The Evolution of Female Leads in Tollywood

In a male dominated society we live in, the similar outlook reflects in Cinema as well where the hero is the center stage of everything. The hero is quite invincible and can do literally anything which comes in his way. While the hero is portrayed as a strong personality, the role of heroine is usually confined to glamour or stunning looks. Either she is a damsel in distress, or follows what the male characters in the film ask her to do.

But from times immemorial when Cinema started off, there were performance based actresses like Savitri in the 50s and 60s, Vanisri and Jayasudha in the 70s, and Suhasini and Revathi in the 80s to name primarily. These actresses carried themselves with aura and dignity which earned them unique fan following. They were not clinging to the male counterparts and made individual decisions in the roles they fitted in. At some point of time,their roles also dominated the male protagonist making the spirit of womanhood much alive!Directors like Vamsi, K.Vishwanath and Bapu were quite on the forefront to showcase the feminism aspect of women in every film of theirs.

However, commercial cinema has been more on the forefront in Tollywood where female leads were again shunned into backstage. But actresses like Soundarya did amazing films like Anthapuram which are again strongly based on female strength. Thanks to directors like Sekhar Kammula, Indraganti Mohanakrishna and so on, the strong female lead is back in Tollywood. Their heroines never take nonsense from a hero, and carry themselves with an authority and persona of own. The recent revelation Sai Pallavi in Fida is another wonderful example of a female lead that is spirited, fun and also downright beautiful.

It is great to see more Telugu films coming up with bold and beautiful female leads who carry themselves with tremendous grace and poise. They are the voice of today’s woman that doesn’t hesitate to make an entry in style and also make her point quite strongly.

Telugu360 wishes all its readers a Happy International Woman’s Day!