Pooja Hegde Has Only One Lifeline Now
Pooja Hegde’s attempt at a telugu cinema comeback with Retro appears to have hit a major roadblock, as the film was declared a flop from its opening day. The commercial failure of the movie has not only impacted the producers but also dealt a significant blow to Pooja’s efforts to re-establish herself in Tollywood. Despite her star power and previous hits, Retro's underwhelming reception suggests that audiences may no longer be willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. This comes at a time when competition in the industry is fierce, with younger actresses and newer data-faces constantly emerging and capturing the spotlight.
One of the more unfortunate aspects of the fallout from Retro is the revival of the “iron leg” label that has long plagued Pooja’s career. This derogatory tag, used in reference to actresses perceived to bring bad luck to films, has been an ongoing challenge for her despite her success in other industries like bollywood and tamil cinema. While the filmmakers publicly dismissed such superstitions, the media's repeated focus on this angle and the public’s quick judgment seems to indicate a growing reluctance to see her as a bankable star in telugu films. These perceptions, regardless of their fairness, can influence casting decisions and industry support, further narrowing her opportunities.
That said, all hope is not lost for Pooja. She still has a few critical projects lined up, the most promising being her upcoming film with tamil superstar Vijay, which could provide a much-needed boost to her career. If this film performs well, it may help shift public sentiment and re-open doors that Retro appeared to shut. However, as it stands, her prospects in tollywood look bleak, and unless she manages a significant hit soon, she may have to redirect her focus to other regional industries or take on more diverse roles to break the cycle of negative perception.
One of the more unfortunate aspects of the fallout from Retro is the revival of the “iron leg” label that has long plagued Pooja’s career. This derogatory tag, used in reference to actresses perceived to bring bad luck to films, has been an ongoing challenge for her despite her success in other industries like bollywood and tamil cinema. While the filmmakers publicly dismissed such superstitions, the media's repeated focus on this angle and the public’s quick judgment seems to indicate a growing reluctance to see her as a bankable star in telugu films. These perceptions, regardless of their fairness, can influence casting decisions and industry support, further narrowing her opportunities.
That said, all hope is not lost for Pooja. She still has a few critical projects lined up, the most promising being her upcoming film with tamil superstar Vijay, which could provide a much-needed boost to her career. If this film performs well, it may help shift public sentiment and re-open doors that Retro appeared to shut. However, as it stands, her prospects in tollywood look bleak, and unless she manages a significant hit soon, she may have to redirect her focus to other regional industries or take on more diverse roles to break the cycle of negative perception.