The Southern film industry has had a great year in 2022 with films roaring at the box office, film stars making pan-India debuts in Bollywood and even directors making a foray with their movies. The gap between South and Bollywood has further diminished this year and many stars became household names breaking their own regional zone.
Here’s looking at some of the movers and shakers who have rightfully jolted everyone from their stupor and made thrilling noise this year with their films, achievements and personal lives.
Raking in the moolah at the box office – RRR, KGF:Chapter 2, Kantara
The pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in 2020 and 2021 kept the theatres shut which resulted in massive loss to the entire film industry as a whole. However, southern films such as RRR, KGF: Chapter 2 and later Kantara ensured that the fraternity gets some reason to rejoice by becoming massive box office hits in 2022. With Rs 240 crore (US$30 million) worldwide on its first day, RRR broke the record for the highest opening-day collection earned by an Indian film and has continued to cast its magic in countries like Japan, UK etc. Yash's KGF: Chapter 2 and Rishab Shetty's Kantara also kept the cash registers ringing and became huge blockbusters in the country as well as overseas. The films were released in multiple Indian languages including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi and spurned the entire north vs south films debate.
Bollywood Debuts in 2022
Several popular south film stars made their foray into Bollywood this year. Vijay Deverakonda made his debut in Karan Johar’s production Liger opposite Ananya Panday. Rashmika Mandanna made her impressive debut opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Goodbye and Naga Chaitanya starred opposite Aamir Khan in Laal Singh Chadha in his first ever Hindi film. Adivi Sesh also made a thrilling debut in Major essaying the role of 26/11 martyr Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. Vijay Sethupathi is also all set to hit Bollywood with his debut opposite Katrina Kaif in Sriram Raghavan’s Merry Christmas. Director Puri Jagannadh also made his foray into the Hindi film industry by directing Liger. Gowtam Tinnanuri made his Hindi film directorial debut with Shahid Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur starrer Jersey.
South going the Bollywood way
2023 will see more names being added to the annals of the Hindi film industry. Nayanthara will lead the way by debuting opposite none-other-than Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan. Director Atlee will also make his directorial debut with Jawan. Thalapathy Vijay is also reportedly will be seen in a cameo in SRK’s Jawan. Samantha Ruth Prabhu will star alongside Ayushmann Khurrana in Dinesh Vijan’s yet-untitled vampire film.
Suriya and Aparna Balamurali win National Award for Soorarai Pottru
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Suriya and Aparna Balamurali both clinched the numero uno awards of Best Actor and Best Actress at the 68th National Film Awards for Soorarai Pottru. The film was written and directed by Sudha Kongara, and produced by Suriya, Jyothika and Guneet Monga. Soorarai Pottru will also be remade in Hindi with Akshay Kumar playing Suriya’s role and Radhika Madan in Aparna Balamurali’s role. Paresh Rawal will reprise his role from the original. The remake will also be directed by Sudha Kongara and produced by Suriya.
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The domination of SS Rajamouli and his film RRR
. @SSRajamouli wins the prestigious New York Film Critics Circle Award for the Best Director! @NYFCC
Words can't do justice to describe how happy and proud we are...
Our heartfelt thanks to the jury for recognising #RRRMovie. pic.twitter.com/zQmen3sz51
— RRR Movie (@RRRMovie) December 3, 2022
SS Rajamouli won the Best Director Award for RRR at the New York Film Critics Circle. He triumphed over the likes of Steven Spielberg, Darron Aronofsky, Sarah Polley, and Gina Prince-Blythewood. The film also secured the 12th position in Rolling Stone's list titled '22 Best Movies of 2022'. RRR has had a roaring time at the box office and collected over Rs 1200 crore worldwide. Although the film missed out on being India’s official entry to the Oscars 2023 but the film has been submitted in all 14 categories under For your consideration (FYC)’ campaign. The film has an ensemble cast of Ram Charan, Jr.NTR, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran and others.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu diagnosed with autoimmune condition called Myositis
Samantha Ruth Prabhu made her fans break into sweat when she revealed that she has been diagnosed with autoimmune condition called myositis. She took to Instagram to announce the unsettling news about her diagnosis. Sharing a picture while undergoing treatment from a hospital in the US she wrote, “Your response to the Yashodha Trailer was overwhelming. It is this love and connection that I share with all of you, that gives me the strength to deal with the seemingly unending challenges that life throws at me. A few months back I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Myositis. I was hoping to share this after it had gone into remission. But it is taking a little longer than I hoped. I am slowly realising that we don’t always need to put up a strong front. Accepting this vulnerability is something that I am still struggling with. The doctors are confident that I will make a complete recovery very soon. I have had good days and bad days…. physically and emotionally…. and even when it feels like I can’t handle one more day of this, somehow that moment passes. I guess it can only mean that I am one more day closer to recovery. THIS TOO SHALL PASS.”
Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan’s marriage and embracing parenthood via surrogacy
On a scale of 10…
She’s Nayan & am the One
With God’s grace , the universe , all the blessings of our parents & best of friends
Jus married #Nayanthara #WikkiNayan #wikkinayanwedding pic.twitter.com/C7ySe17i8F
— Vignesh Shivan (@VigneshShivN) June 9, 2022
Nayanthara and Vighnesh Shivan tied the knot this year in an intimate wedding that was attended by biggies like Rajinikanth, Mani Ratnam, Shah Rukh Khan, and Vijay. Director Atlee was also present at the wedding that took place at a luxury resort in Mahabalipuram.
Later on it was revealed that the couple had registered their marriage six years ago and provided their marriage certificate as proof to the Tamil Nadu government when it was alleged that they broke surrogacy laws after they announced the birth of twin sons named Uyir & Ulagam on October 9.
Commercial surrogacy has been illegal in India since January 25, 2022 and it was alleged that the couple had broken the law. However, Nayanthara and Vignesh provided an affidavit in which it was made clear that the couple’s family doctor had provided a letter of recommendation in 2020 based on which treatment was provided. The couple further clarified that their surrogate was a relative of the actress. Nayanthara and Vignesh mentioned that they registered for surrogacy in December 2021, when commercial surrogacy was legal in India.
These images of Nayanthara and Vignesh have us seeing stars
BRB, we're doing a little happy dance ourselves because THEY’RE coming to Netflixit’s beyond a fairy tale!! pic.twitter.com/14poQwNAZv
— Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) July 21, 2022
Nayanthara and Vignesh’s fairy tale wedding film will stream soon on Netflix.
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