Abhimanyu Singh on Bollywood vs South cinema: 'Good work happens in both'
Synopsis
Abhimanyu Singh has a simple answer to the Bollywood-vs-South debate: there is no debate. Speaking about his work on 'Inspector Avinash 2', the actor also revealed how he isolated himself socially and underwent a physical transformation to play the feminine character Devi — and why shooting both seasons back-to-back was the key to keeping the story's emotional core intact.
Key Takeaways
Abhimanyu Singh dismissed the perception that South cinema is more disciplined than Bollywood , saying professionalism exists in both.
He recently appeared in 'Inspector Avinash' Season 2 , playing a character named Devi .
To prepare, he arrived on set days early, avoided socialising, and spent extended time alone to stay in the character's emotional state.
The physical transformation — including wearing a saree — was described as 'very challenging' and required significant effort.
Both seasons of 'Inspector Avinash' were shot together and later split for release, preserving continuity and emotional flow.
Actor Abhimanyu Singh has pushed back against the widely held perception that South Indian cinema operates with greater discipline and punctuality than Bollywood, saying he sees no meaningful difference between the two industries.
No Industry Divide, Says Abhimanyu
When asked whether he noticed a contrast in working culture after spending time on South productions, Abhimanyu was direct. 'People are punctual here as well, and large-scale films are being made with great professionalism. Good work happens in both industries, so I personally do not differentiate between them,' he said. The debate over industry culture is a recurring one in Indian film circles, with several actors having previously credited South productions for their stricter scheduling. Abhimanyu's view offers a counter-narrative from someone who has worked across both.
Inside His Transformation for 'Inspector Avinash 2'
Abhimanyu was most recently seen in the second season of the web series 'Inspector Avinash', where he played a character named Devi — a role that demanded both psychological and physical transformation. He revealed that he arrived on set several days before the shoot began, deliberately withdrawing from social interactions to stay immersed in the character's emotional world. 'I spent a lot of time alone and avoided socialising because I wanted to stay connected with the emotional state of the character,' he said. On the physical side, the challenge was considerable. 'Wearing a saree and getting ready in a feminine look required a lot of effort and dedication. I am grateful that the audience appreciated it,' he added.
Why Both Seasons Felt Like One Journey
Returning for a second season of a successful show carries its own weight, and Abhimanyu acknowledged the pressure. However, he noted that the production structure of 'Inspector Avinash' worked in the cast's favour — both seasons were shot together and later split into two parts for release. 'Since we had already completed the shoot together, the continuity and emotional flow remained intact,' he said. This approach, increasingly common in streaming productions, allowed the creative team to maintain consistency in performance and narrative without the gap that typically disrupts returning seasons.
What This Signals for Streaming Storytelling
Abhimanyu's experience with 'Inspector Avinash' reflects a broader shift in how Indian OTT platforms are structuring long-form content — shooting multi-season arcs in a single block to preserve creative momentum. As the competition between Hindi and South content intensifies on streaming platforms, actors who can move fluidly between industries and formats are increasingly in demand. Abhimanyu's refusal to draw a hard line between Bollywood and South cinema may well reflect where the industry is heading.
Point of View
With each crossover hit from the South reigniting claims about superior production culture. Abhimanyu Singh's pushback is notable precisely because it comes from an actor with direct experience on both sides — not a defensive insider. The more substantive story here is the production model: shooting multi-season arcs in one block is quietly becoming the OTT standard, and it changes how actors build and sustain characters. That structural shift deserves more attention than the culture war it sidesteps.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Abhimanyu Singh say about Bollywood and South cinema?
Abhimanyu Singh said he sees no difference in professionalism between the two industries, stating that people are punctual and large-scale films are made with dedication in both. He said he personally does not differentiate between Bollywood and South cinema.
What is Abhimanyu Singh's role in 'Inspector Avinash' Season 2?
Abhimanyu Singh plays a character named Devi in the second season of 'Inspector Avinash'. The role required both mental immersion and a significant physical transformation, including wearing a saree and adopting a feminine appearance.
How did Abhimanyu Singh prepare for the character Devi?
He arrived on set several days before filming began and deliberately avoided socialising to stay connected with the character's emotional state. On the physical side, he underwent a transformation that he described as very challenging and requiring considerable effort.
Why were both seasons of 'Inspector Avinash' shot together?
The production chose to shoot both seasons simultaneously and later release them in two parts. Abhimanyu noted this approach kept the continuity and emotional flow of the story intact, avoiding the disruption that typically comes with returning to a character after a long gap.
Is the back-to-back season shooting model common in Indian OTT?
It is becoming increasingly common. Streaming platforms are structuring long-form content as single extended shoots split into multiple seasons for release, a model that helps maintain creative and narrative consistency across episodes.
