Actor Manasi Parekh says regional films do not need big stars to succeed

Actor and co-producer Manasi Parekh says regional cinema can build its own stars instead of depending on a small group of famous names. Parekh has spent more than twenty years working in Hindi and Gujarati films. She co-produced the recent Gujarati comedy-drama film Mitrata.

Star System

Parekh points out that only three or four male actors get cast in every second movie, and she wants to change that trend by introducing fresh faces. She notes that regional cinema succeeds because it tries new types of content and works with limited funds. Because budgets are small and resources are restricted, the industry avoids large-scale waste. She explains that new talent brings fresh ideas and helps connect movies with younger viewers.

New Faces

To attract a younger crowd, Parekh and her husband and co-producer Parthiv Gohil cast internet personality Viraj Ghelani in their earlier film Jhamkudi in the year 2024. Their main goal is to make the Gujarati language feel cool. The couple also wants to take Gujarati movies to global audiences. They attended the Cannes Film Festival this year and announced three international projects. They started a global distribution wing that released the film Lalo across 41 countries.

Quality Roles

Parekh states that focusing on new talent does not mean lowering work standards. She always chooses projects based on the story, the director, and the character rather than the length of the part. She believes a small role with good writing makes a stronger impact than a poorly written lead role.

Context

Regional film industries across India often operate with lower budgets than major national film centers, which pushes creators to rely on strong storytelling and unique ideas rather than expensive star power. Expanding to international markets helps these regional movies find new viewers outside their home states and countries.