16 july 2024 Punjab Khabarnama : A new cinematic language is taking shape in India, powered by crossovers. Since its inception, Indian cinema was locked in linguistic silos—Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood, Mollywood and the many smaller woods that exist in a country where the local language changes every 20 kilometres. With film industries across the world struggling to get people to theatres after the pandemic, Indian cinema is carrying out an interesting experiment—the crossover collaboration.
Moving across industries
These crossovers, unlike superhero crossovers in the Marvel Universe, are seeing actors and directors move across industries. In recent years, several filmmakers based in the south of India have ventured into making films in Hindi.
Take popular titles like Jersey, Vikram Vedha, Jawan and Animal—all these films have been made by successful filmmakers from down south. Actors from southern film industries have also moved into Hindi films. Liger, Brahmastra: Part One-Shiva, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Adipurush and Merry Christmas are all examples of actors crossing over from south cinema to Hindi. On the other hand, Bollywood stars are also venturing into films beyond Hindi. Sanjay Dutt and Raveena Tandon made a conspicuous showing in KGF while Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt made their presence felt in RRR. Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan stole the spotlight in Kalki 2898AD.