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Nani: This is a golden period for Indian cinema

ByDeep Saxena
Mar 16, 2023 12:48 PM IST

The Oscar-winning track Naatu Naatu has the world dancing to its beats

The Oscar-winning track Naatu Naatu has the world dancing to its beats. Actor Nani feels Indian cinema is in its “golden phase” now, and the laurels for the RRR (2022) track and the documentary The Elephant Whisperers have helped command all the more respect.

Telugu star Nani on his visit to Lucknow. (Deep Saxena/HT)
Telugu star Nani on his visit to Lucknow. (Deep Saxena/HT)

“This is a golden period for Indian cinema. Music and dance have been our strength. Now, the world has recognised it,” says the actor, best known for his Telugu film Jersey (2019). He goes on to laud the Oscar-winning team, saying: “I’m sure global players will want to collaborate with Indian makers like SS Rajamouli sir.”

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The Hindi versus southern language films debate was a rage on social media. But, Nani feels it was blown out of proportion. “Today, anything can be twisted for debates. My film Dasara, for instance, is made in Telugu and dubbed in four other languages. It is a pan-India release. But, if someone misinterprets that, it’s not my fault. Hindi cinema was always loved. Now, people are watching Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films, too. Whoever makes good cinema will get brownie points,” he reasons.

“It’s our fault that we saw language as a barrier and didn’t go all out. But, the audience made us realise that only great scripts work [be it in any language]. Now the lines are getting blurred and cinema is becoming one,” he adds.

As for the success and failure mantra, he says, “The examples are very clear that we need to stay true the story and roots. Emotions are universally relatable so there is no need to change anything. Audience too connects with the honesty in film making.”

Nani is keen on exploring Bollywood. “I have got offers from Hindi film industry before too, but things didn’t fall in place. I have grown up watching and loving Hindi films in cinema and TV. I must have watched DDLJ some 30-40 times. So, if I like a script I will surely do it but there should be a reason do it and for that matter it can be any language.”

“Two Academy Awards have given a new respect to the Indian cinema. Song and dance have been our strength and now the entire world has recognised it. It’s time for the world to dance to our (Naatu Naatu, RRR) songs so it’s a great statement. I am sure now global players will get involved and collaborate with SS Rajamouli sir and Indian films,” says the Jersey (2019) and actor.

He feels the ongoing Indian and regional cinema debate has been blown out of proportion.

“We should be ignored it as today anything can be edited and twisted for debates. Like, my upcoming film Dasara is a pan-India release but made in Telugu and dubbed in four other languages. If someone misinterprets it, that’s not my fault. In our country, where Hindi cinema was always loved, now people are watching all languages too – be it Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam or Kannada. Now, the challenge is that whosoever makes good cinema will get the brownie points. The Elephant Whispers was made in Tamil Nadu but is being watched globally. That’s the power of cinema.”

Nani feels Rajamouli showed the route of success to the regional industry. “Before Bahubaali, we never thought that we will get results, but we have realised that is needed is a good film. It’s our fault that we saw language as a barrier and didn’t go all out. It’s the audience who made us realise that be it Bollywood or any language a great and unique script will work anywhere. Now the lines are getting blurred, and cinema is becoming one.”

As per the success and failure mantra he says, “The examples are very clear that the films that worked did not try to accommodate things or cater to any region or language. If we try to do that, we will not stay true to the films. Emotions are universally relatable so there is no need to change anything. Audience too connects with the honesty in film making.”

Nani is all game for Bollywood films. “I have got offers from Hindi film industry before too, but things didn’t fall in place. I have grown up watching and loving Hindi films in cinema and TV. I must have watched DDLJ some 30-40 times. So, if I like a script I will surely do it but there should be a reason do it and for that matter it can be any language.”

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Deep Saxena writes on Bollywood, OTT, television, food and culture for the daily Entertainment & Lifestyle supplement, HT City.

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