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crossed in a mini dress, playing tag with
Vikram in a tantalizing dress, groaning
on the ground in a suggestive scene.
Three leading actresses in Kollywood, all
of them considered to be at the peak of
their career. And the first thing that comes
to mind about them is their skin show. They
strip off in front of the camera in most
of the films recently. They not only expose
themselves on screen, but also in public
functions. Who can forget the controversy
Shriya had to face because of “wearing
inappropriate skimpy attire” at a
function? At a time there were Trisha’s
photographs circulating daily on the internet
showing her at different functions with
ultra short skirts. The next provocateur
is the upcoming actress Mamtha Mohandass
revealing her slip under a short little
skirt.
Is it all about appeal and appearance in
the tinsel town? Are women just only glam
dolls, sex sirens and eye candies? Is Cinema
expecting a woman to look pretty and sexy
merely?
There was a time in the industry when the
leading ladies were bold characters important
to the story line, and eye candies like
Silk Smitha were only used in item numbers
(to please the male audience). Who can forget
Sridevi as a young, beautiful and ambitious
16-year-old, who develops from a dewy-eyed
girl to an independent-minded woman in 16
Vayathinle? She has proved her acting skills
in many other films like Moodram Pirai,
Sigappu Rojakkal, Johnny etc.
Tamil cinema has also brought up Revathy,
who is now concentrating as a director in
Bollywood with social messages subtly woven
into her films. She took off as a village
belle with expressive eyes and mimic in
Mann Vasanai, followed by the role as a
woman's libber in Pudumai Penn and Magalir
Mattum, a caring mother in Anjali, a hot-headed
girl in Arangetra Velai, and her role as
the submissive wife in Thevar Magan fetched
her the National Award finally. But she
continued to pick performance-oriented roles
as in Pudhiya Mugam, Marupadiyum or Avathaaram.
Other bold actresses to mention are Sripriya,
Rohini, Suhasini or Madhubala who portrayed
a village girl in Roja who learns to love
her husband and fight even against terrorism.
They represented the Indian woman: independent,
emancipated and multifaceted.
Almost all of them were bold and strong,
and not once in their whole acting career
one came across a vulgar shot. They were
respectful and fully professional abandoning
physical exposure. Where is this spirit
today? Aren’t there any actresses
nowadays who weigh performance more than
appearance? Where are all the Revathis,
Sridevis, and Suhasinis of today?
To their defence I have to admit that there
are also bold actresses today. For example
Pooja in Naan Kadavul, or Asin who is tasting
success now in Bollywood with Gajini. Or
recently Parvathi in Poo. But these are
pearls in the endless ocean, one of thousands.
Some don’t stick to their substance,
and tend to take on the exposing track like
Priyamani. I recently came across some pictures
of her in a swimsuit and was really taken
aback for a while. What is the need for
a National Award winner to do this? Her
portrayal of Muthazhgu was really outstanding,
but her following characters fizzle out.
Meera Jasmine once celebrated for her performances
is also fallen off the face of Tamil Cinema.
And Trisha’s acting in Abhiyum Naanum
was not really exuberant, the film turned
out to be an amusing and pure Prakash Raj
fanfare.
To all the Shriyas, Nayantharas and Trishas:
You are blemish-less in your physique but
do you have to shed your clothes every time?
Do you want to deliver a false perception
of women? Where are all the women directors
in this male dominated industry? Please
do change this misogynist attitude in Kollywood!
Thanks and regards,
Surenuga Mahalingam
mahalingam@web.de
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