New Delhi, March 10 -- As South Indian films figure in the first five of the top 10 Indian movies in domestic net collections, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has provided a fine insight into why Bollywood is seen as a laggard: It has forgotten its roots. Khan pointed out that in South cinema, directors tap into strong emotions in their stories.

Aamir Khan was speaking at the press conference of PVR-INOX's "Aamir Khan: Cinema Ka Jadugar" - a special film festival commemorating his contribution to Indian cinema.

Veteran lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar, who moderated the session with Aamir, asked the actor why South films are working in theatres while Hindi films are struggling.

"One of the reasons also is that writers or directors in ...