How Bollywood Became India's Cultural Superpower — And Why The South Is Now Stealing The Spotlight

For decades, Bollywood was more than just India's biggest film industry — it was a cultural juggernaut.

-  Compiled by Ruchira Talapatra

The music, the stars, the stories: they weren't merely entertainment. They were a religion. In a country as vast and diverse as India, Bollywood was the unifying dream, offering millions a glittering window into romance, rebellion, family, and fantasy. It set the tone, the trend, and the tempo for the rest of the nation's film industries. But now, as the celluloid reels spin into the 2020s, there is a dramatic twist in the tale.

THE SOUTH RISES What was once a one-way current of influence from Bollywood to the regional industries has evolved into a dynamic exchange. And more strikingly, the South Indian film industries — particularly Telugu (Tollywood) and Tamil (Kollywood) — are no longer following in Bollywood's shadow. They are setting the pace, commanding the audience, and shaping the future of Indian cinema.

THE GOLDEN ERA OF BOLLYWOOD INFLUENCE Bollywood's dominance wasn't an accident. From the 1950s through the 1990s, it served as both a mirror of Indian society and a mould shaping it. The Golden Age brought socially resonant films like 'Mother India' and 'Pyaasa', whose stories of poverty, patriotism, and poetic despair struck deep chords. The '70s and '80s introduced the anti-hero and the 'Angry Young Man' through the genius of Salim Javed, who penned films like 'Deewar', 'Sholay', and 'Don'. These narratives of vengeance, justice, and redemption echoed the frustration and aspiration of an India in flux.

Regional industries took notice. Remakes of Hindi films became a common practice. Scripts by Salim Javed were adapted into Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, sometimes becoming career-defining hits for actors in those regions. Rajinikanth's early stardom in Tamil cinema owes much to this era, with his performances in 'Billa' (a remake of Don) and 'Thee' (a remake of 'Deewar') cementing his image as a Southern superstar with pan-Indian appeal.