Is the Era of Female-Led Films Over in Telugu Cinema?

Female-oriented films were once popular in Telugu cinema. Actresses like Vijayashanti and Anushka led these films to huge box-office success. Even Sekhar Kammula films are once part of this chart. However, this trend seems to be fading now. Recent films like 8 Vasanthalu and Paradha have not performed well at the box office. Some people on social media believe that female-oriented films are no longer popular in Telugu cinema.

8 Vasanthalu, directed by Phanindra Narsetti, was released on June 20. It clashed with Kuberaa at the box office. Despite being produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the film did not create much buzz. As a result, it failed at the box office. Similarly, Paradha, starring Anupama Parameswaran, also struggled. The film's first-day collections showed that many people did not go to see it.

However it’s not that audiences have lost interest in female-oriented films. Today, people care less about the star cast and more about other factors. They prefer to watch films with a big star, a large budget, or positive reviews. These factors drive audiences to theatres.

Recently Tollywood has not been producing many small-budget films that have received praise from audiences. Films like Balagam and Court were appreciated, but such films are rare. If a female oriented film had a strong concept, people would be more likely to watch it in theatres. However, 8 Vasanthalu and Paradha lacked that unique quality, making them more suitable for streaming platforms than theatres.

Rashmika Mandanna’s upcoming film Girlfriend will be released soon. It remains to be seen if it can bring back the success of female-oriented films in Telugu cinema.