Do you think the Indian audience expects Bollywood actresses to look a certain way? Do they prioritize good looks over talent?
I remember back in school all my male classmates used to crush over Aishwarya Rai and consider her their favourite actress. Her average acting skills was not a criterion on which they judged her. It was all about looks, looks and looks.
I have a feeling things haven't really changed. Deepika is both pretty and talented acc. to me, but I feel her looks are the reason she was numero uno for so many years. The reason I feel Chapaak didn't work is because of the same reason -- Deepika's beauty was not the focus.
Coming to Alia Bhatt, I or this forum doesn't consider her pretty but I know a lot of youngsters do feel she is. Her case is more complex. It's a mixture of nepotism, being shoved down people's throats and her 'cuteness' which has made her numero uno. Not her acting skills. Acting wise, contemporaries like Parineeti were always better.
The popularity of Shraddha Kapoor, which stems from her sweetness and again looks, is also something which I feel has led her to be constantly ranked in top 5.
It's rare that someone like Rani/Taapsee manages to break through and be recognised purely for talent.
Thoughts/opinions?
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