5 South actors who made it to Hollywood: Dhanush, Rajinikanth and more

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As an ardent fan of South cinema, I can confidently say that the journey of these talented actors from our very own Kollywood and Sandalwood to Hollywood is nothing short of inspiring! Each one of them has broken barriers and proved that they belong on any global platform.

Rajinikanth, the Thalaiva, who made his mark in Bloodstone, still remains my all-time favorite. I mean, who else can pull off those signature moves with such panache? Dhanush, with his versatile roles in The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir and The Gray Man, has truly shown that he is a force to be reckoned with.

GV Prakash’s leap from music composition to acting, and then to Hollywood with Trap City, leaves me in awe. I can’t wait to see what this multi-talented artist does next!

Pooja Kumar, known for her roles in Vishwaroopam, has made quite the impact in Hollywood as well. She’s truly a global actress, and her performances never cease to impress me.

Napoleon, with his political career aside, has left an indelible mark on both Tamil cinema and Hollywood. His roles in Christmas Coupon and Devil’s Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge were nothing short of spectacular!

Lastly, let me tell you a little joke: How do you call someone from Kollywood who made it big in Hollywood? Rajinikanth-ino! (Get it? Like the Spanish “nino” but with a South Indian twist!)

South cinema has been dominating the global platform over the past few years. From bagging nominations and even winning prestigious international awards to getting films screened at globally attended film festivals, South cinema’s foray into intercontinental recognition has been perfectly enviable. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the highly talented actors from the South film industry who surpassed national boundaries and made it to Hollywood.

5 South Actors who made it to Hollywood

Rajinikanth

To put it simply, Rajinikanth, the dominant figure in Kollywood, has a unique ability to reshape cinema in numerous ways. In fact, he was among the initial Southern stars to be cast in a Hollywood production. He made his mark in the 1988 action-adventure film Bloodstone, which was directed by Dwight H. Little.

In the realm of cinema, Rajinikanth only appeared in one Hollywood production, which featured Brett Stimely and Anna Nicholas in significant roles alongside him. This movie, initially titled something else, eventually became known as Vairavel after being dubbed into Tamil. Interestingly, a large portion of this film was actually shot right here in Bangalore itself.

Dhanush

As an actor, Dhanush consistently values versatility over other aspects. His extensive body of work showcases a broad spectrum of projects and characters he’s taken on. Moreover, beyond the realm of Indian cinema, this actor has also found success in Hollywood, continuing to dominate the charts wherever he goes.

In 2018, Dhanush made his Hollywood debut with the movie “The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir,” which was adapted from Romain Puertolas’ novel of the same name and directed by Ken Scott. More recently, he joined the cast of “The Gray Man” in 2022, another high-octane American action thriller helmed by the Russo brothers (Anthony and Joe). Dhanush gave standout performances in both movies.

GV Prakash

Musician-turned-actor GV Prakash has demonstrated his versatility, showcasing a multitude of skills in South Indian cinema over numerous films. Impressively, he’s ventured into Hollywood as well, featuring in the film “Trap City,” which debuted in 2021. That’s correct!

Under the guidance of director Tel Ganesan, the movie featured prominent performances by Brandon T. Jackson, Clifton Powell, Phylicia Lloyd, and South actor GV Prakash. Notably, GV Prakash portrayed a doctor who initially encouraged the main character to delve into music.

Pooja Kumar

Pooja Kumar is primarily recognized for her roles in Kamal Haasan’s movies, Vishwaroopam and its follow-up, Vishwaroopam 2. This actress has maintained a strong presence not only in Indian cinema but also on the international stage throughout her career. She has had the privilege of working in various Tamil and Telugu films as well.

Moreover, the diva also achieved success in Hollywood. She made her debut in American cinema with the film “Anything For You” in 2010. Since then, she has been a part of several other Hollywood productions such as “Drawing With Chalk”, “Man On A Ledge”, “Brawl In Cell Block 99”, and many more.

Napoleon

Legendary Tamil actor Napoleon has made an indelible mark on our screens throughout his career. Although he’s moved into politics now, his body of work continues to serve as a testament to his versatility and the superiority of cinematic art.

In 2019, the actor first appeared on the Hollywood scene through the film titled “Christmas Coupon.” The same year, he also starred in another movie called “Devil’s Night: Dawn of the Nain Rouge.” Furthermore, he acted alongside GV Prakash in the film “Trap City” that same year.

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2024-12-29 22:08