In recent years, South Indian films have been giving Bollywood a tough fight. According to the latest IMDb report, over the past five years, seven out of the ten most viewed movies in the Southern states were South Indian productions. Two of the remaining three were even directed by Southern filmmakers. And it’s not just confined to the South, six of the ten most viewed films across the rest of India also came from Southern industries.
Why audiences are connecting
So, what’s the reason behind this shift? While easier access to films certainly played a role, the real reason seems to be the stories themselves. Audiences are connecting with the style, themes, and cinematic traditions of Southern cinema in a way that goes beyond language. Films like 12th Fail (2023) have shown that great storytelling can cross regional boundaries, proving that the conversation is no longer about Hindi vs Southern cinema. Instead, audiences across India are looking for stories where they feel seen and represented.
Collaboration across industries
This shift has naturally pushed Hindi cinema to rethink and reinvent itself. But it’s not just Bollywood making changes, filmmakers from different regions are joining forces to reach bigger audiences. These collaborations now go beyond actors, including directors, musicians, and technicians, and are supported by strong distribution networks. The outcome? Indian cinema is slowly turning into a shared cultural space, where movies aren’t just made for one region but are crafted as bigger cinematic worlds that can travel across India and even beyond.
Director-led collaborations making a difference
Director-led collaborations are emerging as especially effective. Unlike relying solely on star power, directors bring a unified creative vision that can resonate across industries. They ensure that scale, tone, and ambition are consistent, allowing these films to reach audiences more effectively.
Top Movies in Southern States
Here’s a look at the top movies in Southern states based on page views between 2020 and 2024 in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana:
Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2
The sequel to Allu Arjun’s blockbuster, it continues Pushpa Raj’s rise in the red sandalwood smuggling world, packed with action, drama, and mass moments.
Leo
Starring Vijay and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, this action thriller blends family emotions with high-octane violence, part of the “Lokesh Cinematic Universe.”
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire
Prabhas plays a rebel leader in this action-packed saga by KGF director Prashanth Neel, promising intense visuals and powerful storytelling.
Kalki 2898-AD
A big-budget sci-fi film starring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Kamal Haasan, mixing mythology with a futuristic world in a unique way.
Animal
Ranbir Kapoor’s violent family drama directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga explores toxic father-son relationships, blending emotions with brutal action sequences.
Dragon
An upcoming fantasy-action film with heavy VFX, rumoured to merge Indian folklore with superhero-style storytelling, keeping audiences curious and hyped.
Coolie
Rajinikanth starrer, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, promises a stylish mass entertainer with intense action and fan following, riding on the Lokesh Cinematic Universe buzz.
Jawan
Shah Rukh Khan’s mega-blockbuster with Atlee, blending action, emotions, and social messages, became a global hit for its scale, double role, and mass appeal.
Maharaja
A Vijay Sethupathi-starrer that became a sleeper hit, praised for its gripping storyline, twists, and his powerful performance in a revenge-driven thriller.
12th Fail
Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, starring Vikrant Massey, it’s an inspiring true story of an underdog who overcomes failures to crack the UPSC exam.
These numbers show a clear trend that Southern films are no longer just regional hits, they are reaching audiences across India.