Deepika Padukone is a top Bollywood star with her own market. So, when she sets conditions, producers are willing to listen.
She has been particular about working hours and several other terms, and chooses to work only with makers who agree to them. Kajal Aggarwal has also supported Deepika’s stand.
But can Kajal herself set similar conditions in Tollywood? Can she still get films on her own terms? That looks difficult.
The reason is simple. Kajal is no longer a top heroine in Telugu cinema. In fact, many filmmakers are not even looking at her as a regular commercial heroine now. So, she may not have the bargaining power to dictate terms.
Then who else has that kind of position in Tollywood?
At present, Telugu cinema has actresses like Meenakshi Chaudhary, Sreeleela, Mrunal Thakur, Kayadu Lohar and Bhagyashri Borse. But none of them appears to have reached a stage where they can strongly dictate terms to producers.
Among Telugu actresses, Samantha probably has more freedom to set her own conditions.
That is because she is no longer functioning like a regular commercial heroine. She is choosing stories that she personally likes and, when needed, is also in a position to produce projects on her own along with her husband. So, she can afford to have certain rules and preferences. In fact, she is already working that way.
In Kollywood, Nayanthara has been following her own rules for a long time. She promotes a film only when she wants to. Otherwise, she stays away.
Nayanthara and Trisha are also said to have certain conditions regarding costumes and on-screen romance.
Apart from two or three such actresses, very few heroines in South cinema can work by setting strong conditions.
The reality is simple – if one heroine says no, producers can easily approach another.
More importantly, South films often do not need a star heroine. A big hero is usually enough to sell the film. Perhaps that is why even Janhvi Kapoor is quietly doing South films without making too many demands.