Want to know who are the most famous South Indian actors in 2023? If yes, follow this list of the top 10 most popular South Indian actors.
In recent years, South Indian Cinema, or Tollywood has delivered close competition to Bollywood. Now the craze of South movies is more among fans all around India. Besides beautiful South Indian actresses, one of the major reasons behind the success of Tollywood movies is their talented actors. The following list of the most popular South Indian actors is an immaculate example of it. Let’s read the list and tell us your famous actor from the South Indian film industry in the comment section.
Top 10 Most Popular South Indian Actors in 2023
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Ram Charan
Konidela Ram Charan Teja is an Indian actor, producer, and entrepreneur who works in Telugu Industry. This famous South Indian actor is the son of Megastar Chiranjeevi.
Charan made a successful debut with Chirutha(2007) alongside receiving Filmfare Best Debut Male. He is one of the highest-paid South Indian actors. His hit movie in 2009-Maghadheera received the Filmfare Best Actor- Telugu which, is the highest-grossed film till 2013. Onwards he featured in several films, with many as top-grossing films in Telugu. In 2018 Rangasthalam won accolades alongside Filmfare and SIIMA Award for Best Actor Telugu. His recent action drama film RRR become a blockbuster at the box office and increases his fame across the nation.
Ram, an equestrian, owns Ram Charan Hyderabad Polo Riding Club and is co-owner of the series Devil’s circuit. His production house Konidela Production Company produced three films to date, the first as Khiladi No 150. Tej married Upasana Kamineni-Apollo Charity’s vice-chairman and Chief Editor of Magazine B Positive.
See also– Top 10 Most Popular Bollywood Actresses in 2023
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Yash
Naveen Kumar Gowda is a famous South Indian actor born in Karnataka in January 1986. He is popularly known as Yash, a Kannada language actor. His acting career started with a television drama in 2004 named Nanda Gokula and other dramas. In 2008 debuted in films with Moggina Manasu, receiving a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. Later on, he starred in the lead role in Rocky, Kallare Santhe, and Gokula. In 2010 his film Modalasala turned into his first solo hit commercially. Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari’s collection and reviews placed him among the highest-paid actors in the industry.
His Blockbuster action film series K.G.F: Chapter 1 & 2 helped him in gaining Pan-India recognition and superstar status. He is married to actress Radhika Pandit and has two children. Both actors founded the YashoMarga Foundation for the betterment of society.
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Vijay
Vijay is another one of the most popular South Indian actors in 2023. He is also a singer, philanthropist, and dancer and was born in Chennai. He works mainly in the Tamil Industry, also being part of films in other Indian languages.
Vijay debuted in acting in 1984, performing in dramas and movies as a child actor. In 1992 played as lead with Naalaiya Theerpu, directed by his father, though success knocked in 2003 Thirumalai. Some of his recent commercial superhit films include Master, Beast, and Varisu. His massive earnings of $30 million from Overseas markets make him the next South Indian superstar after Rajinikanth.
Vijay founds V. V. Production-a film studio and Vijay Makkal Iyakkam-a welfare organization. He received a doctorate due to his screen presence also an ambassador for several brands such as American Embassy, IPL, etc. He married Sangeeta Sornalingam and bore two children, both featured in films in Cameo roles.
See also– Top 10 Most Successful Bollywood Actors of Current Time
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Suriya Sivakumar
Saravanan Sivakumar is another one of the popular South Indian actors in 2023. He is also a TV presenter, producer, and philanthropist. Suriya, son of Sivakumar, debuted in 1997, with Nerukku Ner getting a step forward in 2001 with Nandha. Commercially gained success through Khaka Khaka in 2003, continuing to incline in massive stardom thenceforth. He is the Best Actor Awardee for Filmfare, Vijay, Tamil Naidu State Film, and National Film Award. Films like Ghajini, Vaaranam Aayiram, Ayan, 7aum Arivu, 24, Singham 2, S3 are a few well-acclaimed and highest-grosser. 2D Entertainment, set up in 2013 by Suriya, produced around 14 films and received 2 National and 2 International Awards.
Suriya is actively involved in social work and established Agaram Foundation to carry out Philanthropic activities. He married actress Jyotika and has two children. He is an ambassador of several brands like Quikr, Intex, Nescafe, and Aircel. His recent action thriller film Etharkkum Thunindhavan was a box office superhit.
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Dhanush
As of now 2023, no list of the most popular South Indian actors can be made without him. Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja is a Madras 1983-born actor, producer, director, singer, and lyricist. Debuted in 2002 with the film Thulluvadho Ilamai while Aadukalam in 2010 brought him first Best Actor from Best Tamil, 60th Filmfare, and 58th National film awards. Dhanush’s Why this Kolaveri Di was the first Indian song on YouTube to gain over 100 Million views.
Again in 2018, his song Rowdy Baby-the only South Indian YouTube song to have 1 billion views. Raanjhanaa (2013) Hindi debut achieved him; the Best Debut Actor and Filmfare Nomination. VelaiillaPattadhari, Vada Chennai, Maari 2 are some highest-grossing films, and Power Pandi is his debut direction. Atrangi Re, his third Hindi film in August 2021, received a positive response.
Dhanush owns a production house Wunderbar Films, with his then-wife Aishwarya, a director, singer, and Rajinikanth’s daughter. Dhanush-Aishwariya separated in January 2022 and has two boys.
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N. T. Rama Rao Jr.
Jr NTR comes at 5th place in this list of most popular South Indian actors in 2023. He was born on 20 May 1983 in Hyderabad. He debuted in his grandfather’s directed and written film Brahmarshi Vishwamitra and Ramayana as a child artist at the age of 8. In 2001, Student No.1 as lead achieved success, and Aadi in 2002 became the highest-grossed film. Badshah, Adhrus, Temper, Nannaku Prematho, and Arvinda Sametha are other top grosser. In 2022, he was also one of the leading actors in the Blockbuster film RRR with Ram Charan.
Jr NTR belongs to the political and filmy family who took part in a campaign in 2009 for Telugu Desam Party. Being a philanthropist takes part in social activities and often donate funds. In 2017 debuted on television as a host with Bigg Boss, which was a huge success. Dhee 2 and Dhee 10 and Evaru Meelo Koteeswarulu are the other shows. He has received around 30 Awards, including 9 Filmfare Awards, gaining appreciation and a massive following. He married Lakshmi Pranathi relative of Chandra Babu Naidu has two sons.
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Prabhas
Prabhas is another successful and popular South Indian actor who majorly works in Telugu Cinema. He debuted in 2002 with Eeswar and continued with Varsham, Chakram, Billa, and Ek Niranjan. This famous South actor has an enormous fan base all over India. He is a recipient of six Awards and seven Filmfare Nominations to add under achievements. Baahubali-the Beginning and Baahubali-the Conclusion rank among the top highest-grossed films in India.
Saaho(2019), his Hindi debut as lead, grossed above 433 Crore, grabbing the highest-grossed Debut Actor Award. In 2015 debuted in the commercial ring with Mahindra and Mahindra TUV300 car as ambassadors. His upcoming projects include Saalar & Project K in 2023, while Project K is for 2023. Wherein Radhe Shyam and Adipurush are Hindi and Telugu releases.
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Allu Arjun
The 3rd place for most popular South Indian movie actor goes to Allu Arjun. He began acting at just 03 in Vijetha (1985) as a child artist and dancer in Daddy(1986). He made his debut in 2003 with Gangotri but, Arya in 2004 brought fame and three Awards.
His incredible acting skills for acquiring a character and excellent dance brightened the screen earning 33 Awards. His highest-grossing films are Desumduru Parugu, Arya 2, Race Gurrum, Sarrainodu, and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo.
Pushpa: The Rise is the highest-grossed film of 2021 with a total collection of ₹350−373 crore at the box office. Most searched celeb in 2020 and ambassador to several brands like Hero Motocop, Redbus, Frooti, Joyalukkas, and PKL. Icon Star set up the night bar-800 Jubilee in collaboration with Buffalo wild wings and M Kitchen.
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Mahesh Babu
Mahesh Babu is the Salman Khan of the South Film Industry. He is the first Telugu superstar to receive a wax statue at Madame Tussauds. Also, the first Indian for whom the statue was moved for a day to unveil in his hometown. Undoubtedly, he deserves the 2nd spot in this list of the top 10 South Indian actors in 2023. He entered the film industry with Raja Kumarudu in Telugu alongside its Hindi version A Prince in 1999.
His famous films include Okkadu, Athadu, Pokiri, Businessman, 1 Nenokkadine, Srimanthudu, Maharshi, etc. He bagged 25 Awards and 34 Nominations in his career. He endorses nearly 38 brands like thumbs up, Flipkart, Denver, BYJU, and Whitehat Junior and enjoys an enormous fan base.
In 2015 started a production house G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment. Mahesh married actress NamrataShirodka and has two children. His upcoming films are SarkaruVaariPatta and SSMB28.
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Rajinikanth
Rajinikanth is a megastar of the South Indian film industry. He is the most successful and most popular South Indian actor of all time in history. He was born on 12 December 1950 in Madras and changed his name to Rajinikanth with his debut film.
Apoorva Raagangal’s debut film in 1975 gave him recognition and gained roles in several films. Early in his career mostly had negative characters, and with that, he achieved superstar status. In 1983 he appeared in his first Hindi film, Andhaa Kanoon, and become famous across India. In 1996 received his first Filmfare and Tamil Naidu Award with Mullum Malarum and critical acclamation.
The first Indian actor to work in black & white, color, motion picture, and 3D. Thalaivar has a unique acting style, gracious dialogue delivery, strong punchlines of superiority, larger than life superhero image. Baasha, Shivaji, Kaala, Enthiran, Petta, and 2.0 are a few of his highest-grossed and accoladed works.
Rajinikanth has received Dadasahab Phalke, Padma Vibhushan, N.T.R National, Padma Bhushan, and Kalaimamani 41 awards 58 Nominations. He is married to Latha Rajinikanth and has two daughters- Aishwarya and Saudariya, both are film producers.