'Import' of heroines a trend in T-town

HYDERABAD: Not much seems to have changed in the Tollywood 'rulebook for heroines', especially when it comes to 'importing' female leads from other parts of the country. Even today, most women cast on the big screen in Tollywood have little or no connection with the language. Reason? A conservative society coupled with lack of opportunities, rue industry experts.
"It is a lie that Telugu speaking women aren't interested in working in movies.The fact is that they are not being allowed or given opportunities," argued G L Narasimha Rao, president of Film Goers Association (Cine Prekshakula Viniyoga Darula Sangham).
Courtesy an archaic bend of mind, families are extremely reluctant of letting women choose a career in Tollywood, claims producer T Prasanna Kumar Reddy. "Every family here wants to educate the girl and get her married.No one wants to hear any negative remarks about their daughter so they steer clear of the film industry ," he said.
In fact, a few years ago, actor Krishna's fans had themselves opposed his daughter Manjula's entry into films.
Incidentally , the few local girls who did manage to break the 'tradition' failed to make it big in the movies.Actress Laya from Vijayawada is a classic example. She shot to limelight essaying the role of a blind girl in 'Preminchu' (2001). She even bagged a Nandi award for best actress for the role. But soon, Laya was heard complaining about Telugu girls being neglected, herself included.
Ditto the case with actress Anjali from Razole in Andhra Pradesh. Though she did manage to grab few roles here and there, the glamorous parts always went to the 'outsider' lot.
Perhaps it is for similar reasons that those like Reshma, Anasuya and Udayabhanu too failed to make the cut. Reshma debuted in Maruti's 'Ee Rojullo' in 2011, but faded away soon. Anasuya, who hosted the popular television comedy show 'Jabardast' hasn't got an offer despite being vocal about her interest to join the movies. Though Udayabhanu, another popular TV host, did make an appearance in a film, she too had to bid goodbye to the silver screen in no time.
Now, the latest to join this bandwagon is Konidela Niharika, daughter of actor Nagendra Babu. She hosted a dance reality show on TV before taking the 'big' plunge.Will she be able to survive? Will her filmy background help her climb the ladder? Only time will tell.