South Indian cinema's influence reigns as Bollywood gears up for a blockbuster 2026

THE trend of the past few years of expansive backdrops and the blurring of the distinction between Hindi and South Indian cinema will continue in 2026.

With the success of movies made in the South in Hindi versions as well, Telugu filmmakers in particular are expected to pull out all the stops for big-budget extravaganzas to delight audiences. The most hyped expectations have been created by Ramayana - the tale of the mythological epic starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash, being made in two parts - as has also become the trend with blockbusters of the past few years.

The top Khans in the industry, Shah Rukh and Salman, will be back on screen with - if advance posters showing their bloodied faces in closeups are any indication - them also adopting the violence that has become popular with audiences.

Shah Rukh, long having designated himself the King of Bollywood, will feature in a film accordingly titled King; with his daughter Suhana and Deepika Padukone. Salman will be seen in Battle of Galwan, sporting a patriotic military look that has already had his die-hard fans raving.

South Indian superstar Rajinikanth will return in 2026 with a sequel to his 2003 hit Jailer alongside Vidya Balan, while Vijay’s final film before taking on a political mantle will be Jana Nayagan. One of the most iconic Bollywood war films, Border, with its superb music by Anu Malik released almost three decades ago, will have a sequel that will release around India’s Independence Day on August 15, due to its theme of patriotic soldiers.

Also expected to release at the same time is Fauji, in which Prabhas plays a soldier in a war drama set in the 1940s. War of a different sort is the theme of Love and War, a romantic drama directed by ace filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. It is expected to release in March.

March is going to be a highly-competitive screen month, with Yash returning alongside Nayantara and Kiara Advani in the dark gangster thriller Toxic. Amid all this serious stuff, there is also Prabhas again in the horror-comedy The Raja Saab and fast-rising Jahnvi Kapoor in a sports drama, with music by the internationally-renowned AR Rahman. There is lots to look forward to in 2026.

Fakir Hassen is a veteran Bollywood critic who has written three books on the subject.

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