Talluri Rameshwari recalls being labelled 'ideal daughter-in-law' after ‘Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye’, admits the image affected her future roles: “I used to get scared that I am not like that”

Veteran actor Talluri Rameshwari, celebrated for her work in classics like ‘Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye’ and ‘Seetamalakshmi’, recently reflected on her cinematic journey, speaking candidly about sudden stardom, the burden of being typecast, and how one iconic role shaped the course of her career.Recalling the impact of ‘Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye’, Rameshwari shared with senior journalist Subhash K Jha for Bollywood Hungama about how audiences began to see her as the perfect, traditional daughter-in-law. While the love was overwhelming, it also made her uneasy. “At the same time, I used to get scared that I am not like that. I am not like that,” she shared with Bollywood Hungama, clarifying that the character was gentle and accommodating, but never submissive. “She was willing to please everyone, but she was no doormat,” the actor emphasised.The success of the Rajshri Productions film turned Rameshwari into a household name. She became known as the “bride of the nation,” a label that followed her well beyond the film’s release. While audiences adored her innocence on screen, the actor admitted that the expectations attached to that image often felt restrictive.Rameshwari revealed that the widespread misunderstanding of her character in ‘Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye’ affected the roles she was offered later. “People misinterpreted the character a lot. They felt she was a doormat when she was not,” she explained. During shoots, she often questioned directors about her roles, a habit that some appreciated and others disliked.After the Hindi hit, her Telugu film ‘Seetamalakshmi’ also became a major success. Despite acting in nearly 30 films across different languages, Rameshwari said she eventually felt stuck. The realisation hit her while working on the Odia film ‘Manini’ in 1985. “It was even better work than ‘Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye’. I had evolved as an actress, but I felt I was not going anywhere,” she admitted.When asked directly if the film harmed her future prospects, Rameshwari responded honestly: “Oh absolutely!” She explained how the strong image followed her for decades. Recalling a recent project, she said directors questioned her instinctive performance choices. “I didn’t want to be involved with projects where I had no voice,” she added.The actor spoke warmly about her experience with Rajshri Productions, recalling how producer P.K. Gupta personally convinced her to take on the role. “I got Rs. 10,000 for the entire film. And how much love did I get? So much!” she said, remembering the respect, care and attention she received on set, including being offered “forty sarees to choose from.” She also praised co-star Prem Kishen for being supportive and accommodating.That nurturing environment, however, made it difficult for Rameshwari to adapt elsewhere. “If they said the shift was at 9 o’clock, I used to reach by 9. And no one would come till 12,” she recalled, describing her growing disappointment with the industry’s working culture outside Rajshri.Rameshwari also revisited a tragic accident during the making of ‘Sunaina’, which resulted in a serious eye injury. “It was very tragic,” she said, explaining that the injury took nine months to heal. The experience altered both her career path and her outlook on life and work. In recent projects like ‘Uppu Kappurambu’ and ‘Devara’, Rameshwari has focused on characters that offer depth and impact. Speaking about her current criteria, she said, “I want to see what kind of impact the character has on the story.” She added that even short roles matter if they are fulfilling. “I want job satisfaction,” the actor concluded, underlining a career guided by self-respect and meaningful choices.