In Tamil cinema, the portrayal of the girlfriend has evolved from idealized, sacrificing figures to more complex, autonomous individuals.

The 2010s saw director Mani Ratnam’s OK Kanmani present a Tamil girlfriend (Tara, an architect) who explicitly rejects marriage, enjoys a live-in relationship, and only capitulates to matrimony due to emotional blackmail from an elderly figure – a progressive yet problematic resolution. More recently, streaming series like Vadhandhi have used the dead/vanished girlfriend as a noir device, shifting focus from romance to investigation.

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Historically, Tamil cinema often depicted working women in subordinate or anonymous roles, with their professional lives serving as mere background for the hero's journey. However, recent trends have introduced more nuanced "career woman" characters who possess personal agency and professional ambition.

As Tamil cinema continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more complex and nuanced portrayals of relationships, reflecting the changing values and aspirations of modern Tamil society.