Telugu actor Nani has responded to Salman Khan's recent comments about Bollywood's limited acceptance in South India, firmly disagreeing with the superstar’s observation. Nani emphasized that Hindi films have long been cherished in southern states, receiving affection and admiration for generations. Nani, who is gearing up for the release of Hit: The Third Case, appeared in an interview with DNA India alongside actress Srinidhi Shetty, known for her role in KGF, to promote his upcoming film.
For context, Salman Khan, during promotions for his film Sikandar, remarked that although fans in the South greet him warmly with chants of "bhai-bhai," they often do not support his films at the box office. During a media interaction, Salman suggested that while he enjoys personal popularity, it doesn't necessarily lead to commercial success for his Hindi films in southern theatres.
When Nani was asked about this perceived lack of Bollywood’s reach in the South, he immediately countered the narrative. Nani explained, "Hindi cinema is the original; the South industry flourished later. The love for Bollywood in the South has been around for decades. If you ask anyone from the South about their favorite Hindi film, they'll fondly recall movies starring legends like Amitabh Bachchan. Films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Dil To Pagal Hai were massive hits across Hyderabad and other southern regions. Today, while the South industry is experiencing a broader national embrace, Hindi films have always been warmly received throughout India."
He further asserted, "How could Salman Khan have become such a huge star without audiences from the South embracing his films? Of course, they perform well! We've all grown up watching his movies. Films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun hold immense cultural significance in the South. Songs like 'Didi Tera Deewana' were staples at weddings and celebrations."
Srinidhi Shetty, too, agreed wholeheartedly with Nani, adding, "Watching Hindi movies was a normal part of life for everyone. We all loved them." Nani suggested that perhaps Salman’s words had been misunderstood, stating, "Maybe his statement was misinterpreted. He surely knows how many of his films were huge successes here."
Hit: The Third Case is set for release on May 1 across India.
Meanwhile, during the Sikandar promotional tour, Salman reflected on the changing dynamics between Bollywood and South cinema. He acknowledged that despite his massive fan following in the South, his films sometimes fail to make a major impact at the southern box office. Salman explained that South Indian cinema resonates deeply with its cultural identity, making it challenging for Bollywood films to connect as strongly. He also observed that while stars like Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, and Suriya enjoy wide admiration in Hindi-speaking regions, Bollywood films often don't experience the same level of embrace in the South.
For context, Salman Khan, during promotions for his film Sikandar, remarked that although fans in the South greet him warmly with chants of "bhai-bhai," they often do not support his films at the box office. During a media interaction, Salman suggested that while he enjoys personal popularity, it doesn't necessarily lead to commercial success for his Hindi films in southern theatres.
When Nani was asked about this perceived lack of Bollywood’s reach in the South, he immediately countered the narrative. Nani explained, "Hindi cinema is the original; the South industry flourished later. The love for Bollywood in the South has been around for decades. If you ask anyone from the South about their favorite Hindi film, they'll fondly recall movies starring legends like Amitabh Bachchan. Films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Dil To Pagal Hai were massive hits across Hyderabad and other southern regions. Today, while the South industry is experiencing a broader national embrace, Hindi films have always been warmly received throughout India."
He further asserted, "How could Salman Khan have become such a huge star without audiences from the South embracing his films? Of course, they perform well! We've all grown up watching his movies. Films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun hold immense cultural significance in the South. Songs like 'Didi Tera Deewana' were staples at weddings and celebrations."
Srinidhi Shetty, too, agreed wholeheartedly with Nani, adding, "Watching Hindi movies was a normal part of life for everyone. We all loved them." Nani suggested that perhaps Salman’s words had been misunderstood, stating, "Maybe his statement was misinterpreted. He surely knows how many of his films were huge successes here."
Hit: The Third Case is set for release on May 1 across India.
Meanwhile, during the Sikandar promotional tour, Salman reflected on the changing dynamics between Bollywood and South cinema. He acknowledged that despite his massive fan following in the South, his films sometimes fail to make a major impact at the southern box office. Salman explained that South Indian cinema resonates deeply with its cultural identity, making it challenging for Bollywood films to connect as strongly. He also observed that while stars like Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, and Suriya enjoy wide admiration in Hindi-speaking regions, Bollywood films often don't experience the same level of embrace in the South.
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