NEW DELHI, Feb 4: Actor Huma Qureshi has rejected the ongoing debate about the North versus South Indian cinema, stating that instead of getting caught up in these “petty” rivalries, the Indian film industry should collaborate to produce its own versions of popular global franchises such as “Avatar,” “Squid Game,” and “Money Heist.”
Qureshi emphasized that India has a single film industry and that anyone familiar with creativity or market economics would understand the benefits of unity among artists nationwide.
“This debate is quite trivial; we are one nation. A film like ‘Drishyam’ resonates with audiences across the country. We must discover storytellers from every corner of India. Given the current global landscape, our focus should be on identifying the unique Indian narratives we can present to the world. Where is India’s ‘Squid Game’? Why can’t we create our own version of ‘Avatar’?”
“These are the essential questions to explore. The entire industry should unite to find answers, instead of indulging in divisive discussions about which regional cinema is gaining more traction. I find this debate to be quite foolish—it’s great for generating headlines but lacks substance,” the “Maharani” star shared with PTI during the recent Kerala Literature Festival (KLF).
Having starred in South Indian films, including Rajinikanth’s “Kaala” (2018) and Ajith’s “Valimai” (2022), as well as the Malayalam film “White” (2016) alongside Mammootty, Qureshi remarked that the collaboration among artists from different regions is not a new trend.
“I feel fortunate to have worked in South Indian cinema, and I look forward to more opportunities, as it offers so much learning,” she noted.
The 38-year-old actress, who made her literary debut last year with the fantasy novel “Zeba: An Accidental Superhero,” admitted that writing a book felt “a bit brave” for her.
“I felt nervous before releasing my first book. As an actor, I often get misquoted in interviews, and people tend to create controversies for clickbait,” she explained. “Yet here I am, voluntarily sharing my thoughts in a book format, which could potentially go wrong. Hence, I experienced the usual anxieties authors face during publication.”
The novel is set in a fictional kingdom called Khudir, where the protagonist, Zeba, an accidental superhero, is tasked with saving her beloved world from The Great Khan, a tyrant with malicious intentions.
Growing up with a love for reading, Qureshi noted that her tastes have evolved, shifting from Enid Blyton’s “Famous Five” and “Malory Towers” to Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes,” and now towards popular autobiographies and self-help books.
So, what inspired her to choose fantasy fiction for her debut?
“It allows you to envision a better world than the one we inhabit,” she stated.
Currently, Qureshi is filming for the fourth season of “Maharani” and will also appear in the third season of “Delhi Crime” and “Jolly LLB 3.” (PTI)
