Roja Daily Serial – E296 – 8th April

Ileana D’Cruz, a popular name in Telugu cinema, finds herself at an interesting juncture in her career. Despite settling in North India for over a decade, she retains a strong fanbase in the South. Known for her glamorous roles in Tollywood, her stardom there has dimmed in recent years.

Her Bollywood foray began brightly with the critically acclaimed “Barfi!” However, the initial promise fizzled out, leaving her with a dearth of substantial projects. This comes after welcoming her first child in 2023.

Addressing her career path, Ileana clarifies that her decision to do “Barfi!” wasn’t a strategic shift towards Bollywood. It was driven by a genuine love for the unique story. However, a misconception arose that she was abandoning South Indian cinema.

“There was this weird misconception that ‘she’s moving to Bollywood now. She’s not going to be interested in doing South films,'” she laments. This, coupled with her own increased selectivity after entering Bollywood, resulted in a significant decline in offers from the South.

Furthermore, Ileana feels a lot of her past work went unnoticed. Her recent Bollywood film, “Tera Kya Hoga Lovely,” tackled the sensitive issue of India’s obsession with fair skin. While the film addressed a social concern, it did not achieve widespread recognition.

Ileana D’Cruz’s situation highlights the challenges faced by actors attempting to navigate between regional film industries. Her talent and dedication are undeniable, yet she finds herself with limited opportunities in both Bollywood and Tollywood. The future remains uncertain, but her commitment to good storytelling suggests a potential resurgence with the right project.