South Indian movies might just be popular for its flying cars, physics defying stunts and cheesy storylines among Hindi speaking audiences, but they are more than that. Just like Hindi cinema has content driven movies like Thappad, Badhaai Ho and Pink among others and commercial films like Race 3 and Gunda, South Indian cinema also a variety of gems which Bollywood usually ignores. After all, it was a Telugu film like Baahubali that made waves across the world.
If Indian cinema has gems like?Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra and Khans among others, South Indian cinema too produced legends like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Chiranjeevi, Ajith,?Nagarjuna Akkineni, Pawan Kalyan, Mammootty and many more.
Here's a list of South Indian actresses & actors who can give Bollywood superstars a tough competition.
For Hindi movie buffs, he was the seen romancing Aishwarya Rai in Raavan and Rani Mukherjee in Aiyya. The South Indian actor who has also received Kerala State Film Award (Best Actor for Vasthavam and Best Film for Indian Rupee) is known for movies like Ammakilikkoodu, Daivanamathil, Simhasanam, Sapthamashree Thaskaraham and Ennu Ninte Moideen.?
Considered a superstar hero in the Malayalam film industry, Nivin Pauly is one of the most sought south Indian actors. His notable works include Premam, Love Action Drama, Neram, Bangalore ays among others.
Son of Mammootty and Sulfath made his debut in 2012 with Second Show. He has starred in south movies like Theevram, Pattam Pole, Ok Kanmani and Mahanati among others. In Bollywood, he was seen in Karwaan alongside Irrfan Khan and The Zoya Factor opposite Sonam Kapoor.
One of the best south Indian actors in the Malayalam industry, Fahadh Faasil has aced many different roles.??In the Malayalam film industry, Fahadh Faasil is the USP for a project.? If he stars in a film, audiences know that they will never be disappointed.? Here's why he is the?poster boy of next-gen Malayalam cinema.??
Nithya Menen is one of the most popular actresses in the south movie industry. The star of films such as Ok Kanmani and Mersal, Nithya Menen recently featured and won praises for her performance in Abhishek Bachchan starrer Breathe: Into The Shadows. Her filmography includes movies like Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty, Praana, Mission Mangal, Kerala Cafe, O Kadhal Kanmani and Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju among others.
Joseph Vijay, fondly known as Vijay, is known for his killer dance moves. He is known for his versatility and is one of the most sought after actors in the Tamil film industry. Some of his notable movies include Thuppakki, Thalaivaa, Kaththi and Mersal among others.
One of the popular south Indian actresses, Ramya Krishnan has done over 200 movies in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada as well as Hindi. From a glam-doll to caring wife, arrogant mom and goddess, she has played a variety of roles and proved her versatility. Ramya Krishnan has played several devotional roles including movies like Sarvam Sakthimayam and Rajakali Amman.? ?
One of the most popular South Indian male actor Mahesh Babu has a cult fan following in Tollywood. He made his debut at the age of four with a small role in Needa, his brother Ramesh Babu's movie. After featuring in quite some movies as child artist, he made his debut as lead actor in Raja Kumarudu. Since then, his fan base and great films are winning applauses.??
Allu Arjun is a household name in the Telugu film Industry. He made his debut with Arya and since then has given impeccable performances in movies like Race, Gurram and DJ among others. Rumour has it he was offered quite a few Bollywood movies but he rejected to star in them. He is one of the most versatile?south indian actors.
The South Indian actress is active in both Telugu and Tamil cinema, she is known for choosing content driven movies. Her notable works include Arundhati, Vedam, Size Zero, Thaandavam, Rudhramadevi and Baahubali among others. In many of her films she has played the role of a dignified queen.??
Best known for his works in movies like Arjun Reddy, Pelli Choopulu, Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade among others, rumours are rife that Vijay will soon make his Bollywood debut in a Karan Johar movie.?
Actor, producer and entrepreneur Rana Daggubati enjoys fandom across the world, especially after the release of Baahubali in which he played the antagonist Bhallaladeva. He was in Bollywood movies like Dum Maaro Dum, Baby and The Ghazi Attack among others. In South Indian cinema, his notable works include Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum, Rudhramadevi and Madai Thirandhu among others.? ? ?
The man with the chocolate-boy smile, Prabhas isn't just a Telugu superstar. His fan following post Baahubali spreads across the world. Apart from the magnum opus, he has done movies like Chatrapathi, Mirchi, Munna, Chakram and Saaho among others. In his next, he will be starring alongside Deepika Padukone.??
Known for her works in Tamil and Telugu , Kajal Aggarwal has done several Bollywood films including Kyun! Ho Gaya Na, Singham and Special 26 among others. Her notable works include Naan Mahaan Alla, Maattrraan, Thuppakki, Jilla, Vivegam and Mersal among others. She in one of the most?beautiful south indian actress in the industry.
Son of legendary star Nagarjuna, Naga Chaitanya made his debut with Telugu movie Josh. In 2014, he won National Award for Best Supporting Actor for Manam. He has given kickass performances in movies like Ye Maaya Chesave, Autonagar Surya, Saahasam Swaasaga Saagipo, Mahanati, Majiji and Venky Mama.
He is one of the highest paid south Indian actors in the Telugu movie industry. Some of his notable movies include Magadheera, Yevadu, Dhruva, Mahanati among others.
Known for her role in Drishyam, Shriya Saran Bhatnagar is known for her works in Telugu and Tamil movies like Kanthaswamy, Pokkiri Raja, Chandra and Manam among others. She made her American cinema debut with Ashok Amritraj's The Other End of the Line. Her performance was praised by critics. So much so that Variety magazine said "a winning Stateside debut for beautiful South Indian actress Shriya Saran".?
NT Rama Rao Jr, popularly known as Jr NTR, is the grandson of legendary Telugu star and politician Taraka Rama Rao Nandamuri. He made his debut as a child artist in movie Ramayanam, which won National Film Award for Best Children's film, and since then, he has given stellar performances in movies like Yamadonga, Dhammu, Temper and Aravindha Sametha among others.
Tamanna Bhatia, known professionally as Tamannaah, became a household name after SS Rajamouli's Baahubali had released. While she regularly appears in Tamil and Telugu films, she has also some some Hindi movies like Himmatwala and Humshakals among others.
Known for his works in Tamil industry, Suriya has done several great movies like Kaakha Kaakha, Ghajini, Singam, Ninaithathu Yaaro, Kaappaan and Vaaranam Aayiram among others.
One of the biggest South Indian stars Nayanthara, who is fondly called the Lady Superstar of South Indian cinema, made her debut with Malayalam movie Manasinakkare. Since then, she has proved her mettle with movies like?Thani Oruvan, Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, Babu Bangaram, Iru Mugan and Billa among others.
Sudeep, who primarily works in Kannada cinema made his debut with film Thaayavva. His best works include Swaathi Mutthu, Veera Madakari, Just Maath Maathalli, Kempe Gowda and Pailwaan.?
Known for his role in Rang De Basanti, Siddharth made his big screen debut with Tamil movie Boys. His other prominent work includes Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana, Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi, Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru, and Kammara Sambhavam among others.