Opinion: Need for power packed role for heroines in Kollywood

This happened just after the release of the first look of her another film Dora. A few weeks ago, the first look of Jyothika’s Magalir Mattum created a good buzz. Trisha’s next woman-centric attempt, Mohini first look also created curiosity. Likewise, Soundarya Rajinikanth and a few more women directors have also announced their new films. 

Hindi cinema leads when it comes to harnessing woman power. The success of women-centric films like Fashion, Heroine, No one Killed Jessica, The Dirty Picture, Kahaani, English Vinglish, Ishqiya, Highway, Queen, Mary Kom, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Piku, NH10, Neerja etc. reflect the kind of acceptance they have with the audience. Kahani 2 with Vidya Balan and a few more films are also on the way. For Piku, Deepika Padukone was paid more than the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan. It shows the power of women actors in Indian cinema. Cinema over the years has broadened the vision of audience and women-centric films are now being made more frequently. 

However, it is not a recent phenomenon. Tamil cinema had many women-centric films from 1930s to 1990s with films like S evasadan am, Sakuntala, Kannagi, Meera, Manamagal, Avvai yar, Naanum Oru Pen, Annai, Aval Oru Thodarkathai, Arangetram, Annakkili, Bhadrakali, Avargal, Aval Appadithan, Achamillai Achamillai, Agni Saatchi, Puthumai Penn, Poove Poo chada Vaa, Sindhu Bhairavi, Sirai, Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal, Oru Nadigai Nadagam Paarkiral, Priyan ka and others, making a big impact with audience. However, the scenario changed from 1991 onwards, with only a handful of films like Kan dukondain Kandukondain, Snehithiye, Pirivom Santhipom, Poo, Arundhati,Aarohanam, Nee Enge En Anbe, Malini 22 Palayamkottai had women-centric themes when hero oriented films ruled the roost. With women audience shifting their interest largely towards television serials, the theatre going audience for women-centric films reduced considerably. Added to this is the limited number of multiplexes in Tamil Nadu compared to North India, where the multiplexes dominate and motivate the women audience to visit them often. These issues led to lesser number of women-centric films being made in Tamil cinema, unlike in the past. 

The lack of interest in women-centric films has dramatically changed with the success of Aranmanai (2014), 36 Vayathinile (2015), the comeback film of Jyothika and Nayanthara starrer Maya (2015). The recent success of Devi (2016) with Tamannaah in dual role, clearly establish that women-centric films are here to stay. Recent releases Thirai kku Varadha Kadhai with Nadiya and Lakshmy Ramakrishnan’s Ammani were new attempts in the same genre. The success of this genre is now motivating producers and filmmakers to consider bringing out more such films than the usual hero-oriented ones. Director James Vasanthan is currently making Oh Andha Naatkal with four leading yesteryear heroines (Khushbu, Radikaa, Suhasini and Urvasi) and more films in this genre are in the offing. 

Not just in acting. Even in filmmaking, women directors are slowly making progress. Though Tamil cinema had a women director T.P. Rajalakshmi as early in 1936 ( Miss Kamala), followed by P.Bhanumathi ( Chandi Rani ), the momentum was not sustained. Women directors like Lakshmi, Suhasini Maniratnam, V Priya, Sripriya, Janaki Viswanathan, Sharada Ramanathan, Madhumitha, JS Nandhini, Ambika, Lakshmy Ramakrishnan, Kruthiga Udhayni dhi, Aiswarya Dhanush, Soundarya Rajinikanth, Rohini, Sudha Kongara, Revathy Varmha, Leena Manimegalai, Halitha Shameem, Sneha Britto, Usha Krishnan, Chandra have emerged so far and there is scope for more women filmmakers. 

The days of heroines playing just glam doll roles is passé. The time has come for filmmakers to present women in more vibrant and powerful roles as it is happening in Hindi cinema. Leading heroines are waiting for similar roles to display their talent. Women directors are aspiring to make films of big canvas. The time is not far off when women will equally rule Tamil cinema with men in all fields.