Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: Filmmaker Kiran Rao weighed in on the ongoing Bollywood vs South Cinema debate, praising South Indian films for their bold storytelling and conviction. In a candid conversation with media, she expressed admiration for the way South films take risks with unique narratives, unlike mainstream Bollywood.
Admiration for Bold Storytelling in South Cinema
Kiran Rao shared that she watches a lot of Malayalam films and is particularly impressed by their courage in choosing unconventional stories.
“I watch a lot of Malayalam films, and what I’m always struck by is how they really seem very bold in their story choices. ‘Uleri’, which was released last year, is such a bold story idea. Even their horror films, like I saw a film called ‘Bramayugam,’ which is a Mammootty film, are incredibly artistically made using folk tales and the folklore of Kerala. There is a sort of a sense of conviction about telling stories that are different,” Kiran Rao stated.
She emphasized that the willingness of South filmmakers to experiment is a key factor that distinguishes them.
Risk-Taking in South Cinema vs. Cautious Bollywood
Rao pointed out that South cinema, being a collection of smaller industries, has an advantage in taking risks with stories that cater specifically to their cultural and linguistic communities.
“It’s the chances that they are taking with the stories they are telling, and perhaps that also comes from the fact that they are usually smaller industries that are technically only catering to their own, culturally, their language and their community. And so they are quite unafraid to try different things,” she added.
According to her, this fearlessness in storytelling helps South filmmakers stay in touch with their audience, ensuring a stronger connection.
Bollywood’s Challenge: Catering to a Wider Audience
Contrastingly, Kiran Rao acknowledged the challenges faced by Bollywood, primarily its need to appeal to a wider and diverse audience across the country and the diaspora.
“You are making films for a diaspora, you are making films for all the states of the country. And I think maybe that is why people want to make something that they are very sure will succeed, and maybe that’s why there’s a tendency to go to a film that’s already successful, like a remake,” Rao explained.
She emphasized the importance of having producers willing to take risks if Bollywood wishes to diversify its storytelling.
Kiran Rao’s Journey in Cinema
Kiran Rao started her career as an assistant director on the epic film ‘Lagaan’ (2001), directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and produced by Aamir Khan. Lagaan was nominated for the 74th Academy Award in the foreign language film category. Before that, she played a minor role in ‘Dil Chahta Hai’.
Rao made her directorial debut with ‘Dhobi Ghat’ (2011) and recently directed ‘Laapataa Ladies’ (2024). Her perspective on the Bollywood vs South Cinema debate is informed by her extensive experience and her desire to see more bold and diverse stories in mainstream Hindi cinema.