Actress Sanam Shetty has publicly called out the makers of director Venky Atluri's upcoming film 'Vishwanath & Sons' for leaving lead actress Mamitha Baiju's name off a promotional poster, reigniting the debate over gender credit disparity in Indian cinema. The poster in question was released on Friday, 20 June to announce the film's first single, 'Pattampoochi', and featured actor Suriya's name prominently while omitting Baiju's entirely.

What Triggered the Controversy

The makers of 'Vishwanath & Sons' released the first single from the film on Friday, drawing enthusiastic response from fans. However, the accompanying promotional poster credited Suriya by name while making no mention of Mamitha Baiju, who plays the female lead opposite him. The omission did not go unnoticed.

Sanam Shetty, quoting a post by Mamitha Baiju on social media platform X, wrote: 'What is stopping the makers to mention the lead heroine's name on the poster? All other main names are mentioned except hers!'

Shetty's Full Statement

Shetty went further, framing the issue as a systemic problem rather than an isolated oversight. She wrote: 'Mamitha Baiju has earned her name that's why she is cast in such a big film! But even if she was a newbie, the heroine rightfully deserves to get equal credits everywhere. Cinema Industry needs to evolve...one change at a time! #equality #cinema #femaleArtistRights.'

Her remarks reflect a growing chorus within the Tamil and broader Indian film industry demanding equal on-screen and off-screen recognition for female artists, regardless of their relative star power.

About the Song and the Film

The single 'Pattampoochi' was shared by Suriya on his social media timelines, with the actor writing: 'A first is always special — here's the first single from #VishwanathandSons #Pattampoochi. A @gvprakash musical. Sung by @Sublahshini. Written by @Arunrajakamaraj/@ramjowrites.' The music has been composed by G V Prakash Kumar, with vocals by Subhalashmi and lyrics by Arunraja Kamaraj.

'Vishwanath & Sons' is produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya and is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 14 August 2025. The film is being distributed in Tamil Nadu by Think Studios.

What the Film Is About

The film's teaser introduces Sanjay Vishwanath, an international pistol shooter pursuing his dreams into his 40s. Suriya portrays the character with a blend of fatherly warmth and emotional depth, while Mamitha Baiju brings what the teaser describes as vibrant, charming energy to an unconventional love story with a noticeable age gap. The film also stars Radhika Sarathkumar and Raveena Tandon in key roles.

Cinematography is by Nimish Ravi and editing by Navin Nooli. The film is billed as a family entertainer blending emotion, humour, and heartwarming moments.

The Larger Pattern

This is not the first time promotional material for a major Tamil or Telugu production has drawn criticism for sidelining female leads in credit hierarchies. Critics argue that such omissions — whether deliberate or routine — reinforce a star-system culture that systematically undervalues women's contributions to a film's commercial appeal. With Mamitha Baiju having built a credible profile across Malayalam and Tamil cinema, the oversight has struck many observers as particularly glaring.