In the context of Telugu filmmakers doing films with non-Telugu heroes like Dhanush, Dulquer Salmaan and Rishab Shetty, an interesting narrative is building up. Telugu movie buffs (not all but a section) are wondering why our filmmakers couldn't have done 'Sita Ramam', 'Lucky Baskhar', 'SIR', the upcoming 'Kubera' and 'Jai Hanuman' with Telugu heroes. After all, a lot of our actors are hungry for good scripts. Sharwanand, Vijay Deverakonda and Naga Shaurya, among others, would be more than willing to go big.
The truth of the matter is that pan-Indian cinema is a phenomenon that will work both ways. Actors like Prabhas will be approached by non-Telugu filmmakers and banners. T-Series has worked with him. Om Raut has worked with him. And Lokesh Kanagaraj might work with him.
You can't gloat when a Lokesh teams up with a Telugu hero but be disappointed when a Venky Atluri, a Sekhar Kammula or a Prasanth Varma signs up a non-Telugu hero.
Some Telugu actors have struggled to maintain consistency. Their theatrical pull has been uneven. Sree Vishnu couldn't garner audiences for 'Swag' despite its above-average content. Of course, actors like Dhanush and DQ, too, have not had duds in their home territories. But they have the ability to anchor heavy, serious subjects, which makes certain filmmakers like Kammula and Atluri to overlook their inconsistency on the commercial front.
