25+ South Heroine Names List (2024)

Top South Heroine Names In The Industry

Below, I will provide a list of South actresses who are very popular among the audience. This collection highlights the range of skills and classic beauty that characterise South Indian cinema, from legendary veterans to fresh faces. Prepare to be immersed in a visual journey through the accomplished careers of these magnificent actresses, enhanced by stunning pictures that perfectly capture their grace, charisma, and certain star power.

1. Samantha Ruth Prabhu

One of the most beautiful and talented actresses in South Cinema, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, won the hearts of millions with her sizzling dance number on Oo Antava vava, Oo Antava vava in the Pushpa movie. This beautiful actress initiated her career with a Telugu Romance Film, Ye Maaya Chesave, in 2010, for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut—South. Today, she is counted among the highest-paid actresses in the South Cinema industry. She has also started a charitable trust named Pratyusha that supports needy people. Her famous movies include Naan Eega, Thanga Magan, Theri, Rangasthalam 1985 and more. 

• An Unknown Fact About Samantha: Samantha is a devoted reader and looks up to Pawan Kalyan and Trivikram Srinivas as her literary role models because they have read practically all the books. Her favorite book is Rhonda Byrne's The Secret. 

2. Rashi Khanna

Raashi was born and raised in Delhi. As fate would have it, she became a South Indian actress instead of her dream job as an IAS officer. Her most recent appearance was in the movie Yodha opposite Siddharth Malhotra in the lead role. In addition to her acting, her alluring appearance draws the audience in. She is among the highest-paid South Indian actresses, along with Samantha and Rashmika. In 2013, she made her Bollywood acting debut in the film Madras Cafe. After that, she continued acting in films in the Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam film industries. Villain, Shaitan Ka Bachcha, and Oohalu Gusagusalade are a few of her well-known motion pictures. 

• An Unknown Fact About Rashi: Rashi enjoys snakes a lot. The actress previously disclosed that she would adore playing with snakes and would not object to owning one as a pet.

3. Shruti Haasan

Have you also adored Shruti for her acting in one of the superhit rom-com movies of Indian Cinema, Ramaiya Vastavaiya? Shruti's natural ability to act and look good comes from her Hassan family background. She really is a perfect replica of her mother, Sarika Thakur, a successful actress in Hindi films. She was born to Sarika, and Kamal Hassan primarily appears in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films. Her career began when she was a young child, and in 2009, the Hindi film Luck marked her major screen debut. Following that, she acted in Telugu and Tamil films, winning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut in Anaganaga O Dheerudu and 7aum Arivu. Shruti Haasan is one of the most gorgeous South movie heroines. 

• An Unknown Fact About Shruti: Haasan is also skilled in classical singing. Her album, "The Other Side," was released in 2010. The audience responded favourably to this album, which blended several languages and genres.

4. Kajal Aggarwal

Kajal Aggarwal spent over two decades in the film industry. Her ability to produce films has been demonstrated to the public with several successful productions. She mostly works in Tamil and Telugu films and is a well-known actress from India. Most of the over 50 films she has appeared in are lead parts. She debuted in Bollywood with Kyun Ho Gaya Na in 2004. She then went on to act in Tamil and Telugu movies. In 2007, she starred in her first Telugu film, Lakshmi Kalyanam, and in 2008, she debuted in Tamil with Pazhani. She is a popular South heroine name in this list. 

• An Unknown Fact About Kajal: Kajal Aggarwal had several Telugu film roles, but her biggest break came from her performance in SS Rajamouli's historical drama Magadheera. Magadheera, a 2009 release, made much money at the box office during its 1000-day run in theatres.

5. Rashmika Mandanna

Rashmika Mandana, popularly known as The National Crush, is an extremely gifted actress who captures the hearts of many with her endearing smile, expressive eyes, and effortless grace. Rashmika primarily contributes to Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films. She gained recognition for portraying female lead roles in the Geeta Govindam, Dear Comrade, and Pushpa films. In 2016, she made her feature film debut in Kirik Party. Rashmika rose to international fame after starring as Srivalli in the hugely popular movie Pushpa. Her acting talent has taken her to previously unheard-of levels; her attractiveness is just one thing that draws attention to her.

An Unknown Fact About Rashmika: Former co-star of Kirik Party, Rakshit Shetty and Rashmika Mandanna were engaged. However, in 2018, they called it quits.

6. Pooja Hegde

Pooja Hegde is regarded as one of the most stunning actresses from South India who is currently working in the film industry. Though her acting career spans Telugu and Tamil films, she has also appeared in Hindi films. Thanks to her stunning appearance and exceptional skill, this actress earns between 2-4 crores per film. Pooja's outstanding film performances have earned her numerous accolades, including the SIIMA Award for Best Actress in 2020 and the Most Eligible Bachelor in 2021. She was also a nominee for Best Actress and a Filmfare Award.  Pooja Hegde, a highly regarded actress in South India, has gained recognition for her charitable activities and has enthusiastically supported numerous campaigns to increase public awareness of relevant social issues.

• An Unknown Fact About Pooja: She took home the Femina Miss Talented subtitle from the 2010 Miss India Pageant. Pooja finished the Miss Universe India 2010 pageant as the second runner-up. 

7. Sai Pallavi

Sai Pallavi identifies as a social activist, actor, and dancer. In 2020, Forbes magazine included her in their list of 30 Under 30. She has performed in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films. Her noteworthy roles in Maari, Love Story, Fidaa, and numerous other South Indian films have made her well-known. Her simple attitude, modest Indian attire, and natural appearance won her domestically and abroad admirers. Her first acting opportunity came in the Tamil film Dhaam Dhoom (2008). Since then, she has become a popular South heroine name in the hearts of Tollywood fans. However, her career really took off in 2015 when she was cast in the lead role of Malar in the Malayalam blockbuster Premam. She won numerous awards for her outstanding debut performance because that movie was an enormous hit, and people adored her acting.

• An Unknown Fact About Sai Pallavi: Were you taken aback when you saw her start a dance sequence in Premam? In fact, she has never received any kind of dance instruction. During an interview, she revealed that she learned to dance by watching Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai videos.

8. Anushka Shetty 

Anushka Shetty, originally named Sweety Shetty, is a South Indian actress who works in the Telugu and Tamil film industries.  As stunning as ever, Anushka is a well-known actress in the South with several hits to her credit, including the hit films Vedam, Khaleja, Deiva Thirumagal, Singam, and Baahubali Parts 1 and 2. Therefore, it wouldn't be incorrect to say that Anushka Shetty is the favourite actress of South India. In 2005, she made her acting debut in the Telugu film Vikramarkudu. She is among the few stunning South Indian actresses with over 50 film credits. Sweety Shetty received numerous acting honours in addition to three Filmfare awards. 

• An Unknown Fact About Anushka Shetty: Anushka enjoys writing poems in English because her native Tulu language lacks a script, and she habitually gathers newspapers about natural disasters for her scrapbook.

9. Shriya Saran 

Wallpaper queen Shriya Saran is a well-known actress from South India who has acted in Telugu and Hindi films. Her acting career drastically turned when she starred opposite Sir Rajnikant in the movie "Shivaji the Boss." In the 2002 Telugu film Ishtam, she made her screen debut. She has performed in multiple music videos and is a trained Kathak dancer. She even won an international award for her performance in the 2008 English film The Other End of the Line. With two successful hits, Shriya is a promising South movie heroine in our list. 

• An Unknown Fact About Shriya: In Mumbai, Shriya established Shree Spa in 2011, a spa managed by people with visual impairments.

10. Trisha Krishnan

Presenting you with an actress who is fierce, pretty, independent, and ambitious. Trisha Krishnan is a South Heroine Name who has all of these qualities. She is a stunning actress from the South who gained popularity in 1999 after winning the Ms. Chennai pageant. Her entry into the Tollywood film industry came through that. Trisha Krishnan, a leading lady in the Tamil film industry for more than two decades, is a queen of beauty and talent. She is well-known for her commanding presence on screen and her ability to compete with male celebrities. She has performed standout in movies such as Ghilli, Alaipayuthey, and Kadaikutty Singam, making her one of the most loved South heroine names on this list. 

• An Unknown Fact About Trisha: She is a driven woman who made headlines when she ended her engagement to her fiancé because he insisted that she give up her career.

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11. Nayanthara

Here comes the lady superstar of South Indian Cinema, Nayanthara. She is an actress from South India who has acted in numerous Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam films. With some box office hits, including Ghajini, Billa, Chandramukhi, and Yaaradi Nee Mohini, Nayanthara has made a name for herself as one of South India's most promising and sought-after actresses. She is the first actress from the South to appear in the 2018 Forbes 100. She is a beloved South movie heroine, renowned for her charitable work, social activism, good looks, and acting abilities. Since launching her acting career in 2003, she has appeared in over 60 Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films. 

• An Unknown Fact About Nayanthara: Diana Mariam Kurian was the name her parents gave her. Nayanthara was a Christian before converting to Hinduism in 2011, when her stage name became her legal name.

12. Keerthy Suresh

Keerthy Suresh has made a name for herself as a versatile actress with her varied performances and dedication to the role. Her performances in commercial hits like "Raja Rani" and "Rangasthalam" have solidified her status as a bankable star. At the same time, her portrayal of real-life characters in films like "Mahanati" and "Nerkonda Paarvai" has won her praise from critics. Her first movie as a child artist was Pilots in Malayalam in 2000. Then, she acted in Tamil and Telugu movies, like Geethaanjali, Idhu Enna Maayam, and Nenu Sailaja. Pilots was her first Malayalam film as a child artist, released in 2000. She later appeared in Telugu and Tamil films, including Nenu Sailaja, Idhu Enna Maayam, and Geethaanjali.

• An Unknown Fact About Keerthy: Speaking in Telugu made Keerthy uncomfortable when she debuted her Tollywood. Akshaya, a dubbing artist, dubbed her voice for the most part. For the first time, Keerthy dubbed her dialogue in "Mahanati."

13. Anupama Parameswaran

The Keralan district of Thrissur is home to Irinjalakuda, where Anupama Parameswaran, an actress, was born. Anu is Anupama's nickname. Her primary fields of employment are Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil. The actress is known for her good looks and ability to deliver strong performances. Her roles in Telugu films have also made her famous. Thus, it gained great popularity in South India. Her breakthrough role was Mary George in the 2015 Malayalam romantic drama Premam, directed by Alphonse Puthran. 

• An Unknown Fact About Anupama: Parameswaran: When Anupama Parameswaran was allowed to star in "Premam," she was still a college student. She was working toward a Communicative English bachelor's degree. The actress was a student at Kottayam's CMS College. She had to leave college because she signed up for many movies after "Premam" came out.

14. Jyothika Saravanan

Jyothika is considered one of the most active actresses in Tamil cinema and has been named by critics as one of South India's top actresses. South Indian actress Jyothika Saravanan has appeared in multiple Tamil films and a few Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi productions. She is a stunning South actress who has won national awards; she is also the well-known actor Suriya's wife. Raatchasi, Chandramukhi, and Mozhi are among the most prosperous productions of this actress from South India. She is a popular South heroine name in this list. 

• An Unknown Fact About Jyothika: The well-known actress Nagma from the film industry is the half-sister of Jyothika Saravana.

15. Tamannaah Bhatia

South Indian actress Tamannaah Bhatia works in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi films. She started out as a model, appearing in TV ads and multiple albums. In the 2005 Hindi film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra, she made her screen debut. With her role in Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), Tamannaah won the Filmfare Award South for Best Actress - Telugu. She has starred in more than 60 films and received multiple other accolades. She is renowned for her adaptability and capacity to play various roles, has participated in numerous item numbers and is well-known for her dancing abilities. She sets trends, and her admirers frequently imitate her sense of style. She has collaborated with multiple charities and is a philanthropist as well.

• An Unknown Fact About Tamannaah Bhatia: Tamannaah, well-known for her demure, girl-next-door vibe, once deviated from her usual look to play a negative character in Ravi Krishna's film KD.

16. Hansika Motwani

Hansika's role in the children's program Shakalaka Boom Boom helped her become incredibly popular at a very young age. As charming and beautiful as ever, Hansika had a way of winning people with her good looks and modest demeanour. She has portrayed several leading roles in Tamil and Telugu films. Motwani engages in charitable endeavours. She donates money to help poor children go to school and allows women who are battling breast cancer. She serves as the brand ambassador for Chennai Turns Pink, a campaign to raise women's awareness of breast cancer.

• An Unknown Fact About Hansika: Hansika was listed among the 250 celebrities under 30 who made it to the Forbes Asia list.

17. Malavika Mohanan

Malavika Mohanan is a gifted dancer and actress who has succeeded in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. Her acting prowess and on-screen persona have been highlighted in movies such as "Beyond the Clouds," "Great Grand Masti," and "Master". Her performances are made even more charming by her graceful dancing and inherent beauty. Malavika is the daughter of Beena and K. U. Mohanan, a cinematographer. She is originally from Kannur, Kerala's Payyanur. She debuted as an actress in the 2013 romantic drama Pattam Pole. Malavika made her Tamil film debut in the role of Poongodi Malik, played by Superstar Petta. She appeared in the action film Master alongside Thalapathy Vijay.

• An Unknown Fact About Malavika: Malavika was born to paint with light; her father, KU Mohanan, was a well-known director of cinematography. She has always had a strong interest in photography and considers it a passion. 

18. Nithya Menen

Nitya is another South actress gifted with gorgeous skin, hair, and acting prowess beyond compare. She has contributed to over 50 films and is a member of the Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada film industries. She receives multiple honours, including the Nandi Award and three Filmfare South. With Abhishek Bachan in the title role, the Hindi crime thriller series "Breathe" helped to popularise her among the general public. 

• An Unknown Fact About Nithya: Nithya is multilingual in six languages. Her parents, Malayali settlers in Karnataka, gave birth to her. Nithya Menen's mother tongue is Kannada, despite her origins being in Kerala. She is also fluent in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

19. Aishwarya Rajesh

Although Aishwarya is primarily an actress in Kannada, her acting prowess has allowed her to feature in numerous other South Indian films. Her most well-known roles include Vortex, Kae Pe Ranasingam, Thittam Irandu, Vada Chennai, and the critically acclaimed film Lovers. She is a stunning South actress. Acclaimed for her commitment and adaptability, Aishwarya Rajesh is quickly becoming one of Tamil cinema's rising stars. She is a tough actor due to her versatility in character. Four South Indian International Movie Awards, one Tamil Nadu State Film Award, and one Filmfare Award South have all been given to Aishwarya.

• An Unknown Fact About Aishwarya: Actor Arjun Rampal introduced Aishwarya to Bollywood with his film “Daddy.”

20. Amala Paul

Amala Paul, a versatile actress in Malayalam and Tamil cinema, is well-known for her daring decisions and willingness to try new things. Movies such as Mynaa, Aadai, and Vada Chennai have demonstrated her versatility and ability to depict nuanced characters. Her commitment to her work and readiness to take risks define her as a true artist. She had a few low-budget roles before receiving praise for portraying a controversial character in the movie, Sindhu Samaveli. Even though the film didn't succeed, Amala rose to fame when she played the lead in Mynaa and won praise from critics for her performance.

• An Unknown Fact About Amala: She’s a scuba diver and loves doing it very often whenever she gets time.

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21. Rakul Preet Singh 

Rakul Preet's beauty has won over many Indian hearts. Despite being in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, she has now avoided any potential controversy and returned to her career. It should come as no surprise that she began her career as a model, given her stunning appearance and extremely toned physique. She is currently making headlines because she is married to producer and actor Jacky Bhagnani. Rakul, endowed with attractive features and strong acting abilities, has won three SIIMA awards and three Southern Filmfare Awards. Her acting credits mostly consist of Telugu, Tamil, and, as of late, Hindi movies.

• An Unknown Fact About Rakul Preet: According to state reports, Rakul is a well-known fitness enthusiast who goes above and beyond to maintain her physical well-being and is also a skilled Bharatnatyam dancer. In between wearing her suits, she even makes time to practice traditional art forms. 

22. Malvika Sharma 

Malvika Sharma is a stunning Indian actress and model well known for her roles in Telugu movies. She made her debut in 2018 in the movie Nela Ticket, starring with popular actor Ravi Teja. Malvika Sharma is an advocate who graduated from the Rizvi Law College with a specialisation in Criminology. She has a beautiful on-screen presence and captivates every role she performs. Red, Bhima and Harom Hara are some other movies she has worked in. You might have seen her in many television advertisements as well, like Gionee, Himalaya face wash and Santoor deodorant. Malvika is a promising South movie heroine with her brilliant skills and talent. 

• An Unknown Fact About Malvika Sharma: Very few people know that Malvika is a professionally trained Kathak dancer. She has been fond of Kathak dance from a very young age and is also very fond of dogs. 

23. Nidhhi Agerwal

Nidhhi Agerwal won the Miss Diva Universe 2014, amazing, right? After that, she made her first debut with Munna Michael, and for that, she even received the Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut award. She has shown her brilliant acting skills in many popular Tamil and Telugu movies, including Savyasachi, Eeswaran, iSmart Shankar and Kalaga Thalaivan. Not many people know that Nidhhi Agerwal is a skilled ballet, Kathak and belly dancer. Her fans love her dedication towards both acting and dancing. She has also been part of Kalyan Jewellers' multilingual advertisement. 

• An Unknown Fact About Nidhhi Agerwal: She once rejected the endorsement of a fairness cream brand. The actress said that she believes in natural products and that beauty is not determined by skin colour but a healthy skin. 

24. Nazriya Nazim

If we ever make a list of the most talented actresses in India, Nazriya Nazim's name must be on it. She started her television career by hosting TV shows and became very popular. Nazriya Nazim then switched to acting and showed her brilliant performance in Malayalam and Tamil movies. Maad Dad, Raja Rani, Neeram, Ohm Shanthi Oshaana, and Bangalore Days are some of her most popular films, loved greatly by the audience. She has won the Filmfare award and numerous other awards for Best Actress. Nazriya Nazim has also produced several films which became a great hit at the box office. She is a very popular South heroine name in this list. 

• An Unknown Fact About Nazriya Nazim: She started her television career at the age of 11 as a television anchor. She gained huge popularity and her fans have seen her transformation from childhood to adult in all these years. 

25. Shrinidhi Shetty

Many of you might know her from the KGF movie starring Yash and Shrinidhi Shetty as the lead actors. Shrinidhi is an actress and model with exceptional talent. She won the Miss Supranational pageant in 2016 and became the second Indian representative in that pageant. India is the only country that has won the Miss Supranational pageant twice. Srinidhi lost her mother in her teenage years, yet she created a life of her dreams using all her might. She is one of the most followed South movie heroines on Instagram, and her fans admire her brilliant acting and humble nature. 

• An Unknown Fact About Shrinidhi Shetty: She was an NCC cadet during her college days. The discipline she learnt during that time helped her to maintain a strict diet and workout routine for acting and modelling. 

26. Amy Jackson

Amy Jackson is a British actress and model who is popular for her work in Indian films. She has worked in Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada movies, including Madrasapattinam, Singh is Bliing, Nila, etc. She made her Hindi debut with Ek Deewana Tha and her Telugu debut with Yevadu. Amy Jackson has also been featured as one of the “Most Promising Female Newcomers” by The Times of India. 

• An Unknown Fact About Amy Jackson: In the movie Singh is Bliing, the horse riding and the martial arts have been done by this diva herself. She is a horserider from a very young age and learnt martial arts during the film to match the action sequences with Akshay Kumar. 

Final Words

Just a small portion of the diverse and expansive world of South Heroine Name is shown here. Every one of these women has made a distinct contribution to the diverse fabric of South Indian cinema. Their talent, commitment, and perseverance have inspired generations of aspiring actors and actresses. More incredible actresses will undoubtedly appear on screen in the years to come as South Indian cinema develops and draws in viewers from all over the world. However, if you liked reading this article on top South Indian actresses, make sure to share it with all your friends and families. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who is the lady superstar in south india?

A. Nayanthara is known as the lady superstar in South India.

Q. Which heroine has more fans in South India?

A. With 40.6 million Instagram followers, Rashmika Mandanna holds the record for most followers.

Q. Who is a South Indian stylish star?

A. Allu Arjun is popularly known as a South Indian stylish star.

Q. Who is the most popular South movie heroine? 

A. Samantha, Rashmika and Nayanthara are among the most popular South movie heroines and have a large fan base. 

Q. Which are the most loved South actress names? 

A. Rashmika Madana, Anushka Shetty, Tamannah and Samantha are some of the most loved South actress names.