Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who previously attracted significant attention for his remarks on Sanatan Dharma, recently expressed concerns that Bollywood’s dominance is marginalizing regional cinema from various northern languages. Speaking at a literary event in Kozhikode, Kerala, Udhayanidhi argued that while Hindi films are widely produced and promoted, regional languages such as Marathi, Gujarati, Bhojpuri, Bihari, and Haryanvi are sidelined within their states.

“Mumbai is focused primarily on Hindi film production, with limited representation for Marathi, Bhojpuri, Bihari, and Gujarati cinema. Several northern states don’t even have their robust film industries,” Udhayanidhi noted, according to *India Today*. He emphasized that Mumbai, the heart of Bollywood, is based in Maharashtra—a state where Marathi is the official language—yet Marathi cinema often receives less attention than Hindi.

Drawing comparisons with the South, Udhayanidhi, who has a background in Tamil cinema as an actor and producer, highlighted the thriving nature of southern film industries. He pointed out that Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinemas have seen immense growth, stating, “The Tamil film industry now generates billions in revenue. Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada films are also booming. Are there any northern language industries as vibrant as those in the South?”

Udhayanidhi also delved into the history of Tamil cinema, recalling that in the 1950s, it was “heavily Sanskritized” and accessible mainly to upper-caste affluent audiences. He credited the Dravidian movement with transforming Tamil cinema into a more inclusive platform, making it accessible to people across all backgrounds.

In a swift response, Tamil Nadu BJP Vice-President Narayanan Thirupathy criticized Udhayanidhi’s statements, labelling him a “failed actor” and accusing him of trying to sow division. “He speaks out of immaturity and a lack of understanding…they are attempting to divide the country. Ironically, his own production company profits greatly from Hindi versions of Tamil films. To make money, they cater to Hindi-speaking audiences, but politically, they discourage people from learning Hindi,” Thirupathy argued.

This exchange underscores the ongoing debate in India regarding the role of Hindi and regional languages in the arts, as well as the cultural and economic influence of Bollywood versus regional cinemas. Udhayanidhi’s comments reflect concerns that Bollywood’s dominance in the North sidelines other linguistic identities, while his critics argue that his stance on Hindi is politically motivated. This dialogue highlights the complex relationship between language, culture, and cinema in India’s diverse landscape.