Kollywood
Kamal Hassan
Multi talented Kamal Hassan is the youngest son of lawyer/ freedom fighter D. Srinivasan. He had a modest upbringing and completed his schooling at Chennai. Since childhood, he was attracted to films and started out early as a child artist in various Malyalam and Tamil films. Post 1976, he collaborated with K. Balachander who cast him in many of his social themed films. Hassan went on to win various awards and even entered Bollywood with the film Ek Duje Ke Liye. He is a favourite among both North Indian and South Indian audiences.
Shruti Hassan
Like her father Kamal Hassan, Shruti Hassan is also a goldmine of talent with skills like acting, singing and composing. Blessed with good looks of her father and mother Sarika, she started her acting career as a child artist in Tamil movies. As an adult she debuted in Bollywood film Luck, and later got critical acclaim for her work in south Indian movies such as the Walt Disney fantasy film, Anaganaga O Dheerudu, Oh My Friend, 7aam Arivu and Gabbar Singh. She also has her own music band and album.
Genelia D’Souza Deshmukh
Mumbai born Genelia D’Souza is the daughter of Roman Catholic parents Neil and Jeanette D’Souza. Sporty since the beginning, Genelia was a state level athlete, sprinter and national level football player. She was spotted at age 15 as a fresh face and appeared in a Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan. She started her acting career in Bollywood film Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003 and simultaneously she was cast in Tamil film Boys and Telegu film Satyam. Her natural performance was appreciated by all and she is a well established actress in Bollywood and Kollywood.
R Madhavan
Born to Tamil Brahmin parents Ranganathan and Saroja in Jamshedpur, Madhavan is known to be one of the few actors with pan India appeal. After graduating in electronics, he went on to pursue courses in public speaking that helped him venture into the film industry. His acting career started with television serials like Banegi Apni Baat, Tol Mol Ke Bol, Sea Hawks and Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum. His Indian acting debut was with Kannada film Shanti Shanti Shanti but he became famous with Mani Ratnam’s Tamil romantic film Alaipayuthey. Since then he has starred in major hits across both Bollywood and Kollywood, and is counted in the league of today’s best actors.
Suriya
The eldest son of Tamil actor Sivakumar, Suriya has acted in over 28 films across genres. He made his debut in 1997 with Nerukku Ner and has three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards to his name. He is considered to be one of the leading contemporary actors in Tamil cinema, and is also a producer and TV presenter. He is married to Tamil actress Jyothika with whom he has two children.
