Vicky Kaushal's Bollywood film Chhaava is on a riot at the box office, growing stronger with each passing day in both North America and the northern belt.
In comparison, the Telugu industry-known for its larger-than-life pan-India films like the recent Kalki 2898 AD and Devara-often relies heavily on excessive VFX or an excessively boring runtime in the name of world-building.
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Telugu filmmakers also tend to boast about their visual effects, even when the final output isn't particularly impressive.
However, Chhaava stands apart because it avoids forced VFX and instead relies on drama to drive its historical narrative. While the film's foundation could have been stronger, those who have watched Chhaava can appreciate that it doesn't include unnecessary VFX just to create a "wow" factor or lure audiences with grand visuals.
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Recently, even a non-VFX film like Thandel incorporated a forced patriotic angle. In contrast, Chhaava, being a historical drama, integrates patriotism organically. This is why the last 30 to 40 minutes of the film work so effectively for most audiences and have contributed to the overwhelmingly positive talk.
Surprisingly, Chhaava's makers chose not to release the film in multiple languages, believing it was meant solely for Hindi audiences. However, with growing demand from Telugu viewers for a dubbed version, it remains to be seen whether they will consider expanding its reach, especially as the film enters its second week in theaters.
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Chhaava serves as a wake-up call for some Tollywood producers and filmmakers who believe that only excessive VFX big-budget films can make an impact.
If Bollywood continues to focus on well-made epic period dramas, it's only a matter of time before it dominates every regional industry. However, to maximize its potential, the Hindi film industry must expand its reach into southern markets to drive higher footfalls and revenues.