ONE-FILM WONDERS
T’wood may be a huge launch pad for new actresses but despite big debuts, many fail to cash in on the opportunity
With filmmakers here constantly introducing new faces, actresses like Karishma Kotak, Anuradha Mehta, Siya Goutham, Bhanushree Mehra and Isha Sahani have been fortunate to have mega debuts in Tollywood. And although they’ve been paired opposite a top star, in a bigbudget film, none of them could build a successful career. Some became one film wonders, others acted in a couple of more films.
Not surprisingly, most of the actresses are imported from Mumbai, Delhi and other metros. Some have even managed to reach the top and rule the Telugu cinema while others struggled to find a decent project. “When we sign on an actress, we look into several aspects. At the end of the day, talent matters,” says director Gunasekhar, who delivered blockbusters like Sogasu Chooda Tharama, Choodalani Vundi, Manoharam, Okkadu and the recent Rudhramadevi. He introduced Bhanu Sri Mehra with the film Varudu (2010) opposite Allu Arjun. After her debut, she couldn’t find a single good project. Bhanu’s face was not used in the prepublicity of the film. “The makers wanted to create a buzz about the leading lady, so they didn’t show her face in any publicity poster,” says the source. That backfired for Bhanu Sri. Since the film didn’t do well and she didn’t get another chance to prove.
Anu Mehta too made her debut opposite Allu Arjun in a blockbuster film Arya, did another film Nuvvante Naakishtam with director EVV Satyanarayana and left the industry. Rumours were rife that she was fed up with the people’s attitude in the industry.
Another actress Siya Goutham made her debut alongside Ravi Teja in Puri Jagannadh’s Nenithe. The director’s female leads are generally successful, but Siya didn’t get that. She later appeared in a small role in Vedam.
“When we select an actress, we don’t just go by looks. Auditions help gauge their memory power,” says Vijay Kumar Konda, who introduced Pooja Hegde to Telugu cinema. He added that only talent and hard work can get them projects.
Another actress Dia Nicholos from South Africa made her debut in S.V. Krishna Reddy’s Yamaleela 2. It was a big film and got huge publicity, but the actress didn’t return. “She left for South Africa but wants to come back and try her luck again,” says a source. Anjali Lavania made her debut opposite Pawan Kalyan in the film Panjaa and that’s the only film she did. Another actress, Anshu had debuted in Nagarjuna’s Manamadhudu and the film was a huge success. Later she was seen in Prabhas’ Raghavendra and then, left the industry. She’s now happily married and runs a line of Bollywood inspired clothing. The industry is still clueless as to why she left.
“When I made Manoharam, many suggested Soundarya’s name as the female lead, but I chose a relative newcomer Laya as I felt the role was suitable for a new face,” says Gunasekhar. The film fared well and Laya became a sought after name. Similarly, in his earlier film Sogasu Chooda Tharama, he cast Indraja, a new face again. The film got her success and she settled here. “Sometimes the ‘luck’ factor needs to work out,” he says.
Isha Sahani had debuted with Sukumar’s Jagadam but after that she wasn’t seen again, despite the good reviews for her performance! Even Rakul Preet Singh, today’s top actress in Tollywood, started her career with a flop. But later on, she worked hard and we can see the results.