Pan-Indian film is a term related to Indian cinema that originated with Telugu cinema as a mainstream commercial cinema appealing to audiences across the country with a spread to world markets.^[1][2] S. S. Rajamouli pioneered the pan-Indian films movement with duology of epic action films Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), that changed the face of Indian cinema.^[3][4][5][6] The term "pan-Indian film" is used for a film that is simultaneously marketed and released in multiple languages across India – Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.^[7] Such films make an attempt to appeal to the audiences across the country, cutting across the linguistic, regional and cultural barriers.^[8]

Indian cinema is composed of various language film industries. Films are often remade in other languages, examples being Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana (2005, Telugu) and Chachi 420 (1997, Hindi). Films are also dubbed into other languages and released with localised titles either on the same release date or at a later date. Films such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Enthiran, were dubbed in other Indian languages and were released along with their original versions.^[9]

According to The Times of India, the first pan-Indian film from Kannada cinema is Mahishasura Mardini released in 1959.^[10] It was dubbed and released in seven other languages. But, no other film was released in more than four languages, since then.

Hindi cinema has been remaking South Indian films, in particular Telugu and Tamil films since the late 1940s, some of which went on to become landmark films. Between 2000 and 2019, one in every three successful films made in Hindi was either a remake or part of a series. And most of the star actors, have starred in the hit remakes of South Indian films.^[11][12]

Since 2010s, dubbing and telecasting of South Indian films (primarily Telugu and Tamil) in Hindi became a regular practice by which films from Telugu cinema and Tamil cinema gained popularity in the Hindi speaking regions.^[13] Majority of these films were dubbed after few weeks or months of the original version release.^[14] Similarly, Hindi films were frequently dubbed in Telugu and Tamil languages, but didn't gain as much popularity in Telugu and Tamil speaking regions as Telugu/Tamil films received, except a few like Dangal (2016), M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016),Jawan and Animal .^[15] Over the time, Kannada and Malayalam films were also being dubbed into other languages other than the original version.

In 2015, S. S. Rajamouli's duology of epic action films Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), changed the face of Indian cinema.^[6] The film was released in various languages across the world. Filmmakers started a new film movement, that is, rather than remaking the same film in various languages, they are dubbing the same film in various languages and releasing simultaneously.^[18] Srivatsan S of The Hindu wrote that Telugu cinema has excelled in marketing Pan-Indian films. It primarily employed two strategies – promoting the film outside their home territory and collaborating with other regional stars for more visibility.^[19]

Kannada film K.G.F: Chapter 1 (2018) directed by Prashanth Neel also released in five languages, thereby becoming the first major Pan-Indian film from Kannada cinema.^[20][21] Success of other films like 2.0 (2018), Saaho (2019), Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019) made Pan-Indian films widespread to other major Indian film industries.^[22][23] Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021) is the first major Pan-Indian film from Malayalam cinema.^[24]

Following the success of the Telugu films Pushpa: The Rise (2021) and RRR (2022), Rahul Devulapalli of The Week identified "Content, marketing, [and] indulgent overseas audience" have led to the rise of pan-Indian films from Telugu cinema.^[25]

Actors like Prabhas, Yash, Allu Arjun, Ram Charan, N. T. Rama Rao Jr. enjoyed nationwide popularity among the audiences after the release of their respective Pan-Indian films.^[26] Film critics, journalists and analysts, such as Baradwaj Rangan and Vishal Menon, have labelled Prabhas as the "First legit Pan-Indian Superstar".^[27] IndiaTimes states Prabhas as "a flagbearer of introducing the trend of Pan India films in the nation".^[28][29]

Pan-Indian films also employ actors from different language industry to increase their visibility and bring a universal appeal.^[30][31] In an interview with Film Companion, filmmaker Karan Johar said: "Pan-India is a phenomenon we cannot diminish or dilute."^[32]

In an interview with Deadline Hollywood, actor Jr. NTR expressed his disapproval for the term: "I hate referring to it as 'pan-Indian', it sounds like a frying pan. We just mean it is a film that can travel into all the Indian languages".^[44] Speaking with PTI, Dulquer Salmaan said: "The word pan-India really irks me. I just don't like hearing it. I love that there is so much exchange of talent happening in cinema, it's great, but we are one country. I don't think anyone says pan-America."^[45]

Prabhas, who played the protagonist of Baahubali series, opined that the industry should make "Indian" films instead of "pan-Indian" films.^[46] Actor Siddharth echoed the same. He felt the term pan-Indian was a "very disrespectful word" as its use was limited to non-Hindi films.^[47] Writer-actor Adivi Sesh felt that "the word is somewhat abused," and used like a euphemism for dubbed film.^[48]

Bharti Dubey and Hemachandra Ethamukkala of The Times of India stated that the pan-Indian films have mostly been action films and criticised the perceived violence in such films.^[49] Writing for The Swaddle, Rohitha Naraharisetty feels pan-Indian films glorify toxic masculinity and the "angry young man" archetype, while suffering from underdeveloped and heavily objectified female characters.^[50]

• Parallel cinema
• Transnational cinema
• World cinema