Top leading actresses of the South Indian film industry have not just set our eyeballs rolling with their glamorous looks, but have also blown us away with their stunning performances.
Here is the list of top 10 actresses of south cinema:
Anushka Shetty
Anushka Shetty, who was a yoga instructor, debuted in 2005 in Telugu film "Super" with popular actor Akkineni Nagarjuna. She became popular with her film "Vikramarkudu" in which she paired with Ravi Teja. Following the success of this film, Anushka starred in many blockbuster movies alongside popular actors in Telugu film industy.
Director SS Ramouli's heroine-centric film "Arundati" made her the household name not just in Andhra Pradesh, but also in Tamil Nadu. Her mind-blowing performance in the movie fetched her Nandi Special Jury Award and the Filmfare Best Actress award in 2009.
The tall and beautiful Shetty received several offers in Tamil. She starred with all the leading stars of Tamil film industry including Vijay, Suriya, Vikram and Simbu.
The actress' upcoming projects: "Irandam Ulagam" with Arya, "singham 2" with Suriya, and a period drama titled "Rudrama Devi" with Rana Daggubati.
Kajal Aggarwal
Kajal Aggarwal, who debuted with a lesser-known Hindi film "Kyun... Ho Gaya Na" in 2004, began her career as a lead actress in south films in the year 2007. She became popular star with the block-buster film "Magadheera" with megastar Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan Teja.
After a string of hit films in both Tamil and Telugu films, the actress made her Bollywood debut as the female lead in the Hindi remake of "Singam" titled "Singham" with actor Ajay Devgn. Her second film in Hindi "Special 26" was released recently and received positive reviews from critics.
Her upcoming projects: "Jilla" with Vijay, "All in All Azhagu Raja" with Karthi, "Yevadu" with Ram charan Teja and "Baadshah" with Jr NTR.
Hansika Motwani
The bubbly and vivacious Hansika began her stint as child artiste in Hrithik Roshan's "Koi Mil Gaya." She won the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award for her first movie in Telugu - "Desamuduru" with Allu Arjun.
She subsequently rose to fame with commercially hit films like "Velayudham" and "Oru Kal Oru Kannadi." The actress is one of the sought after stars with several films in her kitty.
Her upcoming movies: "Vaalu" with Simbu, "Vettai mannan" with Simbu again, "Singham 2" with Suriya, "Biriyani" with Karthi and "Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru" with Siddharth.
Tamannah Bhatia
Tamannah began her acting career with "Chand Sa Roshan Chehra" Hindi film in 2005. She debuted in her Telugu film "Sri" the same year. Her film with Dhanush titled "Padikkathan" was her first box office film in Tamil. After the movie, Tamannah starred in several movies in both Tamil and Telugu, many of which turned into blockbuster movies.
She will soon make a comeback with the Hindi film "Himmatwala" alongside Ajay Devgn. The film is a remake of the 1980s Jeetendar-Sridevi film of the same name.
Her upcoming movies: "Thadaka" with Naga Chaitanya and "Himmatwala" with Ajay Devgn.
Shruti Haasan
Shruti, daughter of legendary actor Kamal Haasan, starred with Siddharth in her first movie in Telugu. The titled "Anaganaga O Dheerudu" won her the Filmfare Best Female Actress Award.
She was also nominated Filmfare Best Female Actress Award for her role in Tamil movie "7aum Arivu."
Besides acting in movies, Shruti is also a talented singer. She has sung several songs in both Tamil and Telugu films. Her popular songs include "Unnaipol Oruvan" in the film with the same name, starring her father Kamal Haasan.
Her upcoming movies: "Yevadu" with Ram Charan Teja and Allu Arjun, and "Balupu" with Ravi Teja.
Amala Paul
Amala Paul, who initially appeared in a supportive role in Malayalam film, starred in a controversial Tamil film "Sindhu Samaveli." Her second movie in Tamil titled "Mynaa" received rave reviews for its wonderfully written script. Amala was appreciated for her role in the movie.
Upcoming films: Much-awaited "Thaliavaa" with Vijay, "Iddarammayilatho" with Allu Arjun and "Nimirndhu Nil" starring Jayam Ravi.
Ileana D'Cruz
The beautiful Ileana starred in "Devadasu" with Ram Pothineni and won the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award for the film released in 2006. Since then, there was no turning-back for this Goan girl who became one of the top actresses of the Telugu film industry with popular films like "Pokkiri" and "Kick."
She made her Bollywood debut with Ranbir Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra starrer "Barfi" released in 2012. Ileana received critical appreciation for her role as a Begali wife Shruti Ghosh.
Her upcoming movies: "Phata Poster Nikla Hero" with Shahid Kapur.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu
Samantha's first movie was Gautham Menon's Telugu film "Ye Maaya Chesave" with Nag Chaitanya. She reprised the role of Jessi from "Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa."
Upcoming movies: "Sarada" with Pawan Kalyan and Hari Shankar's untitled project with Jr NTR.
Taapsee Pannu
Taapsi's first film was the National Award winning "Aadukalam" starring "Kolaveri Di" fame Dhanush. Following the roaring success of her movie, Taapsi was offered roles to play the female lead in many films.
The actress is currently busy with her debut Hindi film "Chashme Baddoor" with Ali Zafar, Siddharth and Divyendu Sharma; "Valai" with Ajith and Arya; "Jackpot" with Gopichand.
Trisha Krishnan
Trisha, who started off as a lead actress a decade ago, is still reigning as one of the top actresses of the south film industry. In the last 10 years, the actress has starred in more than 40 films.
Her film "Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa" with Simbu received critical claim. Her role as Jessie Thekekuttu, a Malayali girl, won her accolades. She was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actress Award in 2010 for this movie.
Trisha's upcoming movies: "Boologam" with Jayam Ravi and "Endrendrum Punnagai" with Jiiva.
