They dance to disco tunes and sing like nightingales; they cry for trivial reasons yet remain strong in emotional crises; they are the perfect damsels in distress but can pummel the bad guys when needed. The heroines of South Indian cinema have evolved along with the movies over the years. Despite playing second fiddle to heroes many a time, heroines are indispensable to a movie’s success: most often it is the onscreen chemistry between the lead couple that draws audience to theatres. Opportunities are galore in cinema these days and new faces are availing of newer platforms gradually. With fresh talent pouring into this competitive industry, those who have moulded themselves to cater to the pulse of the audience are the ones who have been able to sustain themselves. For our special anniversary issue, we present to you a few up-and-coming gorgeous girls from the South Indian film fraternity. Parvathi Menon, Nazriya Nazim, Yami Gautam, Regina Cassandra, Catherine Tresa, Lakshmi Menon, and Deepa Sannidhi are rocking the silver screen with their charismatic presence and have set the tracks for climbing heights; they are here to stay!!

Parvathi Menon
Claim to fame: Poo, Mariyaan (Tamil)
Svelte and talented, the beautiful Parvathi Menon made her debut in the Malayalam flick Out Of Syllabus in 2006. The actor who has proved her mettle ever since, has risen in the popularity stakes now. Her second venture Notebook, again in Malayalam, won media attention due to its theme on teenage pregnancy. In the film she distinguished herself with her refreshing style of acting. Her debut movie as a leading lady in Kannada, Milana, became a commercial success upon release. She then returned to the Malayalam industry with Flash starring opposite Mohanlal and Indrajith. Though the movie failed to garner good reviews, her refreshing performance was appreciated. It was however in the Tamil flick Poo in 2008 that she rose to fame with her winning performance as Maari, a village girl. The film in which she was paired with Srikanth identified her as a quality actor and she earned laurels from critics for her performance.

Parvathi also has a couple of Kannada films to her credit. In Male Barali Manju Irali in 2009 she dubbed for the role in her own voice and yet again gained appreciation for her choice of scripts and unique style of acting. In 2010 she acted in Prithvi which focused on the political scene in Karnataka. The film provided her with a unique platform to enter the big league. She kept alternating between character-based cameos and main roles in Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. She also gained audience appreciation for her performance in City of God, a Malayalam flick released in 2011. Parvathi returned to Tamil cinema this year with a bang with Mariyaan and proved herself as an actor capable of pulling off roles with substance. Her onscreen chemistry with her co-star Dhanush in the movie garnered a lot of attention too.

Parvathi returned to Tamil cinema this year with a bang with Mariyaan and proved herself as an actor capable of pulling off roles with substance

Nazriya Nazim
Claim to fame: Neram (in Malayalam and Tamil)
The gorgeous Nazriya Nazim is one of the most sought-after heroines in the Southern film fraternity these days. The doe-eyed beauty took her baby steps in the industry as a child artiste in the Malayalam film Palunku. She was also a celebrated anchor on Asianet’s music reality television show Munch Star Singer. Even as a young girl she conducted the show with palpable effortlessness and was never one to shun the limelight. She went on to play supporting characters in several Malayalam films before landing herself a meaty role in Maad Dad. As the doting daughter of a deranged father, Nazriya won accolades for her splendid act. Meanwhile, she was also cast in a Malayalam music album tilted Yuvvh released by Sony Music Entertainment. The song ‘Nenjodu Cherthu’ from the album turned out to be a mammoth YouTube sensation. Nazriya’s expressions in the song especially captured the imagination of the youth and got her noticed by noted Tamil film directors.

Her next movie to hit the screens was the Tamil – Malayalam bilingual Neram which introduced her to the Tamil audience. With her girl-next-door looks and unassuming performance Nazriya immediately struck a chord in Kollywood too, with critics and cine goers alike referring to her as a breath of fresh air. The pretty actor now has Thirumanam Ennum Nikkah opposite Jai lined up for release. She is filming for the much awaited comic caper Naiyaandi with Dhanush, Salala Mobiles with Dulquer Salmaan and is part of the multi-starrer Raja Rani. Meanwhile it has been announced that she has been roped in to play the lead opposite Jiiva in the Tamil - Telugu bilingual Nee Nalla Varuvada. Nazriya might also team up with Karthi in an untitled movie to be directed by Pa Ranjith of Attakathi fame.

As the doting daughter of a deranged father, Nazriya won accolades for her splendid act in the Malayalam film Maad Dad

Yami Gautam
Claim to fame: Vicky Donor (Hindi)
This Vicky Donor star started out big and is going great guns with her new ventures. Yami gained her foothold in acting through popular Hindi television shows such as Chand Ke Paar Chalo and Yeh Pyaar Na Hoga Kam. In 2010 Yami made her cinematic debut through the Kannada flick Ullasa Utsaha. Though the film was not a box office hit, Yami gained appreciation for her role. She has also dipped her toes in Telugu films. In Nuvvila, Yami scored with her natural screen presence and simple beauty. The almost cult Hindi romantic comedy Vicky Donor, which dealt with the issue of sperm donation, transformed her into an actor to reckon with. Starring opposite Ayushmann Khurrana, the beautiful star handled her sensitive role with élan and won awards and accolades galore. Yami entered Tamil cinema with Gouravam, a movie that focused on honour killings in rural Tamil Nadu. Her role as an enterprising young lawyer won her accolades. Proving her mettle as an upcoming star of the south Indian cine industry Yami acted opposite Prithiviraj in the Malayalam movie Hero. Her upcoming ventures are the Prem Sai directed Telugu movie Courier Boy Kalyan which is simultaneously being shot in Tamil as Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum. Yami’s another Hindi film Aman Ki Asha is currently in post production stage. Yami has also signed up to play the lead in the much awaited Telugu movie Yudham.

In 2010 Yami made her cinematic debut through the Kannada flick Ullasa Utsaha. Though the film was not a box office hit, Yami gained appreciation for her role

Regina Cassandra
Claim to fame: Shiva Manasulo Shruti (Telugu)
Casual and charismatic, Regina Cassandra has made ripples in the Telugu film industry with her screen presence and acting. Regina began by anchoring TV shows when she was really young and then moved on to act in commercials. Regina made her debut in Tamil at the age of 14 with Kanda Naal Mudhal as a pregnant youngster. Regina’s no makeup look and her supporting role in the film was much appreciated and soon she starred opposite Yogi in Azhagiya Asura. After a brief hiatus, Regina acted in short films such as Kadhalil Sodhapuvadhu Eppadi, Kaanal Neer, Saturday and a few more. The hit stats that Kadhalil… got on Youtube prodded director Balaji Mohan to make a feature length film under the same title.

The year 2012 saw the rise of Regina as an upcoming talent with her Telugu flick Shiva Manasulo Shruti which is the Telugu adaptation of the runaway hit Tamil film Shiva Manasula Shakthi by director Rajesh. Regina’s commendable performance and endearing features put her on the map of Telugu cinema. With the release of her next Telugu flick, a romcom titled Routine Love Story, Regina became a known face in the industry. Regina’s tryst with Tamil cinema became pronounced with the release of Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga where she played one of the lead female roles. The film known for its comic capers and rib-tickling dialogues added life to her repertoire. Regina is currently working in 2 Telugu movies - Shankara opposite Nara Rohith under the direction of Tatineni Satya and Kotha Janta with Allu Sirish. Another much-expected venture of Regina’s is Prakash Raj’s Tamil-Telugu bilingual Un Samayal Arayil (Ulavacharu Biryani in Telugu).

Regina made her debut in Tamil at the age of 14 with Kanda Naal Mudhal as a pregnant youngster. Regina’s no makeup look and her supporting role in the film was much appreciated

Catherine Tresa
Claim to fame: Iddarammayilatho (Telugu)
Catherine Tresa is another name touted to make it big in the South. The glamorous model has come quite a long way within a short span of time and has Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu movies to her credit. She made her debut in the Kannada film Shankar IPS which had popular Kannada actor Duniya Vijay playing the protagonist. She delivered a decent act that got her noticed by many in the Kannada film industry. She later went on to do the Malayalam movie The Thriller opposite Prithviraj. The movie did not do as expected at the box office and her performance was limited to a few scenes and song sequences. Catherine was also part of the highly acclaimed Kannada movie Godfather. It was a remake of the Tamil super hit Varalaru that had Ajith in the lead. Catherine reprised the role played by Kanika. It gave her an opportunity to display her acting skills.

She made her Telugu debut opposite Varun Sandesh in the romantic entertainer Chammak Challo. Her uber-stylish and sexy role in the movie was much talked about with critics remarking that she could go on to find a place in the top league if she played her cards right. She followed that performance with another urbane avatar opposite Tollywood heartthrob Allu Arjun in the multi-starrer Iddarammayilatho. Catherine once again sizzled on screen and shared a crackling chemistry with Allu Arjun. The movie opened to mixed reviews but she was considered to be a visual delight. Catherine now has Telugu movie Paisa opposite noted actor Nani lined up for release. We also hear through the grapevine that she is to romance the extremely popular Ram Charan Teja in an upcoming Koratala Siva film.

The glamorous model has come quite a long way within a short span of time and has Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu movies to her credit.

Lakshmi Menon
Claim to fame: Kumki (Tamil)
All of seventeen and raring to go, Lakshmi Menon seems to be the current favourite to be paired opposite young and upcoming heroes. She started her career with the Malayalam film Raghuvinte Swantham Raziya as a supporting actor and went on to play the lead in Ideal Couple opposite noted Malayalam actor Vineeth. Even though Kumki was the first Tamil film she committed to, she was introduced to the Tamil audience in the comedy drama Sundarapandian where she was paired with M. Sasikumar. The movie was received well by the media and went on to become a commercial success. Lakshmi’s performance came in for praise with critics remarking that she essayed the role with commendable ease for a newcomer.

Director Prabhu Solomon’s Kumki, with Lakshmi playing a feisty village belle opposite debutant Vikram Prabhu was a huge box office success and made her a household name instantly. As the village head’s daughter who falls for a mahout, the pretty actor essayed the role to perfection, making optimum use of the scope for performance. Kutti Puli which saw her being paired again with M. Sasikumar followed the blockbuster Kumki. The movie opened to mixed reviews but seemed to augur well for her. She is currently one of the busiest heroines in Tamil cinema and is filming for Sippai with Gautham Karthik, Manja Pye with Vimal, Pandianadu with Vishal and Jigarthanda with Siddharth. She has also been approached to play the lead opposite Vijay Sethupathi of Soodhu Kavvum fame, in an upcoming project titled Vasantha Kumaran.

She is currently one of the busiest heroines in Tamil cinema and is filming for Sippai with Gautham Karthik, Manja Pye with Vimal, Pandianadu with Vishal and Jigarthanda with Siddharth

Deepa Sannidhi
Claim to fame: Saarathi
Deepa Sannidhi (born Rahasya) catapulted to success after her blockbuster debut movie Saarathi. Born to coffee plantation owners Shashidhar and Nanda in Chikkamagalur, Deepa is now hot property in Sandalwood. Her first film Saarathi, starring Darshan was the biggest hit of 2011. Soon after that she starred opposite Power Star Puneeth Rajkumar in yet another successful film Paramathma. Her hard work was well awarded. She won the Suvarna award for Best Female Debut, the Bangalore Times Film award for the Most Promising Actress, and was nominated for the Filmfare award for Best Actress-Kannada. After this dream run, there was a lull in her career. She stood firm and said she would rather wait for good projects and that there was a limit on how much she could compromise on her price. Looks like the wait has paid off now and Deepa Sannidhi is back on a roll. She has bagged the lead role opposite none other than Upendra for a Kannada remake of the Telugu hit film Kick. That’s not all. She’s signed yet another movie- a remake of the Tamil hit Engaeyyum Eppothum, which will be directed by Mahesh Rao. Deepa is also trying her luck with Tamil and Telugu films. Though she is busy with her films, Deepa Sannidhi is more of a workaholic than a party animal! She is most often seen during promotional events of her films. She’s also shooting for Sakkare with Golden star Ganesh, where she is even dubbing for her role. This is quite a rare achievement for Kannada actresses today. Working with all the top stars of the industry and with plenty of films in her kitty, Deepa Sannidhi is one girl to watch out for!

She has bagged the lead role opposite none other than Upendra for a Kannada remake of the Telugu hit film Kick