The South film industry has made very good films, and will continue to make them, says Anil Kapoor

At the trailer launch for Anil Kapoor’s next film Thar (2022) earlier this week, the veteran actor was asked about South films making an impact among audiences and their competition with Hindi cinema. He replied that good films were always being made in the South.

Citing the examples of Ram Aur Shyam (1967) and Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Kapoor said audiences have always liked content from the South. “They have made very good films, and will continue to make them,” he said. “They have always been a kind of inspiration. I started my career from the South.”

Anil Kapoor’s first film as leading man was Vamsa Vruksham (1980, Telugu). He recalled how he learnt professionalism, dedication and discipline from the sets of the Bapu film. Later, he did a Kannada film with Mani Ratnam titled Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983) and has worked on several Hindi adaptions of South films.

“The [South industry] has always produced good stories and technical expertise,” the veteran added. “That era was present back then, is there now, and will continue. Good films will come, and they do good work. I always look forward to great directors with a great vision.”

Anil stars with son Harshvarrdhan Kapoor in the upcoming Western noir on 6 May. He also has the family entertainer JugJugg Jeeyo (2022) with Neetu Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Kiara Advani lined up.

Next year, he will be seen in two eagerly awaited titles — Siddharth Anand's Fighter (2023) with Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal (2023), starring Ranbir Kapoor.