South Asian scholars can learn five essential lessons from Gramsci. First, it is vital to historicize Gramsci's theory in South Asia by assimilating his ideals and conceptual tools when they align with the principles of our native intellectuals from the interwar period. Second, a nation's intellectuals must dialectically engage with the social imaginary of the masses to effect transformation. Gramsci urges intellectuals to heed the protagonist's advice in the Hindi film Chennai Express:’ Don't underestimate the power of the common man.’ However, he also cautions against the opposite extreme of glorifying common sense. A critical respect for understanding the masses and a willingness to learn from and unlearn their feelings and perceptions are crucial for any intellectual project aimed at mass transformation. Third, engaging in dialogue with the subaltern masses may involve multiple pathways, as the social imaginary comprises a hierarchy of consciousness: common sense, religious common sense, folk religion, popular religion, and official religion. Consequently, the transformative project should be plural rather than singular.  Fourth, a modern initiative must be rooted in traditional sectors through dialogue with the masses while pursuing secular and developmental goals. C. R. Das's engagement with religious minorities when introducing universal adult suffrage in the Bengal assembly during the 1920s provides an essential lesson for modern India. Similarly, the dialogues initiated by A. B. Vajpayee with terrorists, Islamic clerics, and Jyoti Basu with community leaders in the Haldia project present compelling cases from India's post-colonial history. Fifth, a philosophical project aimed at achieving hegemony must learn from the strengths of its adversaries while critically assessing their limitations, partly because subaltern support can be a source of strength, necessitating dialogue with both the subalterns and the adversary.