Female-led films were once a proud part of Telugu cinema, with stars like Vijayashanti and Anushka Shetty delivering strong hits. But the recent failures of 8 Vasanthalu and Paradha at the box office show how much audience expectations have changed.
Both films created initial interest with teasers and trailers but could not sustain it once released. 8 Vasanthalu, directed by Phanindra Narsetti and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, was released on 20 June but ended as a flop. Paradha, with Anupama Parameswaran in the lead role, faced the same fate, with poor day-one collections.
Film analysts point out that the problem is not the female-centric genre itself, but the lack of strong and engaging content. Today’s audiences are selective and will only step into theatres if the film offers fresh storytelling, emotional depth or a unique cinematic experience. Without these elements, even movies with star actors or big production houses fail to survive at the box office.
This challenge is not limited to women-led projects. Tollywood in general has seen several small and medium-budget films collapse due to weak scripts. Success stories like Balagam and Court proved that when the content connects with audiences, even smaller films can run successfully.
With the rise of OTT platforms, viewers are more willing to watch female-driven dramas at home instead of in cinemas. Unless these films have theatre-worthy appeal, the big screen audience will continue to shrink for them.
The upcoming releases, Rashmika Mandanna’s The Girlfriend and Anushka Shetty’s Ghaati will be closely watched. If they manage to deliver strong scripts with compelling execution, they could revive confidence in female-led cinema and remind audiences of its earlier glory.
