The popularity of crossover films could be largely attributed to the growing number of Indian immigrants in various countries and the increasing demand for films that are closer to reality and stimulate the brain, according to crossover filmmakers.

"The last few decades have seen a substantial growth in the number of Indians settling abroad. If we have nearly three million Indians abroad, we have 100 million here who are connected to those abroad," says Anupam Mittal, producer of the multilingual film Flavours.

"Crossover films address the reality of this new generation of Indian immigrants and their relatives and friends. A typical Indian film perhaps does not address this reality and is based more on the past. However, with the foray made by crossover films, this whole new reality is now on the canvas," says a filmmaker dabbling in multilingual films.

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"The audience is also looking out for more intellectual entertainment. No more spoofs, hamming and slapstick comedy. They would rather welcome comedy based on real life
situations. Nor are these people looking at films as a medium of escape as they are popularly believed to be," says Krishna D K, an upcoming film director.

"Indian films have traditionally been based on escapism. But the new generation is not really looking for such fantasies. They want films to reflect them, their lifestyle, their problems, their joys, their lives," he says.

Most of the filmmakers are using the multilingual format since it expresses the Indian reality better than a single language format, says Krishna.

The popularity of crossover films like Hyderabad Blues, Mr And Mrs Iyer, Bend It Like Beckham and Monsoon Wedding are indicative of the void these films have filled for an Indian audience that has grown up in a cosmopolitan culture, he adds.

Crossover films, however, need to address more universal themes if they are to become mainstream cinema, Krishna says.

"They need to move from the urban metro to a more global perspective when it come to themes," adds Mittal.

"We need to reach a time where, if the main protagonist is Indian, we do not need to explain why an Indian protagonist was chosen. Our films need to crossover and address universal themes and be structured on a universal pattern," says Nidimoru.

"Films like Bend It Like Beckham have displayed the box office potential of crossover films in the international market. A strong theme, an effective screenplay, a strong narrative and a strong storyline that displays a reality that is universal is essential for Indian filmmakers to make their mark in the global mainstream," he adds.

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