Kiran Rao Discusses Bold Storytelling In South Indian Cinema vs Bollywood

MUMBAI (ANI) – Filmmaker Kiran Rao recently shared her thoughts on the ongoing Bollywood vs South Cinema debate, highlighting what she believes sets South Indian films apart – their bold storytelling and strong conviction.

Rao, a fan of Malayalam cinema, explained, “What strikes me about Malayalam films is how bold they are in their story choices. Take Ullozhukku for example; it has such a daring concept. Even their horror films, like Bramayugam, starring Mammootty, are incredibly artistic, drawing from Kerala’s rich folklore. There’s a deep conviction in telling unique stories, and that works to their advantage.”

She pointed out that South Indian filmmakers are more willing to take creative risks, largely because their industries are smaller and cater to specific linguistic and cultural communities. “They’re unafraid to try new things. They understand their audience well, and their producers are open to fresh storytelling,” Rao said.

According to Rao, one of the major strengths of South Indian cinema is its connection with audiences. “What’s incredible is that audiences flock to these films, and the filmmakers truly understand their tastes and preferences,” she added.

On the other hand, she explained that Bollywood, with its much larger scale, faces the challenge of appealing to a broader, more diverse audience across India and the diaspora. “Bollywood films cater to people from all parts of the country, which leads to a tendency to play it safe and remake already successful films,” Rao noted.

Rao believes that for Bollywood to explore more diverse storytelling, producers must be willing to take more risks.

Rao’s career has seen a diverse range of roles, from her early work as an assistant director on Lagaan, which was nominated for the 74th Academy Awards, to directing Dhobi Ghat (2011) and Laapataa Ladies (2024).

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