Thursday Jan 08 2009, Trivandrum

Invaders from the South!!

Actresses from South India have always managed to find space in Bollywood. The wide-eyed beauties from the South scored over the competition with quality performances and some stunning glamour display. From 'Amrapali' Vjayanthi Mala to 'Dream Girl' Hema Malini, from Sridevi to Asin, the southie sirens have been ruling Bollywood, well, for all the right reasons! Click on, for a parade!

Vyjayanthimala:

Vyjayanthimala was the first south Indian actress to reach the numero uno position in Bollywood. She dominated the industry for two decades, the '50s and '60s. Born in Madras, the Tamil dancer debuted in films at the age of 15 with 'Vazhkai' (1951), which was remade into Hindi as 'Bahaar'. Vyjayanthi established herself in Hindi with 'Ladki' and 'Nagin' (1954). Her filmography features all-time hits such as 'Devdas', 'Madhumati', 'Ganga Jamuna', 'Naya Daur','Amrapali','Jewel Thief',' Suraj' and 'Sangam'.

===============

Padmini

Padmini was a sensation in Kollywood in the '50s and 60s. She shared the screen with almost all trhe superstars in the South, before venturing North. She was the heroine in Raj Kapoor's 'Mera Naam Joker' and 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai'. Her other Bollywood hits include 'Payal' (1957) and Babubhai Mistry's 'Mahabharat' (1965). Padmini was renowned for her linguistic abilities, and dubbed for all her movies in different languages.
===================

Hema Malini

The 'dream Girl' of Indian cinema was born in Ammankudi, Tiruchirapalli district, Tamil Nadu. Hema has acted in numerous hit films and was paired with almost all the superstars in Hindi. She debuted in 1968 with 'Sapnon Ka Saudagar' ("The Dreamseller"), opposite Raj Kapoor. With Dev Anand's 'Johnny Mera Naam' (1970), Hema entered the Big League. Hema played a double-role with Dharmendra and Sanjeev Kumar in 'Seeta Aur Geeta' (1972). Her hits include 'Charas', 'Aas Paas', 'Jugnu', 'Seeta Aur Geeta', 'Naseeb', 'Satte Pe Satta’, 'Desh Premee' and the mighty 'Sholay. She made a strong comeback with 'Baghban', opposite Amitabh Bachchan in 2003.

======================


Rekha

Long before Messrs Sri Devi, Madhuri Dixit and Bipasha Basu and Co. redefined the look and talk of the Bollywood heroine, Rekha was there as Miss Bold n' Beautiful. Bhanurekha Ganesan was born in Madras to yesteryear Kollywood hero, 'Kadhal Mannan' Gemini Ganesan and Telugu actress Pushpavalli.

She debuted as a child artiste in the Telugu flick, 'Rangula Ratnam' (1966), and starred in her first Hindi film, 'Anjana Safar', as heroine in 1969. The film featured a kissing scene between the lead pair, Rekha and Biswajit the smooch made it to the Asian edition of 'Life' magazine. Her first release was 'Sawan Bhadon'. Her first performance-oriented role was in 'Do Anjaane', co-starring Amitabh Bachchan. The pair went on to have a great time on screen. Rekha won the National award for her stunning portrayal in 'Umrao Jaan' (1981).

==================

Sridevi

The journey from being the sweet li'l "paappa" of Chennai to becoming India's "Thunder Thighs" was accomplished with great verve and veracity by Sridevi. After conquering the south of Vindhyas with her oomph, Sridevi ventured north and enslaved a whole generation of Bollywood fans. Her super hit Bolly flicks include 'Tohfaa', 'Inquilaab', 'Aakshree Raasta', 'Mr. India' and 'Khuda Gawah'.

===================

Jaya Prada

According to Satyajit Ray, Jayaprada was "the most beautiful face on Indian screen". The actress with the chiselled curves and looks was born as Lalita Rani in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. She entered Bollywood with 'Sargam' (1979), a remake of her Telugu hit 'Sirisiri Muvva', by K.Viswanath. During the '80s Jayaprada acted in many hits with Jeetendra and Amitabh Bachchan, such as 'Sanjog' (1985) and 'Sharaabi' (1984)

=====================


Madhavi

It was KBalachander who introduced her to the tinsel town, with his Telugu hit, 'Marocharithra' (1979)The film was remade into Hindi two years later as 'Ek Duje Ke Liye' and was a stupendous hitMadhavi went on to act in about 75 films in five languages

After 'Ek Duje