With a naïve face and a million-dollar smile, Sandhya captured more than a few hearts with her debut Kadhal. Tad successful Dishyum came right after, proclaiming her as a promising actor in the contemporaneous age. In the midst, she also tried her luck in Telugu and Malayalam (which is her mother tongue). She was also praised for her performance in the recently released Koodal Nagar. Interestingly, in the new clan of heroines, scanty outfits are a strict no-no for Sandhya.
Current Salary: Rs.10 - 15 lakhs per film.
Hit Count: 2 (Dishyum, Kadhal).
Future Projects : Manjal Veyil, Thoondil, Kannamoochi Yenada.
Last Hit: Dishyum.
Even if Shankar’s heroines were tad special and proved successful in their careers, Genilia begs to differ, atleast in Tamil cinema. Her debut Boys reaped only average success. Sachin opposite Vijay and Chennai Kadhal opposite Bharath did not help her either. However, Telugu cinema welcomed her with wide-open arms and she turned out to be a hugely successful actor with her smash hit ‘Bommiliru’. Genilia hasn’t lost hope in Tamil yet nor has Kollywood on her - if her upcoming projects are anything to go by.
Current Salary: Rs.35 lakhs per film.
Future Projects : Vaaranam Aayiram, Santhosh Subramaniyam.
Priyamani’s success is hard earned. She had tough times during her early days although she appeared in Balumahendra’s ‘Kana Kanum Kalam’ and won accolades. Success played hide-and-seek with Priyamani until she went to a remote village for shooting with the crew of Paruthiveeran. She saw it coming and before she realized, she became famous overnight for her portrayal of the village girl, Muthazhagu. She is now wooing Vishal for Malaikottai.
Current Salary: Rs.25 lakhs per film.
Hit Count: 1 (Paruthiveeran).
Future Projects : Malaikottai, Thotta.
Last Hit: Paruthiveeran.
She replenished the long-vacant spot of a voluptuous dream princess in Tamil cinema perhaps ever since Silk Smitha’s demise. Although she could only boast of Naan Avan Illai and Englishkaran as hits to her credit, an impressive line up of future projects all with lead heroes are likely to fetch her the much-awaited spot in the Tamil cinema. Even otherwise, Namitha is nothing lesser than a diva and a crowd puller causing stampedes wherever she goes.
Current Salary: Rs.22 lakhs per film.
Hit Count: 2 (Naan Avanillai, Englishkaran).
Future Projects : Azhagiya Tamil Magan, Billa, Kettavan, Perumal.
Last Hit: Naan Avanillai.
Tamil cinema rejoiced the return of the princess of smile when she was discovered for the Prasanth starrer ‘Virumbugiren’. As bad luck would have it, Virumbugiren was dogged by controversies and underwent huge struggles to hit the theatres. Sneha and success continued to be poles apart for some strange reasons and it was only once in a blue moon that she was let to be wallowed in the success of her movies. Parthiban Kanavu and Autograph are some of the notable highs of her career. However the recent success of Naan Avan Illai and a good role in Pallikoodam has redeemed Sneha’s glory.
Current Salary: Rs.18 - 20 lakhs per film.
Hit Count: 8 (Naan Avanillai, Autograph, Vasool Raja MBBS, Parthiban Kanavu, April Mathathil, Pammal K Sambantham, Unnai Ninaithu, Aanandham).
Future Projects : Pallikoodam(Released), Privom Santhipom, Aruvadai, Inba, Achamundu Achamundu.
Last Hit: Naan Avanillai.
She fit the bill for the girl next-door character perfectly in Chitiram Pesudadi. The movie became an instant hit paving way for the Malabar beauty to shift her base to Tamil movies. She showed her skills in Deepavali and Veyil that went on to bring her loads of impressive projects. Bhavana is reviving the ‘homely girl’ image that Tamil cinema had been devoid of ever since Devyani’s vanishing act from movies. Adjudging the number of movies in her kitty, there is nothing incorrect in saying that Bhavana has adopted the perfect route to success.
Current Salary: Rs.25 lakhs per film.
Hit Count: 2 (Veyil, Chithiram Pesuthadi).
Future Projects : Arya(Released), Rameswaram, Vaazhthukal.
Last Hit: Veyil.
Her acting talents did not make Nayantara a headline grabbing material, rather, her brief fling with Simbhu did. Nayantara took Tamil cinema’s penchant for girls from ‘god’s own country’ to her stride with her debut in Aiyya. From then on, it was uphill in the plump beauty’s career. She went on to win the role opposite the Superstar for his record hit Chandramukhi. When there was success everywhere, Nayan’s career saw a sudden slump - blame it on her infamous fling. With that Nayan decided to take a break from Tamil and concentrated in Telugu. But not for long though. She has already finished shooting for Billa 2007 and Yaaradi Nee Mogini is on the pipeline.
Current Salary: Rs.45 lakhs per film.
Hit Count: 4 (E, Ghajini, Chandramukhi, Ayya).
Future Projects : Billa, Yaaradi Nee Mohini, Sathyam.
Last Hit: Vallavan.
One of the very few Tamil actors who made it big in Tamil Nadu - ironically - Trisha was not new when it came to facing the flashlights. Her successful stint with modeling, entry into the top 10 finalists of Miss India, and looks that would make any girl go green with envy, made Trisha’s entry into Tamil cinema a cakewalk. Although her debut only grabbed average success, Trisha went on to become the apple of lead actors’ eyes in no time in Tamil and Telugu. Courtesy, her hourglass figure and talents. Besides, Trisha boasts quite a few fan clubs that is out of imagination for any other female actor. Needless to say, she’s the reigning queen in Tamil and Telugu.
Current Salary: Rs.50 lakhs per film.
Hit Count: 5 (Kreedom, Something Something..., Thirupachi, Ghilli, Saamy).
Future Projects : Bheema, Chennayil Oru Mazhaikalam.
Last Hit: Kreedom.
In the world of designer costumes, accessories, and stilettos, here is the beauty that also boasts of brawns. Hailing from a business background, Asin always pre-planned her moves when it came to picking her projects, the results of which are quite obvious. She has paired up with almost all the bigwigs of the industry save for the superstar. Her Pokkiri smashed some records at the box office this year and the prestigious Dasavatharam is in the making opposite Kamal. Meanwhile, Asin is also busy putting down her roots in Hindi debuting with Aamir Khan, no less. She has already tasted enough success in Telugu and Malayalam movies. No wonder Asin’s profile is something to die for. Kudos to the charming actor.
Current Salary: Rs.55 lakhs per film.
Hit Count: 5 (Pokkiri, Varalaru, Sivakasi, Ghajini, M.Kumaran).
Future Projects : Dasavatharam, Ghajini(Hindi), Vel.
Last Hit: Pokkiri.
Hot, curvy, and vivacious - that is Shriya for you. Shriya’s long pending stardom and media attention was bestowed upon her no sooner than she signed on the dotted line for Sivaji. Although she appeared in a couple of Tamil films earlier, Shriya’s ticket to fame came only with Sivaji. The chirpy actor is busy these days shaking her leg with the likes of Vikrams and Vijays. Much to her delight, many producers are even ready to wait for her dates to start with their movie.
Current Salary: Rs.60 lakhs per film.
Hit Count: 2 (Sivaji, Thiruvilayadal aarambam).
Future Projects : Azhagiya Tamil Magan, Kandasamy.
Last Hit: Sivaji.
