- Kajal Aggarwal discusses the need for South Indian filmmakers to offer diverse roles to married actors.
- Emphasizes the shift in audience acceptance and calls for filmmakers to explore more genres.
- Cites examples of her work in “Indian 2” and “Satyabhama” as evidence of changing times.
Why Do Married Actors Face Stereotypes in South Cinema?
Kajal Aggarwal, currently promoting her upcoming film “Satyabhama,” where she portrays a fierce cop, has called for a broader perspective from South Indian filmmakers regarding roles offered to married actors. In a recent interview with Galatta Plus, Kajal highlighted the difference in roles available to married actors in Bollywood compared to South cinema. She noted that while Bollywood stars like Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt continue to get romantic leads and action roles post-marriage, South Indian actresses often face different expectations.
Kajal, who has significant roles in the upcoming films “Indian 2” and “Satyabhama,” pointed out that she was offered these roles before her marriage and motherhood. She dismissed the notion that sidelining married actors is a cultural issue, suggesting instead that it stems from lingering stereotypes. “We still have a little bit of stereotype attached, I am hoping we get rid of it soon. It’s this generation of actors who are married and work after having children. I don’t think it’s a cultural thing; I think the audience is accepting of films like that if the makers start providing them,” she said.
Can Filmmakers Drive the Change?
Kajal stressed that the onus is on filmmakers to explore more genres and offer substantial roles to married actors. She praised actress Nayanthara for her selective film choices and ability to secure pivotal roles on her terms. “Things are changing. Like Nayanthara, for example, I love how she conducts her filmography. I love her choices. She is an exception and gets these parts on her terms and conditions. So that’s great. But I am happy to be working at this juncture of my life in the industry today because I’ve got kindness and compassion from my directors,” Kajal added.
Sharing her own experiences, Kajal revealed the challenges she faced balancing her career and family life. She shot for “Indian 2” soon after giving birth, which was physically demanding and difficult for her husband Gautam to initially understand. “I had my commitments before I got married–in COVID–which I honoured and travelled a lot for it. It was difficult for my husband to understand that initially because he has never seen what our industry is about. I finished the films that I had to do, got pregnant, and right after I delivered my child, I did Indian 2, which has possibly been the hardest role of my life,” she explained.
Kajal’s dedication and resilience shine through her story, underscoring the need for the industry to evolve and offer equal opportunities to all actors, regardless of their marital status. As more filmmakers recognize this, the landscape of South Indian cinema is poised for positive change.
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