List of Tamil film actresses
This is a list of notable actresses who have played key roles in the Tamil cinema, primarily based in Tamil Nadu.[1][2][3][4]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Padmini_Ramachandran.jpg/103px-Padmini_Ramachandran.jpg)
1940s: Padmini
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/Savitri_Actress.jpg/82px-Savitri_Actress.jpg)
1950s: Savitri
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/J_Jayalalithaa.jpg/95px-J_Jayalalithaa.jpg)
1960s: J. Jayalalithaa
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Sridevi.jpg/85px-Sridevi.jpg)
1970s: Sridevi
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Revathi_at_the_screening_of_Masaala_at_PVR_Phoenix_%281%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/95px-Revathi_at_the_screening_of_Masaala_at_PVR_Phoenix_%281%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
1980s: Revathi
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Jyothika_Filmfare_2014.jpg/99px-Jyothika_Filmfare_2014.jpg)
1990s: Jyothika
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Nayanthara_at_Filmfare_Awards.jpg/103px-Nayanthara_at_Filmfare_Awards.jpg)
2000s: Nayanthara
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Nithya_Menen_2023_Alt.jpg/84px-Nithya_Menen_2023_Alt.jpg)
2010s: Nithya Menen
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Priyanka_Arul_Mohan_Saree_27_February_2024_%28cropped%29.jpg/92px-Priyanka_Arul_Mohan_Saree_27_February_2024_%28cropped%29.jpg)
2020s: Priyanka Mohan
1930s
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/T._P._Rajalakshmi.jpg/171px-T._P._Rajalakshmi.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Pavalakkodi_poster_%28cropped%29.jpg/167px-Pavalakkodi_poster_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Year | Name | Debut film | Other notable films |
---|---|---|---|
1931 | T. P. Rajalakshmi | Kovalan | Kalidas (1944), Miss Kamala (1948) |
1934 | S. D. Subbulakshmi | Pavalakkodi | Naveena Sarangadhara (1936), Sampoorna Ramayanam (1958) |
1940s
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/TR_Rajakumari_Sivakavi_1943.jpg/170px-TR_Rajakumari_Sivakavi_1943.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Vyjayanthimala_in_Devdas.jpg/168px-Vyjayanthimala_in_Devdas.jpg)
Year | Name | Debut film | Other notable films |
---|---|---|---|
1941 | T. R. Rajakumari | Kacha Devayani | Haridas (1944), Chandralekha (1948) |
1944 | Pandari Bai | Haridas | Vedhala Ulagam(1948),Marmayogi(1951),Parasakthi(1952),Andha Naal(1954) |
1944 | Pushpavalli | Dasi Aparanji | Miss Malini (1947), Chakra Dhari (1948), Samsaram (1951) |
1947 | Anjali Devi | Mahathma Udangar | Marmayogi (1951), Doctor Savithri (1955), Chakravarthi Thirumagal (1957) |
1947 | S. Varalakshmi | 1000 Thalai Vaangi Apoorva Chinthamani | Chakravarthi Thirumagal (1957), Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959), Poova Thalaiya (1969) |
1948 | Padmini | Vedhala Ulagam | Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959), Thillana Mohanambal (1968) |
1949 | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | Ratnakumar | Malaikkallan (1954), Madurai Veeran (1956), Nadodi Mannan (1958), Annai (1962) |
1949 | Vyjayanthimala | Vaazhkai | Vanji Kottai Valipan (1958), Baghdad Thirudan (1960), Then Nilavu (1961) |
1950s
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Sowcar_Janaki.jpg/170px-Sowcar_Janaki.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Saroja_Devi.jpg/170px-Saroja_Devi.jpg)
Year | Name | Debut film | Other notable films |
---|---|---|---|
1952 | Sowcar Janaki | Valayapathi | Bama Vijayam (1967), Iru Kodugal (1969) |
1952 | Savitri | Kalyanam Panni Paar | Missiamma (1955), Mayabazar (1957), Pasamalar (1961), Thiruvilaiyadal (1965) |
1953 | C.R. Vijayakumari | Naalvar | Kalyana Parisu (1959), Naanum Oru Penn (1963), Poompuhar (1964), Rajaraja Cholan (1973) |
1953 | Raja Sulochana | Gunasagari | Rangoon Radha (1956), Gulebakavali (1956), Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum (1957) |
1954 | Jamuna | Panam Paduthum Padu | Missiamma(1955),Tenali Raman(1956),Thangamalai Ragasiyam(1957),Nalla Theerpu(1959) |
1957 | B. Saroja Devi | Thangamalai Ragasiyam | Nadodi Mannan(1958), Puthiya Paravai (1964), Anbe Vaa (1966) |
1957 | Devika | Manamagan Thevai | Kalathur Kannamma (1960), Paava Mannippu (1957), Bale Pandiya (1962) |
1958 | Manorama | Kalathur Kannamma | Server Sundaram(1964), Thiruvilayadal (1965), Anbe Vaa (1966) |
1960s
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Lakshmi_at_Naan_Suvasikkum_Sivaji_Book_Launch.jpg/170px-Lakshmi_at_Naan_Suvasikkum_Sivaji_Book_Launch.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Vanisri.jpg/168px-Vanisri.jpg)
1970s
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Raadhika_at_62nd_Britannia_Filmfare_South_Awards_2014.jpg/170px-Raadhika_at_62nd_Britannia_Filmfare_South_Awards_2014.jpg)
1980s
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Kushboo_BH_%28cropped%29.jpg/170px-Kushboo_BH_%28cropped%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Suhasini_Maniratnam_-_TeachAIDS_Interview_%28cropped%29.png/170px-Suhasini_Maniratnam_-_TeachAIDS_Interview_%28cropped%29.png)
1990s
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Simran_in_2023.jpg/170px-Simran_in_2023.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Meena_at_Viscosity_Dance_Academy_Launch_%28cropped%29.jpg/191px-Meena_at_Viscosity_Dance_Academy_Launch_%28cropped%29.jpg)
Year | Name | Debut film | Other notable films |
---|---|---|---|
1990 | Meena | Oru Pudhiya Kadhai | Avvai Shanmugi (1996), Bharathi Kannamma (1997), Rhythm (2000) |
Aamani | Pudhiya Kaatru | Idhuthanda Sattam (1992), Honest Raj (1994), Pudhayal (1997) | |
Easwari Rao | Kavithai Paadum Alaigal | Raman Abdullah (1997), Virumbugiren (2002), Kaala (2018) | |
Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran | Nyayangal Jeyikkattum | Meera (1992), Ejamaan (1993), Suyamvaram (1999) | |
Sivaranjani | Mr. Bharath | Thalaivasal (1992), Kalaignan (1993), Vandicholai Chinraasu (1994) | |
Suman Ranganathan | Pudhu Paatu | Maanagara Kaaval (1991) , Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren (1992) , Mudhal Udhayam (1995) | |
1991 | Mohini | Eeramana Rojave | Naan Pesa Ninaipathellam (1993), Vanaja Girija (1994), Thayagam (1996) |
Sukanya | Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu | Walter Vetrivel (1993), Vandicholai Chinraasu (1994), Indian (1996) | |
Kasthuri | Aatha Un Koyilile | Amaidhi Padai (1994), Indian (1996), Kaadhal Kavidhai (1998) | |
Madhoo | Azhagan | Roja (1991), Gentleman (1993), Mr. Romeo (1996) | |
Yuvarani | Thambi Oorukku Pudhusu | Senthoorapandi (1993) , Baashha (1995) , Pasumpon (1995) | |
Heera Rajagopal | Idhayam | Nee Pathi Naan Pathi (1991), Thiruda Thiruda (1993), Kadhal Kottai (1996) | |
1992 | Roja | Chembaruthi | Indhu (1994), Veera (1994), Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998) |
Ranjitha | Nadodi Thendral | Walter Vetrivel (1993), Jai Hind (1994), Karnaa (1995) | |
Keerthana | Naalaiya Theerpu | Suriyan Chandiran (1993) , Pavithra (1994) , Minor Mappillai (1996) | |
1993 | Soundarya | Ponnumani | Arunachalam (1997), Kaathala Kaathala (1998), Chokka Thangam (2003) |
Sanghavi | Amaravathi | Coimbatore Mappillai (1996), Porkkaalam (1997), Nilaave Vaa (1998) | |
Rambha | Uzhavan | Ullathai Allitha (1996), Arunachalam (1997), Kaathala Kaathala (1998) | |
Priya Raman | Valli | Suryavamsam (1997) Pudhumai Pithan (1998) , Chinna Raja (1999) | |
1994 | Nagma | Kaadhalan | Baashha (1995), Love Birds (1996), Pistha (1997) |
Sangita | Sarigamapadani | Pullakuttikaran (1995), Poove Unakkaga (1996), Pongalo Pongal (1997) | |
Rajashree | Karuththamma | Neela Kuyil (1995), Amman Kovil Vaasalile (1996), Sethu (1999) | |
Maheswari | Nesam (1997), Ullaasam (1997), Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar (1998) | ||
1995 | Manisha Koirala | Bombay | Indian (1996), Mudhalvan (1999), Baba (2002) |
Suvaluxmi | Aasai | Gokulathil Seethai (1996), Love Today (1997), En Aasai Rasave (1998) | |
Devayani | Thotta Chinungi | Kaadhal Kottai (1996), Bharathi (2000), Azhagi (2002) | |
Swathi | Deva | Vaanmathi (1996) , Vasantha Vaasal (1996) , Selva (1996) | |
1996 | Manthra | Priyam | Love Today (1997), Periya Idathu Mappillai (1997), Rettai Jadai Vayasu (1997) |
Tabu | Kadhal Desam | Iruvar (2007), Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000), Snegithiye (2000) | |
Anju Aravind | Poove Unakkaga | Enakkoru Magan Pirappan (1996), Arunachalam (1997), Vaanathaippola (2000) | |
1997 | Kausalya | Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga | Nerukku Ner (1997), Pooveli (1998), Vaanathaippola (2000) |
Aishwarya Rai | Iruvar | Jeans (1998), Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000), Raavanan (2010), Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022), Ponniyin Selvan: II (2022) | |
Simran | V. I. P | Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999), Vaalee (1999), Vaaranam Aayiram (2008) | |
Shalini | Kaadhalukku Mariyadhai | Amarkalam (1999), Kannukkul Nilavu (2000), Alaipayuthey (2000) | |
Keerthi Reddy | Devathai | Jolly (1998), Iniyavale (1998), Ninaivirukkum Varai (1999) | |
Sakshi Shivanand | Pudhayal | Maapillai Gounder (1997), Vaanchinathan (2001), Vedham (2001) | |
1998 | Sangeetha | Bhagavath Singh | Pithamagan (2003), Dhanam (2008), Manmadan Ambu (2010) |
Vijayalakshmi | Poonthottam | Friends (2001), Yes Madam (2003), Boss Engira Bhaskaran (2010) | |
Isha Koppikar | Kaadhal Kavithai | En Swasa Kaatre (1999), Nenjinile (1999), Narasimha (2001) | |
Preetha Vijayakumar | Sandhippoma | Padayappa (1999), Suyamvaram (1999), Punnagai Desam (2002) | |
1999 | Laila | Kallazhagar | Nandha (2001), Pithamagan (2003), Kanda Naal Mudhal (2005) |
Jyothika | Vaali | Kushi (2000), Chandramukhi (2005), Mozhi (2007) | |
Malavika | Unnai Thedi | Rojavanam (1999), Vetri Kodi Kattu (2000), Chandramukhi (2005) | |
Mumtaj | Monisha En Monalisa | Kushi (2000), Chocolate (2001), London (2005) | |
Vindhya | Sangamam | Kannukku Kannaga. (2000), Charlie Chaplin (2002), Namma Veetu Kalyanam (2002) |
2000s
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Asin_at_Riteish_Deshmukh_and_Genelia_D%27Souza%27s_wedding_at_Grand_Hyatt.jpg/137px-Asin_at_Riteish_Deshmukh_and_Genelia_D%27Souza%27s_wedding_at_Grand_Hyatt.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Trisha_at_World_Children%27s_Day_Press_Meet_2017.png/170px-Trisha_at_World_Children%27s_Day_Press_Meet_2017.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/Shriya_Saran_LFW-2017.jpg/171px-Shriya_Saran_LFW-2017.jpg)
2010s
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Samantha_At_The_Irumbu_Thirai_Trailer_Launch.jpg/170px-Samantha_At_The_Irumbu_Thirai_Trailer_Launch.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/HansikaMotwani.jpg/170px-HansikaMotwani.jpg)
2020s
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Rashmika_Mandanna_spotted_during_Goodbye_promotions_at_JW_Marriott.jpg/166px-Rashmika_Mandanna_spotted_during_Goodbye_promotions_at_JW_Marriott.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Abharnathi.jpg/169px-Abharnathi.jpg)
Year | Name | Debut film | Notable films |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | Rashmika Mandanna | Sulthan | Varisu (2023) |
Doctor | Don (2022), Etharkum Thunindhavan (2022), Captain Miller | ||
Abarnathi | Thaen | Jail (2021), Udanpaal (2022), Irugapatru (2023) | |
Aditi Shankar | Viruman | Maaveeran (2023) | |
2022 | Elli AvrRam | Naane Varuvean | Conjuring Kannappan (2023) |
See also
- Tamil cinema
- List of Indian film actresses
- List of Hindi film actresses
- List of Kannada film actresses
- List of Malayalam film actresses
- List of Telugu film actresses
References
- ^ "Manju Warrier, Nayanthara, Jyothika: Female stars are marching to a different, but no less successful, beat". Firstpost. 9 September 2017. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "Jyothika, Nayanthara to Samantha - The top heroines of Tamil cinema". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 August 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi. "Superstars Inc: When women rule the roost in Indian cinema". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
- ^ Vikram Venkateswaran (24 July 2018). "Karma Eats Man, Woman Inherits Tamil Cinema". The Quint. Archived from the original on 24 July 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2019.