Nani has questioned the way the Indian film industry uses the term “pan-India”, arguing that the label is largely reserved for South Indian films that travel beyond their home markets while Hindi films are not subjected to the same classification.
The actor made the remarks at a press meet in Chennai on Thursday while promoting The Paradise, which is scheduled to release in theatres on September 24. For Nani, the issue is not merely about terminology. He believes the label subtly creates a distinction between Hindi cinema and films from the South, even when both reach audiences across the country.
Nani Questions The ‘Pan-India’ Double Standard
Explaining why he does not like describing his own projects as pan-India films, Nani said, “When a Hindi
film succeeds in the South, we still call it a Hindi film. But when a South Indian film succeeds across the country, we call it a pan-India film. That’s why I don’t want to label my films as pan-India films.”
The actor said he would rather see films discussed simply on the strength of their storytelling than through a tag that suggests a regional movie has achieved something exceptional merely by finding viewers outside its original language.
Nani’s point comes at a time when dubbed releases and simultaneous multilingual launches have become routine for major Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam productions. Several actors and filmmakers from the South have also spoken in recent years about the increasingly blurred lines between regional industries.
‘Tamil Cinema Is A Bible For Me’
The Chennai event also became personal for Nani as he spoke about the influence Tamil cinema has had on him long before he became a leading Telugu star.
“Tamil cinema is a Bible for me. My knowledge, love and interest in cinema began here, from watching Kamal sir, Mani sir, Bharathiraja sir, Bhagyaraj sir and many more legends who shaped the way I look at cinema,” he said.
Nani also described Chennai as a city that has always felt unusually familiar to him. “Whenever I land in Chennai, it feels like I’m coming home. There’s something about this city that feels deeply personal. People here have embraced me like their own family since day one,” he said.
He added, “I’ve always felt there’s some kind of past connection between me and Chennai, something I can’t really explain, but can always feel. Maybe that’s why, no matter where I go, a part of me will always belong here.”
Nani Admits His Two Tamil Films Did Not Work
Nani has previously worked in two direct Tamil films, Veppam and Aaha Kalyanam, but neither clicked commercially.
“I’ve done two Tamil films, but unfortunately, neither of them worked,” he admitted. “However, all of my Telugu films that are dubbed into Tamil work really well with the Tamil audience.”
Despite that track record, the actor said he still hopes to headline another Tamil film. “I really want to make a nice film here in Tamil cinema. And it’s my dream to work with Mani Ratnam,” he said.
Nani Returns With The Paradise
The Paradise reunites Nani with director Srikanth Odela after Dasara. Set in 1980s Secunderabad, the film revolves around a marginalised community confronting feudal oppression, with Nani playing Jadal Zamana.
The cast also includes Mohan Babu, Raghav Juyal, Kayadu Lohar, Sonali Kulkarni and Sampoornesh Babu, while Keerthy Suresh appears in a special role. Anirudh Ravichander has composed the music.
The film has received an A certificate and runs for 2 hours and 49 minutes. It will release across multiple languages on September 24, but notably, without a conventional trailer.
