The highlight of VIP 2’s trailer was definitely Kajol, who is making a re-entry in Tamil cinema after 19 years. While she wowed us as the spunky young woman in Minsara Kanavu, she did not continue her run here. In VIP 2, she is seen as a sophisticated businesswoman, with obvious shades of grey. Looking chic and classy in formal wear, she delivers killer lines against Dhanush, and we already know we are in for a treat. But, the fact remains that female antagonists are still a rarity in Tamil cinema, and filmmakers find it hard to etch strong negative characters for women. With young actresses fearing being typecast, and this in turn making casting hard, Tamil cinema still faces a dearth of strong female villains.
Sriya Reddy, who debuted in Kollywood playing a menacing role in the film Thimiru, says that although it was unusual for an actress to debut in a negative role, she took the plunge — “I wanted to do something different. I did not care for what my career would become or the monetary benefits. I wanted people to sit up, take notice and say — “Hey, she is something else!” Of course, younger actresses are hesitant to take up negative roles in the initial stages of their career. Unfortunately, even today, actresses are required to project themselves in a particular way to make sure their career pans out the way they want.”
Sriya insists that not every other actress can pull off a negative role, which needs that extra bit of spunk. “When I did Thimiru, the director just told me to act like a psychotic person. But of course, I did not want to make a fool out of myself! As the shoot commenced, I understood my character better, and I went all out. It’s not easy to be intimidating on screen, Ramya Krishnan could do it, but honestly, not many heroines have that enormous screen presence. They are not at fault, but they simply don’t,” Sriya explains.
Sshivada, who had done only demure leading roles, made a U-turn of sorts with her surprise negative role in Adhe Kangal. She admits that she was a little hesitant to take it up initially. “People around me did advise me against it, saying that it might take me on a ‘different path’. But I felt that the character was outstanding and hence, was worth the risk. When a negative role is well written and is equal to that of the protagonist’s, as an audience, we almost begin to admire the villain, right?” she reasons.
Sshivada also admits having been typecast post Adhe Kangal. “I have got many offers for similar roles, but I am furloughing through them to make sure I don’t turn redundant.” Durai Senthilkumar, through his film Kodi had given the audience Rudra, a female antagonist who was different from the rest. She did not turn bad because the man didn’t want her. It was her pure lust for power that turned her astray. Durai says that the biggest challenge in writing female antagonists is the dilemma as to where to place them. “You have to give the women a convincing preset as to what turned them evil. It was easy in Kodi, as the background was politics.” Durai says that many actresses turned down the role due to fear of stereotyping. “An actress refused Rudra as she thought it would mean she would not get to do leading roles anymore. This struggle is sadly present only in the case of heroines.”
Priyamani, a National Award winner is currently reprising Trisha’s role in the Kannada remake of Kodi. She says that stereotyping exists nonetheless and that should not stop actresses from giving their dream role a shot. “Doesn’t matter what role you do, if it is a hit, then you will be stereotyped. So, you might as well give it a shot. The trend is changing these days and if an actress gets a negative role which is as strong as the protagonist, then she must grab it and not let go.”
