
The long-standing stereotype that married actresses are confined to motherly roles is evolving, with the film industry making significant strides in breaking these barriers, said actress Pooja Mohanraj. She shared her insights at the Summit of the Future 2025, hosted by Jain University, during the panel discussion on stereotypes in Malayalam cinema. The session was moderated by celebrity interviewer Rekha Menon.
“For years, actresses who got married were either expected to leave the industry or transition into motherly roles. Today, that narrative is changing. The overwhelming support for Jyothirmayi’s comeback is a testament to this shift. Actresses are now returning post-marriage and parenting with strong, impactful roles,” said Pooja Mohanraj.
Malayalam cinema is actively dismantling traditional casting norms, noted filmmaker and lyricist Amal Naushad. “Our industry allows leading actors to take on antagonist roles. A negative character like the one Mammootty portrayed in Bhramayugam is something Tamil cinema actors might hesitate to do,” he observed.
However, filmmaker and actor Sudip Joshi Mathew argued that certain stereotypes still serve a purpose. “Just as body shaming is problematic, exaggerated body positivity can also lead to mockery. Labeling someone as a ‘muscle alien’ reduces them to just their physique, reinforcing a different kind of stereotype,” he pointed out.

Actor Jojo Jose emphasized that Malayalam cinema is rapidly evolving and is on track to achieve global recognition before 2050. “With the industry’s current momentum, we are not just reaching pan-Indian audiences but are well on our way to becoming a pan-global phenomenon by 2025,” he stated.
Adding to the discussion, cinematographer Vinod Illapilly highlighted actor Kunchacko Boban’s contributions to breaking stereotypes in Malayalam cinema.
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