This necessarily does not mean that there should only be a movie like ’36 Vayadhinile’ or a ‘Magalir Mattum’ but even in a mega budget movie where a mass hero is present, a heroine need not be overshadowed or brought to light during only item/love songs and other two-three sequences where either the comedian is making double meaning jokes about the heroines like that of Soori in ‘Jilla’ or be it Santhanam in almost every movie.
Feminism is equality and when this theory is applied in every movie, it flourishes. For example, every Mani Ratnam film holds a special place for its heroines. If not like Mani Ratnam, who gives every woman one of the strongest roles ever, at least a movie like ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ or ‘Mozhi’ would suffice. A movie need not necessarily show a woman physically fighting but they also need not show that only a mass hero who fights (using VFX and graphics) has the ability to protect his lady love.
There are many movies that are popular because of the “massness” of the hero than of anything else. Here are our personal picks of 10 Kollywood movies that had heroes and heroines who weighed equally in the movie:
1. Mouna Ragam: Of course, who can forget one of the most epic love stories of ‘Mouna Raagam’ starring Mohan, Karthik, and Revathi. The character of Divya was so beautifully portrayed. She is that woman who is stuck between her past love and her present marriage. She is the woman of two minds. Her character was deep and her role in fact overpowered the roles of both the heroes. The movie is still etched in the hearts of many.
2. Roja: Ever heard of the story ‘Sathyavan and Savithri’ where the wife fights against the God of Death to bring back her husband’s life? That’s what is Roja from the movie ‘Roja’. Sensitive, feminine but more than that she fights to win her husband back from the terrorists who held him hostage in Kashmir where they went for their honeymoon. She is that woman who is the “struggler” and the fighter.
3. Bombay: Even in the late 90s if women married a man from another religion, they were supposed to leave theirs for his. But, Banu from the movie ‘Bombay’ was a fighter. she loved her husband, his family but never gave up on her faith, her family, her love and her fight for togetherness. Yes, she leaves her family to marry a Hindu Brahmin but no she does not give up her faith.
4. Iruvar: Many may not know this, but the Miss World’s debut movie was this Tamil flick, Iruvar. She plays two characters in this movie. A wife & a mistress and she played them both to perfection. Especially, the mistress! She seduced us with her charming smile, beauty, and her dance moves. However, more than that those strong roles which are two poles apart and the twists in the movies because of the female lead Tabu and Aishwarya are outstanding.
5. Mozhi: The film has Jyothika who is neither can hear nor can speak fall in love with a musician. The love story puts both in an equal halo and the movie is beyond beautiful and soothing to watch. For once, normal “human beings” fell in love with each other.
6. Vaaranam Ayiram: Suriya might seem to be the lead in this but the three leading ladies, Suriya’s story would have never been complete and neither would the love story. Gautham Menon has beautifully carved the importance of women in the movie in his own version of it.
7. Azhagiya Theeye: The girl who has a strong mind, challenge the patriarchy existing in her family. Her strength influences the hero in a very positive way. It is easily one of best roles a heroine could ask for.
8. Kabali: Yes, Superstar Rajinikanth was the hero but no way would this movie’s story work without Dhansika and Radhika Apte. They made sure that the famous underworld don Kabali himself would attribute his success as a don because of Kumudhavalli and their daughter.
9. Naanum Rowdy Dhaan: The role of Nayanthara as Kadhambari overshadowed the role of Vijay Sethupathi. Although it started off on the same note as other cliched movies usually would (read women objectification), it had Nayan completely take control over the movie after that. Fulfilling her dream became his ultimate goal!
10. Minnale: Needless to even talk about the credibility of this film, Minnale is truly a classic love story in its own way. Reema Sen was truly lady love and the story she creates around Madhavan is ecstatic.
We are limiting to a list of 10 but we all do know many more movies that do not see a gender difference while making a movie (*cough* *cough* Mani Ratnam films). When it has been universally accepted that making a movie is an art, why is there a discrimination? Many take movies to be their role models these days and henceforth, it’s very important for the directors, actors and the actresses to sport a role that fulfills the deed.