Kajal Aggarwal on the Evolution of Women in South Cinema: “They Are No Longer Obsessed With Female Navels”
Mumbai: In a candid conversation on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, actress Kajal Aggarwal shared her insights on how female representation in South cinema has evolved dramatically over the years.
Reflecting on her extensive career spanning both the Hindi and South Indian film industries, the Singham actress observed that filmmakers down South are now crafting far more liberal, nuanced, and coming-of-age roles for women, taking inspiration from progressive storytelling traditions in Bollywood. Aggarwal highlighted a major cultural shift on set, noting that the industry has finally outgrown outdated visual tropes that relied heavily on objectification.
They are no longer obsessed with female navels,” she remarked, pointing out how regional directors are prioritizing well-rounded character arcs over superficial glamour. Throughout her journey, Aggarwal remained resolute in setting firm personal boundaries, consistently turning down roles or sequences that reduced female leads to decorative props. Firmly establishing her principles early on, she declared, “I always drew the line and never did such roles. You are not throwing fruits on my navel, boss!”
Beyond discussing character portrayals, Aggarwal addressed her shift toward quality over quantity, explaining why she became far more selective about signing Hindi projects when meaningful roles were abundant down South.
She also pointed out operational contrasts between the industries, praising the South’s strict, clock-work punctuality while recalling a memorable instance of waiting the longest on set for Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.
Her commitment to maintaining dignity and choosing substance over superficiality continues to guide her career, as seen in her lead role as a lawyer fighting pesticide malpractices in the social drama The India Story, alongside her portrayal of Mandodari in Nitesh Tiwari’s epic cinematic adaptation, Ramayana Part 1 & 2
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