'Few films and then comes a new girl': Actress who worked with Ajay Devgn, Mammootty reveals why 90s heroines had longer careers

Actress Madhoo, who shared the screen with stars like Ajay Devgn, Mammootty, and several leading actors across Indian cinema, has reflected on how dramatically the film industry has changed for actresses over the years.

The Phool Aur Kaante actress believes performers from the 1990s were fortunate to get time to grow, while today's newcomers face immense pressure to prove themselves from their very first film.

'90s actresses got time to evolve'

Speaking to IANS, Madhoo said actresses from her generation enjoyed much longer careers because filmmakers and audiences allowed them to improve with experience instead of expecting perfection from day one.


"We all have a long career span. I left voluntarily in 9 years, but the other actresses continued, and they transformed and continued, and it was a long span. Today, actresses don't have that long span. They look amazing in their first film, they have a few more films, and then the new girl comes. So, that was the advantage of not starting out perfect, and today, the advantage is that you start out perfect. There is a lot of support," she said.

According to Madhoo, while today's actors are far more polished at the start of their careers, the competition is fiercer than ever, leaving little room for mistakes.

'We got second and third chances'

Looking back at her own journey, Madhoo said audiences in the 1990s were far more forgiving and gave actors multiple opportunities to improve.

"If the audience did not like us, we used to get a second chance, third chance. During my 9-year career, every movie of mine was like a training ground for me. So, from being 'not so good' I had a chance to become 'good'. The audience gave me that time, and I had the room to improve because I was not the best when I came in 'Phool Aur Kaante', but people connected, and then I had a chance to correct my externals like hair and makeup. But today, people come perfect, so either you impress in your first attempt, or you are out," she added.

Madhoo said every film became a stepping stone that helped her sharpen her craft and gain confidence as a performer.

From Phool Aur Kaante to Roja

Madhoo made her acting debut opposite Ajay Devgn in Phool Aur Kaante (1991) before going on to feature in several hit films across languages. Some of her best-known performances include Roja, Allari Priyudu, Yoddha and Gentleman, making her one of the most recognisable actresses of the 1990s.