South Indian heroes in Hindi-Urdu films
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Top 10 South stars who debuted in Bollywood
Jun 12, 2013
The South-Bollywood hero brigade
By Janani Sampath | ENS
12th June 2013
Female actors from the South making it big in Bollywood is no new story. The journey has been going strong and steady for several decades, with every now and then a South Indian name dominating the industry, transcending both language and regional barriers.
However, an equally interesting but understated element in the South-Bollywood connect is the long list of male actors, who tried their luck in the fascinating world of Hindi film industry.
Gemini Ganesan
Flashback to the year 1957, an already successful Gemini Ganesan was seen opposite Meena Kumari in one of the biggest hits of that year—Miss Mary. Directed by L V Prasad, the movie introduced Gemini to the Hindi-speaking film audience.
With a melodious musical score and engaging storyline, the film Missamma already had a successful run at the box office in both Telugu and Tamil. Missamma had Savithri as the female lead opposite Gemini (Tamil) and Akkineni Nageswara Rao and NT Rama Rao (Telugu).
In the following years, Gemini was cast in yet another Hindi flick, Raj Tilak; this time a remake of his successful Vanjikottai Vaaliban, originally inspired by Alexander Dumas’ Count of Monte Cristo, helmed by S S Vasan.
The film was adapted completely for a Hindi-film audience with screenplay by Ramanand Sagar and music set to tune by yet another known name in the Tamil film circle, Maharashtrian-born C Ramachandra.
Even today, the Ruritanian epic is remembered for its production style, expensive sets and the famous dance scene between Vyjaynthimala and Padmini.
Sivaji Ganesan
Gemini’s contemporary, the legendary Sivaji Ganesan’s Bollywood stint was far forgettable. His role of a revolutionary in Dharti (remake of Sivantha Mann), a film in which he shared screen space with one of the most successful heroes on Bollywood, Rajendra Kumar, was hardly a patch in his prolific career. In Dharti, his role was dwarfed, despite playing the lead role in the film’s original version.
M K Radha
Ranjan
Meanwhile, M K Radha and Ranjan of Chandralekha fame were other Tamil names that became popular in the Hindi circle as well. These actors starred in films that were remakes of Southern hits by AVM, L V Prasad and S S Vasan; more essentially bilingual films.
Ranjan was the first South Indian actor who had a cult following in the north, mainly because of his swordsmanship.
Kamal Haasan
The Southern male presence in Bollywood was barely visible till Kamal Haasan made a dramatic entry into the scene with Ek Duje Ke Liye. The tragic love saga directed by K Balachander, but again a remake of the Telugu film Maro Charitra, made Bollywood sit up and notice a distinctively handsome hero of the South;
Kamal had already proved his mettle to the audience. Bollywood was still a struggle. But, with films like Sanam Teri Kasam opposite Reena Roy, he proved his ability to carry the film entirely without support from other big names.
His biggest role was Ramesh Sippy’s runway hit Saagar, opposite Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia.
Yet, Kamal was never in the top league of male stars in Bollywood.
After the movie’s success, Kamal, however, returned to the Southern industry, where there were more challenging roles awaiting him.
Rajinikanth
While Rajinikanth too made to Bollywood in the eighties, albeit in a multi starrer Andha Kanoon that saw Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini and Reena Roy in major roles. Rajini, like Kamal, had to resign to lesser meaty roles. Some of his films included Hum and Chaalbaaz, that again were multi-starrers.
Prashanth
In the nineties, Prashanth who starred in the forgettable I Love You, a remake of his debut film Vaigasi Purandachu, made a blink and miss appearance.
Nagarjuna
Meanwhile, Telugu industry’s Nagarjuna’s run in Bollywood was a far bigger success story.
Nagarjuna ensured some fan following with hits like Shiva and a memorable role in Khuda Gawah, opposite the towering Bachchan, whose career was heading for a decline. Nagarjuna’s foray was followed by Venkatesh with Anari (remake of Tamil hit Chinnathambi). But, Venkatesh’s next few Hindi projects didn’t add impetus to his stay.
Mammooty
From the Malayalam industry, Mammooty bagged a lead role in Dhartiputra (1993), not with much success though.
Mohanlal
Mollywood’s Mohanlal had a grand Bollywood debut much later in his career in Ram Gopal Verma’s gangster flick Company.
Sudeep
Sandalwood to its share has had Sudeep sharing screen space in B-wood.
Chekravarthy
When Chekravarthy debuted in Hindi with Satya in the late 90s, one believed he would be seen more often in Hindi films. But other than some appearances in RGV films like Darwaza Bandh Karo, Vaastu Shashtra and Bhoot Returns, he hasn’t done much work in Hindi films thereafter.
Madhavan
Madhavan needs no introduction. He is one actor who has worked moderately both in Hindi and South films.
Siddharth
Siddharth struck to fame with Rang De Basanti where he had almost equal billing alongside Aamir Khan. Then he starred in films like Striker. But with his recent success in Chashme Baddoor, he should be seen more frequently in Hindi films now.
Madhavan and Siddharth have been so far more successful in the attempt with a combination of solo and multi-starrer roles.
Vikram
National Award winner Vikram debuted in Bollywood with Mani Ratnam’s Raavan where he played Ram (while he played Raavan in the Tamil version). Known for his Tamil films like Sethu (remade as Tere Naam) and Anniyan (dubbed as Aparichit), he was seen in David more recently.
Suriya
Suriya a huge star in South had worked in the Tamil Ghajini which was later remade in Hindi with Aamir Khan. He showed the intensity of his performance with RGV’s Raktha Charitra 2. Let’s hope to see the talented actor in more Bollywood films in future.
Vikram and Suriya with Raavan (Mani Rathnam) and Raktha Charithra (Ram Gopal Verma) respectively can hope to have a longer stint in the industry. However, as regarding their success, only time can give us the best answer.
Rana Daggubati
Ram Charan Teja
Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi’s son, Ram Charan turned a superstar with his film Magadheera which earned more than Rs 100 crores. Now Ram Charan is making his Bollywood debut with the remake of Zanjeer which made Amitabh Bachchan a superstar in the 70s.
Prithviraj
Prithviraj debuted in Bollywood with Aaiyya opposite Rani Mukherji but the film bombed at the box-office. More recently he was seen alongside Arjun Kapoor in the Yash Raj production Aurangzeb.
Guru Dutt
Does Guru Dutt Padokone, one of the biggest heroes of Filmistan, not count as a Kannadiga?
Mehmood
Is a Hyderabadi not a South Indian? Then why is Mehmood left out of all lists of South Indian heroes? He played the lead in at least half a dozen Hindi Urdu films.
Girish Karnad
Shankar Nag
Anant Nag
Dhanush
Dhanush, the son-in-law of Rajinikanth, won national fame with ‘Kolaveri Di’ song video. He made his Bollywood debut with Raanjhanaa opposite Sonam Kapoor and won praise and commercial success. Dhanush had signed another Hindi-Urdu film, even before the release of his Hindi-debut Raanjhanaa, there is hope that there are stars who will add more names in the list.
