Do heroines have any real star power in BW? - Page 9

Originally posted by: atominis

Women have no substantial roles in movies. They are mainly eye candy or dancers. Men call the shots, both behind and front of the camera, story revolves around them which is why audience tolerates them even if they look old or no longer look as good and energetic as they did in their youth. Plus women take breaks after marriage and disappear from public eye, so they disappear from public consciousness too.

Dedh Ishqya, Gulab gang were offbeat films. Public pays for entertaining films.

Heroines have no loyal fanbase. Fans in theatres are loyal to jhatkas, beauty. Once someone else offers better eye candy they shift to her and forget others. Once in a while, a light hearted, entertaining, family film like English Vinglish makes good money. But mostly women oriented films are artsy/heavyweight stuff that nobody would bother watching even for free on TV.

The Khans have been regularly giving 100 crore grossers since last 5 years. Even with panned movies like Ra one and Jai ho. No heroine has that kind of power to draw audiences at box office.

Deepika had great last year, but simply on basis of consistency I would rate Katrina as a better draw at BO.

I guess that's what made sridevi different, she changed the trend, where she called the shots. Ash followed that trend later

Originally posted by: ummesulaiman

With Madhuri's return to India...and her successful stints on JDJ...I always thought she could be one of the actresses to break the mold and finally do something different.

I mean I'm not saying Hollywood is any better...but you do have Meryl Streep still being nominated for Oscars.

Unfortunately Madhuri's comeback has had a luke warm reception box office wise..not even that.

Again...it has to do with the scripts...she can't fit into the young girly roles...and there aren't any impactful scripts out there written for her age. I was looking forward to seeing Gulab Gang but still haven't done so because the critics panned it...and so I out it on the things to do later list.

I guess people like to see her on TV...looking pretty and smiling...and the male guests and contestants will continue to patronize and drool over her...(which sometimes is so over the top it feels blatantly scripted)...but they won't pay the money to see her on the big screen.

Perhaps it is just a reflection of how society views women in general...as eye candy.

Go figure😆

didn't sridevi already break that mold with EV. Maybe not in India but in overseas it was big bb and only women centric film to get such appreciation outside India

No offense but Ash has set or changed no trend. Despite all her popularity, beauty and talent she has poor record at box office with just numbered hits.

Kajol has given successful films after marriage but only with Khans. We Are Family and U Me Aur Hum were duds. Perhaps what can be counted as achievement is that Khans were willing to work with her even after she got married and had kids.

Actresses lack longevity.

I think the only actress who had most number of hits, was popular, talented, beautiful and lasted as a top draw for more than a decade was Hema Malini who gave successes in 70s and early 80s.
No other superstarni has this kind of record.

Still I bet she was not paid even a fraction of what male stars were paid.

Never heard of equal or even comparable pay in movie industry for men and women.

It's rare for female stars to draw audience on their own name, give blockbusters with less known actors, have scripts written for them. Whereas heroes call shots in everything, get changes made in scripts, songs, marketing plans, casting for film and whatnot!
Heroines are thrown out of ads also in a flash whereas it takes long time for a hero to be replaced in endorsement deals.

An Aamir can cause delay yet filmmakers and cast will wait for him but never replace him. Whereas female will be kicked out at once if she causes any delays or hassles. No one would wait for her.

What Bhandarkar did with Aishwarya in Heroine case was really indicative of pathetic attitude of industry w.r.t. women.

Earlier at least maa used to have pivotal role in movies. Nowadays there is not a single female character who is pivotal in movies and is not used as a sex object.

Nowadays even when mythology genre is attempted, they'd cast a ripped man as Lord Shiva and center story around him. Gone are days when a Jai Santoshi Ma could become an ATBB.

Females have little relevance in Bollywood.

Originally posted by: atominis

No offense but Ash has set or changed no trend. Despite all her popularity, beauty and talent she has poor record at box office with just numbered hits..

While her box office record is quite average, I believe her stardom is really beyond her movies. Shes the most popular woman from the Indian entertainment industry. Sridevi, Madhuri, Hema, etc may be better actress with a better box office record - but their popularity is not on the same level as Aishwarya from a global, worldwide point of view.

Originally posted by: Shaitan-Haiwan

While her box office record is quite average, I believe her stardom is really beyond her movies. Shes the most popular woman from the Indian entertainment industry. Sridevi, Madhuri, Hema, etc may be better actress with a better box office record - but their popularity is not on the same level as Aishwarya from a global, worldwide point of view.