In the film industry, the choice of a hero-heroine combination is often a mix of sentiment, strategy, and practicality. While the selection of actors usually depends on the story and the character requirements, the hero often plays a role in deciding the heroine. Directors and heroes typically discuss potential options before finalizing the lead actress. Both sides contribute suggestions, ensuring that the chosen actress suits the script while also aligning with the hero’s comfort level.
Directors often prefer fresh faces or newer actresses over seasoned ones, believing they bring energy and flexibility to the project. Heroes, too, feel more at ease working with actresses they can build rapport with, rather than constantly collaborating with seniors.
A notable example is Natural Star Nani. In his career, certain heroines have been repeated in multiple films despite varying outcomes at the box office. For instance, in “Nenu Local”, Nani starred alongside Keerthy Suresh, and the film was a massive hit. Following its success, the same combination was recreated in “Dasara”, which also performed well.
Later, Nani cast Priyanka Arul Mohan in “Nani’s Gang Leader” as his lead heroine. Although the film did not meet expectations, Nani still chose to work with her again in “Saripodaa Shanivaar”, which turned out to be a blockbuster.
This shows that Nani does not solely rely on past successes or failures when selecting a heroine. Instead, he focuses on the fit for the role and the chemistry on screen, often taking chances on repeat collaborations even if previous films didn’t perform as expected. The lesson here is that hero-heroine pairings in Nani’s films are guided more by instinct and compatibility than just box office formulas.
Emraan Hashmi & Anurag Kashyap Criticize Bollywood’s “Crab Mentality”
In the film industry, the mentality of undermining peers—kicking someone down when they rise—is often referred to as the “crab mentality”. It’s a mindset where people can’t tolerate the success of others and, instead of celebrating it, try to pull them down. This attitude has caused many talented artists to face unnecessary struggles in their careers. Prominent Bollywood figures like Anurag Kashyap, Himesh Reshammiya, Karthik Aryan, and Ayushmann Khurrana are familiar with this harsh reality.
Anurag Kashyap has previously criticized the Bollywood system, highlighting the industry’s tendency to undermine other people’s films rather than appreciating their merit. He called this the “crab mentality.” He noted that in Bollywood, when a film is about to release, people focus more on whether it will fail rather than whether it will succeed. Even industry insiders often enjoy criticizing and belittling others’ work, instead of offering support.
Kashyap contrasted this with South Indian film industries, where the community comes together to support big releases. In Bollywood, however, he said, people try to trip each other up, prioritizing star image and publicity over content, which limits diversity in cinema.
Speaking about the current scenario, Kashyap expressed frustration over films like “Jan Nayakan”, which face hurdles due to the censor board and other controversies, and said that lack of support from the industry weakens filmmakers. He emphasized that unity within the industry is essential, warning that without solidarity, external pressures will only make everyone more vulnerable.
Along similar lines, actor Emraan Hashmi has also spoken out sharply about the prevailing attitudes in Bollywood. He criticized the practice of talking down other films, spreading negativity, and predicting failures even before a movie releases, calling it another form of the crab mentality. Hashmi noted that industry insiders often feel jealous of others’ successes and celebrate flops rather than appreciating good cinema.
He suggested that Bollywood needs to learn from South Indian industries (Tollywood, Kollywood), where films are supported collectively, and the focus is on content rather than personal egos. In the South, cinema itself is celebrated as the hero, unlike in Bollywood, where individual pride and competition overshadow filmmaking.
Hashmi also criticized the tendency to attack films without analyzing why South films succeed at the box office. With censorship controversies affecting releases, he stressed that the industry should stand together during tough times, instead of letting selfish interests take precedence. He warned that as long as this crab mentality persists, Bollywood will struggle to regain its former glory.
Hashmi’s observations have sparked widespread discussion in Bollywood, raising questions about whether the lack of unity among stars is one of the main reasons for the industry’s stagnation. Recently, Hashmi was seen in Pawan Kalyan’s “OG” and “Gudachari 2” alongside Adivi Sesh. He admitted that he has been impressed by the work culture in South Indian cinema and has forged good friendships with actors like Pawan Kalyan.