Actresses failing in Bollywood debut, head down to Tollywood

Hansika Motwani is the most shining example of the lot. After a very forgettable debut with singer-actor Himesh Reshammiya in Aap Ka Suroor in 2007, she moved to the South. Today, she has worked with the biggest filmmakers in both Tollywood and Kollywood.

Fresh from the success of her Tamil debut, Madrasapattinam, Amy Jackson tried her luck in B-town only to be South-bound again. She will be seen in Vikram’s I next. Even Adah Sharma’s launch with Vikram Bhatt’s 1920 is not exactly memorable, but she lapped up Puri Jagannadh’s Heart Attack in no time. She is now working on two Telugu projects, one with director Trivikram, and a Kannada film as well.

Mishti Chakravarty is the latest. After the disaster of Subhash Ghai’s much-hyped Kaanchi: The Unbreakable, Mishti Chakravarty got Surender Reddy’s Chinnadana Nee Kosam, opposite Nithiin. The film is doing well and she is now busy reading a few scripts.

Filmmaker Harris Shankar, who has worked with newcomers such as Deeksha Seth and Richa Gangopadhyay, offers a simple explanation: “Our South films are hero-centric, so we look for girls who can support our heroes. She should look good, she should be able to dance, work hard and learn Telugu. Until and unless there is a (women-centric) film such as Kahaani or Mardaani, this is sufficient.”

What matters, instead, is an actress’ box office result in Tollywood. Actor-director Adivi Shesh says, “There are four things here. First, there has always been a lack of home-grown actresses, so filmmakers are always looking out for girls coming from Mumbai or other cities.

Second, no matter how badly her Bollywood film did, the advantage is that she was launched nationally. She is a known face that works in favour of her regional films. These actresses have faced the camera before, they know how films work.” He adds, “What really matters is how she fares at the box office here.

If she is a hit, she is signed on for another film and she is accepted by audience.” But the most important, adds Adivi Shesh, is talent. “I am acting with Adah Sharma and she is extremely talented.”

Director-producer Raj Nidimoru, who’s made films such as Happy Ending, agrees, “Even if an actress’ film flopped, she might still be the most suitable for a certain role.”