After building careers alongside some of Indian cinema’s biggest names, leading actresses like Rashmika Mandanna, Sreeleela, and Keerthy Suresh are now choosing to work with relatively lesser-known male leads — a move that has sparked debate online. Is this shift a sign of fading stardom or a bold, strategic pivot?
Take Sreeleela, for example. She recently starred opposite debutant Kireeti in Junior, a film that drew sharp criticism on social media. Rashmika Mandanna, often dubbed the “National Crush,” is currently working with Deekshith Shetty in The Girlfriend. Meanwhile, Keerthy Suresh was paired with Suhas in the quirky rural comedy Uppukappurambu.
While some see these as questionable choices, industry veteran and producer Lagadapati Sridhar believes otherwise. “These are isolated experiments in an otherwise star-studded lineup,” he explains. “Sreeleela probably took up Junior because of the backing of a major Kannada banner and renowned technicians like DSP and Peter Hein. It’s not something that will affect her Tollywood or Bollywood standing.”
The same logic applies to Rashmika Mandanna, who has recently worked with A-listers like Ranbir Kapoor (Animal) and Allu Arjun (Pushpa). Sridhar argues that The Girlfriend may offer her an author-backed role, giving her more screen time and depth — a contrast to the often limited parts in big-budget action films.
Keerthy Suresh, too, is exploring new creative terrain. “In Uppukappurambu, she plays a simple, comical village leader — a refreshing shift from her typical intense roles,” Sridhar adds.
Rather than seeing these projects as career missteps, Sridhar suggests they reflect the actresses’ desire to expand their range and take creative risks. “Online trolling is temporary,” he says. “Versatility lasts.”
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