The glamorous Jayanthi introduced the swimsuit to Kannada movies in 1965. The tall and graceful Bharathi Vishnuvardhan wooed the 1970s film buffs. And then there was Deepika Padukone in 2006.
Sandalwood has always preferred its leading ladies in a lean avatar. Size zero, however, has not reached the industry yet, as most prefer to keep the ‘healthy’ look. When Malashree pulled off quite a stunt with her Kiran Bedi act, her brief was clear. For this film, she shed almost 15 kg. “I love food when I am not shooting. But before shooting started on Kiran Bedi, I was working out daily. Now I have regained 9 kg. But it is easy for me to lose weight whenever it is required. I diet and exercise in a balanced manner,” she says.
Though most Bollywood imports to the industry just happen to be thin, this trend is inspiring many to follow suit. While a few actresses like Tara spend time at places like Dharmasthala to shed a few pounds, the others prefer to work out as and when their schedule permits.
This trend, however, has not made heroines give up on food. Priya Hassan, who debuted with the film Jambada Hudugi, says that one need not go on a diet to look slim and beautiful. Priya, whose second film Bindaas Hudugi is set to release shortly, claims that she has never followed a diet but just controls her food habits. “Why should I starve in the name of dieting? I consume a lot of liquids and fruits everyday, which keeps me healthy without putting on weight. Instead of gymming, I dance, and that keeps me fit,” she says.
Director Indrajit Lankesh, who introduced Deepika Padukone Aishwarya, is of the opinion that a heroine should have a healthy and slim body. “Audiences like to see slim beauties. But I personally do not feel they should resort to dieting to attain this body. Good food habits and a healthy lifestyle will ensure that they stay fit,” he says.
Actor-director Ramesh Aravind always selects heroines based on the role. So he chose actresses from the young, slim brigade like Daisy Bopanna, Jennifer Kotwal, Sharmila Mandre and Bhavana for his films such as Accident, Satyavaan Savithri, Bisi Bisi and Venkat In Sankata. But for Rama Shyama Bhama, he still chose the not-so-thin Shruthi and Urvashi.
Ramya, the most sought after heroine in Tamil and Kannada films, also prefers to keep the look healthy rather than skinny. So far, no one in Sandalwood has asked her to lose weight, she says. In fact, she was asked to put on some weight for the Tamil film Polladavan. “They told me that a heroine in Tamil films should not look slim. However, I did not follow their
advice. I religiously followed my food habits. I exercise and jog daily to keep myself fit,” says Ramya.
(with inputs from Seena Menon)
— ymaheswarareddy@epmltd.com,
menon.seena@gmail.com
Ramya
Ramya made her debut with the Kannada film Abhi in which Puneet Rajkumar played the hero role. Ramya’s other films are Excuse Me, Ranga (SSLC), Kanti, Aadi, Aakash, Gowramma, Amrithadhaare,
Seventhi Sevanthi, Julie, Datta, Jote Joteyali, Tananam Tananam, Arasu, Meera Madhava Raghava, Mussanjeya Maathu. Her forthcoming films are Jotegaara. Recently Ramya has signed with Sudeep to act in Kichcha Huchcha, directed by Gurudutt. She has also acted in Tamil films — Kutti, Giri, Thoondil, Vaaranam Aayiram, Polladhavan.
She also starred in a short film,for AIDS awareness directed by Santosh Sivan.
Malashree
Malashree made her debut in Sandalwood with the film Nanjundi Kalyana in 1989 with Raghavendra
Rajkumar playing the hero. It became a huge box-office success. Her other films: Gajapathi Garvabhanga, Policana
Hendathi, Prathap, Kitturina Huli and Tavarumane Udugore, Gruha Pravesha, Mangalya, Sindoora Tilaka, Mana Mechida Sose, Belli Kalungura, Readymade Ganda, Kanasina Rani, Malashri Mamashri and Halli Rambhe Belli Bombe, S P Bhargavi, Rowdy Mattu MLA, Kollura Kaala, Kiran Bedi, Marana Mrudanga and Durgi.
Priya Hassan
Priya made her debut with Jambada Hudugi in 2007. It was an above average success at the box office. Her second film is Bindaas Hudugi. It is expected to hit the silver screen shortly. Priya has not only acted in this film but directed it as well. Well-versed in classical dance, she plans to make another film, Hubballi Hudugi, shortly.