10. SAMEERA REDDY & POOJA
Sameera Reddy
One movie old and already making waves, Sameera Reddy has got off to a good start. Her pleasing screen presence and excellent chemistry with Suriya has made her presence felt in the industry and the result is a plum offer opposite Ajith. Let's see where she goes from here.
Box Office Successes:
Vaaranam Aayiram - 2008 - Hit
Future Projects:
Asal
Pooja
By now she will be better known as Amsavalli of Naan Kadavul. Her hard working and touching portrayal of the blind beggar has won her quite a few admirers, hopefully some of them will be top flight directors. Her career is poised to take off after the gone few years of quiet releases that were spaced far apart. Things should change in the near future.
Box Office Successes:
Ullam Ketkumae - 2005 - Average
Pattiyal - 2006 - Average
Thambi - 2006 - Average
Naan Kadavul - 2009 - Good opening
9. SNEHA
She must be the most versatile actress in the Tamil film industry at the moment having tried everything from the traditional housewife to the city girl, performance to glamour. She has sailed smoothly for quite a few years now but her career has lacked that added impetus to put her in the top bracket of heroines. No longer the first choice for most of the top heroes of Kollywood, she will have to pull off an ace of a performance to get back into reckoning for higher spots.
Box Office Successes:
Naan Avanillai - 2007 - Average
Pirivom Santhippom - 2008 - Average
Silambattam - 2008 - Average
Future Projects:
Nootrukku Nooru
Achachamundu! Achachamundu!
Aruvadai
Goa
Bhavani IPS
8. NAMITHA
She has never had really prestigious banners or big projects, but in spite of all that she still is quite a significant presence in Kollywood. Most certainly a prime contender for the glamour queen's post in the Tamil film industry, she might also have to consider trying a few 'out of the box' roles to keep all sections of the audience interested. Has got lots of projects lined up including Jaganmohini which is being seen as Namitha's first real chance to prove her acting skills.
Box Office Successes:
Billa - 2007 - Super hit
Naan Avanillai - 2007 - Average
Sandai - 2008 - Average
Future Projects:
Indira Vizha
1977
Thee
Jaganmohini
Kettavan
Jagathalapradhaban
7. REEMA SEN
It is difficult to recollect her last release, it was towards the end of 2006. If she has been able to sustain herself in the top 10 even after close to three years of absence, then that speaks volumes about her. But what one feels about Reema Sen is that she has latent potentials not optimally utilized, mostly due to the lack of regular releases. But, her stringent selectivity might also be working to her advantage, extending her longevity in the industry.
Box Office Successes:
Thimiru - 2006 - Hit
Vallavan - 2006 - Average
Rendu - 2006 - Average
Future Projects:
Aayirathil Oruvan
6. TAMANNA
For a lady who is yet to get her first big hit, this is great progress. Tamanna's first few films were forgettable ventures, not getting her the much needed recognition or mileage to go the distance. But 2009 has begun on a positive note with Padikathavan and with an enviable and impressive list of projects lined up, Kollywood is for her to conquer if things go right.
Box Office Successes:
Kalloori - 2007 - Average
Padikathavan - 2009 - Average
Future Projects:
Ayan
Ananda Tandavam
Raja Rani
Paiyya
5. PRIYAMANI
The 'Muthazhagu' of Paruthiveeran, that is Priyamani's identity card. She proved her potential as an actress with that gem of a role. But after that, the good roles seem to have dried up a bit; or was it a conscious decision taken by the actress to try more commercial projects. Well, her more commercial side has not found as much success as the conscientious actress in her. With Mani Ratnam's Ashokavanam in her kitty, she definitely seems set to delight us further.
Box Office Successes:
Paruthiveeran - 2007 - Blockbuster
Malaikottai - 2007 - Average
Future Projects:
Arumugam
Ninaithale Inikkum
Ashokavanam
4. TRISHA
The svelte lady of Kollywood. She's been around for quite a while now and still going very strong, being one of the most preferred faces to be cast opposite the leading Kollywood stars. There is not much about her that you can find fault with, but there is a definite feeling that she has not been able to convert her experience and huge popularity into box office gold. Her last superhit was Ghilli way back in 2004. But things are definitely looking brighter after the much appreciated Abhiyum Naanum.
Box Office Successes:
Thirupachi - 2005 - Hit
Something Something … - 2006 - Hit
Aaru - 2005 - Average
Abhiyum Naanum - 2008 - Average
Future Projects:
Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya
Sarvam
Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikalam
3. SHRIYA
One of the most wanted heroines of Kollywood these days. People have always been pointing fingers at her acting potential, not without reason. But she more than makes up for all that with her near immaculate looks and dancing skills, she is a pleasure to watch on screen. Sivaji was definitely the highest point of her career, but somehow there is the feeling that she has not been able to make full use of that great launch pad. Also, she has spent some time away from Kollywood trying her hand at Hindi movies which have not worked the way she wanted them to.
Box Office Successes:
Sivaji: The Boss - 2007 - Blockbuster
Thiruvilayadal Arambam - 2006 - Hit
Future Projects:
Kanthaswamy
Thoranai
Jaggubhai
Kutty
2. ASIN
Perhaps the most graceful presence on the Tamil screen at present. Her career got off to a great start with M. Kumaran and something charming in her made her instantly popular. She has been paired with almost all lead actors of the industry, yet has managed to hold on to her own importance in every movie, even when sharing the screen with Kamal Haasan in Dasavatharam. Ghajini was her ticket to real stardom and she has not looked back since. Now, the Hindi Ghajini seems to have taken her away from Kollywood. Her winsome charm is the trump card that she possesses.
Box Office Successes:
Dasavathaaram - 2008 - Blockbuster
Pokkiri - 2007 - Super hit
Ghajini - 2005 - Hit
Varalaru - 2006 - Hit
Vel - 2007 - Hit
Sivakasi - 2005 - Average
Ullam Ketkumae - 2005 - Average
1. NAYANTHARA
She is one lady who discovered the expressway to stardom. After her first appearance on the screen in 2005 with Ayya, her growth has been amazing, being paired with Superstar straightaway geared her growth and what more, she became sort of a mascot for his subsequent films. Gossip mills have given her very selective treatment, keeping her in the news for all kinds of reasons.Her willingness to go the glamour way has also played a part in her mercurial rise. But there is a feeling that she is getting a bit repetitive, relying more on glamour than performances. Needs to reinvent herself.
Box Office Successes:
Chandramukhi - 2005 - Blockbuster
Billa - 2007 - Superhit
Ghajini - 2005 - Hit
E - 2006 - Hit
Yaaradi nee mohini - 2008 - Hit
Ayya - 2005 - Average
Vallavan - 2006 - Average
Future Projects:
Aadhavan