New dawn in Indian cinema, with North-South bonhomie

Southern stars flocked to Mumbai, as Jr NTR and Rana Dagubatti took the lead in back-to-back events in the city.   Jr NTR, who is actively promoting his action drama Devara, made time to cross-promote his RRR co-star Alia Bhatt’s thriller Jigra. The Devara-Jigra event was orchestrated by none other than Karan Johar, and the filmmaker took the opportunity to express his gratitude to Jr NTR. “I remember how he (Jr NTR) had gone out of his way to promote Brahmastra in Hyderabad, which was a big deal for us. His support helped impact the box office numbers of films. Tarak is a great friend, and this is just the beginning of our relationship,” said Johar.

Rana touches SRK’s feet

Karan Johar later presented the IIFA2024 line-up, in the presence of good friends Shahrukh Khan and Rana Dagubatti. And when Rana Dagubatti bent down to touch Shahrukh’s feet on stage, the image went viral. Reacting to the gesture, King Khan enveloped the Baahubali star in a warm hug, as loud cheers erupted from those present.

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

Sam, Rashmika, the new favourites

The current north-south bonhomie extends beyond the bromance among the mega stars of the two industries. Samantha and Rashmika Mandana are regularly spotted shuttling between Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Samantha, who made her debut on Hindi screens with The Family Man 2, has more or less become the in-house muse of filmmakers Raj and DK, being cast in three back-to-back projects, including the Indian adaptation of Priyanka Chopra’s Citadel. The actor, who spoke candidly about her divorce on Karan’s talk show and also divulged her many health issues, has found support among the Bollywood fraternity. “Bollywood loves Sam. Also, she feels less judged here than she does in the South. She has been given a sort of a wonder girl status in the North,” says an industry source.

On the other hand, Rashmika won herself ‘National Crush’ status and is also a favourite with the paps. After her stint in Animal, opposite Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika will share screen space with Salman in Sikander, and Vicky Kaushal’s Chavva. “I knew my show would be incomplete without her. When I met her for the first time I was impressed with her entire persona,” says Neha Dhupia. A casting director feels Rashimka has tremendous screen presence and says, “She does not have a curated image like most of Bollywood stars, and also gives out girl-next-door vibes.”

South directors deliver the hits

As the lines between Northern and Southern cinema blur, the term ‘pan-India film’ gains currency, Atlee gave Shahrukh Khan’s biggest hit in Jawan, Ranbir Kapoor has Sandeep Reddy Vanga to thank for Animal. The Prabhas-Deepika Padukone starrer Kalki 2898 AD broke box office records in the North as well. “It is a clever strategy, as both stand to benefit. The South reaches out to newer markets with a Bollywood name in their film and Bollywood, which is going through viewing fatigue at home, gets a shot in the arm by aligning with Southern stars and directors,” says a trade analyst.

With Jr NTR all set to make his Bollywood debut in War 2, and Fahadh Faasil likely to collaborate with Imtiaz Ali, cross-pollination between the two industries is now a norm.