Whenever a Tamil filmmaker has wanted to cast a new girl in the female lead who wouldn’t demand an astronomical remuneration, his first choice was an actress from Kerala.
Records show that Tamil filmmakers have been successful at this. Asin, Gopika, Bhavana, Navya Nair, Meera Jasmine, Nayanthara, are just a few of the heroines from Kerala who have made an impact in Kollywood.
But now there’s a new trend. In a sudden reverse mode, popular stars from the Tamil industry, like Kamal Haasan, Vikram and Sarath Kumar are being lured by Mollywood.
It all started with Sarath Kumar, when he signed Pazhassi Raja with Mammootty a couple of years ago.
He says, “After Pazhassi..., I started getting a lot of meaningful roles. I have signed Christian Brothers with director Joshy, where I share screen space with Mohan Lal and Suresh Gopi. I play a wildlife photographer in Oridathoru Postman.”
For Kamal Haasan, who was a popular star in the 70s and 80s in Mollywood, working in the Malayalam industry is like coming home. His last Malayalam film was Chanakyan was in 1989. Now, the Dasavatharam star has agreed to do a cameo in a Malayalam film. It was his best friend, actor Jayaram, who was instrumental in bringing him back to Malayalam. Directed by Saji Surendran, the film, titled Four Friends, features Jayaram, Boban, Jayasurya and Meera Jasmine.
The popularity of Tamil stars rose to an all-time high when their Tamil films started attracting huge audiences to the theaters in Kerala.
Vijay, for instance, acquired a mass fan following in Kerala after his Tamil film Pokkiri was sold for a record price and had a successful run in theatres too. Similarly, Rajinikanth, Suriya and Vikram (who has done small roles in a few Malayalam films earlier) were a hit when their Tamil films drew large crowds in the neighbouring state.
Vikram recently signed a film for Roshan Andrews, which will go on the floors early next year. Talking about his foray into Malayam, Vikram says, “I want to pay back the love and affection the Malayalam audiences showered on my Tamil films. That is why I have decided to do it free.”
Vikram recently signed a film for Roshan Andrews, which will go on the floors early next year. Talking about his foray into Malayam, Vikram says, “I want to pay back the love and affection the Malayalam audiences showered on my Tamil films. That is why I have decided to do it free.”
Among the younger lot, actor Bala, who debuted in Kadhal Kisu Kisu, migrated to Malayalam and today he is the busiest actor there. Tamil actor-director Ranjith is also doing a few films in Malayalam. Another actor making his debut in Malayalam is Srikanth, who will act in a sequel of Uppukandam Brothers by Surendra Babu.
Arya was also lured with Casanova, but one hears that the actor backed out.
Arya was also lured with Casanova, but one hears that the actor backed out.
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