Boney Kapoor and Naga Vamsi clash over Bollywood vs South Indian Cinema debate

Producers Boney Kapoor and Naga Vamsi recently engaged in a spirited discussion about the influence of South Indian cinema on Bollywood during a roundtable hosted by Galatta Plus.

The conversation touched upon regional cinema’s impact and the evolution of the Hindi film industry, leading to a lively exchange of contrasting views.

Naga Vamsi, producer of Devara: Part 1, emphasized the transformative role of South Indian films in reshaping Bollywood’s narrative style. He argued that Hindi cinema had been catering primarily to the upscale audiences of Mumbai’s Bandra and Juhu neighborhoods. However, South Indian blockbusters like RRR and Baahubali have reinvigorated Bollywood, introducing a larger-than-life perspective to its storytelling.

“We South Indians have changed the way you look at cinema — even for Bollywood,” Vamsi stated. He credited Telugu cinema for delivering recent mass hits like Baahubali, RRR, Pushpa: The Rule, KGF 2, and Kalki 2898 AD, which have performed exceptionally well in Hindi markets.

Boney Kapoor, a veteran Bollywood producer, countered Vamsi’s claims by highlighting the enduring global appeal of Hindi cinema. He pointed to legendary figures like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, whose influence spans countries like Russia, Egypt, and Morocco.

“In Russia, Raj Kapoor is remembered till today. In Egypt, people talk about Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Telugu and Tamil films have unique markets, but Bollywood has had a global reach for decades,” Kapoor explained.

Kapoor acknowledged the success of South Indian films but refuted the idea that they’ve redefined Indian cinema. He reminded Vamsi of Bollywood classics like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and Gadar, which have left a lasting legacy.

While both producers maintained their stances, they agreed that cinema transcends linguistic barriers. Kapoor remarked, “Whether it’s Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, or Bengali movies, the barrier isn’t language. It’s about what’s good and what resonates with audiences.”

Vamsi, a self-proclaimed Shah Rukh Khan fan, reiterated that South Indian filmmakers have brought massive event films to the forefront, helping redefine how Indian cinema is perceived globally.

Kapoor’s daughter Janhvi Kapoor recently debuted in Telugu cinema with Devara: Part 1, produced by Vamsi and starring Jr. NTR.