Staying Rooted in Native Storytelling Is the Key to Success, Says Nagarjuna at WAVES Summit 2025
Veteran Tollywood actor Nagarjuna Akkineni emphasized the importance of staying true to native storytelling as the cornerstone of cinematic success, during his address at the WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai. Participating in a panel discussion titled “Pan-Indian Cinema: Myth or Momentum?”, Nagarjuna underscored how deeply rooted cultural narratives have been pivotal in making South Indian films resonate with audiences across India and globally.
Citing the phenomenal success of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa series and Yash’s KGF franchise, Nagarjuna observed that these films earned more revenue in the Hindi-speaking belt than in their native languages. “In states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab, there was a hunger to see larger-than-life heroes. These films delivered that experience while remaining rooted in regional storytelling,” he noted.
He further explained, “For many people in India, daily life can be challenging. Cinema is their escape. When they seek relief, they want to see magic, they want to be transported—and that’s what grand, mythic storytelling does.”
Nagarjuna praised director S.S. Rajamouli for his unwavering dedication to authenticity in Baahubali, saying, “Rajamouli shot Baahubali as a Telugu film, with pride in his language and culture. He didn’t dilute the essence, and the film was loved across the world.”
The Bangarraju actor made a compelling case for embracing Indian cinematic traditions without apology. “In India, we don’t need a superhero serum to show strength. Our heroes, grounded in emotion and tradition, can still fight twenty people single-handedly—and we celebrate that,” he said, drawing a comparison with Western superhero franchises. “If people can believe Superman’s powers, why not our own heroes doing the extraordinary?”
He concluded by saying, “The ticket-paying audience, including me, wants to see our stars be larger than life. When I see Prabhas or Allu Arjun command the screen, I cheer. That connection comes from being rooted.”
The panel also featured actors Anupam Kher, Khushbu Sundar, and Karthi, who echoed similar sentiments about the enduring appeal and cultural depth of Indian cinema. The discussion sparked engaging dialogue on whether the concept of “pan-Indian” cinema is a passing trend or a sustainable model driven by authentic storytelling.
