​South Indian actresses carving their path in Bollywood

After early Bollywood roles in Himmatwala and Humshakals, Tamannaah Bhatia is experiencing a Hindi film resurgence. With her critically acclaimed turn in Lust Stories 2 and appearance in Plan A Plan B, she’s now balancing commercial appeal and indie credibility, winning over new viewers.

Known for Geetha Govindam and Pushpa: The Rise, Rashmika Mandanna made a successful Bollywood debut with Goodbye opposite Amitabh Bachchan. Her bubbly yet grounded screen presence continued in Mission Majnu, and fans now await her next move in the Hindi film space, including Animal with Ranbir Kapoor.

National Award-winner Keerthy Suresh, celebrated for her role in Mahanati, made her Hindi film debut in Baby John, released in December 2024. Portraying Dr. Meera Verma, a compassionate paediatrician, Keerthy's performance was lauded by critics, even though the film underperformed at the box office. Despite the setback, her transition to Bollywood has been noted for its promise and depth. ​

Superstar of Tamil cinema, Nayanthara made her much-anticipated Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan. After decades of ruling the South, her poised performance and commanding presence introduced her to a new audience, proving that age and geography are no barriers to stardom.

After winning hearts in Theri and Mahanati, Samantha Ruth Prabhu impressed pan-India audiences with her gritty role in The Family Man 2. Her upcoming Hindi film Citadel: Honey Bunny with Varun Dhawan marks a new chapter, showcasing her action chops and acting prowess in a spy thriller format.