Bollywood stars like Saif Ali Khan, Bobby Deol, Emraan Hashmi, Deepika Padukone, and Janhvi Kapoor are reaping the benefits of taking on roles in big-budget South films.
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These roles not only pay them double their usual fees but also require fewer days of dates as they usually play supporting roles and not leads.
This trend is born out of the shift by South makers who want to capture both the Hindi and international markets by having popular Bollywood faces, despite South stars leading the projects.
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The high remuneration Bollywood stars get reflects the added market value they bring to these films.
For Bollywood actors, shooting for a South project generally lasts around 30 days as compared to the usual two or three months for a Hindi film which makes it an attractive option. Less work more money!
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South filmmakers see Bollywood stars as a gateway to expand the reach of their films, particularly in the Hindi belts. Featuring a Bollywood actor enhances the film’s appeal in the North, which can drive up revenues from theatrical sales, OTT rights, and music sales.
Trade experts also note that the crossover works both ways.
For Bollywood stars, south films offer an opportunity to reach new audiences and reinvent themselves.
Established names like Sanjay Dutt, Emraan Hashmi, Saif Ali Khan, and Bobby Deol are no longer cast as leads in Hindi films. They have now found a renewed career in the South industry through villain roles.
For instance, Sanjay Dutt has acted in KGF and Leo, while Saif Ali Khan and Bobby Deol have recently joined projects like Devara and Kanguva.
Industry experts explain that the appeal of South films lies not only in their high remunerations and pan-India releases but also in trustworthy and fast payments and smooth shooting schedules, which makes them more attractive for Bollywood stars to accept roles.
