List of Telugu film actresses

This is a list of notable actresses who have played key roles in the Telugu cinema, primarily based in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]

1940s: Anjali Devi

1950s: Savitri

1960s: Vanisri

1970s: Sridevi

1980s: Ramya Krishna

2000s: Anushka Shetty

2010s: Samantha Ruth Prabhu

2020s: Mrunal Thakur

1930s

Year	Name	Debut film	Notable films
1935	Kanchanamala	Srikrishna Thulabhaaram
1939	P. Bhanumathi	Vara Vikrayam	Laila Majnu (1949), Palnati Yuddham (1966)

1940s

Year	Name	Debut film	Notable films
1947	Anjali Devi	Gollabhama	Lava Kusa (1963), Palnati Yuddham (1966), Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam (1957)

1950s

Year	Name	Debut film	Notable films
1950	Sowcar Janaki	Shavukaru	Kanyasulkam (1955)
1951	Savitri	Pathala Bhairavi	Devadasu (1953), Mayabazar (1957), Pooja (1975)
1952	T. R. Rajakumari	Naa Illu
1953	Jamuna	Puttilu
1955	Sarada	Kanyasulkam	Jeevitha Chakram (1971), Justice Chowdary (1982), Amma Rajinama (1991)
1957	Kanchana	Suvarna Sundari
1957	Vijaya Nirmala	Panduranga Mahatyam

1960s

Year	Name	Debut film	Notable films
1960	Geetanjali	Rani Ratnaprabha
1962	Vanisri	Bhishma	Jeevana Tarangalu (1973)

1970s

Jaya Prada

Sumalatha

Year	Name	Debut film	Notable films
1970	Sridevi	Maa Nanna Nirdoshi	Padaharella Vayasu (1978), Premabhishekam (1981), Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990)
1972	Jayasudha	Pandanti Kapuram	Tandra Paparayudu (1986)
1974	Jaya Prada	Bhoomi Kosam	Yamagola (1977)
1978	Sumalatha	Karunamayudu	Justice Chakravarthy (1984), Janani Janmabhoomi (1984), Agni Gundam (1984)

1980s

Vijayashanti

Year	Name	Debut film	Notable films
1980	Vijayashanti	Khiladi Krishnudu	Sangharshana (1983), Kondaveeti Raja (1986)
1982	Radha	Prema Moortulu	Simhasanam (1986), Yamudiki Mogudu (1988)
1983	Meena	Siripuram Monagadu	Muta Mestri (1993), Muddula Mogudu (1997), Drushyam (2014)
1984	Ramya Krishna	Kanchu Kagada	Allari Priyudu (1993), Gharana Bullodu (1995), Annamayya (1997)
1985	Bhanupriya	Sitara	Anveshana (1985), Swarnakamalam (1988), Gudachari 117 (1989)
1987	Amala Akkineni	Kirayi Dada	Raja Vikramarka (1990)
1987	Gautami	Dayamayudu	Srinivasa Kalyanam (1987), Chakravyuham (1992), Manamantha (2016)
1988	Vani Viswanath	Chinni Krishnudu	Simha Swapnam (1989), Prema Yuddham (1990), Gharana Mogudu (1992)

1990s

Year	Name	Debut film	Notable films
1990	Divya Bharti	Bobbili Raja	Assembly Rowdy (1991), Rowdy Alludu (1991), Tholi Muddhu (1993)
1991	Nagma	Peddintalludu	Gharana Mogudu (1992), Allari Alludu (1993), Mugguru Monagallu (1994)
1992	Rambha	Aa Okkati Adakku	Rowdy Annayya (1993), Hitler (1997), Choosoddaam Randi (2000)
1992	Laya	Bhadram Koduko	Swayamvaram (1999), Kodanda Ramudu (2000), Naalo Unna Prema (2001)
1993	Aamani	Jamba Lakidi Pamba	Mister Pellam (1993), Subha Lagnam (1994), Subha Sankalpam (1995)
	Soundarya	Manavarali Pelli	Hello Brother (1994), Intlo Illalu Vantintlo Priyuralu (1996), Raja (1999)
	Sakshi Shivanand	Anna Vadina	Master (1997), Seetharama Raju (1999), Yuvaraju (2000)
	Sanghavi	Kokkoroko	Sarada Bullodu (1996), Suryavamsam (1998), Sandade Sandadi (2002)
1996	Shilpa Shetty	Sahasa Veerudu Sagara Kanya	Veedevadandi Babu (1997), Azad (2000), Bhalevadivi Basu (2001)
1997	Simran	Abbai Gari Pelli	Kalisundam Raa (2000), Nuvvu Vastavani (2000), Narasimha Naidu (2001)
	Anjala Zaveri	Preminchukundam Raa	Samarasimha Reddy (1999), Devi Putrudu (2001), Life Is Beautiful (2012)
	Sangeetha Krish	Circus Sattipandu	Khadgam (2002), Sankranti (2004), Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020)

2000s

Year	Name	Debut film	Notable films
2000	Bhumika Chawla	Yuvakudu	Kushi (2001), Okkadu (2003), Missamma (2003)
	Reema Sen	Chitram	Adrustam (2002), Anji (2004), Bangaram (2006)
	Amisha Patel	Badri	Naani (2004), Narasimhudu (2005), Parama Veera Chakra (2011)
2001	Shriya Saran	Ishtam	Santosham (2002), Chatrapathi (2005), RRR (2022)
	Sonali Bendre	Murari	Indra (2002), Manmadhudu (2002), Shankar Dada M.B.B.S. (2004)
	Aarthi Agarwal	Nuvvu Naaku Nachav	Indra (2002), Vasantam(2003), Veede(2003)
	Sneha	Priyamaina Neeku	Hanuman Junction (2001), Sankranti (2005), Sri Ramadasu (2006)
	Anita Hassanandani	Nuvvu Nenu	Sreeram (2002), Thotti Gang (2002), Nenu Pelliki Ready (2003)
	Gajala	Naalo Unna Prema	Student No: 1 (2001), Kalusukovalani (2002), Malliswari (2004)
2002	Nikita Thukral	Hai	Kalyana Ramudu(2003), Sambaram(2003), Kushi Kushiga(2004)
	Charmy Kaur	Nee Thodu Kavali	Mantra (2007), Manorama (2009), Kavya's Diary (2009)
	Sadha	Jayam	Avunanna Kadanna (2005), Veerabhadra (2006), Classmates (2007)
	Rakshita	Idiot	Sivamani (2003), Andhrawala (2004), Andarivaadu (2005)
2003	Jyothika	Tagore	Mass (2004), Shock (2006), Vikramarkudu (2006)
	Asin	Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi	Sivamani (2003), Gharshana (2004), Chakram (2005)
	Genelia D'Souza	Satyam	Bommarillu (2006), Dhee (2007), Ready (2008)
	Trisha krishnan	Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu	Varsham (2004), Athadu (2005), Aadavari Matalaku Arthlale Verule(2007), King (2008), Teen Maar (2011)
	Priyamani	Evare Athagadu	Yamadonga (2007), Golimaar (2010), Narappa (2021)
2004	Meera Jasmine	Ammayi Bagundi	Gudumba Shankar (2004), Yamagola Malli Modalayindi (2007), Gorintaku (2008)
2004	Kamalinee Mukherjee	Anand
2005	Anushka Shetty	Super	Chintakayala Ravi (2008), Mirchi (2013), Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017)
	Tamannaah Bhatia	Sree	Happy Days (2007), 100% Love (2011), Baahubali: The Beginning (2015)
	Swathi Reddy	Danger	Ashta Chamma (2008), Swamy Ra Ra (2013), Month of Madhu (2023)
	Poonam Bajwa	Modati Cinema
	Madhu Shalini	Andarivaadu	Oka V Chitram (2006), State Rowdy (2007), Karalu Miriyalu (2011)
	Raai Laxmi	Kanchanamala Cable TV
	Kamna Jethmalani	Premikulu
	Sanjjanaa Galrani	Soggadu
	Sameera Reddy	Narasimhudu	Jai Chiranjeeva (2005), Ashok (2006), Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum (2012)
2006	Ileana D'Cruz	Devadasu	Pokiri (2006), Jalsa (2008), Julayi (2012)
	Nayanthara	Lakshmi	Yogi (2007), Adhurs (2010), Simha (2010)
	Anjali	Photo	Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013), Balupu (2013), Geethanjali (2014)
2007	Kajal Aggarwal	Lakshmi Kalyanam	Magadheera (2009), Darling (2010), Brindavanam (2010)
	Hansika Motwani	Desamuduru	Kandireega (2011), Denikaina Ready (2012), Goutham Nanda (2017)
	Sonia Deepti	Happy Days
	Vedhika	Vijayadasami	Ruler (2019), Bangarraju (2022), Razakar (2024)
	Shamna Kasim	Sri Mahalakshmi	Seema Tapakai (2011), Avunu (2012), Raju Gari Gadhi (2015)
2008	Sonal Chauhan	Rainbow	Legend (2014), Pandaga Chesko (2014), F3: Fun and Frustration (2022)
	Shraddha Das	Siddu from Sikakulam
	Bindu Madhavi	Avakai Biryani	Bumper Offer (2009), Rama Rama Krishna Krishna (2010), Pilla Zamindar (2011),

2010s

Year	Name	Debut film	Notable films
2010	Samantha Ruth Prabhu	Ye Maaya Chesave	Dookudu (2011), Rangasthalam (2018), Oh! Baby (2019)
	Rakul Preet Singh	Keratam	Venkatadri Express (2013), Nannaku Prematho (2016), Sarrainodu (2016)
	Taapsee Pannu	Jhummandi Naadam	Mr. Perfect (2011), Gundello Godari (2013), Mishan Impossible (2022)
	Pranitha Subhash	Em Pillo Em Pillado	Attarintiki Daredi (2013), Rabhasa (2014), Hello Guru Prema Kosame (2018)
	Radhika Apte	Rakta Charitra
2011	Nithya Menen	Ala Modalaindi
	Shruti Hassan	Anaganaga O Dheerudu	Race Gurram (2014), Srimanthudu (2015), Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023)
	Amala Paul	Bejawada
	Isha Chawla	Prema Kavali
2012	Regina Cassandra	Siva Manasulo Sruthi	Subramanyam for Sale (2015), Awe (2018), Saakini Daakini (2022)
	Lavanya Tripathi	Andala Rakshasi
	Eesha Rebba	Life Is Beautiful
	Monal Gajjar	Sudigadu
	Anandhi	Ee Rojullo
	Chandini Chowdary	Life Is Beautiful
2013	Catherine Tresa	Chammak Challo	Iddarammayilatho (2013), Goutham Nanda (2017), Bimbisara (2022)
	Chandini Tamilarasan	Kaalicharan	Kiraak (2014), Chitram Bhalare Vichitram (2016), Ram Asur (2021)
	Ritu Varma	Baadshah
	Avika Gor	Uyyala Jampala
2014	Kriti Sanon	1: Nenokkadine	Dohchay (2015), Adipurush (2023)
	Raashii Khanna	Manam	Oohalu Gusagusalade (2014), Bengal Tiger (2015), Venky Mama (2019)
	Pooja Hegde	Oka Laila Kosam	DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017), Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018), Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020)
	Hebah Patel	Ala Ela	Kumari 21F (2015), 24 Kisses (2018), Odela Railway Station (2022)
	Seerat Kapoor	Run Raja Run
	Mishti Chakraborty	Chinnadana Nee Kosam
2015	Pragya Jaiswal	Mirchi Lanti Kurradu	Kanche (2015), Jaya Janaki Nayaka (2017), Akhanda (2021)
	Pooja Jhaveri	Bham Bolenath
	Malvika Nair	Yevade Subramanyam	Kalyana Vaibhogame (2016), Taxiwaala (2018), Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi (2023)
2016	Anupama Parameswaran	A Aa	Hello Guru Prema Kosame (2018), Karthikeya 2 (2022), Tillu Square (2024)
	Nivetha Thomas	Gentleman	Ninnu Kori (2017), Ninnu Kori (2017), Brochevarevarura (2019)
	Anu Emmanuel	Majnu	Kittu Unnadu Jagratha (2017), Agnyaathavaasi (2018), Naa Peru Surya, Naa Illu India (2018)
	Keerthy Suresh	Nenu Sailaja	Mahanati (2018), Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022), Dasara (2023)
	Nandita Swetha	Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada	Bluff Master (2018), Kapatadhaari (2021), Akshara (2021)
	Mehreen Pirzada	Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha	Mahanubhavudu (2017), Raja the Great (2017), F2: Fun and Frustration (2019)
	Pujita Ponnada	Oopiri	Darsakudu (2017), Odela Railway Station (2022), Jorugaa Husharugaa (2023)
	Chitra Shukla	Nenu Sailaja	Maa Abbayi (2017), Rangula Ratnam (2018), Pakka Commercial (2022)
	Komalee Prasad	Nenu Seetha Devi	Napoleon, Sebastian P.C. 524 (2022), HIT: The Second Case (2022)
	Riya Suman	Majnu	Paper Boy (2018), Top Gear (2022), #MenToo (2023)
2017	Sai Pallavi	Fidaa	Middle Class Abbayi (2017), Love Story (2021), Shyam Singha Roy (2021)
	Megha Akash	Lie	Chal Mohan Ranga (2018), Dear Megha (2021), Ravanasura (2023)
	Nivetha Pethuraj	Mental Madhilo	Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), Red (2021), Paagal (2021)
	Dimple Hayathi	Gulf	Eureka (2020), Khiladi (2022), Ramabanam (2023)
	Sreeleela	Chitrangada	Pelli SandaD (2021), Dhamaka (2022), Guntur Kaaram (2024)
	Rukshar Dhillon	Aakatayi	Krishnarjuna Yudham (2018), ABCD: American Born Confused Desi (2019),
2018	Nabha Natesh	Nannu Dochukunduvate	iSmart Shankar (2019), Alludu Adhurs (2021), Maestro (2021)
	Kiara Advani	Bharat Ane Nenu	Vinaya Vidheya Rama (2019), Game Changer (2024)
	Aditi Rao Hydari	Sammohanam	Antariksham 9000 KMPH (2018), V (2020), Maha Samudram (2021)
	Rashmika Mandanna	Chalo	Geetha Govindam (2018), Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020), Pushpa: The Rise (2021)
	Neha Shetty	Mehbooba	Gully Rowdy (2021), DJ Tillu (2022), Bedurulanka 2012 (2023)
	Payal Rajput	RX 100	RDX Love (2019), Disco Raja (2020), Anaganaga O Athidhi (2020)
	Ruhani Sharma	Chi La Sow	HIT: The First Case (2020), Dirty Hari (2020), Saindhav (2024)
	Priyanka Sharma	Tharuvatha Evaru	Savaari (2020), Bommala Koluvu (2022), Tantiram (2023)
	Priya Vadlamani	Premaku Raincheck	Husharu (2018), Mukhachitram (2022), Manu Charitra (2023)
	Nidhhi Agerwal	Savyasachi	Mr. Majnu (2019), iSmart Shankar (2019), Hero (2022)
2019	Ananya Nagalla	Mallesham	Play Back (2021), Vakeel Saab (2021), Anveshi (2023)
	Shivathmika Rajashekar	Dorasaani	Panchathantram (2022), Ranga Maarthaanda (2023)
	Aishwarya Rajesh	Kousalya Krishnamurthy	World Famous Lover (2020), Tuck Jagadish (2021), Republic (2021)
	Priyanka Mohan	Nani's Gang Leader	Sreekaram (2021), OG (2024), Saripodhaa Sanivaaram (2024)
	Mirnalini Ravi	Gaddalakonda Ganesh	Organic Mama Hybrid Alludu (2023), Mama Mascheendra (2023)

2020s

Year	Name	Debut film	Notable films
2020	Varsha Bollamma	Choosi Choodangaane	Middle Class Melodies (2020), Swathi Muthyam (2022), Ooru Peru Bhairavakona (2024)
2021	Krithi Shetty	Uppena	Shyam Singha Roy (2021), Bangarraju (2022), Macherla Niyojakavargam (2022)
	Meenakshi Chaudhary	Ichata Vahanamulu Niluparadu	Khiladi (2022), HIT: The Second Case (2022), Guntur Kaaram (2024)
	Shivani Rajashekar	Pelli SandaD	Adbhutham (2021), WWW (2021), Kota Bommali PS (2023)
	Ketika Sharma	Romantic	Lakshya (2021), Ranga Ranga Vaibhavanga (2022), Bro (2023)
	Faria Abdullah	Jathi Ratnalu	Bangarraju (2022), Like, Share & Subscribe (2022), Aa Okkati Adakku (2024)
	Rashi Singh	Sashi	Prem Kumar (2023), Bhoothaddam Bhaskar Narayana (2024)
2022	Samyuktha	Bheemla Nayak	Bimbisara (2022), Sir (2023), Virupaksha (2023)
	Mrunal Thakur	Sita Ramam	Hi Nanna (2023), The Family Star (2024)
	Kavya Kalyanram	Masooda	Balagam (2023), Ustaad (2023)

Other notable

Other notable Hindi film actresses who have appeared in fewer than three Telugu films include Katrina Kaif and Preity Zinta, but these weren't their debut roles. Disha Patani started her career with Loafer in 2015.^[6]

References

^ "Sharada to Keerthy Suresh: Telugu film actresses who triumphed at the National Film Awards". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
^ Sreeja, Addla (2022-12-09). "12 Tollywood actresses & their educational backgrounds". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
^ Sreeja, Addla (2023-03-08). "Money Talks: TOP 10 highest paid south Indian actresses 2023". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
^ Sreeja, Addla (2022-12-09). "12 Tollywood actresses & their educational backgrounds". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
^ "Top Telugu Actresses of 2010". Rediff. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
^ "From Deepika Padukone to Priyanka Chopra: Bollywood actresses who made their acting debut with South films". The Times of India. 2020-02-25. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-07-23.

External links

[1] "Sharada to Keerthy Suresh: Telugu film actresses who triumphed at the National Film Awards". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-01-13.

[2] Sreeja, Addla (2022-12-09). "12 Tollywood actresses & their educational backgrounds". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 2024-01-13.

[3] Sreeja, Addla (2023-03-08). "Money Talks: TOP 10 highest paid south Indian actresses 2023". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 2024-01-24.

[4] Sreeja, Addla (2022-12-09). "12 Tollywood actresses & their educational backgrounds". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 2024-04-05.

[5] "Top Telugu Actresses of 2010". Rediff. Retrieved 2024-04-05.

[6] "From Deepika Padukone to Priyanka Chopra: Bollywood actresses who made their acting debut with South films". The Times of India. 2020-02-25. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-07-23.

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