p classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;span stylefont-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Baskerville; mso-bidi-font-family: Baskerville; color: black;The rise of the South Indian film industry has been nothing short of remarkable, a true testament to the immense talent and creativity of the filmmakers and actors from the region. In a country that’s long been dominated by Bollywood, movies fromspanp p classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;span stylefont-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Baskerville; mso-bidi-font-family: Baskerville; color: black;the south have come into their own, making a mark on the global stage. spanspan stylefont-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Baskerville; mso-bidi-font-family: Baskerville;In recent years, southern films have become synonymous with big-budget, high-quality productions that showcase the diverse culture, traditions and lifestyles of the five states. With a focus on strong storytelling and well-defined characters, they have struck a chord with audiences both within India and abroad.spanp p classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;span stylefont-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Baskerville; mso-bidi-font-family: Baskerville;span stylemso-spacerun: yes; spanIn fact, the growth and recognition that southern cinema has received in recent years has not only helped generate substantial revenue but also had a significant impact on the wider film industry in India, opening up new markets and providing opportunities for collaboration and exchange between filmmakers from different regions.spanp p classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;span stylefont-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Baskerville; mso-bidi-font-family: Baskerville;span stylemso-spacerun: yes; spanThus, it was fitting for us to foray into the south this year with the first HELLO! Hall of Fame Awards- South. By recognising and celebrating the best and brightest in these varied industries, the awards aim to help raise the bar and encourage talent from the south to continue to push boundaries. spanspan stylefont-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Baskerville; mso-bidi-font-family: FuturaStd-Book;For the first ever HELLO! Hall of Fame Awards - South, actors, innovators, business leaders and the gods and goddesses of glamour from India’s southern states congregated to celebrate the best talent the region has to offer.spanspan stylefont-size: 10.0pt; font-family: FuturaStd-Book,sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: FuturaStd-Book; spanspan stylefont-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Baskerville; mso-bidi-font-family: Baskerville;It was an exclusive, closed-door, intimate affair held over a specially curated sit-down dinner.spanp p classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;span stylefont-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Baskerville; mso-bidi-font-family: FuturaStd-Book;This issue of HELLO! brings you the highlights of the special night and candid chats with our glorious winners.spanp