Ashika Ranganath has weighed into the recurring debate around glamour in commercial cinema and argued that actresses should not be singled out for criticism over the roles they take up. Through an Instagram story, the actress shared a strongly worded note discussing how female performers are often judged for participating in glamorous parts while larger filmmaking decisions escape scrutiny.
Her post has gained attention at a time when conversations around female representation in commercial cinema have intensified online. Recent debates around *Peddi* have also seen divided reactions, with one side questioning whether actresses should be held equally responsible for scenes they agree to perform, while others have argued that filmmakers and the larger commercial template shape such portrayals. Ashika’s post aligns more closely with the latter view.
The shared note stated:
“The instinctive response is to blame the actress. Critics often accuse performers of ‘selling out’ for lucrative projects opposite stars such as Ram Charan or N T Rama Rao Jr. But that criticism overlooks the larger machinery at work. For many actresses, entering the Telugu and wider pan-Indian commercial ecosystem may be less an artistic choice than a strategic calculation. The actress becomes a glamorous interlude between action sequences; her role is carefully calibrated to enhance the hero’s appeal rather than establish her own.”
Ashika added her own comment to the post and wrote:
“Don’t blame the actress. Blame the system and the makers who still think this is what sells. Actors often work within the opportunities available to them, hoping to be part of bigger films and reach wider audiences. If female characters feel underwritten, the responsibility lies more with the writing and filmmaking choices than with the women who play those roles.”
Her post has now added another voice to the ongoing conversation around who ultimately carries responsibility for how women are written and presented in mainstream commercial cinema.
Disclaimer: This article is based on discussions and information shared across publicly available sources and social media. Interpretations remain those of the users involved. Readers are encouraged to exercise discretion before drawing conclusions.
