Challenges Faced by Lady-Oriented Films: Rashmika Mandanna’s Upcoming Projects

In Bollywood, lady-oriented films like ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ and ‘Manikarnika’ have proven successful at the box office, driven by compelling content rather than being constrained by genre. However, in the South, particularly in Tamil Nadu, lady-oriented films have faced challenges, with audiences even rejecting a biopic on their revered leader, ‘Amma’ Jayalalitha.

The trend is evident in the recent Tamil film ‘Rainbow,’ featuring Rashmika Mandanna in the lead. Despite commencing filming in April last year, the movie was shelved after 20 days of shooting due to concerns about its lady-centric theme. The skepticism arises from previous instances, including the lukewarm response to ‘Thalaivi’ with Kangana Ranaut as the lead.

However, Rashmika Mandanna, renowned for her roles in “Pushpa” and “Animal,” remains undeterred. She is actively engaged in the Telugu film industry, with her ongoing project, “The Girlfriend,” also being a female-centric film. In Tollywood, where the success of films like “Mahanati” and “Baby” has shattered box office records, the climate seems more receptive to lady-oriented narratives.

While ‘Mahanati’ made significant strides a few years ago, recent films like “Baby” have continued the trend, dispelling the notion that female-centric films face challenges in Tollywood. Rashmika Mandanna, riding high on the success of ‘Animal,’ eagerly anticipates the release of ‘Pushpa – The Rule’ and is currently in discussions for a major project alongside Prabhas, directed by Sandeep Vanga. Additionally, she has a significant role in a high-profile film with Tamil star Dhanush, directed by the acclaimed Telugu filmmaker Sekhar Kammula. Despite challenges faced in other industries, Rashmika’s diverse projects in Tollywood underscore the thriving landscape for female-centric films in the Telugu film industry.