Several actors and directors from down South are poised to foray into Hindi cinema this year
Ever since Sridevi and Jaya Prada, the top two actresses of the South film industry, successfully transitioned to Hindi cinema in the ’80s, there has been a steady influx of stars from the region. While some have succeeded, others have vanished after a movie or two, but nobody has reached the iconic status of Sridevi who, at one point, ruled both the industries.
In 2018, Malayalam movie actor Dulquer Salmaan did impress in his debut Bollywood movie Karwaan and has bagged his next, The Zoya Factor. This year, comparatively, a lot more South actors are poised to crossover and try their luck in Hindi cinema.
1. REGINA CASSANDRA
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Known for her Tamil movies like Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga (2013) and Maanagaram (2017), Regina was to make her Bollywood debut with Aankhen 2, but that movie did not take off. This Southern beauty then chose to make her entry playing the role of a lesbian in her recently-released movie co-starring Sonam K Ahuja. Though she has a small role in the ensemble cast, Regina shows spark as the lively, strong and supportive partner to the vulnerable and subdued Sonam. Hope filmmakers have taken notice.
2. AMALA PAUL
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The actress, who is known for her expressive eyes, winsome smile and acting prowess, has a loyal following down South. Having gained stardom with Tamil movies like Mynaa (2010) and Pasanga 2 (2015), Amala is gearing up to make her Hindi debut in a yet-to-be-titled film opposite Arjun Rampal. It will be interesting to see what kind of an impression she will make in Bollywood.
3. NITHYA MENEN
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She has already made a name for herself in the South industry. Nithya played the female lead in the superhit OK Kanmani (2015),the original Tamil version of OK Jaanu (2017) which saw Shraddha Kapoor portraying her role. The curly-haired beauty will make her Hindi debut with R Balki’s Mission Mangal that is based on the five women engineers who were behind the successful launch of Mars Orbiter Mission. While Nithya is known to play strong roles in her South films, she has chosen to be a part of an ensemble cast headlined by Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha and Taapsee Pannu in Hindi. With her effervescence, impish charm and acting chops, the actress is likely to stand out in this one, too.
4. SHALINI PANDEY
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Her superhit Telugu film Arjun Reddy (2017) is being remade in Hindi, as Kabir Singh with Kiara Advani stepping into her shoes. Not to be left behind, Shalini, too, is set to foray into Bollywood with Bamfaad. The intense love story backed by Anurag Kashyap has her making her debut opposite another newcomer Aditya Rawal, Paresh Rawal's son. In Arjun Reddy, she played a docile, submissive lover, hope, she will be the opposite in her Hindi outing and show some spine!
5. VEDHIKA KUMAR
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She shot to fame with the award-wining Tamil period film, Paradesi (2013). Having worked across the South industry, she is now foraying into Hindi cinema and will debut opposite Emraan Hashmi in The Body directed by Drishyam (Malayalam) director Jeethu Joseph."Vedhika’s character is of a young college-going girl who has this innocence about her. She fits the role beautifully," Jeethu said in a statement. Well, let's wait and watch.
6. JIIVA
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Tamil star Jiiva, who has to his credit blockbusters like Ko (2011) and Endrendrum Punnagai (2013), is gearing up to make his Bollywood debut with '83 based on the 1983 Cricket World Cup win. Director Kabir Khan has roped in actors from different regions to slip into the shoes of the cricketers who formed Team India. It’s not surprising then that Kabir has chosen Jiiva to play the role of Tamil cricketer Krish Srikkanth. The actor has already begun prepping for it.
7. PRABHAS
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Last, but not the least, Telugu filmstar Prabhas who became a national craze, thanks to the blockbuster films, Baahubali: The Beginning and its sequel, will make his official Hindi debut with Saaho. If Baahubali was a mythical period drama, Saaho is being touted as a sci-fi film. He was charismatic as the prince in Baahubali, let's see what tricks he uses to impress in the futuristic movie.
8. FILMMAKERS FOLLOW SUIT: DEVA KATTA
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His films in Telugu – Vennela, (2005), Prasthanam (2010) and Autonagar Surya (2014)--have gained cult status. He will make his Hindi directorial debut with Prassthanam, the remake of his Telugu movie, which revolves around a father-son relationship set against the backdrop of grass-root politics. The film stars Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Manisha Koirala and Ali Fazal. Deva Katta has made a few changes in the script to suit the Hindi audience.
9. INDRAJIT LANKESH
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The credit of launching Deepika Padukone goes to him. He cast the doe-eyed beauty in his Kannada directorial Aishwarya in 2006 after which the leggy actress moved to Bollywood. Thirteen years later, Indrajit, too, is crossing over to Hindi cinema, but with a movie based on South adult star Shakeela. Called Shakeela: Not A Porn Star, it has Richa Chadha playing the titular role.
10. JEETHU JOSEPH
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He is the director of the original Drishyam (2013) the superhit suspense thriller starring Mohanlal. It was remade in four languages, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi. Now, Jeethu is making his debut Hindi directorial The Body with Emraan Hashmi playing the lead role.
