“Janhvi belongs to the South”; says ‘Devara’ director Koratala Siva as he praises Janhvi Kapoor!

At a recent promotional event for ‘Devara’, Koratala Siva made a bold statement when he said, “Janhvi belongs to the South.” This declaration was more than just a compliment for her performance in the film; it was an acknowledgment of her ability to blend into the world of South Indian cinema. For someone who has primarily worked in Bollywood, Janhvi’s ease in adapting to a different regional industry speaks volumes about her dedication and talent. Siva’s statement reflects his belief that Janhvi’s sensibilities as an actress align well with the aesthetics and storytelling traditions of South Indian cinema. He emphasized how seamlessly she fit into the role and how her performance in ‘Devara’ would resonate with audiences. According to him, Janhvi’s background, passion, and willingness to take on new challenges have allowed her to transcend regional boundaries, making her a natural fit for the South Indian film industry. In an interview, Koratala Siva expressed his admiration for Janhvi’s professionalism and dedication to learning the nuances of the Telugu language and culture. He appreciated how, despite being a Bollywood star, she immersed herself fully into the character she portrays in ‘Devara’, demonstrating her commitment to the craft of acting. Siva’s praise has set high expectations for her performance, and fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the film to see her in a new avatar. Janhvi Kapoor’s foray into South Indian cinema also carries an emotional significance. Her mother, the late Sridevi, was a legendary actress who had a successful career in both Bollywood and South Indian cinema. Sridevi began her acting career in Tamil cinema and went on to work in Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films before becoming one of Bollywood’s most iconic actresses. Janhvi’s move into South Indian cinema is seen by many as a continuation of her mother’s legacy, bridging the gap between different film industries just as Sridevi did decades ago. Janhvi has often spoken about the impact her mother had on her life and career, and there is no doubt that stepping into the world of South Indian cinema is both a personal and professional milestone for her. By choosing a film like ‘Devara’, she is not only honoring her mother’s legacy but also establishing her own identity as an actress who can navigate different cinematic traditions with ease. The Indian film industry is a vast and diverse landscape, with multiple regional industries such as Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood, and Mollywood producing films in different languages. While these industries have historically operated within their own linguistic and cultural boundaries, recent years have seen an increasing trend of collaboration between them. Pan-India films, like ‘Baahubali’, ‘Pushpa’, and ‘RRR’, have brought regional films to a national and even international audience, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for actors and filmmakers from different industries to work together. Janhvi Kapoor’s casting in ‘Devara’ is part of this larger trend of cross-industry collaboration. For Bollywood actors, working in South Indian cinema can open doors to new audiences and allow them to experiment with different kinds of storytelling and cinematic styles.