By Maansi V

Copyright gqindia

Over the years, regional movies (from the Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Marathi industries) have transcended language barriers to win the hearts of audiences across India. With powerful stories, larger-than-life characters, and universal emotions, these movies have reached far beyond their home states to become pan-India blockbusters, with some even being remade in Hindi. Ranging from action-packed spectacles to emotional dramas, they have shown that great cinema speaks a language of its own. Today, let’s embark on a cinematic journey with the following movies that have made headlines across the country.
7 regional movies that became pan-India blockbusters: Baahubali, RRR, Kantara & more
1. Drishyam – YouTube
Georgekutty (Mohanlal) is a humble cable TV operator living a quiet life in a small village in Kerala with his wife, Rani, and their two daughters. Though uneducated, he is a sharp, observant man with a deep love for cinema, often drawing inspiration from movies to deal with life’s challenges. Their lives take a dark turn when Varun, the spoiled son of the Inspector General of Police, tries to blackmail Georgekutty’s elder daughter with an inappropriate video. Tragedy strikes, and George is forced to use his wit and knowledge gained from movies to save his family. Despite relentless pressure and interrogation from the police, he manages to protect his family. The movie masterfully blends suspense, emotion, and clever twists, with the climax revealing his masterstroke. The movie was later remade in Hindi with Ajay Devgn stepping into Mohanlal’s shoes.
2. Kantara – Netflix
Kantara is a unique mix of folklore, action, and spirituality rooted in the culture of coastal Karnataka. The story revolves around the age-old practice of Bhoota Kola (a traditional ritual performance honouring local deities) and the clash between villagers’ faith in their traditions and the state’s forest department enforcing modern laws. Released with little publicity outside Karnataka, Kantara grew purely through word of mouth. Its authentic storytelling, rooted culture, and jaw-dropping climax connected with audiences everywhere. The movie became a nationwide blockbuster, entering the Rs 400 crore club and showing that local folklore can resonate universally.
3. Sairat – ZEE5
Parshya is a bright, cricket-loving village boy, while Archie is confident, outspoken, and fiercely independent. Despite their stark social differences, the two fall deeply in love. Their relationship blossoms in secrecy with playful moments, stolen glances, and youthful passion. But when their affair comes to light, they face opposition from Archie’s influential family. The couple elopes to the city, hoping for freedom and a new beginning. For a while, they built a modest life together, even welcoming a baby. Just when it seems they have carved out happiness, the story takes a devastating turn. Sairat became the highest-grossing Marathi movie ever, drawing audiences across India with its raw storytelling and emotional depth. It spawned remakes in multiple languages, including Hindi (Dhadak), Punjabi (Channa Mereya), and Kannada (Manasu Mallige).
4. Baahubali – JioHotstar
Rajamouli’s Baahubali saga is a grand two-part epic that redefined Indian cinema’s scale and ambition. Combining myth, fantasy, and drama with jaw-dropping visuals, it became the gold standard for regional movies. The story follows the kingdom of Mahishmati, torn by power struggles and betrayal. In Baahubali: The Beginning, Sivudu (Prabhas), a young adventurer, discovers his royal lineage and his connection to the mighty warrior Amarendra Baahubali. He falls in love with warrior Avantika (Tamannaah) and eventually learns about the tragic betrayal that led to his father’s death. The sequel picks up with the backstory: Amarendra, beloved prince of Mahishmati, is betrayed by his cousin Bhallaladeva (Rana Daggubati) and killed by his trusted aide Kattappa (Sathyaraj). The movie then follows Shivudu, who rises to avenge his father’s death and reclaim the throne.
5. RRR – Netflix
A fictionalised historical epic, RRR is set in the 1920s during the British Raj. It tells the story of two freedom fighters and friends – Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem. Alluri (Ram Charan) is an undercover officer working for the British, torn between his duty and his hidden mission to steal weapons for a larger cause. Komaram (NTR Jr.) is a tribal leader who sets out to rescue a young girl from his community, who the British governor’s wife abducts. When the two men cross paths, unaware of each other’s true identities, they form a deep bond of friendship, sharing daring adventures and breathtaking action sequences. But destiny forces them onto opposing sides, leading to intense conflict. Eventually, they unite against their common enemy, the British Empire, delivering high-octane action through an emotionally-charged narrative. The movie became a global sensation with its song Naatu Naatu winning an Oscar for Best Original Score.
6. Katyar Kaljat Ghusali – ZEE5
Based on the classic 1967 Marathi musical play of the same name, the movie is a musical period drama that beautifully brings Hindustani classical music to the big screen. It marks singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan’s acting debut and is remembered for its breathtaking music and performances. Set in pre-independence India, the story revolves around a royal singing competition in a princely state. The two main rivals are Panditji (Shankar Mahadevan), a humble and devout musician who believes music is divine, and Khansaheb Aftab Hussain Bareliwale (Sachin Pilgaonkar), a proud maestro desperate to win recognition at any cost. Their rivalry reaches dramatic heights when Khansaheb, consumed by jealousy after losing, uses deceit and manipulation to claim Panditji’s title and position. The story also highlights Guru–Shishya tradition, musical legacy, and the eternal struggle between ego and art.
7. Pushpa: The Rise – Amazon Prime Video
The movie is a gritty action drama set in the smuggling world of Andhra Pradesh’s Seshachalam forests. The movie marked Allu Arjun’s first true Pan-India release and became a massive sensation across states, thanks to its mass appeal, dialogues, music, and style. The story follows Pushpa Raj (Allu Arjun), a daily wage laborer who rises through the ranks of the red sandalwood smuggling syndicate. His sharp wit, fearless attitude, and unbending willpower make him indispensable to the cartel. As Pushpa climbs higher in the smuggling chain, he makes dangerous enemies, including police officer Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil), whose entry sets the stage for an explosive rivalry. Alongside the action, Pushpa also pursues a tender love story with Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna), adding emotional depth to his character. The movie ends on a high note, teasing the even bigger battles to come in the sequel, Pushpa: The Rule.