Darling: A Unique Rom-Com Poised to Take Theaters by Storm

Hyderabad, India – Telugu cinema is abuzz with excitement for the upcoming release of “Darling,” a romantic comedy featuring the talented Priyadarshi and the stunning Nabha Natesh. Produced by K Niranjan Reddy of PrimeShow Entertainment and presented by Smt Chaitanya, the film is directed by Ashwin Raam and promises a delightful blend of love, laughter, and life.

The makers of “Darling” have adopted a unique approach to promoting the film, generating significant buzz with their creative posters. A glimpse released recently showcases Priyadarshi venting his frustrations about women in a barber shop, sparking amusement and piquing audience interest.

“Darling” is set to hit theaters worldwide on July 19th, 2024. To heighten anticipation, the team has unveiled the first song promo titled “Raahi Re.” The visuals boast breathtaking beauty, hinting at Nabha Natesh’s character as a passionate traveler who explores various locales throughout the film.

In a novel promotional strategy, Nabha Natesh is embarking on the first-ever “female travel long” to promote “Raahi Re.” She has already shared a captivating travel vlog shot at Hyderabad’s iconic Charminar, reminiscing about past visits to the landmark. This refreshing approach has garnered praise from netizens for its originality.

Adding to the film’s appeal is a strong supporting cast featuring legendary actor Brahmanandam, alongside Vishnu, Krishna Tej, and Ananya Nagalla in pivotal roles. The technical aspects are equally impressive, with Gandhi lending his expertise as production designer, Naresh as cinematographer, and Vivek Sagar composing the music. Hemanth contributes his talent to the dialogues, while Pradeep E Ragav handles editing duties.

“Darling” promises to be a breath of fresh air in the Telugu rom-com genre. With its unique marketing strategies, a captivating storyline hinted at in the promos, and a talented cast and crew, the film is poised to become a major summer hit.

Age Gap in Telugu Cinema: A Double Standard for Heroes and Heroines?

Telugu cinema has reignited a debate about age disparity in romantic pairings. Senior actors in their fifties and sixties are frequently seen romancing heroines in their twenties, raising concerns about representation and on-screen dynamics.

Tamannaah Bhatia, now considered a senior actress, stars opposite Megastar Chiranjeevi (67) in “Bholaa Shankar.” Similar situations exist with Balakrishna (61) romancing Shruti Haasan (37) and Honey Rose (29) in “Veera Simha Reddy,” and Nagarjuna (63) paired with the much younger Ashika Rangnath in “Naa Saami Ranga.” Venkatesh (61) is also facing criticism for his upcoming film featuring Meenakshi Chaudhary (24) and Aishwarya Rajesh (32).

Even established stars like Mahesh Babu (47) weren’t immune, facing criticism for romancing Sreeleela (21) in “Guntur Karam.” Pawan Kalyan (50) too has a younger heroine, Priyanka Arul Mohan (25), in “OG.”

The issue intensifies with Ravi Teja (57). The recent “Mr Bachchan” song promo showcases him in romantic scenes with debutante Bhagyashri (early 20s), drawing criticism for the age gap and her glamorous portrayal in skimpy clothing. This isn’t new for Teja, who has a history of pairing with much younger actresses like Kavya Thapar, Nabha Natesh, Faria Abdullah, and others.

However, the debate takes a curious turn. While heroes face constant criticism, the young heroines often escape similar scrutiny. Unlike senior actresses like Trisha (40), Anushka Shetty (41), and Nayanthara (42) who are selective with projects, younger actresses readily accept these roles. This raises the question: why the double standard?

The industry’s lack of established actresses in their forties and fifties plays a part. These senior actresses prioritize quality scripts, often leaving a void in commercial films where the heroine’s role might be less substantial. This gap is readily filled by younger actresses seeking opportunities.

The discussion around age disparity needs to be nuanced. While on-screen chemistry is crucial, the film industry should strive for better representation for actresses across age groups. Additionally, the narrative for commercial films needs to evolve beyond the trope of a young heroine paired with an older hero.