With many A-listers from Hindi cinema looking towards South Indian film industries, the North-South divide is blurring

Gurnaaz Kaur

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The cinematic landscape is witnessing a fascinating trend where the borders between Hindi and South Indian film industry are gradually fading away. This pan-India film phenomenon has gained momentum with notable collaborations, exemplified by the likes of Rajinikanth’s Jailer and Atlee’s Hindi directorial debut in 2023. In 2024, many exciting projects are set to redefine on-screen magic and captivate audiences nationwide. Here’s a glimpse of film stars from Hindi cinema industry who are making their South Indian film debut this year.

Period drama
Janhvi Kapoor
Janhvi Kapoor is poised for her Telugu debut with the film Devara, alongside Jr NTR. The pan-India film is a period drama being directed by Koratala Siva. For Janhvi, working with Jr NTR it is a dream come true. And their pairing holds the promise of delivering captivating performances.

Epic mode
Deepika Padukone
In one of the grand collaborations of 2024, Deepika Padukone joins forces with South superstar Prabhas in Kalki 2898 AD. Helmed by Nag Ashwin and produced by Vyjayanthi Movies, this epic science fiction dystopian film boasts of a stellar cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and Disha Patani. With a budget of Rs 600 crores, it is set to be the most expensive Indian film ever made, promising a riveting narrative and unparalleled visual spectacle. The film’s music score is composed by Santhosh Narayanan with cinematography by Djordje Stojiljkovic and production design by Nitin Zihani Choudhary. Kalki 2898 AD is scheduled to be released in cinemas on May 9.

Playing the villain
Saif Ali Khan
Known for his versatile acting, Saif Ali Khan steps into the shoes of an antagonist once more. He has already played negative roles in films like Tanhaji: The Unsung Hero and Adipurush. This time around, the actor is all set to play the villain opposite Jr NTR in in Devara. This film, touted for its high-octane action and cutting-edge VFX, presents Saif with another opportunity to showcase his acting prowess in the South Indian cinematic landscape.

Winning accolades
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Despite personal controversies in 2023, Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s 2024 commenced with accolades for his Telugu debut, Saindhav. Starring alongside Venkatesh Daggubati, Nawazuddin’s portrayal of Vikas Malik, a ‘ruthless yet hilarious’ gangster, has earned him praise. In fact, going by fans’ comments, Nawazuddin stands out from the rest of the cast in the film.

Unique pairing
Katrina Kaif
The year kicked off with the unexpected pairing of Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi in Sriram Raghavan’s thriller, Merry Christmas. While Raghavan, Katrina and music maestro Pritam marked their Tamil debut with this film, it was Sethupathi’s third Hindi film. This unique collaboration has not only intrigued critics, but also captivated fans.

New chapter
Disha Patani
Also venturing into the pan-Indian domain, Disha Patani enters a noteworthy chapter in her career with the majestic period drama Kanguva. Teaming up with South Indian icon Suriya, this movie represents a debut collaboration for the actress. Enthusiastic fans are eagerly wanting to witness the on-screen chemistry that this pair is set to deliver in 2024.

Riding high
Bobby Deol
Bobby Deol, who is riding high on the success of Animal, is set to make his debut in Tamil cinema with Suriya’s upcoming period drama action film Kanguva. Portraying a menacing antagonist, Bobby is expected to bring a new dimension to the movie. Directed by Siva, it features Suriya in six roles, and also stars Yogi Babu, Jagapathi Babu, Disha Patani, among others.

Sci-fi zone
Akansha Ranjan Kapoor
Making a foray into South Indian cinema, Akansha Ranjan Kapoor is joining forces with Sundeep Kishan in CV Kumar’s MaayaOne, sequel to the 2017 sci-fi thriller Maayavan. Thrilled to be part of the film, Akansha sees this as the perfect time to explore South Indian cinema.

First take
Shanaya Kapoor
Daughter of Maheep and Sanjay Kapoor, Shanaya Kapoor is set to make not just her acting debut, but also her South Indian debut with the film Vrushabha, opposite Mohanlal. Directed by Nanda Kishore, Shanaya has already wrapped up the first shooting schedule of the film, which she announced on Instagram.