From Ram Charan to Ajith Kumar: 7 South Indian Cinema's Superstars Who Tried, Yet Struggled in Bollywood

The allure of Bollywood is irresistible, even for South Indian stars, and many budding actors set their initial aspirations on making a mark in the Hindi film industry. However, not all journeys to Bollywood are paved with success. In this article, we will acquaint you with South Indian stars who harbored dreams of launching their careers in Bollywood but encountered stumbling blocks right from the outset.

By  Prerit Chauhan August 22nd 2023 05:53 PM

In the world of cinema, dreams know no bounds. Whether in the bustling streets of Mumbai's Bollywood or the vibrant tapestry of the South Indian film industry, actors yearn to transcend borders and explore new horizons. Yet, the ultimate litmus test for their cinematic endeavors is the quality of the script. The allure of Bollywood is irresistible, even for South Indian stars, and many budding actors set their initial aspirations on making a mark in the Hindi film industry. However, not all journeys to Bollywood are paved with success. In this article, we will acquaint you with South Indian stars who harbored dreams of launching their careers in Bollywood but encountered stumbling blocks right from the outset.

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Mohanlal: 

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Mohanlal, the revered icon of South Indian cinema, enjoys a massive fan base that reveres both him and his illustrious body of work. Despite his towering stature in the South, Bollywood posed a formidable challenge. His Bollywood journey began with roles in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Company' and 'Aag Aur Tez,' yet success in the Hindi film arena remained elusive.


Ajith Kumar:

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Ajith Kumar, affectionately known as Thala Ajith, is a multifaceted talent in the South, cherished for his acting prowess and passion for bikes. Surprisingly, his foray into Bollywood was through Shah Rukh Khan's 'Asoka.' However, this marked both his debut and farewell to the Hindi film industry.


Akkineni Nagarjuna:

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Akkineni Nagarjuna, celebrated for his roles in South Indian cinema, made an attempt to conquer Bollywood with projects like 'LOC Kargil' and 'Brahmastra.' Despite his immense popularity, establishing a firm foothold in Bollywood proved to be an insurmountable challenge. Nevertheless, his fan base within the South Indian film fraternity remains unshaken.


Mammootty: 

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Mammootty, a towering figure among South Indian superstars, dipped his toes into Bollywood with 'Dhartiputra' in 1993. However, his Bollywood career failed to soar, leaving him facing the same challenges as other accomplished actors in leaving a lasting impression on the Hindi film landscape.


Nithin: 

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Nithin, a well-known figure in South Indian cinema, ventured into Bollywood with 'Agyaat,' directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Unfortunately, this Hindi endeavor failed to capture the hearts of Bollywood audiences in the same way he does down South.


Vijay Deverakonda:

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Vijay Deverakonda, currently in the limelight for his upcoming film 'Liger' alongside Samantha and Ananya Pandey, made his Bollywood debut with the same film. Regrettably, 'Liger' faced a significant setback at the Bollywood box office.


Ram Charan:

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Ram Charan, a prominent actor with a solid reputation, established himself with hits like 'RRR' and 'Magadheera.' Despite his accomplishments, his Bollywood endeavor with 'Zanjeer,' co-starring Priyanka Chopra, didn't fare well. However, his personal life continued to be a subject of interest in the media.

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