Married Actresses Thrive in Bollywood but Struggle in Tollywood

“I agree that Bollywood audiences are more accepting of married actresses playing lover-girl roles, whereas in Tollywood, it's a bit more difficult. Fans of big stars often raise objections, and many actors prefer to avoid such pairings,” says producer M.S. Raju. He urges filmmakers to prioritize talent over marital status. “There are no rulebooks in cinema—married actresses can shine just as much as others,” he adds. “Experienced actresses bring depth to their roles and perform efficiently, provided they maintain their charm and screen presence. They still have a few strong years to make an impact.”

Despite this bias, some actresses have defied the trend. Samantha and Shruti Haasan, for instance, have continued their successful careers post-divorce and breakup. Shruti, in particular, has delivered a hat-trick of hits, from Krack to Waltair Veerayya. “She has maintained her star status and selectively takes on romantic roles, while Samantha might be waiting for the right opportunity in Tollywood after making waves in Hindi web series like Citadel,” Raju points out.

Meanwhile, Nayanthara has skillfully balanced her career by taking on both female-centric films and romantic roles alongside senior heroes. This shift toward performance-driven roles seems to be a viable option for married actresses, as seen with Lavanya Tripathi, who is making her comeback with Saati Leelavathi.

“Author-backed roles open up new opportunities for actresses to showcase their acting prowess,” Raju explains. “Even Kajal Aggarwal, once the go-to romantic heroine, has chosen a different path with the female-led Satyabhama. She’s now exploring performance-oriented characters to extend her career.”

Does this mean staying unmarried helps Tollywood actresses retain their stardom? Some, like Anushka Shetty, Trisha, and Tamannaah, have remained single while continuing to land significant roles. However, Raju believes personal choices shouldn’t be scrutinized. “Anushka has built a larger-than-life image through her exceptional body of work, and Trisha is still getting strong roles to showcase her acting brilliance. Senior actresses are here to stay and will continue to captivate audiences with unique roles,” he says.

Contrary to the notion that marriage limits opportunities, actress Priyamani argues that her career has flourished since tying the knot. “Honestly, I’m enjoying the best phase of my career post-marriage, with hits like The Family Man and Jawan,” she says.

“In fact, my husband is my lucky charm.” She also dismisses age-related concerns. “Filmmakers have become more open-minded, offering actresses roles that suit them, regardless of their marital status. In many ways, we now get tailor-made roles that showcase our versatility—something we didn’t always have before marriage. Age is just a number,” she concludes.