A string of recent releases has once again sparked debate over whether leading actresses are making the right script choices. From Pooja Hegde’s reportedly trimmed role in Jana Nayagan to Anushka Shetty’s Ghaati, Kajal Aggarwal’s Satyabhama and Tamannaah’s Odela 3, several top stars have failed to leave a lasting impression despite being part of high-profile projects. Nayanthara, however, appears to have fared better in Mana Sankara Varaprasad Garu, largely because the film revolved around a husband-wife relationship.
Industry observers say many actresses sign films based on the star cast or commercial potential rather than the strength of their characters, only to find their roles reduced to a few scenes or songs.
“Actresses often end up making poor choices because they don’t always have a complete picture of how their characters will eventually shape up on screen,” says a noted producer. “Many roles are diluted during production or trimmed during editing. By the time the film releases, there is very little they can do.”
The trend is particularly visible in big-budget entertainers featuring multiple heroines. While The Raja Saab brought together Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar and Malavika Mohanan, Yash’s Toxic features Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Rukmini Vasanth and Tara Sutaria. Although such ensembles generate excitement, the real question remains whether each actress gets a meaningful part. While the actresses in The Raja Saab may have been disappointed by the limited scope of their roles, it remains to be seen how Toxic utilises its star-studded female cast.
Producer Vishnu Vardhan Induri believes it is unfair to judge films like Toxic before their release. “I don’t think it’s only about glamour,” he says. “Every producer and director casts actors with a purpose. The filmmaker designs each character according to the story. Having leading actresses also expands a film’s reach and strengthens its promotional appeal.”
He adds that actresses today play a crucial role in marketing films.”Their presence at promotional events attracts audiences and media attention, adding significant value to a project,” he says.
This Sankranthi too, several films are relying on multiple heroines to widen their appeal. Bharatha Mahasayulaku Vinjapthi stars Ashika Ranganath and Dimple Hayathi, while Nari Nari Naduma Murari features Samyuktha Menon and Sakshi Vaidya. Though these actresses are expected to add glamour and youthful appeal, director Teja believes such roles often fail to utilise their full potential.
“Most actresses in commercial entertainers are confined to a few songs and limited scenes, eventually ending up with a raw deal,” he says. “Many of them are capable of delivering powerful performances, but the writing rarely allows them to do so. We have also seen instances where roles are reportedly trimmed during editing, as in the cases of Pooja Hegde in Jana Nayagan and Janhvi Kapoor in Peddi. Such developments will make actresses think twice before signing commercial films unless they are assured of meaningful characters that contribute to the story.”
As more filmmakers opt for single or multiple heroines in mainstream entertainers, the focus is gradually shifting from glamour to script selection. For today’s actresses, choosing films with well-written, substantial roles may ultimately prove far more rewarding than simply being part of a star-studded cast.
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