Criticism from Lakshmi Manchu: The prejudice towards divorced actresses in Indian cinema, highlighted by Samantha Ruth Prabhu's perceived punishment for asserting her independence
In the glamorous world of Indian cinema, the career trajectories of divorced actresses often take a different path compared to their male counterparts. Lakshmi Manchu, a prominent actress in the Telugu film industry, has shed light on this issue, speaking candidly about a superstar's ex-wife who has faced a withdrawal of film offers after her divorce.
The mechanics of penalizing women in the industry are subtle yet pervasive. Projects vanish without explanation, casting directors forget to call, and producers mention "image issues." These invisible barriers create a stigma that affects millions of ordinary women, sending the message that a man's life goes on while a woman's life stalls.
Lakshmi Manchu estimates that around five to six superstar actresses have faced similar issues. The actress in question, who remains unidentified, is reportedly waiting to do good work in the industry. Her professional struggles post-divorce, as exemplified by Samantha Ruth Prabhu, symbolize the hypocrisy in the industry.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who delivered a widely praised performance in The Family Man 2 and lit up social media with her item song in Pushpa, embodies this contradiction. Despite her success, her narrative shifted from "superstar" to "struggling actress" post-divorce.
The industry still demands a veneer of purity from women, with marriages being marketed, pregnancies hidden, and divorces whispered about. Work opportunities are taken away from divorced actresses due to unspoken fears that powerful men might take offense, a form of invisible censorship shaping careers.
Lakshmi Manchu expressed frustration with this systemic bias, stating that a divorced actress is often labeled as "difficult," "unlucky," or "jobless," while a divorced male actor is still considered a "hero." This double standard is a major issue that needs to be addressed in order to promote true equality and progress.
Parvathy Thiruvothu, an actress in the Malayalam film industry, previously stated that any woman who displays agency in the industry will face penalties. Her assessment, along with Lakshmi Manchu's, forms an indictment of an industry comfortable in its misogyny, with casting decisions often shaped by patriarchy's invisible hand.
The film industry's hypocrisy in promoting women's empowerment on-screen while punishing real women off-screen is a major issue that needs to be addressed. Indian cinema, which often celebrates empowerment in films and awards speeches, must address the lack of equal rights in its own workplaces, including the right to live without professional penalties for personal choices.
The film industry's treatment of divorced actresses is a plotline that needs to be rewritten in order to promote progress and equality. Lakshmi Manchu's comments, along with those of Parvathy Thiruvothu, highlight the need for more insiders to speak up and challenge the status quo in the industry. The industry's continued promotion of "women empowerment" films while punishing real women for exercising choice in their personal lives is a hypocrisy that must be addressed.
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