The great tectonic plates of Bollywood and regional cinema are coming together rapidly. This is an excellent trend, as it will finally help India integrate into an all-India film market, instead of the highly splintered market we currently have, making films in up to 39 languages and dialects in a single nation — although that’s a unique and exceptional feat for any country. In recent times, there has been Baahubali, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Raanjhana, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Shamitabh and several others, that consolidate this North-South cinematic marriage, inviting talents from north and south of the Vindhyas.

Look at both the behemoths that went head-to-head recently. SS Rajamouli's Telugu film Baahubali was presented by Bollywood’s Karan Johar. Originally made as a Telugu-Tamil bilingual, the film also released in Hindi and Malayalam versions. The film has earned over Rs 350 crore worldwide in just 10 days, according to The Indian Express. It is inspired by Pasivadi Pranam in Telugu, a Chiranjeevi starrer of 1987. Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Kabir Khan’s Salman Khan-starrer, has been produced by Salman Khan in collaboration with Rockline Venkatesh, a Bengaluru-based Kannada producer and actor.