Keerthy Suresh on South vs Bollywood: 'South is more spontaneous'
Synopsis
Keerthy Suresh says South filmmaking is 'more spontaneous' — no lengthy prep, sometimes meeting co-stars on the day of the shoot itself. As she steps into Bollywood with YRF's 'Akka' on Netflix, the 'Mahanati' star is embracing both worlds, while delivering a sharp insider comparison that cuts through the usual industry diplomacy.
Key Takeaways
Keerthy Suresh says South cinema is 'more spontaneous' than Bollywood , which invests heavily in pre-production and actor training.
She stars as Bhavani in 'Akka' , directed by Dharmaraj Shetty and backed by YRF Entertainment .
The film also stars Radhika Apte , Tanvi Azmi , Mahesh Manjrekar , Anshuman Pushkar , and Monica Panwar . 'Akka' will stream on Netflix , targeting audiences across India and internationally.
Keerthy noted that in South productions, she has sometimes met co-stars for the first time on the day of the shoot.
Actor Keerthy Suresh, best known for her award-winning portrayal in 'Mahanati', is making a confident entry into Bollywood with her upcoming film 'Akka' — and she is already drawing contrasts between the two industries she now straddles.
Two Industries, Two Approaches
Speaking during a promotional interaction for 'Akka' alongside co-star Radhika Apte, Keerthy opened up about the differences in filmmaking culture between Hindi cinema and the South film industry. She noted that Bollywood places considerably more emphasis on pre-production, while her experience down South has been markedly more improvisational.
"It's a very different process altogether. Like script readings and the prep work, everything that goes here. There's a lot of time that we spend in pre-production in terms of training the actors, interacting with them, meeting all the other actors, whereas in South it's more spontaneous. I kind of like both," she said.
Keerthy elaborated further, noting that the spontaneous nature of South productions occasionally means meeting co-stars for the first time on the day of the shoot itself. "So there it's very spontaneous. There's not much prep work unless and until it's a very particular kind of character where you need a lot of effort. Most of the things are spontaneous. Sometimes I've met other actors or other important co-actors on set, probably that day of the shoot. So I kind of like working on both," she added.
About 'Akka' and Her Character Bhavani
Directed by Dharmaraj Shetty and backed by YRF Entertainment, 'Akka' features an ensemble cast that includes Tanvi Azmi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Anshuman Pushkar, and Monica Panwar in supporting roles. The film will stream on Netflix, taking the story to audiences across India and internationally.
Keerthy plays Bhavani, a character she describes as a woman of deep conviction and authority. "Bhavani is a woman who knows what she stands for and will go to great lengths to protect her legacy. What makes her interesting is that beneath her strength and authority are choices that are never easy, especially when the stakes are so high," she said.
On Her Dynamic with Radhika Apte
Keerthy highlighted that the contrasting energies of her character and Radhika Apte's character Rudra add dramatic tension to the narrative. "Working with Radhika was amazing because Bhavani and Rudra bring such different energies to the story, and their dynamic adds another layer of tension to the narrative," she noted.
She also expressed gratitude toward her production partners, adding: "It's been wonderful partnering with YRF Entertainment to bring this story to life and with Netflix to take Akka to audiences across India and beyond. I hope audiences enjoy discovering the many sides of Bhavani as the story unfolds."
What to Expect
With 'Akka' positioned as a significant Bollywood debut moment for Keerthy, the film is set to test whether her South industry stardom translates for wider Hindi-speaking audiences. Industry observers will be watching closely, given that YRF Entertainment and Netflix together represent a formidable distribution and streaming combine for a crossover project.
Point of View
Often at the cost of collaborative ensemble prep. Bollywood's pre-production rigour, by contrast, is partly a response to its ensemble-cast, urban multiplex audience. As crossover projects like 'Akka' become more common, the tension between these two cultures will only grow. Whether YRF and Netflix can bridge that gap — commercially and creatively — is the more interesting question than any single interview quote.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Keerthy Suresh say about the difference between South cinema and Bollywood?
Keerthy Suresh says Bollywood involves extensive pre-production including script readings, actor training, and cast interactions, while South cinema is 'more spontaneous' with less structured prep work. She added that she has sometimes met important co-stars for the first time on the day of the shoot in South productions.
What is the film 'Akka' about and who is in it?
'Akka' is a drama directed by Dharmaraj Shetty and produced by YRF Entertainment, starring Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte in lead roles. The supporting cast includes Tanvi Azmi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Anshuman Pushkar, and Monica Panwar.
Where will 'Akka' be available to watch?
'Akka' will stream on Netflix, with YRF Entertainment distributing the film to audiences across India and internationally.
Who does Keerthy Suresh play in 'Akka'?
Keerthy Suresh plays Bhavani, described as a strong-willed woman who 'knows what she stands for and will go to great lengths to protect her legacy,' facing choices that are never easy when the stakes are high.
What is Keerthy Suresh known for before her Bollywood debut?
Keerthy Suresh is best known for her critically acclaimed performance in the Telugu biographical film 'Mahanati', for which she won the National Film Award for Best Actress. She has established herself as a leading star in South Indian cinema before her crossover into Bollywood.
