Samantha Ruth Prabhu is the most popular female star in the country; Alia Bhatt, Nayanthara follow

#1 Samantha

Samantha has been a storm to be reckoned with in recent months, constantly grabbing headlines. The actor also grabbed the eyeballs of people from around the country with her special dance appearance in the song “Oo Antava” from Pushpa: The Rise. Having also starred in Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal, the actor also has two massive projects coming up. 

#2 Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt has been in the news in recent months for professional and personal reasons. Having tied the knot with Ranbir Kapoor, Alia impressed movie fans with her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi. She also appeared in SS Rajamouli’s film RRR with Ram Charan and Jr NTR. The actor has Brahmastra slated for a release in September. She is also gearing up for her big Hollywood debut with Gal Gadot.

#3 Nayanthara

Nayanthara, who is also called as “The Lady Superstar”, is a fan-favourite in the South film industries. Despite only having starred in two movies this calendar year, her inclusion in the top 3 of the list is clear proof that her nickname is well earned. 

#4 Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone made India proud this year, as she became a member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival. The actor was constantly in the news as she made it to the town in the French Riviera. The actor also starred in the romantic drama, Gehraiyaan. She will next be seen in Pathaan, co-starring Shah Rukh Khan.

#5 Kajal Aggarwal

Kajal has acted across different film industries and has been a leading lady for some time now. Having only featured in Hey Sinamika, co-starring Dulquer Salmaan and Aditi Rao Hydari this calendar year, she was also in the news after her role from Acharya, starring Chiranjeevi was edited out.

#6 Keerthy Suresh

Keerthy Suresh’s growth as a leading star in South India has been steady. The actor has already appeared in four movies this year, impressing fans with her role especially in Saani Kaayidham. 

#7 Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif came into the lives of Indian movie fans with her debut in 2003, and has not left since. She was last seen in the 2021 action flick Sooryavanshi and has Tiger 3, co-starring Salman Khan in the works. 

#8 Rashmika Mandanna

Rashmika has been the heartthrob of many fans in South India in recent years now. The young actor also spread her wings across the country with the pan-Indian success of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa: The Rise. 

#9 Pooja Hegde

Pooja Hegde is yet another actor who is earning her place in South India by working in multiple industries. The actor did not have the best 2022, as she was seen in Radhe Shyam, Beast and Acharya, the films that didn’t do commercially well this year. The actor will be seen with Salman Khan in the upcoming project titled Bhaijaan. 

#10 Anushka Shetty

Anushka Shetty is a star that has appeared in a number of movies across the Tamil and Telugu film industries. While she has not been seen in movies for a while now, her inclusion in the list comes as a surprise.