The Malayalam entertainment industry has been witnessing a rapid growth with it getting recognised all over the world for having movies with fresh content and powerful performances apart from making the projects get a global touch by releasing with English subtitles outside Kerala.
A good script and standard film-making do attract quite a lot of other language actors to try their luck in Malayalam as well, and interestingly, most of them make a mark in the industry with their debut performance itself.
Here is a list of other language actresses, who made their acting debut in Malayalam this year:
Varalaxmi, daughter of Tamil actor Sarathkumar, made her debut in Malayalam with Mammootty-starrer Kasaba in 2016. The actress was well appreciated for portraying the bold performance as Kamala, the chief of a brothel. Even though it was a superstar movie that gives importance to Mammootty's character Rajan Zacharia, Varalaxmi delivered a notable performance against the hero. Read Kasaba review
Neha also made her debut with Nithin Renji Panicker's directorial venture Kasaba. She played Susan, who resides at the brothel run by Varalaxmi's character. Neha was also seen performing an item song in the Mammootty-starrer. She was well accepted by the Kerala audience, and has also bagged a pivotal role in Mohanlal's upcoming movie Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol. Read Neha Saxena's interview with IBTimes India
Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi starred opposite megastar Mammootty in romantic entertainer White. The Badlapur-actress played Roshni Menon in the Uday Ananthan directorial. However, the movie opened to mixed response from audience and bombed at the Kerala box office.
Priyanka Kandwal, who is a familiar face for television viewers in India, made her Malayalam debut in 2016. The actress played Diya opposite stylish actor Unni Mukundan in the film Style, which was the first release of the year. The film, helmed by Binu S, opened to positive response from audience which helped the actress get recognised in Kerala.
Qissa actress Rasika Dugal made a cameo appearance in Dulquer Salmaan's critically acclaimed movie Kammatipaadam in 2016. However, it was a short stint and she was not much noticed by audience.
Iswarya, who has starred in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada movies, made her acting debut in Malayalam with Fahadh Faasil's Monsoon Mangoes. The Abi Varghese-directorial, which was completely shot in the US, opened to below average response from the movie-goers.
Upcoming movies
English Vinglish-actress Priya Anand is all set to make a mark in Mollywood with upcoming Malayalam movie Ezra. She plays Priya Raghuram opposite young star Prithviraj Sukumaran in the horror thriller. The Jay K-directed film is one of the most-awaited projects of the year and its teaser, trailer and songs have already raised the expectations of audience. Watch Ezra trailer
Kaaka Muttai-fame actress Aishwarya Rajesh is also awaiting the release of her debut Malayalam movie Jomonte Suviseshangal with Mollywood star Dulquer Salmaan. She also plays a pivotal role in Nivin Pauly's upcoming movie Sakhavu.
