The magnificent success of South films and directors (of late) at the national box office is one of the major reasons why Bollywood superstars have handpicked South filmmakers. Stars believe the south filmmakers have figured out content that transcends boundaries regardless of the language. And mass entertainers like Jawan, Jailer, KGF, Pushpa and RRR are proof.
Atlee, who directed Jawan, acknowledges that his track record to successfully make larger-than-life mass entertainers was what excited Shah Rukh Khan to work with him. Apparently SRK had wanted an ‘Atlee kind of a film.’
“SRK sir said that an Atlee kind of a film has everything — grandiose, high octane action episodes, signature dance moves and opulent scenes – all this makes the film a complete package. I was thrilled that a superstar like SRK wanted my kind of a film,” says the director, adding that the idea was to show the superstar in a new light.
“SRK sir loves action entertainers and I wanted to show him how fans wanted to see him. I want to write multiple blocks and layers to make the story engaging,” says Atlee, adding that heroism is all about elevation and grandeur with all the built up and hype.
Producer Vishnu Induri feels that South filmmakers have had a great presence in the North earlier too. He points out that filmmakers like K Raghavender Rao, Dasari Narayana Rao, Mani Rathnam, Priyadarshan, have created a splash. “I think the trend of South filmmakers ruling the roost is coming back because today we are calling every project a Pan-India film,” says Vishnu who made the Kangana Ranaut-starrer Thalaivi.
‘Lack of rooted stories’
At a time when Bollywood has limited itself to mostly an urban audience, South filmmakers are good at mass entertainers. Harish, who directed Samantha-starrer Yashoda, agrees that the content in Bollywood is more westernised. He feels that in the process, filmmakers may have overlooked rooted stories.
“Earlier in the 80s and 90s several Hindi films had high emotional content, but these days Bollywood films are not high on emotions. While B-town filmmakers’ can churn out blockbusters, audiences always connect with mass entertainers and rooted stories. I think this is where South filmmakers’ scored more,” says Harish.
The director also adds that Bollywood audiences are craving for mass entertainers. “The trend is here to stay! As long as the story has the right emotions the film clicks with the audience.”
Storytelling, the south way
Going by the current trend, south filmmakers seem to be contributing significantly towards the new kind of Hindi cinema that’s evolving. Storytelling and quality of filmmaking seems to have worked big time for them. Director Mani Shankar states that Hindi audiences feel South filmmakers have the best of both worlds (telling rooted stories and high quality of filmmaking) to welcome them. He adds that stars look for rootedness in the story so as to lure the masses which contribute to the lion's share in terms of business (box office collections).
“In Hindi, because of the dearth of writers who can bring out culturally rooted stories, for now, Bollywood enjoys whatever the South filmmakers are offering culturally. But soon, Hindi filmmakers will revisit their roots and start re-telling stories of their backyard,” shares Mani Shankar.
Heroes have realised that cinemagoers are between 18-40 years old (who are also on social media), so they want to work with youngsters. They believe that young South filmmakers have the ability to write mass entertainers. Screenwriter Thotapally Sainath states that most of the south filmmakers have their own stories rather than depend on writers.
