The debate about South Indian and Bollywood cinema has been a hot topic ever since the term “pan-India” gained traction. Actor Sonu Sood, who has worked extensively in both industries, recently shared his views on the matter. This comes after producer Naga Vamsi’s comments about the massive success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, where he highlighted that “Mumbai didn’t sleep” after the film reportedly earned over ₹80 crores in a single day. While Vamsi’s remarks went viral, they also sparked criticism.
In the recent interview with Digital Commentary, Sonu Sood addressed the buzz around the Telugu producer’s comments. When asked about the impact of dubbing and whether the term “pan-India” has become damaging instead of being beneficial, Sonu responded candidly.
Sonu Sood on the Importance of Good Films
Sonu emphasized that language isn’t a barrier when it comes to cinema. He said, “Fayda hi kar raha hai, achi filmein banaoge toh chalegi, baasha koi bhi ho kya farq padta hai (It’s beneficial; if you make good films, they will work, no matter the language)”. Reflecting on his own career, he added, “Maine pehle bhi Hindi filmein chodke South ki filmein ki thi jo chali (I left Hindi films to do South Indian films, and they worked)”
The “Pan-India” Debate
Sonu highlighted that success depends on the effort behind the film. “If you make films to please yourself, they won’t work. Films made for the audience will succeed”.
Sonu acknowledged the popularity of South Indian cinema among Hindi-speaking audiences, recalling how dubbed versions of South films were widely watched on satellite channels. However, he pointed out that not every South film is a hit. “Aisa nahi hai ki South ki saari filmein chalti hai? South mein bahut saari filmein nahi chalti hai. Acchi filmein chalegi (Its not like every South films works, many South films don’t work. Good films will succeed)”. He also said that the term “pan-India” is just a word and that audiences across regions are already connected through shared appreciation of good cinema.
On the professional front, Sonu Sood is gearing up for his directorial debut Fateh. The film is based on true events, features Jacqueline Fernandez, Vijay Raaz and Naseeruddin Shah and is set for release on January 10, 2025.
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