KGF 2, RRR, Pushpa: The southern Indian films winning on Bollywood’s turf

Over decades, many filmmakers have attempted to make “pan-Indian” films that appeal to audiences across the country – a major challenge considering the diversity of languages and cultures in India. Some, like Tamil directors Mani Ratnam and Shankar, succeeded once in a while with films that addressed larger, “national” anxieties, dramatic love stories or grand productions featuring big stars.