Question marks over 30 plus Divas

30 plus Divas career at cross roads. As glamorous icons like Kajal take on challenging roles in female-centric films such as 'Satyabhama,' and Tamannaah ventures into the realm of Hindi web series with 'Akhri Sach,' it seems that actresses in their 30s are facing a unique set of challenges. While Kajal recently played the romantic lead opposite Balakrishna in 'Bhagvanath Kesari,' Tamannaah shared the screen as the love interest of Chiranjeevi in 'Bholaa Shankar.' Meanwhile, Samantha is showcasing her versatility in women-centric projects like 'Oh Baby' and 'Yashoda.' Despite their proven talent and experience, the narrative suggests that new-age stars might be hesitant to collaborate with them due to their advancing age.

However, producer Vishnu Induri dismisses age as a limiting factor for talented and experienced actresses. He believes that these Divas are keen on exploring diverse roles and experimenting with something new alongside their commitments to commercial cinema. According to Induri, glam Divas will continue to be a significant part of major entertainment ventures. "A few of them will dominate the industry for several more years, given their enduring charm and popularity," he asserts.

Recently, 39-year-old Anushka Shetty returned with the romantic entertainer 'Miss Shetty Mister Polishetty' to avoid being typecast solely as a heroine in lady-oriented films. Hemanth Madhukar emphasizes that Anushka, along with other actresses, has successfully navigated both star-studded movies like 'Bahubali' and women-oriented films like 'Rudramadevi.' He encourages talented Divas to strike a balance between star-driven and women-centric projects to prolong their careers and cater to their diverse fan base.

Recognizing the reluctance of young heroes to share the screen with senior heroines, actresses like Priyamani, Anjali, Trisha, and now Tamannaah are exploring the digital space. Vishnu highlights the equality between digital platforms and the big screen in terms of content and reach, emphasizing that OTTs offer independent opportunities for actresses to enhance their brand equity and fan base.

Despite the shift towards women-oriented films, producer Vishnu acknowledges the financial challenges faced by such projects. He points out that there are few producers willing to invest in actresses, and some Divas prefer working with established stars rather than shouldering the responsibility of carrying a film solely on their shoulders. Consequently, a focus solely on female-centric movies may limit their overall film count.