From SRK To Janhvi Kapoor: Biggest Bollywood Names In South Indian Movies
Amid Janhvi Kapoor’s return to Telugu cinema with ‘Peddi’, here’s a look at Bollywood stars who stepped into South cinema and made the crossover count.
Janhvi Kapoor’s Telugu journey is moving into its second chapter with ‘Peddi’, the new sports action drama headlined by Ram Charan. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film released in theatres on June 4, and also features Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyenndu and Boman Irani, with A.R. Rahman as the music composer. Janhvi’s presence in ‘Peddi’ is a reminder of how fluid the boundaries between Bollywood and South cinema have become. But she is far from the first mainstream Bollywood star to cross over and make a splash in the South Indian film industries.
For years, Bollywood actors have found career-defining debuts, powerful cameos, villain turns, pan-India reach and even comeback moments in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films.
Here’s a look at Bollywood actors who stepped into South cinema and made the crossover count:
1. Janhvi Kapoor
While Janhvi Kapoor is currently dominating headlines with ‘Peddi’, her grand entrance into South Indian cinema happened earlier with Koratala Siva’s Telugu action saga ‘Devara: Part 1’ (2024). Starring opposite N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and sharing the screen with fellow Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan, Janhvi played the role of Thangam. It also featured Prakash Raj, Srikanth and Shine Tom Chacko in key roles. The massive scale of ‘Devara’ provided her with a spectacular launchpad, seamlessly setting the stage for her highly publicised second outing alongside Ram Charan.
2. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Before she became a Bollywood icon, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan actually made her cinematic debut in the South. She starred in Mani Ratnam’s critically acclaimed 1997 Tamil political drama ‘Iruvar’, sharing the screen with legends Mohanlal and Prakash Raj. She quickly followed it up with S. Shankar's 1998 Tamil blockbuster ‘Jeans’. Over the decades, she has maintained a strong connection to Tamil cinema, delivering iconic performances in Rajiv Menon’s ‘Kandukondain Kandukondain’ (2000), S. Shankar’s ‘Enthiran’ (2010) opposite Rajinikanth, and most recently, Mani Ratnam’s majestic historical duology ‘Ponniyin Selvan: I’ and ‘Ponniyin Selvan: II’ 2022-2023).
3. Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Much like Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra's journey as an actor began in the South Indian film industry. Just two years after winning Miss World, she made her acting debut in the 2002 Tamil legal drama ‘Thamizhan’. Directed by Majith, the film featured Priyanka Chopra opposite Tamil superstar Thalapathy Vijay. She played the role of Priya, and interestingly, also made her playback singing debut in the film with the track ‘Ullathai Killathe’. Fast forward to 2026, and she’s set to make her Indian comeback with SS Rajamouli’s ‘Varanasi’ alongside Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The movie is reportedly set to release in April 2027.
4. Deepika Padukone
Long before she became a reigning superstar in Bollywood, Deepika Padukone actually made her acting debut in the South. She starred in the 2006 Kannada romantic drama ‘Aishwary’, directed by Indrajit Lankesh. Starring opposite superstar Upendra, Deepika Padukone played the titular role. It marked Deepika’s film debut before Farah Khan launched her in Bollywood with ‘Om Shanti Om’, opposite Shah Rukh Khan in 2007. After conquering Bollywood, Deepika later returned to South-linked projects with the Tamil film ‘Kochadaiiyaan’, starring Rajinikanth. Most recently, she made a massive return to South cinema with Nag Ashwin’s dystopian Telugu epic ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ (2024). Sharing the screen with legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, and Kamal Haasan, she seamlessly reminded audiences of her massive box-office pull.
5. Katrina Kaif
Before becoming one of Bollywood’s top heroines, Katrina Kaif worked in Telugu cinema. She made her Tollywood debut in the 2004 romantic comedy ‘Malliswari’, directed by K. Vijaya Bhaskar. Paired opposite superstar Venkatesh, Katrina played a titular heiress on the run. The film was a massive commercial hit and reportedly made her one of the highest-paid actresses in South India at the time. She followed up this success with the 2005 Telugu action film ‘Allari Pidugu’, starring alongside Nandamuri Balakrishna. Katrina also appeared in the Malayalam film ‘Balram vs Tharadas’ with Mammootty, making her one of the early Hindi-film actresses to work across multiple South Indian industries.
6. Kriti Sanon
While Kriti Sanon is a massive star in Bollywood today, her journey actually started in Tollywood. She made her acting debut in Sukumar’s 2014 Telugu psychological thriller ‘1: Nenokkadine’. Starring opposite Mahesh Babu, Kriti Sanon played Sameera, a journalist who helps the protagonist unravel a complex mystery.
Although she transitioned almost immediately into Bollywood with ‘Heropanti’ that same year, she didn't leave the South behind entirely. She starred in the Telugu crime comedy ‘Dohchay’ (2015) alongside Naga Chaitanya, and much later, played the role of Janaki in Om Raut’s pan-Indian mythological epic ‘Adipurush’ (2023) opposite Prabhas.
7. Kiara Advani
Kiara Advani is one of the few contemporary Bollywood leading ladies to seamlessly balance massive projects in both Hindi and Telugu cinema. She made her South debut in 2018 with the political action drama ‘Bharat Ane Nenu’. Directed by Koratala Siva, the film paired her opposite Mahesh Babu and emerged as a massive blockbuster. She quickly followed this up with ‘Vinaya Vidheya Rama’ (2019) alongside Ram Charan. Proving her strong foothold in the Telugu industry, she reunited with Ram Charan for the 2025 political thriller ‘Game Changer’, directed by the legendary S. Shankar, solidifying her status as a pan-Indian actress. She is now awaiting the release of ‘Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups’. The movie also features Kannada superstar Yash, popular Tamil actress Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria and Huma Qureshi.
8. Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt made a solid debut in South cinema with S.S. Rajamouli’s global blockbuster ‘RRR’ (2022). Playing the role of Sita, a character rooted in grace and immense resilience, she shared the screen with heavyweights Ram Charan, Jr NTR and Ajay Devgn. Though her screen time was relatively brief, Alia’s presence brought significant Hindi-belt visibility to the film’s massive pre-release campaign. Her emotionally charged performance was universally praised, making her Telugu debut an unforgettable milestone in an already illustrious career.
9. Mrunal Thakur
Mrunal Thakur’s transition into Telugu cinema has been nothing short of spectacular. She made a breathtaking Tollywood debut in Hanu Raghavapudi’s 2022 romantic period drama ‘Sita Ramam’. Starring opposite Dulquer Salmaan, her portrayal of Princess Noor Jahan (Sita) won acclaim and established her as a massive star in the South. Capitalizing on this success, she quickly delivered back-to-back hits, starring opposite Nani in the emotional drama ‘Hi Nanna’ (2023) and Vijay Deverakonda in ‘The Family Star’ (2024). Mrunal also had a cameo appearance in the 2024 hit ‘Kalki 2898 AD’.
10. Disha Patani
Disha Patani started her acting career in Tollywood before making her Bollywood debut in ‘M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story’. She starred in Puri Jagannadh's 2015 Telugu action film ‘Loafer’ opposite Varun Tej. Nearly a decade later, she made a massive return to South cinema in 2024, starring in Nag Ashwin’s Telugu sci-fi epic ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ alongside Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan. She later made her Tamil debut in Siva's fantasy action film ‘Kanguva’ opposite Suriya and Bobby Deol.
11. Shraddha Kapoor
Shraddha Kapoor made a massive splash in the Telugu industry with Sujeeth’s 2019 action thriller ‘Saaho’. Riding the wave of Prabhas’s post-Baahubali fame, the pan-Indian film was shot simultaneously in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Shraddha Kapoor played Amritha Nair, a tough, gun-toting crime branch officer. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film was a box-office success, giving Shraddha Kapoor a highly successful entry into the Southern market.
12. Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut made her Tamil debut back in 2008 with the romantic thriller ‘Dhaam Dhoom’, directed by Jeeva and starring Jayam Ravi. A year later, she entered the Telugu industry in Puri Jagannadh’s ‘Ek Niranjan’ (2009) opposite Prabhas. Kangana Ranaut later delivered a powerhouse performance in the 2021 bilingual biopic ‘Thalaivii’, playing the legendary actress and politician J. Jayalalithaa. She most recently appeared in the 2023 Tamil comedy-horror sequel ‘Chandramukhi 2’, directed by P. Vasu.
13. Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan broke boundaries by taking on the role of the primary antagonist in Koratala Siva’s 2024 Telugu action saga ‘Devara: Part 1’. Cast as the ruthless Bhaira, Saif made a thunderous debut in Tollywood, facing off against Jr NTR and sharing the project with Janhvi Kapoor. Stepping away from his suave Bollywood image, Saif fully embraced the gritty, rustic, and menacing aura required for the coastal smuggling storyline. His decision to venture into the Telugu industry not only elevated the film's pan-India marketability but also opened a new, highly successful chapter in his career as a powerhouse villain. He also worked in Om Raut’s pan-Indian mythological epic ‘Adipurush’ alongside Prabhas and Kriti Sanon.
14. Ajay Devgn
Ajay Devgn lent his massive screen presence to SS Rajamouli’s global phenomenon ‘RRR’ (2022). Ajay Devgn made his Telugu debut in an extended cameo as Venkata Rama Raju, the fiercely patriotic and disciplined father of Ram Charan's character. The cast also included Jr NTR, Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran, Samuthirakani, Ray Stevenson, Alison Doody and Olivia Morris. Though Ajay’s screen time was limited, his character was the emotional anchor for the film's revolutionary flashback sequence, and his commanding performance resonated heavily with audiences worldwide.
15. Shah Rukh Khan
While ‘Jawan’ (2023) heavily featured South Indian cast and crew, Shah Rukh Khan’s actual debut in a direct South Indian film happened decades earlier. SRK starred in Kamal Haasan’s critically acclaimed 2000 historical crime drama ‘Hey Ram’. Shot simultaneously in Tamil and Hindi, Shah Rukh played Amjad Ali Khan, a Pathan archaeologist and close friend of Kamal Haasan’s character. Out of deep respect for Kamal Haasan, SRK famously refused to take any remuneration for his performance in the film.
16. Salman Khan
Salman Khan officially stepped into Tollywood by making a highly publicized cameo in the 2022 Telugu political action film ‘Godfather’. Directed by Mohan Raja, the film was a remake of the Malayalam hit ‘Lucifer’. Salman Khan played Masoom Bhai, a ruthless mercenary and fiercely loyal ally to superstar Chiranjeevi’s titular character. His extended action sequences alongside Chiranjeevi provided a massive pan-Indian boost to the film's box-office run. He is now set to star opposite Nayanthara in the film tentatively titled ‘SVC63’. It is being directed by Vamshi Paidipally and backed by Dil Raju.
17. Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar’s association with South cinema dates back to 1993, when he starred in the Kannada film ‘Vishnu Vijaya’. Directed by Keshu Ramsay and co-starring veteran actor Vishnuvardhan, the film was shot simultaneously in Hindi as ‘Ashaant’. However, his most famous Southern venture came decades later when he made his Tamil debut as the terrifying ornithologist-turned-mutant Pakshi Rajan in S. Shankar’s 2018 sci-fi blockbuster ‘2.0’. Facing off against Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar delivered a solid performance that helped the film break box-office records. Most recently, Akshay made his Telugu debut with the 2025 film ‘Kannappa’. The mythological epic also featured Vishnu Manchu, Mohan Babu, Kajal Aggarwal, Prabhas, Mohanlal and more.
18. Sanjay Dutt
When it comes to bringing raw, terrifying energy to Southern blockbusters, Sanjay Dutt has carved out a distinct niche for himself. He made his spectacular South acting debut in Prashanth Neel’s monumental Kannada blockbuster ‘K.G.F: Chapter 2’ (2022). Playing the ruthless antagonist Adheera, Sanjay Dutt went toe-to-toe with Yash. He soon made his Tamil debut as the fearsome Antony Das in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ‘Leo’ (2023) opposite Thalapathy Vijay, and returned to Telugu screens in Puri Jagannadh's ‘Double iSmart’ (2024). Sanjay Dutt was also part of Prabhas’ ‘The Raja Saab’, proving that his larger-than-life screen presence translates perfectly across languages.
19. Amitabh Bachchan
The legendary Amitabh Bachchan made his first appearance in a South Indian film with a cameo in the 2005 Kannada film ‘Amrithadhare’, and later made a special appearance in the 2014 Telugu family drama ‘Manam’. However, his first full-fledged role came in Surender Reddy’s 2019 Telugu historical epic ‘Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy’, where he played Gosayi Venkanna, the guru to Chiranjeevi’s titular freedom fighter. Most recently, Big B delivered a solid performance as the immortal warrior Ashwatthama in Nag Ashwin's 2024 Telugu sci-fi magnum opus ‘Kalki 2898 AD’.
20. Anil Kapoor
Anil Kapoor’s roots in South cinema are deep; in fact, his first time playing a lead role was in a Telugu film. He starred in veteran director Bapu’s 1980 drama ‘Vamsa Vruksham’. A few years later, he made his Kannada debut in Mani Ratnam’s very first directorial venture, the 1983 romantic drama ‘Pallavi Anu Pallavi’. These early regional projects were crucial in honing his craft before he exploded into Bollywood superstardom later in the decade.
21. Raveena Tandon
Raveena Tandon had a very active career in South cinema during the 90s. She made her Telugu debut in 1993 with ‘Ratha Saradhi’, and immediately followed it up with the hit ‘Bangaru Bullodu’ opposite Nandamuri Balakrishna. In 2001, she made her Tamil debut in Kamal Haasan’s psychological thriller ‘Aalavandhan’. In 2022, she made a thundering return to Kannada cinema in Prashanth Neel’s monumental blockbuster ‘K.G.F: Chapter 2’, delivering a powerful performance.
22. Bobby Deol
Experiencing a massive career resurgence, Bobby Deol has recently become a sought-after antagonist in the South. He made his Tamil debut in Siva’s 2024 fantasy action film ‘Kanguva’, playing the fearsome warlord Udhiran opposite Suriya. He quickly expanded his footprint into Telugu cinema, taking on the role of Aurangzeb in Krish Jagarlamudi's period epic ‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu’ (2025), and playing the ruthless Balwanth Singh Thakur opposite Nandamuri Balakrishna in Bobby Kolli's massive 2025 Sankranti release ‘Daaku Maharaaj’. He is now awaiting the release of ‘Jana Nayagan’, which marks Thalapathy Vijay’s final film.
23. Emraan Hashmi
Following his successful villainous turn in ‘Tiger 3’, Emraan Hashmi entered Telugu cinema with Sujeeth’s 2025 crime action drama ‘They Call Him OG’. Pitted against superstar Pawan Kalyan, Emraan Hashmi took on the role of Omkar Vardhaman Mirajkar (Omi Bhau), a ruthless Bombay crime lord. His intense, magnetic screen presence provided the perfect antagonistic foil to Pawan Kalyan.
24. Vivek Oberoi
Vivek Oberoi has built a highly lucrative second career playing sophisticated villains in South Indian blockbusters. His journey began with Ram Gopal Varma’s 2010 bilingual political thriller ‘Rakta Charitra’. He made his Tamil debut as the suave antagonist Aryan Singhania in the 2017 Ajith-starrer ‘Vivegam’. He then transitioned to Malayalam cinema, going toe-to-toe with Mohanlal in the massive 2019 hit ‘Lucifer’. He also took on Ram Charan in the Telugu actioner ‘Vinaya Vidheya Rama’ (2019), and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the Malayalam hit ‘Kaduva’ (2022).
These crossovers prove that stars are no longer limited by language, release markets or regional labels. A Hindi actor can debut opposite Mahesh Babu, star with Prabhas, play a villain to Yash, join a Rajamouli epic, appear in a Rajinikanth spectacle or headline a major Mani Ratnam film. With ‘Peddi’, Janhvi Kapoor is simply the latest name in a long and growing line of Bollywood stars who are stepping into the South Indian cinema industry.
