Just as southern stars such as Asin, Genelia D’Souza, Anushka Sharma, Trisha and others are flying north the make their names in Bollywood, a host of Bollywood stars have been flying south in the last two years to gain greater exposure in Tollywood movies in an effort to develop their careers. “Tollywood films offer you a lot of exposure,” says Meenakshi Dixit, who appeared in Lifestyle with Nischal, “I’m looking for an outstanding role now.”
Newly-focussed Urvashi Sharma appeared in Three and has now signed up to a British film – The Bounty Hunter – and also Chai Garam with Govinda. In addition, former Miss India Tanya Vakil was in Dongala Bandi with Allari Naresh and twenty-five comedians. “Telugu films are colourful and full of dreams, and Tollywood welcomes newcomers with open arms,” she explains.
Former Miss World Tourism and Philosophy graduate Sonal Chauhan popped up in Rainbow with Rahul and has seen her career take off from there. She is now cast opposite John Abraham and Akshay Kumar in Anthony D’Souza’s big-budget adventure in an aeroplane – Aerial. The movie will be made in the Las Vegas desert – no doubt the stars making one or two visits to Casinoland in the process!
Former Miss India Sayali Bhagat was in Blade Babji, also with Allari Naresh, who seems to spend his life launching the careers of Miss Indias. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it. Sayali’s modeling career is also developing and she may appear at the Ahmedabad Fashion Week in November.
Let’s not forget also, Shweta Bharadwaj in Indumathi with a psychopathic Sivaji and Shraddha Das who is pinning her hopes on Arya-2 with Allu Arjun and Kajal. “It’s a big-ticket film and I am feeling confident,” she says. Meanwhile, Shweta is looking forward to appearing opposite Mithun Chakraborthy in Root, showing once again how setting down roots in the South can lead to a blossoming career in Bollywood.
