Vipul Amrutlal Shah spoke at the recent press conference of Cine Talkies, where he passionately addressed the need to unify Indian cinema, urging the media and audiences to stop using divisive terms like Bollywood, Tollywood, and Kollywood. “Bharat ka cinema ek cinema hai,” Shah declared, emphasizing that these regional labels create unnecessary separations and prevent the industry from being recognized as a singular, collective force.
Shah’s viewpoint aligns with that of iconic figures like Amitabh Bachchan, who have long criticized the term Bollywood for reducing the richness and diversity of Indian cinema to a single, narrow identity.
He also highlighted the shared legacy across regions, noting that many filmmakers in the South draw inspiration from classic Bachchan films. “When we talk to our friends from the South, many of them mention that they draw inspiration from old Bachchan films. These films continue to influence filmmakers, especially in South India,” he said. This mutual respect for each other’s work shows that Indian cinema is a unified entity that transcends language and regional boundaries.
The success of films like Pushpa 2 further strengthens Shah’s point. Despite being a South Indian film, Pushpa 2 achieved record-breaking numbers in Hindi-speaking regions, proving that regional cinema can resonate with audiences across the country. Shah stated, “The numbers that Pushpa 2 has achieved in Hindi-speaking regions speak volumes. The reach of cinema is pan-Indian, and that's how it should be viewed — as one cinema, not divided into regions."
With increasing collaborations and cross-regional success, it is clear that celebrating Indian cinema as one is the way forward. As Shah aptly puts it, “Woods to Roots” is the right approach — reflecting the unity and interconnectedness of Indian cinema, which binds together diverse narratives and cultures under one shared identity.