On the second day of the World Audiovisual Entertainment Conference (WAVES) in Mumbai, some of Indian cinema’s most celebrated voices came together to discuss the rise of pan-Indian films and the fading boundaries of regional cinema.

Held at the Jio World Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex on Friday, the panel saw the participation of actors Anupam Kher, Nagarjuna, Karthi, and actress-politician Khushboo Sundar, with veteran film journalist Naman Ramachandran moderating the session titled ‘Pan Indian Cinema: Myth or Momentum’.

In this insightful UNI report, the panelists echoed a common sentiment—if a film captures human emotions, features compelling performances, and reflects Indian culture, then language becomes secondary. It is the spirit of storytelling that binds Indian cinema together, they said, dismissing the idea that Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, or other regional industries should be seen as separate.

Khushboo Sundar noted that while stories may now have universal appeal, the real shift has come in their presentation. “Today’s audience is drawn to stories not because they are different but because of how differently they are told. There isn’t much of a divide between South and Hindi cinema anymore,” she said. She added that many actors from the South have found success in Hindi films, proving that regional cinema is not distinct from Indian cinema—it is an essential part of it.

Veteran Telugu actor Nagarjuna also weighed in, saying that a film’s language does not determine its impact. “If a movie carries Indian culture and genuine human emotion, it connects with everyone. Whether it’s Bollywood or Tollywood doesn’t matter anymore. Regional films dubbed in Hindi have been loved across the country, and that trend is only growing,” he said.

Anupam Kher, with his decades-spanning experience across multiple film industries, pointed out how cross-language collaborations are becoming the norm. “Today, actors, directors, and technicians are working comfortably across languages. That’s breaking down the regional walls,” Kher said. Reflecting on his own journey, he added, “I’ve acted in Telugu and Tamil films, but my heart lies with Hindi. South Indian cinema, especially post-COVID, has seen a wave of innovation and storytelling that deserves attention across India and beyond.”

Kher also stressed the importance of global outreach, urging filmmakers not to limit their vision to Indian audiences. “Let’s take our stories to the world. Indian cinema deserves that space on the global stage,” he said.

The discussion, lively and layered, concluded with the consensus that while language may be a tool, it’s emotion and culture that define Indian cinema. And as long as those elements remain at the heart of storytelling, Indian films—no matter the region—will continue to captivate audiences across the country and the world.