Top 5 Actors in Tollywood :Tollywood Titans Who Rule the Silver Screen
Top 5 actors in Tollywood, known for their exceptional talent and contribution to Indian cinema. Learn about their iconic roles, achievements, and why they are beloved by millions of fans worldwide. Dive into the world of Tollywood with us
Allu Arjun
Allu Arjun (born 8 April 1982) is an Indian actor known for his works mainly in Telugu cinema. One of the highest paid actors in India, Allu Arjun is also known for his dancing skills. He is a recipient of several awards including a National Film Award, six Filmfare Awards and three Nandi Awards.He has appeared in Forbes India‘s Celebrity 100 list since 2014. He is popularly referred to as “Stylish Star”.
Allu Arjun made his debut with Gangotri in 2003. He rose to prominence starring in Sukumar’s cult classic Arya (2004) for which he earned a Nandi Special Jury Award.He consolidated his reputation with the action films Bunny (2005) and Desamuduru (2007). In 2008, he starred in the romantic drama Parugu for which he won his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.
Allu Arjun went on to star in notable films such as Arya 2 (2009), Vedam (2010), Julayi (2012), Race Gurram (2014), S/O Satyamurthy (2015), Rudhramadevi (2015), Sarrainodu (2016), DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017), Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020) and Pushpa: The Rise (2021). His performances as a lower-class cable operator in Vedam and as a carefree street smart man in Race Gurram won him two Filmfare Awards for Best Actor – Telugu. He also won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of prince Gona Ganna Reddy in Rudhramadevi. He received high acclaim for his performance in Pushpa: The Rise, which emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film in 2021 and ranks among the highest-grossing Telugu films of all time. The film also earned him his first National Film Award for Best Actor, and fourth Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.
Mahesh Babu
Ghattamaneni Mahesh Babu (born 9 August 1975) is an Indian actor, producer, media personality, and philanthropist who works mainly in Telugu cinema. He has appeared in more than 25 films, and won several accolades including, Nine Nandi Awards, five Filmfare Telugu Awards, four SIIMA Awards, three CineMAA Awards, and one IIFA Utsavam Award. One of the highest-paid Telugu film actors,he also owns the production house G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment.
The younger son of veteran Telugu actor Krishna, Mahesh made his debut as a child artist in a cameo role in Needa (1979), at the age of four, and acted in eight other films as a child artist. He made his debut as a lead actor with Rajakumarudu (1999) which won him the Nandi Award for Best Male Debut.Babu achieved his breakthrough with the supernatural drama Murari (2001), and the action film Okkadu (2003).
He went on to act in other commercially successful films such as Arjun (2004), Athadu (2005), Pokiri (2006), Dookudu (2011), Businessman (2012), Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013), Srimanthudu (2015), Bharat Ane Nenu (2018), Maharshi (2019), Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020) and Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022). Pokiri held the record of being the highest-grossing Telugu film, Maharshi won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film, while Sarileru Neekevvaru, his highest grosser, collected over ₹260 crore at the box office.
Prabhas
Uppalapati Venkata Suryanarayana Prabhas Raju (born 23 October 1979) is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Telugu cinema.One of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema,Prabhas has featured in Forbes India‘s Celebrity 100 list since 2015 and has received seven Filmfare Awards nominations, a Nandi Award, and a SIIMA Award. Prabhas is referred to in the media as the “Rebel Star” and “Darling”.
Prabhas made his acting debut with the 2002 drama Eeswar, and later attained his breakthrough with the action romance Varsham (2004). His notable works include Chatrapathi (2005), Bujjigadu (2008), Billa (2009), Darling (2010), Mr. Perfect (2011), and Mirchi (2013), winning the Nandi Award for Best Actorfor his performance in the lattermost.
In 2015, Prabhas portrayed the title role in S. S. Rajamouli’s action film Baahubali: The Beginningand reprised his role in its sequel, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017). The latter emerged as the second-highest-grossing Indian film at that point, establishing him as the first pan-Indian star. Commercial success has since varied, with the action thrillers Saaho (2019) and Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023) emerging among his biggest grossers.
Prabhas is the first Indian actor ever to have four ₹100+ crore opening films worldwide, a feat unheard of in Indian cinema. He is also the only South Indian actor to have five films that crossed the ₹100 crore mark in the Hindi market. He is the first South Indian actor to receive a wax sculpture at Madame Tussaud’s wax museum
Pawan Kalyan
Konidela Pawan Kalyan (born Konidela Kalyan Babu; 2 September 1968 or 1971 is an Indian actor, politician, filmmaker, martial artist, and philanthropist who primarily works in Telugu cinema. Known for his unique acting style and mannerisms, he has a large fan base and a cult following. One of the highest-paid actors of Indian cinema, he has featured in Forbes India‘s Celebrity 100 list since 2013 and is the recipient of a Filmfare Award, a SIIMA Award, a CineMAA Award, and a Santosham Film Award.He is also the founder of the Jana Sena Party.
Kalyan made his acting debut in the 1996 film Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi but rose to prominence with the dramas Gokulamlo Seeta (1997) and Suswagatham (1998). He achieved stardom for his performance in Tholi Prema (1998), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu that year.
Kalyan established himself as a leading actor with successful projects such as Thammudu (1999), Badri(2000), Kushi (2001), Balu (2005), Jalsa (2008), Gabbar Singh (2012), Attarintiki Daredi (2013), Gopala Gopala (2015), Vakeel Saab (2021), and Bheemla Nayak(2022).He received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for Gabbar Singh while Attarintiki Daredi held the record of being the highest-grossing Telugu film of all time.In addition to acting, he produces films under the banners Anjana Productions and Pawan Kalyan Creative Works
Ram Charan
Konidela Ram Charan (born 27 March 1985) is an Indian actor, producer, and entrepreneur who primarily works in Telugu cinema. He is one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema and has featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2013. Charan is the recipient of several awards, including three Filmfare Awards and two Nandi Awards.
Charan made his acting debut with the action film Chirutha (2007), a box office hit, winning the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South. He rose to prominence starring in S. S. Rajamouli’s fantasy action film Magadheera (2009), the highest-grossing Telugu film of all time at the time of its release, winning the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. He went on to star in notable films such as Racha (2012), Naayak (2013), Yevadu (2014), Govindudu Andarivadele (2014), and Dhruva (2016).
Charan achieved further commercial success with the blockbusters Rangasthalam (2018), winning his second Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu, and RRR (2022), which currently ranks as the third-highest-grossing Indian film of all time and his highest grosser. Charan emerged as a pan-Indian star with RRR and earned international recognition, including a nomination at the Critics’ Choice Super Awards for Best Actor in an Action Movie.
In 2016, Charan launched his own production house Konidela Production Company, which has notably backed Khaidi No. 150 (2017) and Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019). Beyond his film career, he owns the polo team Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club and was a co-owner of the airline service TruJet. He is the son of actor Chiranjeevi.