Pawan Kalyan Slams Bollywood for ‘Buffoonery’, Says South Cinema Is More Rooted in Indian Culture

Telugu actor and Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Pawan Kalyan, has stirred debate with his recent remarks about Bollywood. In an interview with Organizer Weekly, the actor-politician took aim at what he calls the “globalised, money-chasing” nature of Hindi cinema, contrasting it with South Indian films that, in his view, remain more faithful to Indian cultural values.

Dismissing the umbrella term “Indian cinema,” Pawan Kalyan emphasised that each regional film industry should be seen as a separate creative entity with its strengths. “It is very rare to find Hindi films rooted in Indian traditions,” he said, claiming that Bollywood has gradually lost its cultural essence.

He further added that Hindi films have become more business-oriented over time, saying, “Especially Hindi cinema was influenced by globalisation. Since then, there are some movies which created buffoonery out of culturally connected characters.” Labelling the trend as “buffoonery,” he pointed to how certain characters and storylines have become caricatures, removed from any sense of Indian ethos.

In contrast, Kalyan praised South Indian cinema for continuing to tell stories that are more in tune with Indian identity. He cited the example of Dangal, starring Aamir Khan, as one of the few recent Hindi films that felt truly rooted. “Dangal represents Indian culture. It was a rooted film that has a connection with your Bharateeyata. That kind of cinema has become rare these days,” he said.

Kalyan’s critique comes at a time when South Indian cinema is gaining pan-India traction for its storytelling, values, and cultural depth—qualities he feels Bollywood is increasingly abandoning in favour of westernised narratives and commercial appeal.

Pawan Kalyan’s upcoming films

On the professional front, Pawan Kalyan is gearing up for a series of major film releases. His period action drama Hari Hara Veera Mallu is set for release on July 24, 2025. Following that, They Call Him OG is expected to hit theatres on September 25, 2025, and Ustaad Bhagat Singh is also in the pipeline.

The actor’s dual presence in cinema and politics continues to make headlines, and his latest comments are likely to spark debate across the film industry.