The cinematic universe concept, popularized by Hollywood blockbusters like Marvel and DC, has taken the Indian film industry by storm. South Indian directors, in particular, are embracing this formula to weave interconnected narratives and create captivating worlds.

Lokesh Kanagaraj has spearheaded this trend in Tamil cinema. His "Lokesh Cinematic Universe" began with "Khaidi" and continues with "Vikram" and "Leo". Rajinikanth's upcoming "Kooli" will be the fourth installment in this growing saga.

Prashanth Varma has established two distinct cinematic universes. The "KGF" series, featuring "K.G.F: Chapter 1" and "K.G.F: Chapter 2", is now set to expand with "Salar" and a film starring NTR. Furthermore, Varma is launching a superhero franchise with "Hanuman," followed by "Jai Hanuman," "Brahma Rakshasa," and "Adhira." While "Brahma Rakshasa" with Ranveer Singh has been put on hold, the franchise's future remains promising.

Nag Ashwin joined the cinematic universe game with "Kalki 2898 AD," a futuristic epic that promises a series of superhero films with a comedic twist. Rohit Shetty has established a successful cop universe in Hindi cinema. His "Singham" franchise, featuring Ajay Devgn, and the "Simmba" series, starring Ranveer Singh, have garnered significant popularity. The recent "Singam" film also adds to this expanding universe.

Yash Raj Films has also entered the cinematic universe race with its spy thriller franchise. "War," starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff, was the first film in this series, and "War 2" is already in the works.

The success of these cinematic universes suggests that audiences are eager to engage with these interconnected narratives. Each universe is building a dedicated fan base, eager to follow the evolving storylines and characters.

This trend is only expected to grow in the future. More directors are likely to join the cinematic universe race, resulting in an exciting new era of Indian film that transcends individual films and creates interconnected worlds for audiences to explore.