Saif Ali Khan has just stepped out of Bollywood exploring the wide Indian cinema with his first Telugu movie Devara Part 1. He made his South film debut with Koratala Siva directorial alongside Jr. NTR. The versatile actor plays the main antagonist in the action thriller. Experiencing Bollywood and Telugu cinema, Saif Ali Khan has recently addressed the difference between both. 

The actor shared his thoughts about working down in the South after a dynamic career crafted in Indian cinema. Speaking at India Today Conclave Mumbai he highlighted that the Telugu industry is connected with cultural roots and explained his statement by the Baahubali example. He also emphasized that the Telugu industry treats actors well and makes fabulous movies.

Talking about the Telugu industry, Saif Ali Khan said, "Being really rooted with the audience they are making the film for. They (the Telugu industry) are very clear and have a strong understanding. They are grounded in our own culture. Baahubali is an example; it is kind of mythological and historical. Plus, they treat their heroes like gods, which, in a sense, is what commercial cinema should be."

He continued, "The way they shoot is kind of phenomenal. We are in the same country, but it is an entirely different kind of industry. The language is different, but once the camera is on, and you are acting, it becomes a universal language. Koratala Siva (Devara director) said he would help me and cue me and I took it quite quickly. There were pages of dialogue, but it was thrilling."

He further added, "They are making amazing movies there, which are very successful, and they shape them, mound them and treat their heroes amazingly. They make fab films. As an actor in Mumbai, if I'm good with the language and if I am not just speaking English, and they are dubbing it later, it is a new horizon for me." 

Devara Part 1 is an action thriller also starring Jr. NTR, Janhvi Kapoor alongside Saif Ali Khan. Directed by Koratala Siva, the film is co-produced by Yuvasudha Arts and N. T. R. Arts. The film opened in cinemas on September 27, 2024.