Bollywood’s reluctance to take risks is once again under the spotlight after the announcement of Jeethu Joseph’s new film, Mirage. The film stars Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali and is set to release on September 19.
This project is unlike Jeethu’s previous works and is based on a story by Aparna R. Tarakad, with the screenplay co-written by Srinivasan Abrol. Interestingly, the film was originally planned in Hindi but never took off in Bollywood.
Jeethu revealed in an interview that he approached several Bollywood actors, but none were ready to play a role that supports a strong female protagonist. He believed no one in Bollywood would dare to take on such a part.
When Jeethu narrated the script to Asif, he immediately agreed, even though the heroine drives the story. His willingness to take risks has impressed fans, showing why the South film industry continues to innovate.
The story follows Aparna’s character as she embarks on a quest for answers, only to find herself in danger. Asif’s character joins her on this journey, and a third person eventually enters, adding depth and mystery to their mission.
Bollywood stars, in contrast, often refuse roles where they must step back and let a co-star, especially a woman, take centre stage. They worry about losing their heroic image and avoid projects that challenge their stardom.
When bold films succeed in the South, Bollywood is quick to copy them instead of creating original content. This cycle will only stop when Bollywood stars have the courage to take risks and lead experimental projects themselves.
Delhi Capitals secured a strong win against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. They successfully chased…
Telugu cinema is one of the leading film industries across the country. The volume of…
