HYDERABAD: It is a known fact that when it comes to the South, the audience or at any rate film-makers prefer plump heroines with voluptuous figures.
Even till a couple of years ago, most heroines in the Telugu industry would start off slim and then add on adipose as they climbed the ladder.
Quivering, jelly like tummies and thunder thighs were quite the done deal.
The tables, it seems have turned today. When Kareena Kapoor went into her size zero phase, the Telugu film industry heroine took a long, hard look at her layers of fat. It was time to hit the treadmill.
Tollywood stars this summer are seemingly on some kind of a penance, taming their taste buds while shunning ice creams, chocolates, burgers and other fatty foods. Some of them are even taking the trouble to learn a few yogasanas in addition to their daily leg shakes. Wafer thin waist lines and light as air is the new mantra.
The grapevine has been buzzing about Anushka Shetty’s toned body and about how slim Hansika Motwani is looking these days.
Hansika, known for her chubby cheeks, has been forced to go in for an image makeover.
The starlet, who made a dream debut with Desamuduru, has made it clear that she did not acquire her sexy body overnight. She took the disciplined diet and exercise regimen route.
For those who are wondering how Anushka, of Arundhati fame, managed to get into short skirts and bikinis in Billa, the actress bares it all: “I do yoga and then I went to the gym. It paid off. I am getting exciting roles now.” Even heavyweight actress Namita has joined the fitness brigade. “Flab is ugly. I don’t think the audience likes to see a heroine with chubby cheeks and flab around her tummy. I have realised that slim-and-trim heroines look far smarter on screen. My fans went gaga after seeing me in Billa! Even my family is very excited about the way I look a lot better than my flabby self in Sontham.
Now I am motivated to lose more weight,” she says. Namita is now going to play a moll and a temptress in Jaganmohini, a cop in Deshadrohi. The actress credits her rival Anushka for her new avatar! The actress says, “For Billa, I lost 7 kg in a month! Anushka taught me yoga and I do suryanamaskars every day, it has had a calming effect on me. I also work out regularly.’’ Tamanna, who shot to fame with her portrayal of a college girl in Happy Days, is equally conscious of her figure and looks.
She is a busy babe in both Tamil and Telugu film industries.
According to her, consistency is important.
She makes sure that she works out for 30 minutes to one hour every day. “The body recuperates faster if our diet is good,” she explains. However, Priyamani, the dusky beauty who entered the Telugu film industry with Yevare Athagadu and won the National Award for her performance in Tamil film Paruthiveeran, begs to differ. “No. I don’t believe in size zero.
I believe in being healthy.’’ “One has to eat well and enjoy life. If you crave for size zero, the effects show on a lustreless face. I would like to be like what I am. My glamour secret is nothing but keep smiling always,’’ Priyamani adds.
Finally, Kamna Jethmalani. The girl has certainly been around for some time now.
From her music albums in Hindi to a couple of Tollywood BO-busters, she’s done it all.
But somehow her career hasn’t really taken off. She persisted though and got rich dividends from Ranam and Samanyudu. For, both of which, she shed her weight. The actress was never as thin as a size zero, but she obviously sweated it out on the treadmill.
The trend is not only restricted to actresses.
Even the young heroes are either going in for six pack abs or reducing weight. While actors like Allu Arjun, Prabhas and Nitin have built up six pack abs in recent times, actors like NTR Jr and Vishnu have shed their weight considerably and are sporting a lean, fit look. Prabhas feels, “In today’s busy world, physical exercises are essential for everyone and I would urge my colleagues too to take work-out everyday.’’ Tollywood’s anti-binging squad is surely fighting to prove who’s the slimmest of them all. May the best body win!
