Short Shelf Life in Big-Budget Films?
The film industry often sees actresses rise and fade, with only a few managing to break stereotypes and sustain long-term careers. Stars like Nayanthara, Samantha, and Anushka have defied the norm by taking up strong, performance-oriented roles that showcase their talent. However, many actresses fail to step beyond glamorous appearances, leaving audiences uninterested after a few films.
Disha Patani, a notable name in recent big-budget ventures like *Kalki 2898 AD* and *Kanguva*, seems to be walking this risky path. In *Kalki*, her role is limited to introducing Prabhas to the narrative, followed by a brief three-minute romantic song. Post this, her character disappears entirely from the film. Similarly, in *Kanguva*, Disha appears in a glamorous sequence, performs a song, and then fades into the background with no significant contribution to the story.
Both films portray her as the love interest of a bounty hunter, but the lack of depth in her characters makes them forgettable. A pirated clip from *Kanguva*, showcasing Disha in a bikini, recently went viral on social media, adding to the perception that her casting leans heavily on visual appeal rather than substance. Despite her limited screen time and character arcs, Disha reportedly earned ₹6 crores for *Kalki* and ₹8 crores for *Kanguva*.
While these figures are impressive, concerns about her career longevity persist. Critics suggest that Disha’s reliance on glamorous roles could lead to a shorter career span, as audiences are unlikely to view her as a serious lead actress. Filmmakers, aware of the social media buzz her appearance generates, often cast her for brief, visually appealing moments rather than meaningful roles. For Disha to secure her place in the industry, she needs to pivot towards roles with more depth and substance. Otherwise, she risks being typecast and losing relevance in an industry that demands versatility and talent over time.