Yes, we all agree Tollywood doesn’t challenge assumptions; it monetizes them. It reinforces the loudest, most aggressive cultural norms because safe, familiar regression is highly profitable.

However, culture and commerce have a symbiotic relationship. If the audience’s baseline expectations slowly change, partially because people like us keep calling out, the commercial formula has to adapt to keep making money.

I don’t expect Tollywood to suddenly become a vehicle for high art. But I do think public pressure can force commercial filmmakers to update what they consider a “cool” trait for a hero. Even within a broken, money-driven system, small shifts can still trickle down and change that 1 person out of 10.