Tollywood beauty Andrea Jeremiah wowed the Malayali audience as the docile Anna in the critically acclaimed movie Annayum Resoolum directed by Rajiv Ravi. The singer-turned actress has essayed many unique and different roles in Tamil which earned her the praise of the audience and the critics alike.
The outspoken actress is now in the news for criticising the superstar culture that rules the Tamil cinema industry. She said that as long as the industry continues to be male dominated, the plight of female artists would remain the same. Andrea added that if one is asked to name a female superstar then the person wouldn’t be even ready to give a name.
“If someone is asked to name a superstar in Indian cinema, then you would get a number of names from Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikant to Kamal Hasan or Shah Rukh Khan. Why wouldn’t anyone name a female artist as a superstar? Men are always the superstars in this industry and roles are written exclusively for them,” says Andrea.
Tamil movie Taramani directed by Ram starring Andrea in the lead role was a superhit at the box office and the role which had ample scope for her to perform well had earned the actress rave reviews. Andrea said that though Taramani had a female-centered theme and was critically appreciated, she had not been able to sign another movie after the release of Taramani. She pointed out that this happens to her when offers pour in for those artists who may have done even minor roles alongside the male superstars. Andrea added that the success of a female actor is determined by the star power of her male co-star, and that none values her earnest works that she had essayed independently.
Andrea says, “I believe that there is absolutely no point in being in a movie in which you are just someone who attracts everyone with physical beauty. I want to perform more. Everyone forget that other than doing bold scenes and sexy moves, I know how to act as well. I am sexy but I can act well too. So I request you to write meaningful female roles for me which demand amazing acting skills. Wearing skimpy clothes on screen doesn’t make me happy. This is one of the main reasons why I don’t commit many movies these days. It is in the Tamil industry that female artists face such challenges, but I believe that it will change gradually.”
The Taramani actress said that there are some heroines who say that they wouldn’t do a lip-lock scene even if they are ready to don glamorous outfits in a movie. Andrea added that she would get prominence than those actresses if she acts in a nude scene.
She even commented about the successful Bollywood heroines like Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, whom according to her earned fame by acting alongside superstars. “Even Nayanthara became a leading lady here like that. She was able to achieve success only by acting with superstars like Vijay, Ajith and Suriya. Why can’t Andrea stand on her on and become a star by portraying strong and meaningful characters?” asks Andrea.
The actress says, “Here the success and importance of a female actor is determined through the position of her male co-stars. I am raising my voice against this trend in Tamil cinema today.”