Best South Indian Actresses
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- Tamanna Bhatia is an Indian film actress born in Mumbai, India. She made her acting debut in 2005 with Hindi film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra (2005).
Also in 2005, she made her Telugu debut with movie Sree (2005). In 2006, she appeared in her first Tamil film, Kedi (2006). In 2007, she starred in two films, Happy Days (2007) and Kalloori (2007), which both earned her critical acclaim.
With many commercial successes like Padikathavan, Ayan, Paiyaa and Siruthai, she established herself as one of the leading actresses in the south Indian film industry. - Actress
- Music Department
Kajal made her acting debut in the 2004 Hindi film, Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... (2004), as a minor supporting role as the friend of lead actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Telugu film Chandamama (2007) became her first major successful film. In "Magadheera (2009)" which was the biggest blockbuster of all time in Telugu cinema, she played the role of Yuvarani Mitravinda Devi and Indira (Indu), by which she became one of the most sought-after actresses in the Telugu film industry.- Actress
Trisha Krishnan is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu films. She speaks Tamil, English, Hindi, and French. She studied at Church Park, India and Ethiraj College, India. She is an only child and she lives with her parents and her grandmother. She was introduced into the film industry through director Ameer Sultan's film, Mounam Pesiyadhe (2002) where she acted in opposite Suriya. After that, she acted in Priyadarshan's Tamil project entitled Laysa Laysa (2003). In 1999, she won the "Miss Salem" beauty pageant, and later the same year, the Miss Chennai contest. She had also won the Miss India 2001 pageant's "Beautiful Smile" award. Among her hobbies are listening to music, reading and swimming.- Actress
Sadhaf Mohammed Syed, better known as Sadha, is an Indian actress who mainly appears in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada films. Her most notable films include Jayam, Anniyan and Unnale Unnale.
Sada was born to a Marathi Muslim family in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. She attended school at Ratnagiri Sacred Hearts Convent and then went to Mumbai to continue her studies until she became an established actress.
Sada appeared in the Tamil movie Anniyan, which is her most successful movie to date. Since then, she has appeared in a number of films across different movie industries in India, in different languages including Monalisa in Kannada and Click in Hindi. She was also a part of Mani Ratnam's stage show Netru, Indru, Naalai alongside many performers.- Hansika was born on August 9, 1991 in the Sindhi speaking Motwani family in Bombay, India. Her dad, Pradeep, is a businessman, while her mom, Mona, is a Dermatologist. She has an elder brother, Prashant. She is a student in Podar Internation School. Her parents divorced during 2004, while she continues to live in Andheri, Bombay, India, with her mom.
She has appeared in many TV serials, for example 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thee', 'Hum 2 Hai Na', 'Desh Me Nikla Hoga Chand', 'Shakalaka Boom Boom', 'Celebrity Fame Gurukool', and 'Tum Bin' as a child artiste. She also appeared as such in several TV commercials (e.g. Pepsi, Samsung, Hyundai Santro TV, and Bournvita).
Her mom's client, none other than Juhi Chawla, noticed Hansika and recommended that she act in movies. She was accordingly signed by for 'Yahoo' with herself and Govinda. Unfortunately, this movie was shelved.
This did not stop Hansika from acting as she has now appeared in a total of 5 movies in Hindi, as well as several regional language movies (e.g. Desamuduru in Telugu, Sarvam in Tamil).
She speaks Hindi and Tulu fluently. She is involved in physical fitness and diet with Mickey Mehta. At the age of 16 she has three staff persons, as well as her mom, to manage her career. - Actress
- Additional Crew
5' 3" tall, Bhoomika Chawla was born on August 21 in New Delhi. Her father was a military officer who was posted in various places across the country, so she saw much of India. Her elder brother is also a military officer. Bhoomika finished her schooling in Delhi and moved to Mumbai in 1997 for work on her career starting in ads and music videos. Her campaign for Ponds talcum powder became popular and inevitably, film offers followed. She got an offer from the Telugu film industry and though "Yuvakudu" (2000) was her first movie, she became popular with mega hit "Khushi" (Telugu). She won the "Best Actress Award" for the film Kushi.- Actress
- Producer
Charmi Kaur, an accomplished Indian film actress, has left an indelible mark on the Telugu film industry with her versatile performances. Born into a Punjabi-Sikh family in Mumbai, Charmi's journey into the world of cinema began at a remarkably young age. She attended Carmelite Convent English High School in Vasai and took her initial steps in the 2002 Telugu film "Nee Thodu Kaavali" at the tender age of 15, portraying a housewife. Although the film was not a commercial success, it acted as a stepping stone for Charmi, catching the attention of the South Indian film industry.
Undeterred by early setbacks, Charmi ventured into Tamil and Malayalam cinema, facing initial disappointments with films like "Kadhal Azhivathillai" and "Kattuchembakam." Despite these challenges, her tenacity remained evident as she continued to explore diverse roles. She made a notable comeback to Telugu cinema with "Neeke Manasichhaanu" and "Sri Anjaneyam," followed by a breakthrough in the form of "Mass" alongside Nagarjuna.
Charmi's cinematic journey is punctuated with both highs and lows, yet it is her dedication to learning Telugu in a short span and her ability to adapt that sets her apart. One of her distinctive contributions is lending her voice to Kajal Aggarwal in the movie "Chandamama." However, it was her role in the critically acclaimed thriller "Anukokunda Oka Roju" that showcased her prowess as a versatile actress. Her portrayal in the film earned accolades from critics, establishing her as a force to be reckoned with in Tollywood.
In subsequent years, Charmi showcased her acting prowess in various lady-oriented roles, a rarity in the Telugu film industry. Films like "Mantra," "Manorama 2009," and "Sye Aata" further solidified her position as a leading actress. Notably, her performance in "Mantra" earned her the prestigious Nandi Award for the Best Actress in 2007, underscoring her talent and impact.
Charmi's foray into Bollywood with "Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap," alongside Amitabh Bachchan, marked a new chapter in her career. Though her role in the movie was as a supporting actress, it added a feather to her cap, showcasing her versatility across different film industries.
Charmi Kaur continues to be a prominent figure in the Indian film landscape, admired for her resilience, diverse roles, and commendable performances that transcend language barriers. Her journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring actors, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and passion in the pursuit of one's dreams.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Manjari Fadnnis ( aka Manjari Fadnis ) is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Bollywood, Tollywood films but has also acted in Bengali, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films. She debuted in the Bollywood with her film Rok Sako To Rok Lo (2004), but her major break was Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (2008) for which she won Stardust Award for Breakthrough Performance - Female. She was also the part of National Award winning Bengali film Faltu (2006) and a short film Khamakha (2016) which won the Filmfare Award for People's choice Best Short Film. The Playboy Mr. Sawhney (2018), Baa Baaa Black Sheep (2018), Nirdosh (2018), Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (2017), The Cot (2017), Wah Taj (2016), Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon (2015), Grand Masti (2013) etc. are her other Bollywood works. She started her career as a contestant with a TV singing reality show 'Popstars' Season 2 aired on Channel V in 2003 finishing up in top 8 finalist. She has also sung a song 'Azagaana Neeyum ' for a Tamil film Mutthirai (2009). For her versatile contribution to Indian Cinema, she received the Movers and Shakers Award at the MAAC 24FPS International Animation Awards 2015.- Actress
- Producer
Genelia D'Souza is an Indian actress, model, and host. She has appeared in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam language films. After gaining wide attention in a Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan, D'Souza began her acting career with Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003. She was recognized for her role in Boys the same year, and later established herself in Telugu cinema by acting in several Telugu films during 2003-2005. D'Souza received her first Filmfare Award in 2006 for her performance in the Telugu romantic film, Bommarillu, which earned her critical acclaim. In 2008, she gave critically acclaimed performances in Santosh Subramaniam, a Tamil remake of Bommarillu, and the Bollywood movie Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. Having acted in several commercially successful movies in Telugu and Tamil, D'Souza has established herself as one of the leading actresses of the South Indian film industry.In addition to movie acting, D'Souza has hosted the television show Big Switch, and is the brand ambassador of Fanta, Virgin Mobile India, Fastrack, LG Mobiles, Garnier Light, Margo, and Perk in India- Nayantara was born in 1950. She was an actress, known for Aai Pahije (1988), Khiladi 420 (2000) and Lo Main Aa Gaya (1999). She died on 30 November 2014 in Thane, Maharashtra, India.
- Anushka Shetty is an Indian Film Actress. She was also a Yoga Instructor and has trained under yoga guru Bharat Thakur.
This tall and gorgeous beauty debuted in the 2005 Telugu film Super starring Nagarjuna which was super hit at box office. Later her performance in Vikramarkudu make her noticeable. But in Arundhati in which she had played the role of Jejamma, she got high critical acclaim and become one of the strong actress of Telugu Film Industry. - Ileana D'Cruz is an Indian-born Portuguese actress and model. She made her debut in the Telugu film Devadasu, which became the year's first major commercial success. She debuted in Tamil with "Kedi".
Telugu movie "Pokiri", which was one of the highest money grosser, set her in top slot actresses. She appeared in many commercially successful movies like Jalsa, Kick etc.
She made her debut in Bollywood with Anurag Basu's Barfi! (2012) starring Ranbir Kapoor. - Actress
- Music Department
- Composer
Shruti Kamal Haasan is an India Film actress and singer and the daughter of legendary actor Kamal Haasan and Sarika Thakur. She has studied at Abacus in Chennai, until 10th grade, when she moved to Mumbai to study psychology at St Andrew's College.
She debuted as a child artist in "Hey Ram" in the role of a daughter of Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel. After that she was appeared in "Luck" as a lead actress.
Apart from acting, she is an amazing singer and sung as a playback singer in many films including Thevar Magan (1992), Chachi 420 (1997), Hey Ram (2000), Luck (2009) etc.- Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Nithya Menen, born on 8th April, 1988 is a pan India film actor who appears in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi films and shows. Having established herself as an actor par excellence, Nithya was born and raised in Bengaluru, Karnataka and still resides there. Her parents ,who were also both born and raised in Bengaluru, are government employees. She is also a polyglot who speaks six languages fluently. Her first film was offered to her when she was 8 years old and it was an English movie titled 'Hanuman' directed by the French director and wildlife filmmaker Frédéric Fougea. Nithya is an Alma mater of Mount Caramel College, Bengaluru. For her junior college, Nithya Menen went on to pursue Journalism and Communication studies from Manipal University, during the course of which she realized her inclination declining towards being a journalist. As fate had it, Ms. Menen had almost applied to study cinematography further, when Nandini Reddy spotted her and asked her to be a part of her very first Telugu film in 2011 'Ala Modalaindhi' which went on to become a blockbuster hit and got the audience rooting for this fresh face. As of 2020, she has starred in over 50 films and continues to work across the various industries Indian cinema has to offer. A multi-talented personality, Nithya has also lent her voice as a playback singer for numerous films and has also dubbed for Elsa's character in Telugu for 'Frozen 2' in 2019. She is also a singer and has sung playback for several films. Currently, she is working towards releasing her first music single.- Actress
- Producer
- Director
Samantha, an Indian actress, works predominantly in Telugu and Tamil film industries. She was born on 28 April 1987 and grew up in Pallavaram in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Born to Telugu and Malayali parents, she comes from a modest background and started modeling as a part-time job.
She started her career with Gautam Menon's Ye Maya Chesave and went on to make more than 40 movies in 11 years. She is best known for her roles in Eega, Mahanati, Mersal, 24, Dookudu, Rangasthalam, Super Deluxe, Oh! Baby and more. She is a recipient of several awards including four Filmfare Awards, two Nandi Awards, four South Indian International Movie Awards, and three CineMAA Awards. She has recently ventured into pan-Indian content as a part of the second season of the Amazon series, The Family Man.
She is a huge supporter of indigenous talent and homegrown fashion. She is also Telangana's handloom ambassador and promotes the region's weaving industry.
She also runs an NGO, Pratyusha Support, to provide medical support for women and children in 2012 as well as a progressive early learning school called Ekam, Early Learning Center.- Actress
Sonia was born on 29 July 1984 in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. She is an actress, known for Dookudu (2011), Paiyaa (2010) and Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty (2023).- Kamalinee Mukherjee is an Indian actress who primarily works in the Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi film industries. Born in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, Kamalinee Mukherjee pursued her education in literature before entering the world of acting. She made her acting debut with the Hindi film "Phir Milenge" in 2004, where she had a supporting role. However, it was in the Telugu film industry that she gained prominence.
Kamalinee received critical acclaim for her performance in the Telugu film "Anand" (2004), where she played the lead role opposite actor Raja. Her nuanced portrayal in the film earned her accolades and marked the beginning of a successful career in the South Indian film industry.
Over the years, Kamalinee Mukherjee has been a part of various successful films in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada languages. Some of her notable works include "Godavari," "Gamyam," "Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu," and "Baanam." Her ability to portray diverse characters with depth and authenticity has established her as a respected actress in the Indian film industry.
Kamalinee has continued to showcase her talent across different languages and genres, maintaining a balance between commercial and critically acclaimed cinema. Her on-screen presence, coupled with her acting prowess, has garnered her a dedicated fan base. - Anjali is an award-winning Indian film actress and model, who predominantly appears in Tamil, Telugu and a few Kannada films. Following a stint in modelling, she was cast in starring roles in two Telugu productions; her debut film was the Telugu film Photo, which released in 2006, before bagging a role and gaining attention in the film Kattradhu Thamizh (2007), for which she received the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debutante. In 2010 and 2011, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil, for her performances in Angaadi Theru and Engaeyum Eppothum respectively, subsequently becoming recognized as one of the "finest young actors" in Tamil cinema,[2] and noted for mostly playing "performance-oriented roles"
- Ayesha Takia was born in Mumbai on April 10th 1986. Her father's name is Nishit, a Gujarati and her mother's name is Faridah, who is half Maharashtrian and half Caucasian British.
Ayesha had never let her lack of speaking Hindi fluently come in her way. A go-getter, she is no stranger to the silver screen and has faced cameras even at the tender age of 4. Her continuity was what got her noticed and the makers of 'Socha Na Tha' approached her in 2004 to play the lead role opposite Dharmendra's nephew Abhay Deol which she accepted.
She also signed up for another film 'Tarzaan The Wonder Car' which proved to be her debut in Bollywood, as the release of 'Socha Na Tha' was delayed.
With 'Tarzaan The Wonder Car' Ayesha quickly made her mark in Bollywood and not only was noticed but also received an Award - The Best Filmfare Debut.
Thereafter her films have done poorly at the Box Office, although she scored highly with teenaged audience in India and abroad, especially with her performance in 'Dil Maange More' and 'Shaadi No. 1'.
She also appeared in a 2006 Telegu movie named 'Robbery', which was later dubbed into Hindi and released as 'Super'.
And then came Dor in which she played the role without any glamor - the film that brought a lot of praise and much needed recognition for her. Here she has proved that she can enact both good and glamorous on one hand and the more ordinary next door type girl roles with ease.
Now Ayesha is one of the most gorgeous and beautiful actresses much sought after by movie makers and a force to be reckoned with, especially for other leading ladies of Bollywood. - Actress
Sheela Kaur was born on 2 August 1989 in Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. She is an actress, known for Parugu (2008), Maska (2009) and Adhurs (2010).- Shraddha Das is an Indian actress and model who works in Telugu, Hindi, and Bengali films. She was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, to Sunil and Sapna Das.
Das pursued her mass media degree in journalism at the SIES College of Commerce and Economics. While pursuing her graduation, her love for acting led her to attend various theatres and workshops by renowned artists like Piyush Mishra, Salim Shah, Chittaranan Giri, etc., conducted through the National School of Drama. She also received training at the Gladrags Academy.
Das began her acting career in the Indian film industry with the Telugu film Siddu from Srikakulam (2008) in 2008. She then went on to sign four Telugu films soon after - Arya 2 (2009), Nagavalli (2010), Guntur Talkies (2016), and Hippi (2019). Arya 2, where she featured alongside Kajal Aggarwal and Allu Arjun, proved to be a breakthrough film for her career. She continued to work in the industry and signed two more Telugu movies, Lechindi Mahila Lokam and Arrdham.
Das has also worked in several Bengali films, such as The Royal Bengal Tiger (2014), Badsha the Don (2016), etc. She made her foray into the Malayali industry in 2013 through her role in the film Dracula 2012 (2013).
Apart from featuring in Telugu, Bengali, and Malayali cinema, Das has also been a part of several Bollywood films. She commenced her Bollywood career with Sanjay Puran Singh's 2010 film Lahore (2010) in which she played the role of Ida.
Her other notable Bollywood films include Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji (2011), which was a big break for her in the Bollywood industry; Zid (2014); Babumoshai Bandookbaaz (2017), in which she featured with renowned actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Divya Dutta; Great Grand Masti (2016); Lucky Kabootar (2014); and Sanam Teri Kasam (2016).
Das is a trained dancer and also includes dance in her workout routines. She has modelled for several brands and appeared in print advertisements for Aristocrat, McDowell's, and around 400 others. - Actress
- Additional Crew
Asin was born in Cochin, Kerala, India in the Malayalam-speaking Thottumkal family which consists of her businessman dad, Joseph, and mom, Dr. Seline, who practices in Ernakulam. She attended Naval Public School in Cochin, and after obtaining her Matriculation, was enrolled in St. Theresa's Higher Secondary School. After successfully obtaining her Higher Secondary School Certificate, she enrolled in St. Theresa's College to continue studying in the Arts Faculty. After obtaining a Degree in B.A. English Literature, she assisted her dad in his business (which includes software, export of furniture and antiques) and also took up modeling on the side. Her modeling assignments included Colgate Toothpaste, and Fairever Cream.
This exposure got her noticed and she made her debut on the tinsel screen through director Sathyan Anthikad's "Narendaran Makan" with Malayalyee actor Kunjachacko Boban.
After her initial success, she was offered Telugu movies, and warmly welcomed in the Telugu film industry. It was a smooth transition from Telugu to Tamil with the film "M Kumaran s/o Mahalakshmi". Asin starred in the original Telugu version, so she was the obvious choice for the Tamil remake, opposite Jeyam Ravi. The movie was a super hit. What makes Asin hot in the Tamil film industry, apart from her looks, is that she has teamed up with all the top heroes -- Vijay, Ajith, Surya and now Vikram, in "Maja".
She speaks a wide range of languages such as Malyalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Sanskrit, English, French, and may well be the only Indian actress with a Blogspot in French. She is very active in various functions throughout Southern India, and credits her good upbringing to her parents, who she considers her role models. She was the winner of an entrepreneurial award as a teenager. She is fond of reading and has a huge collection of books.
Asin, along with her mom and dad, have left their Harrington Road apartment at Chetpet, Chennai, and have re-located to an apartment in Lokhandwala Complex, in Andheri (West), Mumbai, in order to enable her to debut in Bollywood movies.
She has had a taste of success at a very young age in Indian regional movies, it remains to be seen if her success will continue in Bollywood also.- Actress
Simran is an Indian actress, producer, dancer and singer who has appeared in Tamil, Hindu, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films. She is considered to be one of the most versatile actresses of her time and is recognized for her dancing skills. She is the recipient of numerous accolades including three Filmfare Awards South.