Priyamani says it is a welcome change in the Indian film industry where female actors are not relegated to supporting roles post marriage.
The National Award-winning actor praised her contemporaries — Nayanthara, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Kajal Aggarwal — for making some great career decisions.
“Post marriage, women are getting roles that are tailor made for them. At the end of the day, it’s a choice. If you want to take a break after marriage, and want to focus more on your family or if you want to continue (working).
“Actresses are getting married or are making a comeback after marriage but now they are getting author backed roles. The status of being married is no longer making a difference to the industry. Nayanthara, Samantha and Kajal Aggarwal are doing very well. Kajal has got a kid (too),” Priyamani said.
Earlier, female actors were reduced to “mother”, “sister” or “sister-in-law” parts after marriage, the actor lamented.
“Once upon a time, married actresses, at least in the south, were reduced to doing (supporting roles). They (industry people) said, ‘once the actress is married, fans will not be there. Probably your body shape will change.’
“They were reduced to getting mother or sister or sister-in-law’s roles to actors who were earlier their co-stars,” Priyamani added.
The actor is currently looking forward to the release of her upcoming Hindi movie “Maidaan”, in which she stars alongside Ajay Devgn.
The film, which chronicles the golden years of Indian football in the early 1950s-60s through the eyes of the team’s coach Syed Abdul Rahim, played by Devgn, is directed by Amit Sharma of “Badhaai Ho” fame.