Producer Prerna Arora On How She Breaks Language Barriers In Her New Film Hero

On May 4, 2024

Updated May 4, 2024, 14:41 IST

In Hero Heeroine, Hindi actors immerse themselves in a Telugu setting in Hyderabad and speak Telugu dialogues to bridge cultural divides. Prerna Arora who has produced many Bollywood movies, gets candid and speaks about breaking language barriers.

Producer Prerna Arora On How She Breaks Language Barriers In Her New Film Hero Heeroine | EXCLUSIVE

Prerna Arora‘s recent production, Hero Heeroine takes a daring step and casts Hindi actors in a Telugu setting hence fostering breaking barriers- language and cultural. She also talks about how, with the advent of OTT platforms, audiences have become more open to fresh ideas. Here’s what she said about her ground-breaking ideas!

You proposed a groundbreaking idea during your discussion with Director Suresh Krissna to create a film Hero Heeroine featuring Hindi actors in a Telugu setting?

Yes, the concept involved imagining a world where Hindi actors resided in Hyderabad from the start, akin to South actors living in Mumbai and working in Hindi cinema, speaking Telugu dialogues. I reasoned that just as Tamil actors and singers found acceptance in Hindi cinema, the same could happen for Telugu audiences. With the advent of OTT platforms, subtitles, and innovative concepts gaining traction, audiences have become more open to fresh ideas. I firmly believe that the South Indian audience would embrace this unique approach.

Has this concept worked as planned?

The concept has materialised into reality, with Telugu dialogues penned down and actors diligently working with Telugu tutors to perfect their lines. As the film gears up for shooting, scheduled to commence on June 10th in Hyderabad, my vision is taking shape once again. Just as I introduced novel concepts in movies like Padman and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, I continue to push boundaries with my innovative ideas in cinema.

I remember when K Balachander’s Ek Duuje Ke Liye was released back in 1982, featuring an unusual love story between a Tamilian boy and a Punjabi girl , many wondered how it would ever be successful?

That’s right! There were scenes of the Tamil family conversing in Tamil among themselves, and there were no subtitles provided at that time. S.P. Balasubramaniam, a South Indian singer, was singing Hindi songs, while Mr. K. Balachander, also a South Indian, was directing the movie. L.V. Prasad, another South Indian, was producing the movie. In short, it was a pan-Indian effort in 1982. Most of the technical team, including the director of photography, editor, action master, and choreographer, were from South India. Many were skeptical of the movie’s success. We have to follow this pattern: any Indian language is as accessible as Hindi.

Ek Duuje Ke Liye had difficulty selling itself to Mumbai distributors?

True! Shri Gulshan Rai, the distributor of the film, initially refused to distribute it, citing concerns about the audience’s reception to a Tamil hero and the theme of a love story between individuals from North and South India. However, after a request from L.V. Prasad, he agreed to release the film solely on a distribution basis. Once the film was released, on the very first day, its success was evident. It quickly became one of the biggest blockbusters of all time, demonstrating that audiences readily embraced the love story between a South Indian and North Indian. Language was not an issue ,instead it was a plus and pleasant to such a new concept.

Now of course audiences are open to films in all languages not just in India but outside, thanks to the OTT platform?

Over time, numerous actors, technicians, and singers have seamlessly transitioned between South and North Indian cinema, enriching both industries. For instance, in Hindi films, we’ve seen South Indian actors Vidya Balan, Hema Malini, Jaya Prada, Sridevi, Rekha, Priyamani, Anand Ranganathan, Madhavan, Dulquer Salman, Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara, Kamal Haasan, Rajnikanth, and many others. Similarly, South Indian singers like Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan, Chitra, and SPB have made significant contributions to Hindi cinema.

The movement from Filmistan to the South cinema has also been significant?

In South Indian cinema, actors such as Kajal Aggarwal, Raashi Khanna, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Paresh Rawal, Sayaji Shinde, and Neil Mukesh have left their mark. Additionally, singers like Udit Narayan, and Shreya Ghoshal are immensely popular for their singing and diction in South Indian languages. This cross-cultural exchange not only broadens the horizons of artists but also fosters a deeper connection among audiences across regions. With Hero Heeroine I hope to break the invisible wall between North and South cinema even further.