New Delhi, July 9 -- Even as the Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu film industries reel under a lean spell, a clutch of small- and mid-budget films, particularly from the south, has helped the business stay afloat.

Trade experts say the success of movies like Tourist Family, Dragon and Alappuzha Gymkhana in Tamil and Malayalam has brought some respite, thanks to their connection with regional audiences and emotionally engaging storytelling.

Despite limited marketing and relatively less familiar faces, these films have managed to draw audiences to theatres, signaling a shift in the traditionally star-driven ecosystem.

What's also helping is the reasonably priced tickets in southern theatres, which encourage viewers to take chances on lesser-know...