Legendary actor and politician, Kamal Haasan, delivered a powerful address on the evolving landscape of Indian entertainment, asserting that regional is becoming the new national. The renowned star, speaking at the JioHotstar ‘South Unbound’ summit, argued that local narratives are transcending linguistic boundaries to become national cultural events. It was held recently in Chennai, where he highlighted the rising prominence of storytelling rooted in local areas such as Madurai and Malappuram.
The shift is evidenced by the massive success of films like Baahubali, the Kannada folkloric hit Kantara, and the Malayalam mystery Drishyam. These titles demonstrate how sincerity, rather than mere budget, is the real catalyst for pan-Indian success. Haasan passionately declared that "authenticity is a currency that can never be demonetised."
The actor pointed to a young, screen-agnostic audience and extensive digital reach, noting that southern Indian languages collectively connect with over 275 million people, offering immense global potential. This new ecosystem was underlined by a major financial commitment, with JioHotstar announcing a significant Rs 4,000 crore investment over the next five years to boost the creative economy in the region, part of a wider Rs 12,000-crore commitment to advancing southern storytelling.