Bollywood banking on south actress for blockbusters

**Telugu Actresses Make a Strong Comeback in Bollywood: A New Golden Era**

Top Telugu actresses are taking Bollywood by storm, carving a niche in an industry long known for its allure and reach. Samantha Ruth Prabhu set the tone with her stellar performance in *Family Man 2* and her upcoming project *Honey Bunny*. Rashmika Mandanna followed suit, delivering a blockbuster with *Animal* and gearing up for *Sikandar* alongside Salman Khan. Sai Pallavi, too, is poised for Bollywood success, completing a love story with Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan, and taking on the iconic role of Goddess Sita in the upcoming *Ramayan*.  

### **Producer Kona Venkat on Telugu Actresses in Bollywood**

"Telugu actresses are back in the reckoning and are set for a fantastic phase in Bollywood," says producer and writer Kona Venkat. He highlights Bollywood’s historical belief in South Indian actresses as “lucky mascots,” citing Rashmika’s recent triumph as an example of the trend continuing.  

Venkat reminisces about the golden era when legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, and Rishi Kapoor worked with Telugu superstars like the late Sridevi, Jayapradha, and Jayasudha. “Jeetendra collaborated extensively with Telugu actresses, delivering hits like *Tohfa* and *Justice Chaudhary*. Amitabh’s *Khuda Gawah* with Sridevi and *Sharabi* with Jayapradha were iconic. Rishi Kapoor had *Chandni*, while Anil Kapoor paired with Sridevi for timeless classics like *Mr. India*. Telugu actresses captivated audiences with their beauty and talent, with Sridevi eventually becoming a pan-Indian superstar.”  

### **New-Generation Telugu Actresses Entering Bollywood**

The current generation is continuing this legacy. Actresses like Keerthy Suresh, Samyuktha Menon, and Sreeleela are now making inroads into Bollywood. Keerthy is rumored to be part of *Baby John*, while Samyuktha is working with Prabhu Deva. Sreeleela has already made waves with her special number in *Pushpa: The Rule* and is set to collaborate with Varun Dhawan.  

"Varun Dhawan seems to be the new-age Jeetendra, pairing with Samantha and Keerthy Suresh," Venkat quips. "Even Ranbir Kapoor has joined the trend, working with Rashmika Mandanna, and now Salman Khan is teaming up with her for *Sikandar*. South actresses are increasingly sought after, as Bollywood struggles to maintain its blockbuster streak.”  

### **Bollywood's Wider Reach and Brand Impact**

Venkat emphasizes the unparalleled reach of Bollywood films compared to regional cinema. "Despite the success of a few pan-Indian Telugu films, Bollywood's exposure remains unmatched globally. Working in Bollywood gives Telugu actresses not just wider recognition but also lucrative endorsement deals with multinational brands.”  

"Once a Telugu actress appears in Bollywood, she becomes more relatable to non-Telugu audiences, which increases her brand value significantly," he notes. "This mutually beneficial relationship is why many South Indian actresses are now expanding their horizons."  

### **The Resurgence of Telugu Divas**

With Samantha, Rashmika, Sai Pallavi, and others leading the way, Telugu actresses are reclaiming their place on the Hindi big screen. As the crossover between industries grows stronger, this new wave of talent is set to bridge the gap, ensuring a vibrant and successful future for Telugu divas in Bollywood.