Ram Charan on Bollywood: 'I don't know Hindi or Telugu cinema, I do Indian films'
Synopsis
Ram Charan isn't ruling out a Bollywood return — he's reframing the question entirely. Rather than committing to a 'Hindi film,' the RRR star says he makes 'Indian films' and wants to work with directors from Mumbai, Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. Over a decade after his only Bollywood lead in the 2013 Zanjeer remake, that answer may be the clearest signal yet of what comes next.
Key Takeaways
Ram Charan says he does not distinguish between Hindi and Telugu cinema, describing his work as 'Indian films.' His only Bollywood lead role was the 2013 remake of Zanjeer , co-starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas .
He made a brief appearance in the song 'Yentamma' in Salman Khan 's Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan ( 2023 ).
He expressed interest in collaborating with directors from Mumbai , Bengal , and Tamil Nadu .
The original 1973 Zanjeer , directed by Prakash Mehra , is considered a landmark in Indian cinema and launched the Salim–Javed –Bachchan partnership.
Ram Charan has broken his silence on the question that has followed him since his 2013 Bollywood debut — when will he return to Hindi cinema? The RRR star's answer is characteristically pan-Indian: he does not see a distinction between Hindi and Telugu films, saying he considers himself a maker of Indian films.
What Ram Charan Said
'I don't know Hindi cinema or Telugu cinema. I'm doing an Indian film. I think let's keep it that way,' the actor said in a recent interview. He went further, expressing a desire to collaborate across regional boundaries. 'I would like to work with a director from Bombay. I'd like to work with a director from Bengal. I would like to work with a director from Tamil Nadu. I'd like to work with everybody,' he added.
His Bollywood History So Far
Ram Charan's only full-length Bollywood outing remains the 2013 remake of the 1973 classic Zanjeer, in which he starred alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas. He played ACP Vijay Khanna, a cop driven by vengeance against his parents' killer — the same role that launched Amitabh Bachchan's iconic 'angry young man' era in the original. The remake was a Telugu-Hindi bilingual production.
His second brush with Hindi films came a decade later — a cameo in the song 'Yentamma' from Salman Khan's 2023 release Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. It was brief, but it kept his Bollywood presence alive.
Notably, the Telugu version of Zanjeer — titled Thoofan — also marked Ram Charan's debut as a playback singer, with the track 'Mumbai Ke Hero', composed by Chirrantan Bhatt.
The Legacy of the Original Zanjeer
The 1973 Zanjeer, directed by Prakash Mehra, starred Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Pran, Ajit Khan, Om Prakash, and Bindu. It was the first major collaboration between the celebrated screenwriting duo Salim–Javed and Bachchan, a partnership that went on to produce blockbusters including Deewaar and Sholay. The film is widely regarded as a landmark in Indian cinema.
What This Signals for Ram Charan's Next Move
Ram Charan's framing — 'Indian films' rather than regional ones — aligns with a broader post-RRR shift in how South Indian stars are positioning themselves nationally. His openness to directors from Mumbai, Bengal, and Tamil Nadu suggests any future Hindi project would likely be a high-profile, cross-industry collaboration rather than a conventional Bollywood signing. Fans and industry watchers will be tracking his next announcement closely.
Point of View
Or whether this remains an aspirational statement. His 2013 Zanjeer remake underperformed commercially, which may explain why the return has been a cameo rather than a commitment. The next move will reveal whether this is a genuine cross-industry vision or a well-managed non-answer.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Ram Charan done a Bollywood film?
Ram Charan's only full-length Bollywood lead role was in the 2013 remake of Zanjeer, where he played ACP Vijay Khanna alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas. He also made a brief cameo in the 2023 film Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.
What did Ram Charan say about doing Hindi films?
Ram Charan said he does not differentiate between Hindi and Telugu cinema, stating: 'I don't know Hindi cinema or Telugu cinema. I'm doing an Indian film.' He also expressed a desire to work with directors from Mumbai, Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
What was the original 1973 Zanjeer about?
The 1973 Zanjeer was directed by Prakash Mehra and starred Amitabh Bachchan as a revenge-driven police officer. It was the first collaboration between screenwriters Salim–Javed and Bachchan, and is regarded as a classic of Indian cinema.
Did Ram Charan sing in any film?
Yes, Ram Charan made his playback singing debut with the song 'Mumbai Ke Hero' in the Telugu version of Zanjeer, titled Thoofan. The track was composed by Chirrantan Bhatt.
Who starred in the 2013 Zanjeer remake?
The 2013 Zanjeer remake starred Ram Charan and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. It was a Telugu-Hindi bilingual production in which Ram Charan played ACP Vijay Khanna.
