Tamannaah Bhatia has spent nearly two decades working in multiple film industries, giving her a unique perspective on the differences between Bollywood and South cinema. In a recent interview, the actor spoke candidly about her experience in South cinema, admitting that there is a 'patriarchal vibe' that affects how women are perceived.
According to Tamannaah, female actors who manage to balance performance-oriented roles with glamour often go on to have the longest and most successful careers. She explained that music has always been a major part of Indian cinema and that she understood its importance early in her career.
Tamannaah noted that in the Hindi film industry, there are two types of actors: those who take a more artistic approach and those who focus on glamour. She said that the Hindi film industry gives actors the opportunity to do either/or, and those who do both become superstars.
When she entered South cinema, Tamannaah began to understand why people often described it in certain ways. She said that there is a 'specific gaze' in South cinema that is 'patriarchal' or 'not very complimenting.' She felt that the South needed a 'star quality' to pull off the musical aspect of the industry, and that it was more restrictive than Bollywood in terms of commercial success.
Tamannaah clarified that her observations were based solely on her personal experience and acknowledged that others in the industry may have had different experiences. She noted that female actors who have enjoyed careers spanning 10 to 15 years have often been those who successfully balanced performance-oriented roles with commercial entertainers, including song-and-dance numbers.
Tamannaah is currently awaiting the release of her upcoming film, Vvan: Force of the Forest, which stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia in the lead roles. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on 26 August 2026.
