Women’s Perspective Shouldn’t Disappear, Says M. S. Raju

“I don’t think it’s a do or die situation,” says Raju, referring to classics like Devi, Ammorru, Arundhati and Pratighatana that were huge box office successes. “Good content always sparks interest. As Alfred Hitchcock said, the script is in the top three for winning over the audience; nothing else matters,” he adds.

However, recent solo films by young actresses have struggled to attract crowds. Projects featuring Anupama Parameswaran (paradha), Tamannaah Bhatia (odela 2), Kajal Aggarwal (Satyabhama), Anjali (Geethanjali Malli Vachindi) and Keerthy Suresh (Pistol Rita) could not even create minimal clearances. Even Anushka Shetty couldn’t deliver strong openings in her last album Ghaati.

Raju admits that audience mentality plays a role. “Telugu audiences may be a bit male chauvinistic, but that doesn’t mean we should stop making women-led films. Some stories need male leads, while others need a female protagonist at the centre. Otherwise, women’s perspectives will disappear and this shouldn’t happen,” she explains.

Raju, who has shown limited interest in acquiring women-centric films on OTT platforms, maintains that theatrical success remains key. “Release in theaters and do well, and then the platforms will automatically come forward,” he points out.

It also highlights a persistent inequality: “Audiences celebrate male stars in outstanding roles, but do not show the same enthusiasm for women in the leading roles of films. This is unfortunate, but it is the truth.”

Another producer expresses similar concerns, noting that only a few actresses are consistently successful in female-oriented films. “Anushka Shetty and Samantha churned out some hits, but most actresses eventually reverted to traditional roles opposite male stars. Taking on author-backed roles proved risky,” he says.

He adds that audience preferences generally favor glamorous roles alongside male superstars, which helps build a fan base. “But support wanes when these actors try to carry films on their own. This disparity has slowed their progress in carving out an independent space,” he observes.

Now all the attention is on Samantha to break the jinx. “I hope actresses like her change the game for their peers, just like Shraddha Kapoor did with the Bollywood blockbuster Stree 2,” she concludes.