Hindi films aren't called pan-India, why only South? Nani questions double standards
Actor Nani has questioned why the term “pan-India” is used predominantly for South Indian films, pointing out that successful Hindi films are rarely given the same label even when they perform strongly across the country.
Speaking at a press meet in Chennai on Thursday ahead of the September 24 release of The Paradise, Nani said he does not want his films to be described as pan-India releases. He questioned why a Hindi film that succeeds in Tamil, Telugu or Malayalam continues to be called a Hindi film, while a South Indian film that finds an audience across the country is branded “pan-India”.
“I say don't call my film a pan-Indian because I, ideally, don't want any film to be called pan Indian. For example, a Hindi film comes, becomes a big success in the Telugu version, in the Tamil version, in the Malayalam version; that Hindi film is not called pan Indian. It's still called a Hindi film,” Nani said.
He specifically cited Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan and Pathaan as examples, pointing out that their success in southern markets did not result in them being described as pan-Indian films. “We see Jawan or Pathaan doing very well in the Tamil version, in the Telugu version. It is not called pan Indian. It's still called a Hindi film. But a Telugu film does well across the country, it is called a pan Indian,” he said.
Nani said he does not understand why the term was introduced specifically for South Indian films. “Why is it introduced for the South Indian films? Why isn't it used for Hindi films?” he asked, adding that he has consistently requested that his own films not be given the pan-India tag.
The actor acknowledged that he cannot control how the industry or audiences describe his films. “I can't stop people from using it, but the phrase does not make sense to me. I will always try to reach out to my Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada audiences. This will always be the process, but I don't want them to use those tags on my films,” he said.Nani's connection with Tamil cinema
At the Chennai press meet, Nani also spoke about his deep connection with Tamil cinema. "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 described Chennai as a city that feels like home 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.
“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," he added.‘Neither of my Tamil films worked’
Nani was also candid about his two direct Tamil films, Veppam and Aaha Kalyanam, neither of which performed well commercially. When asked why he hadn't starred in a direct Tamil film in recent times, he said, "I've done two Tamil films, but unfortunately, neither of them worked. However, all of my Telugu films that are dubbed into Tamil work really well with the Tamil audience.”
Despite those setbacks, Nani said he still hopes to make a Tamil film that connects with audiences. “I really want to make a nice film here in Tamil cinema. And it's my dream to work with Mani Ratnam,” he said.All about The Paradise
Directed by Srikanth Odela, The Paradise marks Nani's second collaboration with the filmmaker after Dasara. Set in the 1980s Secunderabad, the film follows a marginalised community's fight for recognition against feudal oppression.
Nani plays Jadal Zamana, a character he has described as one of the most physically demanding roles of his career. The cast includes Mohan Babu as the feudal antagonist Shikanja Maalik, Raghav Juyal as his son Vikram Maalik, Kayadu Lohar as Subbu, Sonali Kulkarni, Sampoornesh Babu and Sampoornesh Babu, with Keerthy Suresh in a special appearance.
The film has music by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography by CH Sai and editing by Naveen Nooli. Produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under SLV Cinemas, The Paradise has received an A certificate, has a runtime of 2 hours and 49 minutes, and will release without a conventional trailer. It hits theatres on September 24 in multiple languages.- EndsPublished By: K JananiPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 15:47 ISTALSO READ | Why every Telugu film needs to be pan-India? The cracks and how it's fixing itself
