Once upon a time, telugu cinema celebrated female-oriented films with blockbuster hits led by icons like Vijayashanti, Soundarya, and anushka Shetty. These films not only ruled the box office but also proved that heroines could carry a film on their shoulders. But recent releases suggest that the glory days of female-led cinema may be fading. Here’s why:
1. Recent box office Failures: 8 Vasanthalu & Paradha
8 Vasanthalu, directed by Phanindra Narsetti and produced by Mythri movie Makers, clashed with Kuberaa and fizzled at the box office.Paradha, starring Anupama Parameswaran, couldn’t even draw audiences on its opening day.
Despite decent content, both films failed to generate theatrical buzz, reflecting a disconnect between audiences and female-oriented projects.
2. Audiences Want More Than Just Star Power
Today’s viewers are content-driven, not just star-driven.
Big openings are reserved for mass heroes or high-budget spectacles.
For smaller or mid-range films, only exceptional storytelling and word-of-mouth can pull crowds into theatres.
3. The OTT Factor is Hurting Theatre Numbers
Many people opined that films like 8 Vasanthalu and Paradha were “good enough for OTT” but lacked the cinematic pull for theatres.
Unless there’s a unique hook — either emotional, social, or experimental — audiences prefer to wait for streaming releases.
4. Tollywood’s Struggle With Small-Budget Gems
In recent years, very few low-budget success stories like Balagam or Court have emerged.
The industry seems to be missing those fresh, relatable narratives that once made smaller films shine.
Female-oriented films without such novelty often get lost in the crowd.
5. Can Rashmika’s “Girlfriend” Break the Jinx?
All eyes are now on Rashmika Mandanna’s upcoming female-led drama “Girlfriend.”
If the film clicks, it could revive faith in women-centric cinema and remind tollywood that the audience is open — but only if the content justifies their ticket.
👉 Final Word: Female-oriented cinema in tollywood isn’t dead — it’s simply waiting for the right story, the right packaging, and the right moment. Until then, the genre risks being sidelined to OTT while mass-hero blockbusters dominate theatres.
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