian girl to play that
. I saw Shraddha’s film kram Vedha in which she as fantastic and my writer r end suggested her name. So we auditioned her and fortunately, she spoke fluent indi because her father is in Army and has spent few rs in North India.”
On why Jiiva was a perfect ice for his film, director bir Khan says, “Jiiva is a cket enthusiast. He has s physical similarity with mer cricketer) Krish anth. Also, not many ople know that is an xcellent cricketer and a good batsman. So, in a way him playing a cricketer will make it more authentic and real. That’s what we are doing with casting... trying to rope in people with some cricket skills.”
CHANCE TO HAVE A WIDER AUDIENCE
Malayalam actor Rajeev Pillai, who is set for his fullfledged Hindi movie role in Shakeela, says Bollywood is any Indian actor’s dream. “Anyone who says that it is not would be lying,” says Rajeev, adding, “It’s not about the language but about the team for me. I can manage Hindi to some extent, so it wasn’t a challenge.”
Shakeela director Indrajit Lankesh says the chance to show your film and your talent to a bigger audience is the best lure. “As an actor, writer or director, we think more the audience, bigger the thrill. At the end of the day who doesn’t want to take the opportunity of taking their work to a big stage,” he explains.
BOLLYWOOD IS WELCOMING
Regina says that she felt at home in Bollywood. “There was so much warmth while working. I never felt that I was new to the industry and the people. That is the reason why actors want to work in Hindi films more,” she says.
Trade analyst Joginder Tuteja shares that there will a record number of debutants in 2019 and Bollywood filmmakers are opening up to talent from everywhere. “It’s a fact that interesting Hindi films are being made and that requires you to cast newer faces. You can’t have a Varun Dhawan or a Sidharth Malhotra or an Arjun Kapoor in every other film. You need faces that are unexplored,” he says.