In a predominantly male-dominated industry, it is quite often believed that women can’t have the same type of break through that men have . Unfortunately, this is often proven by the numbers, whether it is the number of men onset, the numbers heroes make at the box office or the number of male directors in comparison to their female counterparts. Every once in a while though, such notions are shattered and such is the example of director Sudha Kongara who began her journey as an assistant director to Mani Ratnam for 7 years. Learning from the best, Sudha Kongara is a director and screen writer best known for her movies Saala Khadoos/ Guru and Soorarai Pottru.
The former, a sports drama starring Venkatesh and Madhavan in the Telugu and Tamil versions respectively, was a massive hit, winning her the Filmfare for best director- Tamil. The latter, a truly inspiring story of man’s quest for flight based on the Air Deccan founder, made major waves with wins such as National Film Award for Best Feature Film, SIIMA Award for Best Director – Tamil and Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil. In a world where movies have become bland and monotonous, Sudha brings in a completely unforeseen story, where heroes are shown to know no failure, she shows vulnerability and where heroines are mostly roped in for a handful of songs and their pretty looks, Sudha proves that women can be so much more. This is evident in her casting choices, from picking a real-life boxer to choosing a woman who doesn’t fit into the conventional “heroine” mold.
Whether it is ‘Ramulu’ or ‘Sundari’, she shows women to be strong, resilient, kind, intelligent and independent beings instead of damsels in distress. And isn’t that what women actually are? She also shows us the beauty in “men written by women”, allowing heroes to fall, cry, show weakness and be inspired and encouraged by the women in their lives. Sudha’s movies are proof of what great stories and determination can do. Clearly, more movies should be helmed by women because they seem to bring in an authenticity to all characters, gender aside, narrating tales that impact the audiences’ soul and they can as she has proved.
On that note, we’d like to wish this awe-inspiring director a very happy birthday. We can’t wait to see what story she chooses to bring to life under Hombale Films ( who produced Salaar and the KGF franchise), which is reported to her next!
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