We take a look at some of the Hindi Cinema icons being part of South Indian blockbusters of late. Saif made a powerful Telugu debut playing the main villain, Bhaira, against Jr NTR. His performance as a brutal and ambitious leader added a strong layer of tension to the action drama. Audiences praised his ability to match the intensity of South Indian storytelling. After his success in Animal, Bobby Deol has become a top choice for massive South Indian projects. He played a fierce tribal leader in the Tamil film Kanguva and played the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the Telugu epic Hari Hara Veera Mallu. Sanjay Dutt's performance as the menacing Adheera set a new standard for villains in Kannada cinema. His rugged look and screen presence proved important for the record-breaking success of the KGF franchise. This role successfully restarted his career as a high-demand antagonist in the South. Janhvi entered the South industry with Devara, where she played a village girl named Thangam. She is now working on her next big Telugu project, Peddi, starring opposite Ram Charan. These films help her connect with a massive new audience outside of Bollywood. Kiara is set to star alongside Kannada superstar Yash in the upcoming action thriller Toxic. The movie is described as a "fairy tale for grown-ups" and is one of the most awaited films of 2026. This project marks her return to the South after previous hits like Bharat Ane Nenu. Priyanka makes a grand return to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli's globetrotting adventure, Varanasi. She stars as a mysterious character named Mandakini alongside Mahesh Babu. The film is a massive project that spans different time periods and multiple continents. Alia made her Telugu debut as Sita in the global hit RRR, directed by S.S. Rajamouli. She played a key role alongside Ram Charan, showing her ability to handle emotional period dramas. Deepika played the main role as Sumati in the sci-fi blockbuster Kalki 2898 AD, which became one of the highest-grossing Indian films. Her performance as the mother of a future saviour was a major highlight of the movie. She is set to continue her South journey in director Atlee's upcoming project with Allu Arjun, tentatively titled AA22. Thanks For Reading!
Filmfare
Bollywood Stars Making A Mark In South Cinema Lately
February 5, 2026
2 days ago
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