List of Bollywood actors who have their roots in regional cinema

The trend of mainstream Bollywood actors experimenting in regional cinema is a rare sight. However, it has been a trend for actors to enter Bollywood once they have gained prominence in regional cinema. Here is look at some of the versatile actors that regional cinema has given Bollywood.

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1. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

After winning the Miss World 1994 pageant, Aishwarya Rai debuted in Indian cinema with Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film, Iruvar in 1997. Her second film, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, was also her Bollywood debut. She has acted in several hit films down South and also has a Bengali film in her kitty.

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2. Diljit Dosanjh

Diljit Dosanjh was a household name in Punjab before he entered Bollywood. After a spree of several hit albums, he debuted in Punjabi cinema with Guddu Dhanoa’s The Lion of Punjab in 2011. He soared to popularity and was loved by the masses. He started receiving several offers from Bollywood, and he chose his debut film to be Abhishek Chaubey’s Udta Punjab in 2016. Diljit is currently shooting for his next film, Good Newwz, opposite Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kiara Advani.

3. Konkona Sen Sharma

Konkona Sen Sharma made her debut in films as a child actor in the Bengali film, Indira in 1983. She then made her adult debut with the Bengali film Ek Je Aachhe Kanya in 2000. Her performance in the English film, Mr and Mrs Iyer, won her accolades and a National Film Award for Best Actress. She then went on to act in several critically acclaimed films like Life in a... Metro, Omkara, Traffic Signal, Lipstick Under My Burkha, etc.

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4. Taapsee Pannu

Taapsee made her acting debut with the Telugu film, Jhummandi Naadam in 2010. She then went on to act in several critically acclaimed films like Aadukalam, Vastadu Naa Raju, Mr. Perfect, etc. Taapsee Pannu made her Bollywood debut with Ritesh Shah’s Pink alongside megastar Amitabh Bachchan. Her latest Bollywood flick, Saand Ki Aankh, has been getting several positive responses from the audience and critics.

5. R. Madhavan

Madhavan is one of the most sought-after actors down South. He debuted into mainstream Indian cinema with Srinivas’ Kannada film, Shanti Shanti Shanti in 1998. However, he gained recognition for his role in Mani Ratnam’s Alaipayuthey in 2000. Madhavan made his Bollywood debut in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s National Award-winning film, Rang De Basanti in 2006. He has then gone to act in several commercially and critically acclaimed Bollywood films like Guru, 3 Idiots, Tanu Weds Manu, etc.

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