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For decades, playing a mother on screen was considered a risky career move for leading heroines in Telugu cinema. Many actresses avoided such roles, fearing they would lose their glamorous image or no longer be cast opposite top heroes. However, that perception is gradually changing, with several leading stars embracing mature and performance-oriented characters.

The latest example is Srinidhi Shetty, who shot to nationwide fame with the KGF franchise. She will be seen portraying the mother of two children opposite Venkatesh in the upcoming family entertainer Adarsha Kutumbam. Her decision reflects a growing confidence among actresses to prioritize strong characters over conventional image concerns.

This trend is visible across industries. Samantha Ruth Prabhu played a mother in the Hindi web series Citadel: Honey Bunny, while Tamannaah Bhatia surprised audiences by essaying a mother’s role in the horror blockbuster Aranmanai 4, which was released in Telugu as Baak. Similarly, Anushka Shetty stepped away from traditional glamorous roles by playing a pregnant woman in Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty, proving that unconventional characters can be equally impactful.

Director Hemanth Madhukar believes today’s actresses are becoming more open to experimenting with meaningful roles. He points out that Tamannaah accepted Aranmanai 4 because the character had emotional depth, while Anushka’s role added a fresh dimension to Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty. According to him, such performances highlight versatility rather than limit an actress’s career.

Producer M.S. Raju, however, feels that hesitation still exists among some leading heroines. He says many actresses worry that portraying mothers of one or two children could make them appear older on screen, reducing their chances of landing romantic lead roles. Even so, he believes the mindset is steadily evolving, thanks to OTT platforms and audiences who now appreciate well-written characters regardless of age.

He also notes that several actresses have already broken this long-standing barrier. Shruti Haasan appeared as a mother in Krack, while Keerthy Suresh, Shraddha Srinath in Saindhav, and Neha Shetty in Gangs of Godavari have all taken on similar roles. More recently, Meenakshi Chaudhary impressed audiences in Lucky Bhaskar while simultaneously playing a romantic lead in Matka, proving that actresses can successfully balance diverse roles without being typecast.

Priyamani, who earned praise for playing a mother in The Family Man, believes the fear of being stereotyped has largely disappeared. She says she accepted the role because it was beautifully written and emotionally engaging, adding that she chooses characters that challenge her as an actor rather than worrying about labels.

Director Hemanth Madhukar also points out that when leading male stars have no hesitation in portraying fathers, there is no reason actresses should avoid playing mothers if the role carries emotional weight and contributes meaningfully to the story. With performers like Shruti Haasan, Nayanthara, Neha Shetty, Tamannaah, Samantha, and now Srinidhi Shetty embracing such characters, Telugu cinema appears to be entering a phase where performance is taking precedence over image.