Producer Dinesh Vijan recently addressed comments made by South Indian producer Naga Vamsi, who had criticized Bollywood for focusing primarily on audiences in areas like Bandra and Juhu. Vamsi’s remarks sparked a debate about the regional dynamics of the Indian film industry.
During the trailer launch of his upcoming film Sky Force, Vijan responded by highlighting the significant successes of Hindi cinema. He noted that since the pandemic, five Hindi films—Jawan, Stree 2, Pathaan, Gadar 2, and Animal—had each crossed the ₹500 crore mark at the box office. Vijan remarked, “Maybe we don’t speak a lot about ourselves, but the fact is we’ve had five huge films.”
He further emphasized the importance of viewing the Indian film industry as a unified entity, rather than dividing it into regional segments. Vijan suggested that combining the successes of both Bollywood and South Indian cinema could lead to even greater achievements. He stated, “If we start looking at it like it’s the Indian film industry, maybe ₹500 crore + ₹800 crore equals ₹1,300 crore, right? So why don’t we aim for that?”
Akshay Kumar, who was present at the event, supported Vijan’s perspective, underscoring the collective potential of Indian cinema.
Vamsi’s initial comments had praised South Indian films for their international success and influence on Bollywood, suggesting that the Hindi film industry had been catering mainly to specific urban audiences. He mentioned that films like Baahubali, Animal, Jawan, and RRR had transformed industry dynamics.
The exchange between Vijan and Vamsi highlights the ongoing conversation about the evolving landscape of Indian cinema and the need for a more inclusive approach that celebrates the achievements of both regional industries.
Dinesh Vijan is highlighting the collective effort required to sustain the film industry. His comment that “only Jio Studio or Madak are not enough to run the industry” suggests that the success of the industry depends on multiple contributors, including producers, studios, actors, and filmmakers from both Bollywood and regional cinema.
Vijan’s point may be that while individual studios or platforms like Jio Studio are significant, the industry as a whole requires collaboration and efforts from everyone involved to truly thrive and reach its potential. It emphasizes the importance of unity and shared success in the evolving landscape of Indian cinema.
This view aligns with his larger stance on integrating Bollywood and South Indian cinema rather than treating them as separate entities.
Dinesh Vijan’s response seems to emphasize the spirit of collaboration and collective growth in the Indian film industry. When he says, “If we start looking at it as an Indian industry, then adding eight hundred crores and five hundred crores will be Rs 1300 crore,” he’s highlighting how the combined success of Bollywood and South Indian cinema can lead to even greater achievements.
His point is that while there may be a few individuals who separate the industries based on regional lines, the larger reality is that the entire industry benefits from the successes of both. The appreciation and encouragement that he experiences in South India reflect the unity and positivity that can exist between the different regions of the Indian film industry. By uniting strengths from both Bollywood and South Indian cinema, the industry as a whole can reach new heights, both in terms of box office collections and global recognition.
