Regional cinema is rapidly paving its way towards becoming the next big thing in the film industry. In recent years, the film industry has seen a wave of regional superstars taking over Bollywood, especially with the rise of OTT platforms. Regional releases like Baahubali, KGF, Pushpa and Kalki 2898 AD have proved their potential to become pan-India sensations. It is just a matter of time before we begin to see more of these faces in mainstream cinema.
As Indian cinema becomes increasingly pan-Indian, regional stars are making their presence felt on the national stage. On that note, let us take a look at some of these regional superstars who have gained massive popularity in Bollywood.
From being a household name in Telugu cinema, Prabhas secured a significant position in pan-India cinema when the Baahubali series became a nationwide phenomenon. To say that this movie series shot Prabhas to international stardom would be an understatement.
Before Baahubali: The Beginning became a mass success, Prabhas was just another of the many celebrated actors in Telugu cinema, but post-Baahubali Prabhas is nothing short of a superstar. It was not long before his towering screen presence and action-hero persona made him a favourite in Bollywood. His stature among the industry’s A-listers was cemented further after he starred alongside Shraddha Kapoor in Saaho.
It has been a smooth sailing journey thereon: Prabhas recently starred in Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD, both of which achieved immense success. Today, not only does he have a stronghold in Bollywood as a versatile actor, but his towering screen presence in larger-than-life roles has made him a favourite action superstar all over India.
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The “Rocking Star” of Kannada cinema, Yash has acquired notable prominence as a pan-Indian figure with the release of the KGF franchise. Ever since the release of KGF: Chapter 1 in 2018, Yash gained popularity among regional as well as Bollywood fanatics as a rugged hero. His impressive role as ‘Rocky Bhai’, an underdog rising through the criminal underworld, captured the imagination of audiences across India. The next installation of the franchise, KGF: Chapter 2 broke box office records in Bollywood in 2022, giving the star solid ground in Hindi cinema.
It’s safe to say that the audience is eager to see a lot more of Yash in Bollywood as they don’t seem to get enough of ‘Rocky Bhai’s’ rugged charisma. Given his pan-Indian appeal, Yash seems to have promising potential in regional as well as Hindi cinema.
Often described as the “National Crush of India”, Rashmika has predominantly worked in Kannada and Telugu movies, but has now acquired a substantial position in Bollywood. Her debut in Hindi cinema was in 2022 when she starred alongside Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan in Goodbye. It did not take her long to become a fan favourite in the Hindi film industry. Her girl-next-door charm and natural acting style deeply resonate with Bollywood audiences.
With back-to-back hits like Pushpa: The Rise opposite Allu Arjun and Animal alongside Ranbir Kapoor and the upcoming sequel, Pushpa 2: The Rule, our ‘national crush’ seems to have quite a lot left to showcase in the coming days. Considering her fame in Animal, we can expect to see more of Rashmika in Bollywood.
Okay, we all saw him coming. After all, his Pushpa magic still resonates all over India, with fans quoting the iconic dialogue: 'Pushpa, Pushpa Raj … Main jhukega nahi, Sala'. Predominantly a Telugu actor, Allu Arjun has remained a popular face in regional cinema for quite some time, thanks to his stylish on-screen persona and exceptional dance moves. His popularity boomed in Bollywood and all over the nation after Pushpa: The Rise became a pan-Indian sensation.
It didn’t take the Telugu actor long to become a fan favourite after he portrayed the character of 'Pushpa Raj', a rugged smuggler. With Pushpa 2: The Rule on the horizon, fans eagerly await another paisa wasool experience, rendering Allu Arjun’s entry into Bollywood inevitable. The mass appeal of the actor’s screen presence makes him a high-demand face and a natural fit for action-packed Bollywood productions.
Dhanush has been a household name for many years now, after his single, Kolaveri Di, became a smash hit on an international level and ranked among the top videos on YouTube. Following his rise to fame in Tamil Cinema, Dhanush starred alongside Sonam Kapoor in Aanand L Rai’s Raanjhanaa in 2013. His role as ‘Kundan’ deeply resonated with the Bollywood audience and landed him a Filmfare Award for Best Debut (Male). After receiving widespread critical acclaim, Dhanush also starred opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Shamitabh (2015).
Dhanush’s most recent project in Bollywood was in 2021 when he starred alongside Sara Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar in Atrangi Re, where he again received appraisal for a compelling performance. Dhanush has shown exceptional versatility in his roles, be it romantic dramas or gritty intense ones. His depth of character has made him a standout actor in Bollywood with a dedicated fan following.
This Telugu actor shows quite a significant potential to become a returning face in Bollywood. Popularly known for regional movies like Dear Comrade and Geetha Govindam, Vijay Deverakonda became a national heartthrob through his raw, unapologetic performance in Arjun Reddy. The movie became a cultural phenomenon and skyrocketed Deverakonda’s fame all over the nation. He officially made his Bollywood debut in 2022, starring opposite Ananya Pandey in Liger, though the film had a mixed reception.
His brief appearance in Kalki 2898 AD as ‘Arjun’ was enough to raise a roar among the audience in movie theatres, indicating his craze in the industry. His charismatic persona and rebellious image make him a promising force in Bollywood.
Samantha makes a true example of what a powerhouse actress is. Through her prominent careers in Telugu and Tamil film industries Samantha Ruth Prabhu has become a renowned name across India. From commercial blockbusters to emotional dramas, this versatile actress has proven her strength in portraying diverse narratives. She appeared in Hindi cinema for the first time in 2012 through a cameo role in Ekk Deewana Tha.
Although, Bollywood has yet to fully explore her full potential. Samantha's portrayal of ‘Raji’, a ruthless Tamil rebel in The Family Man 2 garnered critical attention and deeply resonated with her Hindi-speaking audience. Samantha’s ability to switch between charming romantic roles and gritty, intense characters makes her one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema today with a pan-Indian appeal. We can’t wait to see more of her in Bollywood and get some memorable characters out of her.
Ram Charan is a prominent figure in Telugu cinema, known for his acting prowess. He had previously dabbled in Bollywood in 2013 for a role in Zanjeer. However, the actor became a pan-Indian sensation when he starred in S.S. Rajamouli-directed film, RRR in 2022. Upon its release, the movie became a massive success in the domestic and international domain. The movie even secured him an Oscar Academy Award, catapulting Ram Charan into Bollywood's limelight.
His portrayal of the revolutionary ‘Alluri Sitarama Raju’ caught the attention of international critics and led him to earn accolades not only in India but worldwide. His powerful screen presence through charged-up characters makes him a well-sought-out actor in India. With more Hindi films on the horizon, his Bollywood journey is just beginning.
From a cool, laid-back father to a cold-blooded villain, Shaswata has done it all. A well-established Bengali actor, he has cemented his position as a returning face in Bollywood through some brilliant roles. Shaswata Chatterjee might be best known to the Bollywood audience for his iconic portrayal of ‘Bob Biswas’, a cold-blooded assassin in Kahaani (2012). Though his screen time was limited, his portrayal of the mild-mannered contract killer left an indelible mark on audiences and became a part of Bollywood folklore.
The calm and chilly demeanour of the hitman ‘Bob Biswas’, together with his iconic phrase “Nomoshkar, Ek Minute”, catapulted Shaswata to national fame. Saswata’s portrayal of Bob Biswas became so popular that the character earned its own spin-off film in 2021, though Abhishek Bachchan played the title role. He has remained a returning actor for different roles in Bollywood: we saw him portraying ‘Badal Bagchi’ in Jagga Jasoos (2017), ‘Abhimanyu’s Father’ in Meri Pyaari Bindu (2017), ‘Mr Basu’ in Dil Bechara (2020) and Raja Ghosh in Dobaaraa (2022).
We saw a more notable appearance of Shaswata in the 2023 web series The Night Manager in the role of ‘Brijpal’, and the villain ‘Commander Manas’ in Nag Ashwin’s sci-fi mega-hit, Kalki 2898 AD.
Another notable Bengali actor who has gained quite an impressive reputation in Bollywood is Jisshu Sengupta. He has remained a prominent face in Bengali films and web series for over two decades, but his dominance has recently spread across Bollywood and South Indian cinema.
Jisshu debuted in Bollywood through the role of ‘Sisir Kumar Bose’ in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero in 2004. In the years that followed, Jisshu played several small yet significant roles in movies such as Barfi! (2012) and Piku (2015). What truly secured his position in Bollywood was his portrayal of ‘Dr Bikram Roy’ alongside Rani Mukherjee in Mardaani 2 (2019). Small or large, his ability to blend in with diverse narratives really showcased Jisshu’s versatility in playing a range of characters, be it a caring father or an abusive husband.
Jisshu's more recent Bollywood performances were seen in Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, Shakuntala Devi, Sadak 2, Criminal Justice, Durgamati: The Myth and Antim: The Final Truth. Needless to say, the actor has already become a returning face in Bollywood, and we can hope to see a lot more of him in the future.
The Makkal Selvan in Tamil Cinema, Vijay Sethupathi is one of those actors who are taking Bollywood by storm. Even before debuting in Hindi cinema, Sethupati managed to captivate audiences nationwide through his versatile performance in the roles of complex characters. His entry into Bollywood was through supporting roles in films like Masaan and Aandhi Maalik where he obtained significant recognition.
After starring in critically acclaimed Tamil movies like Super Deluxe where he played ‘Shilpa’, a transgender woman, Sethupathi made his Bollywood breakthrough when he starred alongside Saif Ali Khan in Laal Kaptaan. In 2023, Sethupathi asserted his dominance in Bollywood by starring in three films and a web series.
Beginning the year as ‘Michael Vedanayagam’alongside Shahid Kapoor in Farzi, which was an Amazon Prime Original, he appeared on Mumbaikar, Merry Christmas and Jawan, sharing the screen with the likes of Katrina Kaif and Shah Rukh Khan. His recent film, Maharaja has also received a fair share of critical acclaim in the industry. Vijay Sethupathi’s ability to portray layered characters with ease has made him a standout figure in Indian cinema. It is no wonder that the actor has become a sought-after star in Bollywood and other regional cinema.
For all those ’90s kids out there, R. Madhavan was a romantic sensation, far away from the one we know today. Popular among Bollywood fanatics as “Maddy”, Madhavan’s portrayal of the lovable and earnest ‘Madhav Shastri’ or ‘Maddy’ in the 2001 film, Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein. This role struck such a strong chord with Bollywood audiences that he officially became known as Maddy in the industry. He is one of those actors who has acquired consistent success in both South Indian and Hindi cinema.
Over the years, we saw some memorable performances of Madhavan in films like Guru, 3 Idiots, Tanu Weds Manu and Tanu Weds Manu Returns. By exploring various roles, he has proven his mastery over acting and direction, making him a respected actor in Indian cinema. He has also received ample praise for his performance in Railway Men and Season 1 of the web series, Breathe.
His directorial debut, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect was lauded for Madhavan's powerhouse performance and exceptional storytelling, cementing his reputation as a visionary filmmaker and prestigious superstar. We also saw Madhavan in a dark light in 2024 when he played the character of ‘Vanraj Kashyap’, a sinister character in the horror thriller Shaitaan.
It is rather difficult to rank and evaluate the career and talent of Kamal Hassan. While many consider him to be among the greatest performers to have ever appeared in Indian cinema in reality, he is much more than that. As one of the biggest actors in South Indian cinema, Kamal Hassan has remained a seasoned actor in Bollywood and other regional language films. His Bollywood debut was made with the now-cult classic Ek Duuje Ke Liye where he immediately captured the audience’s attention.
Also, how can we forget his desi rendition of 'Mrs. Doubtfire' in the iconic film, Chachi 420? Most recently, his fans were astonished when they learned that he played the role of ‘Supreme Yaskin’, the totalitarian god-king in Kalki 2898 AD. That said, we cannot wait to explore what the sequel has in store for us, hoping to see a lot more of Kamal Hassan.
Is it really possible to discuss regional actors without the honourable mention of Rajnikanth, the Thalaiva himself? Another veteran actor, Rajinikanth is a larger-than-life figure in Indian cinema with fans revering him with an almost religious devotion. Even though his fame is predominantly in Tamil cinema, Rajinikanth undoubtedly has a significant impact on Bollywood as well. With his debut Bollywood entry through Andha Kanoon in 1983 starring alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini, Rajnikanth became a national favourite, his unique style soon becoming popular among Bollywood fans.
He later starred in numerous Hindi films throughout the '80s and '90s, giving us memorable films like Chaalbaaz and Bulandi. Each of his appearances have left a lasting impression and demonstrated his power as a pan Indian personality.
If you haven’t yet experienced the remarkable performances of these superstars, now is the perfect time to explore their films and witness their brilliance on screen. Which regional actors do you think can have a promising career in Bollywood?
Also Read: Soundarya Rajinikanth's Love Life: Married Twice, Divorce, Son Attended Her Second Wedding, More
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