This Is Not Right, Suhas!

Suhas has built his career without depending on the usual hero image. He became popular mainly because of the characters he picked and the content he backed. That is why the recent comments made by director Mathimaran Pugazhendi at the Mandaadi success meet have created a debate in Tollywood.

The Tamil director said Suhas faced discrimination in his Tollywood because of his skin colour, while Tamil audiences like dark-skinned actors and have warmly received his character in Mandadi. The statement has not gone down well with many people.

What is more surprising is that Suhas did not appear to object to the remarks. That silence can easily create the impression that he agrees with the comparison. This is where Suhas needs to be careful.

Suhas has never been an actor who struggled to find opportunities because of his appearance. From Colour Photo to Writer Padmabhushan and his other films, he has created a space for himself through his performances. Some films may not have worked, but that is part of every actor’s journey. His online popularity also started much before he became a familiar face in theatres.

There is no need to create a Telugu versus Tamil comparison to explain Suhas’ success. Every industry has its own preferences and limitations, but audiences ultimately respond when a actor connects with them.

In fact, the response to Mandadi itself proves that point. Telugu audience chose to support Mandadi because the film offered something they wanted to watch and Suhas added value to it.

Suhas has earned this position through his work. He does not need a narrative that suggests one audience rejected him while another accepted him because of his skin colour.

This is not right, Suhas. At this stage of his career, he should be celebrated for the talent and choices that brought him here, rather than being placed inside a skin-colour debate.