It was a fantastic year for south movie fanatics. Be it Kollywood, Mollywood, Tollywood or Sandalwood, every industry had some fabulous releases. Besides the movies becoming a talk of the town, it was every actors' performances in the films that became a huge discussion. The films might have received mixed reviews, but these actors' performances is one of the major reasons why they have become the most popular, most talked about actors of this year. There are 17 actors from South Indian Cinema who have created a huge impact in 2019 with their gritty performances. Nayanthara, Mohanlal, Vijay Deverakonda, Ajith Kumar, Samantha Akkineni and many other actors of South Indian Cinema have ruled this year. Let’s take a look at the list of those actors who ruled 2019. Year Ender 2019: Saaho, Viswasam, Lucifer – 10 Biggest Hits of the Year in South Indian Cinema!

KOLLYWOOD

Vijay In Bigil

Vijay and Nayanthara (Photo Credits: File Image)

The sports drama Bigil featured Thalapathy Vijay in dual roles. Fans were eagerly waiting for this film as it was the first and the only film of the superstar that released in 2019. Also, it was almost after a decade that Vijay and Nayanthara teamed up for a movie. Bigil collected more than Rs 290 crore worldwide.

Rajinikanth In Petta

Rajinikanth (Photo Credits: File Image)

Superstar Rajinikanth who is fondly called as Thalaiva, even had just one release in 2019 – Petta. The action drama directed by Karthik Subbaraj featured him in the role of an elderly man named Kaali, who is the warden of a boys hostel. Petta grossed approximately Rs 230 crore worldwide.

Ajith Kumar In Viswasam

Thala Ajith and Nayanthara (Photo Credits: File Image)

It has been a fantastic year for Ajith Kumar aka Thala Ajith. Viswasam and Nerkonda Paarvai are the two films of his that released this year. And the actor who does not have social media pages still ruled, courtesy his strong fan clubs. Both his films were a hit, but it was Viswasam that shined at the box office.

Nayanthara In Kolaiyuthir Kaalam

Nayanthara (Photo Credits: File Image)

Lady Superstar Nayanthara has had seven releases this – some were with the leading superstars of south, whilst few others she pulled it off solo. She was seen in Viswasam with Ajith, shared screen space with Sivakarthikeyan in Mr Local and also played the lead actress in Vijay starrer Bigil and played a key role in Chiranjeevi starrer Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy. She was also seen in Love Action Drama in which she was paired opposite Nivin Pauly. The solo releases that Nayanthara had includes Airaa and Kolaiyuthir Kaalam.

Amala Paul In Aadai

Amala Paul (Photo Credits: File Image)

Amala Paul’s performance in Aadai was lauded by critics and fans. She pulled off the role of Kamini brilliantly. It was after a long time that fans got to see Amala in such an amazing character on the big screens.

Dhanush In Asuran

Dhanush (Photo Credits: File Image)

Dhanush is a multi-talented actor of Tamil cinemas and he has always delivered a kick-ass performance, and so was his act in Asuran. This movie also marked lead actress Manju Warrier’s debut in Kollywood. Beside Asuran, after a long, long wait, Dhanush and Megha Akash starrer Enai Noki Paayum Thota finally hit the screens this year and it opened to mixed response.

SANDALWOOD

Kichcha Sudeep In Pailwaan

Kichcha Sudeep (Photo Credits: File Image)

Pailwaan is the only film from the Kannada film industry that became a talking point this year. One of the major reasons is also the star cast. It had Kichcha Sudeep in the lead, who played the role of a wrestler. He was also seen in the magnum opus, the multi-starrer, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy. Sudeep is gearing up for the release of another film, which has blockbuster written over it already, and that is Dabangg 3, slated to release on December 20.

MOLLYWOOD

Fahadh Faasil In Kumbalangi Nights

Fahadh Faasil (Photo Credits: File Image)

Kumbalangi Nights is a beautiful tale focusing over love and relationships. A family drama that had every character in the best form, but it was Fahadh Faasil as Shammi, who brilliantly nailed the role of a villain. A masterpiece that just cannot be missed.

Priya Prakash Varrier In Oru Adaar Love

Priya Prakash Varrier (Photo Credits: File Image)

The high school romance Oru Adaar Love was a hit even before it released, courtesy the ‘wink girl’, Priya Prakash Varrier. It was the video clip from the song "Manikya Malaraya Poovi" that sought Priya to fame nationwide.

Mohanlal In Lucifer

Mohanlal (Photo Credits: File Image)

Mohanlal as Stephen Nedumpally left everyone stunned in this political thriller, Lucifer. We could see the several phases and faces of Stephen who is also known as Esthapan alias Lucifer alias Khureshi Ab’ram. We just cannot wait to watch in the second installment, Empuraan.

Shane Nigam In Ishq

Shane Nigam (Photo Credits: File Image)

Ishq is a romantic thriller and Shane Nigam played the lead role. It not only won him praises, but also one of the successful films of this year. He did a commendable job of playing the character Sachi. Another film of his that turned out to be a major hit this year was none other than Kumbalangi Nights.

Nivin Pauly In Moothon

Nivin Pauly (Photo Credits: File Image)

All this while Mollywood lovers got to see Nivin Pauly essaying chocolate boy roles, especially his performance in Premam. But it was a drastic change for all his fans, to see him in a rugged role in the movie Moothon. He ditched the romantic roles and took up a gritty character like Akbar aka Bhai.

TOLLYWOOD

Prabhas In Saaho

Prabhas (Photo Credits: File Image)

After watching Prabhas in SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus, Baahubali, the expectations were high from him. The handsome hunk who made his Bollywood debut with Saaho won hearts in this action drama. Fans were thrilled to see this new side of him.

Chiranjeevi In Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy

Chiranjeevi (Photo Credits: File Image)

It was a thrilling experience to watch Megastar Chiranjeevi essaying the role of Indian independence activist Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy. The 64-year-old actor took our breath away by pulling off the stunts brilliantly in thus magnum opus.

Mahesh Babu In Maharshi

Mahesh Babu (Photo Credits: File Image)

Maharshi was very special to Mahesh Babu and his fans as it was the actor's 25th film. A simple yet a meaningful story-line, a well-intentioned drama, made fans and critics give this movie a thumbs up. Mahesh Babu played the role of a young ambitious man named Rishi.

Samantha Akkineni In Majili

Samantha Akkineni (Photo Credits: File Image)

Samantha Akkineni is one of the most sought after actresses down south. The film Majili was in buzz for all the right reasons. It was her first film with hubby, actor Naga Chaitanya post marriage and it was a box office hit. Super Deluxe and Oh! Baby are the two other releases that she had this year and the former was a huge hit.

Vijay Deverakonda In Dear Comrade

Vijay Deverakonda (Photo Credits: File Image)

When we talk about Vijay Deverakonda, the first thing that anybody could think of is role in Arjun Reddy. The Arjun Reddy actor as he is widely known, the handsome hunk delivered another commendable performance this year as well with the film Dear Comrade. In fact this movie will also be remade in Hindi and be nakrolled by Dharma Productions. Let’s not forget, Vijay Deverakonda is also the Most Searched South Indian Star as per Google India’s ‘year in search 2019 list’.

Well, these are the actors from south who have ruled the industry and also have won hearts with their performances. We hope to see more of their films in 2020!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 13, 2019 04:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).