Throwback: When Salman Khan told Chiranjeevi why Bollywood movies struggle in the South
In the world of Indian cinema, the divide between Bollywood and South Indian films has often sparked debates. Though there has been a growing pan-Indian approach, many still recall the past tensions between these two industries. A throwback to one such moment involves Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and Tollywood megastar Chiranjeevi.
During the promotion of their film Godfather, Salman Khan made a light-hearted but significant comment about how Hindi films weren’t being accepted in the South Indian market. In his humorous remark, Salman told Chiranjeevi, “Chiru Gaaru, your films are accepted here, but our films are not being accepted there.”
This sparked a conversation, but Chiranjeevi quickly responded, clarifying that the South Indian film industry was more than willing to embrace Salman Khan. Chiranjeevi added, “This is why I asked Sallu Bhai to join me in this film.” This statement hinted at the mutual admiration and desire to bridge the gap between the industries.
Salman Khan starred alongside Chiranjeevi in Godfather, a 2022 film directed by Mohan Raja, which was a remake of the Malayalam hit Lucifer. The movie featured a stellar cast, including Nayanthara, Satya Dev, and others. Salman’s involvement in the film showcased the rising collaboration between Bollywood and South cinema.
This conversation reflected the broader debate of North vs. South cinema, where Bollywood films often struggled to gain traction in the South. While many South films found success in the Hindi-speaking regions, the reverse was not as common.
Adding to this debate, actress Tamannaah Bhatia recently shared her views. Having worked in both industries, she highlighted that South films tend to focus on deep human emotions, resonating with a broader audience.
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On the professional front, Salman Khan is currently gearing up for his next film Sikander, while Chiranjeevi is preparing for his upcoming project Vishwambhara.
