From Rajinikanth to R Madhavan: Five South Indian heroes who made their mark in Bollywood

Mollywood hunk Dulquer Salmaan is all set to make his Bollywood debut with the movie 'Karwaan' which will hit the screens on August 03, 2018. The actor, who is already a big star down South, aims to proclaim his mettle in Bollywood through this film, and if he succeeds in hitting the bull's eye, Dulquer will surely emerge as a hearthrob among North Indian audiences too.

As the release of Karwaan is just a few days away, IB Times India presents a list of five South Indian heroes who made their presence felt in Bollywood.

Mohanlal

Mohanlal, the most valuable Superstar in Mollywood, made his grand debut in Bollywood with the movie 'Company' directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film, which portrayed the dark side of the Mumbai underworld, featured Mohanlal in the role of a dashing daredevil cop.

Upon release in 2002, the film emerged as a huge hit at the box-office, and the performance of Mohanlal and Vivek Oberoi received appreciations from all corners. For his realistic portrayal of the Mumbai cop, Mohanlal won the IIFA Best Actor award.

In 2007, Mohanlal once again appeared in another Bollywood flick named 'Aag', a remake of yesteryear blockbuster 'Sholay'. Even though this Ram Gopal Varma directorial bombed at the box-office, Mohanlal's performance received critical acclaim.

In 2012, Mohanlal did an extended cameo appearance in the movie 'Tezz' directed by his best friend Priyadarshan.

Rajinikanth

Rajinikanth, the all-time Superstar in Indian cinema, made his Bollywood debut in 1983 with the film 'Andha Kanoon'. The film was directed by Tatineni Rama Rao, and it was the remake of Tamil blockbuster 'Sattam Oru Iruttarai'. The film was declared a hit at the box-office.

'Jeet Hamari', another Bollywood movie featuring Rajinikanth was also released in 1983, followed by the release of 'Meri Adaalat' in 1984.

Some other noted movies of Rajinikanth in Bollywood are 'Hum', 'Chaal Baaz', and 'Tyaagi'. However, post the release of 'Aatank Hi Aatank' in 1995, Rajinikanth refrained from doing lead roles in Bollywood flicks.

R Madhavan

After the success of Mani Ratnam's 'Alaipayuthey' in 2000, R Madhavan emerged as the heartthrob of South Indian audiences. Madhavan's rising popularity down south helped him rack up noted roles in Bollywood too.

Madhavan's first noted Bollywood movie was 'Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein' directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. The film was the remake of Madhavan's Tamil blockbuster Minnale. Even though the film was declared an average hit at the box-office, Madhavan's performance and the romantic melodies composed by Harris Jayaraj received critical acclaim.

Madhavan later appeared in blockbuster Hindi movies like 'Rang De Basanti', '3 Idiots' and 'Tanu Weds Manu'.

Sidharth

Sidharth, the young Tamil actor who made his debut with the new-age romantic movie 'Boys', has appeared in a handful of Bollywood flicks. His first Hindi movie was Rang De Basanti, and he won many accolades for his performance in this flick.

Some of the other noted works of Siddharth in Bollywood came in movies like 'Chashme Baddoor' and 'Striker'.

Mammootty

Mollywood megastar Mammootty made his acting debut in 1990 with the movie 'Triyathri'. But his major breakthrough came in 1993 when the Iqbal Durrani movie 'Dhartiputra' emerged as a huge hit at the box-office.

In 2005, Mammootty acted in the role of a police officer in the movie 'Sau Joot Ek Sach', but the film bombed at the box-office.