Malayalam actress Mamitha Baiju has become a popular choice ever since the success of Premalu (2024). The young actress has bagged multiple Tamil films opposite major stars. She will next be seen in Dhanush-starrer Kara, directed by Vignesh Raja. However, the director has been criticised for casting a fair-skinned actor and allegedly darkening her appearance instead of casting a regional Tamil actress. The filmmaker justified the decision, stating that it was based purely on performance.

Vignesh Raja justifies Mamitha casting

In a recent interview with Galatta Plus, Vignesh was asked why it is so difficult to find a Tamil actress to play lead roles in Tamil films. The question arose after Mamitha was chosen for the role. He responded that casting depends on performance and, at times, marketability.

“Personally, honest-to-God, I am not focused on that (marketability) because, for me, content is important. When it comes to performance, I am absolutely certain that I will only hire an actor who does justice to my character. For this character, we auditioned close to 20–25 girls. But what Mamitha did in the audition, no one else came close,” he said. Vignesh added that when he hires actors, he often ‘reintroduces them to themselves’ by changing their look, behaviour, and costumes.

“So, this decision was purely taken on merit, and it was a creative decision. I know there’s a lot of conversation around it. My thing is, I’m going to tell Dhanush a story- what if someone else does it better? What if he’s a Telugu director? Will he be asked, ‘Don’t we have directors in Tamil?’ So, I find it a non-issue. It’s okay for you to point out if I’m typecasting or being sexist…it’s not that we have put a tan and all of that. If I’m thinking I have to be politically correct, then it’s going to feel very off,” he added.

Netizens react to Vignesh casting

However, netizens were not impressed with Vignesh’s justification. A user took to X and wrote, “At this point, it’s just humiliating to hear the same ‘merit’ argument. Tamil women with darker skin exist, are talented, and deserve to be seen. Choosing to darken a fair actress instead of casting them just highlights colourism and shows a lack of care for authentic Tamil representation.”

Some also pointed out how women of Tamil origin have fared better in global industries and impressed with their talent.

“They justify racism in the name of ‘merit,’ as if Tamil women who came for auditions didn’t stand a chance to portray a Ramnad woman compared to a non-Tamil. Tanning/bronzing is widely seen as problematic. It should be discouraged,” read another comment.

“It’s funny how they can find so many Tamil dark-skinned ‘next-door boy’ heroes, but somehow the problem is only there when it comes to women in the same category,” another user pointed out. One more commented, “Colouring a fair actress darker is just colourism,” while another wrote, “Just say it’s your choice—no need for intellectual explanations.”