From Nayanthara to Amy Jackson: The top actresses of Tamil cinema in 2015

Tamil commercial cinema is largely a hero dominated one, and heroines are most around to provide the glam factor and amplify the emotions. Hundreds of starry-eyed girls have debuted as female actors in Tamil cinema in the last two years, but only a few have made it. However in 2015, female stars have created an impact in the male-driven industry. A couple of heroine dominated films were released, which managed to make its own mark. And so, here is a list of female actors who rocked Tamil Cinema in 2015

1. Nayanthara

[caption id=“attachment_2566804” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Nayanthara. Image from IBN Live.[/caption] Tamil cinema’s numero uno heroine by a mile is Nayanthara. Out of five of her releases, she had two super hits (Thani Oruvan, Naanum Rowdy Dhaan), one hit (Maya) and two flops ( Nanbenda, Mass). She proved that in a hero dominated industry, the female characters that she portrayed in these films, brought in audiences in large numbers. Like Rajinikanth, she never gives interviews and is totally inaccessible to the media, which has created a halo around her. The Tamil cinema trade feels that she’s the only female actor with an opening. 2. Hansika [caption id=“attachment_2566800” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Hansika. Image from IBN live.[/caption] Mumbai girl Hansika is one of Tamil cinema’s favourite. She is accessible, friendly and a hard worker who is totally committed, unlike certain other Mumbai imports who come to south only for the big pay cheques. She had four releases this year - Aambala, Vaalu, Romeo Juliet and Puli, out of which Romeo Juliet was a hit. Next year she has quite a few interesting projects lined up. 3. Anushka Shetty [caption id=“attachment_2566798” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Anushka Shetty. Image from IBN Live.[/caption] Anushka had more reach in Telugu than Tamil this year. She had four releases – Yennai Arindhaal, Baahubali, Rudramadevi and Inji Iduppazhagi. Out of this, Baahubali in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi were blockbusters, Rudramadevi in Telugu was a hit and Yennai Arindhaal was an above average grosser. 4. Trisha [caption id=“attachment_2566814” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Trisha. Image from IBN live.[/caption] Trisha is Tamil cinema’s biggest survivor and has been around since early 2000. She had an above average release Yennai Arindhaal and a year-end hit Bhooloham, though Sakalakalavallavan and Thoongavanam didn’t work at the box-office. Her fiery determination and hard work will keep her among the top heroines. 5. Amy Jackson [caption id=“attachment_2566796” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Amy Jackson. Image from IBN live.[/caption] The British girl from Liverpool, Amy Jackson is making waves in Tamil cinema. Her film, the Shankar-directed I, was a hit, followed by Thanga Magan, which failed. But she is doing varied roles in Tamil- Theri with Vijay and Gethu with Udhay Stalin. She is the heroine of the biggest Indian film currently in making, Shankar’s Rajinikanth-Akshay Kumar starrer Enthiran 2.O. 6. Shruthi Haasan [caption id=“attachment_2566810” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Shruti Hassan. Image from IBN Live.[/caption] The lovely Shruti Haasan had just two releases in Tamil, but with two of the biggest stars in Kollywood – Puli with Vijay, which bombed, while Vedalam with Ajith turned out to be a super hit. She is doing better in Telugu and has various projects in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu lined up for next year. 7. Nithya Menon [caption id=“attachment_2566806” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Nithya Menon. Image from IBN Live.[/caption] The elusive Nithya is an actress of substance and had a great 2015. Her Mani Ratnam starrer O Kadhal Kanmani was a hit and made her popular with urban youth. And the physically handicapped character she played in the horror-comedy super hit Kanchana 2, gave her the rural market. 8. Samantha [caption id=“attachment_2566808” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Samantha. Image from IBN live.[/caption] Samantha has so far had a dream run in Tollywood but unfortunately her two releases this year in Tamil 10 Endrathukulla and Thanga Magan bombed. But there’s nothing seemingly worrisome as she has films coming up next year opposite Vijay and Suriya, which is sure to make her bounce back. 9. Taapsee Pannu [caption id=“attachment_2566812” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Tapsee Pannu. Image from IBN Live.[/caption] The Delhi based Taapsee Pannu had two releases in Tamil, Vai Raja Vai, an average grosser and the super hit Kanchana 2, which got her a new fan base . But her heart is in Bollywood with her Akshay Kumar-starrer Baby turning out to be a hit. She is currently busy doing two Hindi films. 10. Jyothika [caption id=“attachment_2566802” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Jyothika. Image from Youtube.[/caption] Jyothika, a one time top Tamil heroine, made a sensational comeback in the woman-centric 36 Vayadhinile. She had taken a eight year break from cinema after she married popular hero Suriya. 36 Vayadhinile proved to be a hit and also showed that her fan base, especially among female audiences, was intact. Though she has not signed any new film, now she is on the lookout for a strong female oriented subject.