The infamous myth in the film industry about marriage and actresses not really being fast friends has finally been broken. Not long ago, marriage marked the end of a beautiful acting career for an actress. Many actresses post marriage, would either fade away or get support roles to make a living. This was also the main reason why many actresses never revealed their marriage plans, and some even indefinitely postponed any such plans! However, with the change in the mindset of the audience and also a surge in experimental films, married actresses are finding their own niche and continue to rule the industry. Bengaluru Chronicle reports on this “beautiful” change where marriage isn’t a hindrance anymore for lead actresses.
Bollywood too has witnessed several actresses like Kareena Kapoor-Khan, Kajol, Sridevi, Vidya Balan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Chitrangada Singh, Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, etc continuing to essay major roles despite being wives, and mothers.
Now, Sandalwood can proudly essay such a progressive change was well. Actress Malashree tops the list. Despite being married to a popular producer, Ramu, she has been acting in films which are female-oriented action films. Know as the Kanasina Rani, she is the true Action Queen of Sandalwood.
Radhika Kumaraswamy not only managed to produce films under her own banner, she is now one of the busiest actresses in the Kannada film industry. Presently, she is shooting for her next movie Kontract which features Action King Arjun Sarja and J D Chakravarthy, while also judging a dance reality show.
“I feel the same even after marriage and motherhood. In fact, I have become even busier these days with a lot of film offers. My mindset also has not changed. Marriage does not change things, and it depends on one’s mindset and how determined one is to stay focused. For an actress, it is important to stay fit throughout her career. Fortunately, I have managed to maintain the same physique and glamour which is one of the reasons, I am able to continue with the same confidence,” says Radhika Kumaraswamy.
She further adds that some tend to lose interest post marriage and it makes it very harder to start all over again, and very few have the determination to egg on. “For a married actress, there are certain limitations. I restrict myself to characters which suit my abilities and cannot accept bold characters which I would have attempted prior to marriage. Otherwise, nothing has changed for me,” she adds.
She is busy judging a dance reality shows, and thoroughly enjoying it. “I love children, and I just forget myself when I am in their company. I did get a lot of offers but I chose this show due to the children. It is more demanding than films, as it requires patience. The kids are fantastic, and I have started learning new forms of dancing after watching them,” she smiles.
The other star married actress, who is on a roll these days is Priyanka Upendra, who after Priyanka, featured in the horror thriller Mummy Save Me, and is set for Howrah Bridge.
With her children busy with school, the actress recalls, “It feels great that I still get good offers despite not doing films on a regular basis. I am managing to the best of my abilities. Doing one or two films a year has also helped me plan better. Moreover, my two darlings — Aishwarya and Ayush, are grown up and spend some time in school. When talented persons are writing good scripts, I believe in taking up one or two a year and attempting only quality films. Kannada films are going through a good phase, as the story and honest film survives irrespective of who is in it.”
Film experts cite that this trend of different films that go beyond stereotypical ones casting actresses as just glamour quotients in hero-centric films, has helped to a large extent. Actresses like Radhika Pandit and Amulya, who are set to return after marriage, have more films on their agenda. More over actresses like Shwetha Srivastava, Radhika Chetan, and others have proved that marriage cannot be an hindrance to true talent.
