The allure of Bollywood has often beckoned stars from the South Indian film industry, but the transition hasn't always been smooth. While some have successfully carved a niche for themselves in Hindi cinema, several others have faced a lukewarm reception with their initial Bollywood ventures. Here's a look at some South Indian actors who experienced a less-than-stellar Bollywood debut, based on the latest available information.
One prominent example is Jr NTR, the Telugu superstar, who made his official Bollywood debut in "War 2," released on August 14, 2025. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, the film is part of YRF's Spy Universe and a sequel to the hit "War". While the film has generated significant buzz, particularly around the face-off between Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan, the initial reception from critics and audiences will determine whether it's a successful launchpad for him in Bollywood. Jr NTR himself admitted to initial doubts about how Bollywood audiences would receive him.
Rashmika Mandanna, a popular face in Telugu and Kannada cinema, ventured into Bollywood with "Goodbye" in 2022. Despite the film featuring Amitabh Bachchan, it didn't fare well at the box office. Although she had other Bollywood films in the pipeline, including "Mission Majnu" with Sidharth Malhotra and "Animal" with Ranbir Kapoor, "Goodbye" marked a rather subdued beginning to her Hindi film career. Some critics noted that her presence didn't significantly boost the film's performance. She later gained wider recognition with the pan-India success of "Pushpa: The Rise".
Several other South Indian actors have also had underwhelming Bollywood debuts. For instance, Keerthy Suresh's recent Hindi cinema debut with "Baby John" alongside Varun Dhawan, didn't meet expectations. Malavika Mohanan's pan-India debut in "Yudhra" (September 2024) opposite Siddhant Chaturvedi also failed to impress at the box office. Even Vijay Sethupathi, known for his versatile performances, saw his Bollywood debut in "Merry Christmas" (January 2024) with Katrina Kaif, underperform commercially. The movie, made with a budget of Rs 60 crores, only managed to earn Rs 22 crores globally.
Ram Charan, who gained pan-Indian stardom after "RRR," actually made his Bollywood debut much earlier in 2013 with "Zanjeer," which also starred Priyanka Chopra. However, the film was a critical and commercial failure. Similarly, Suriya, another National Award-winning actor, debuted in Bollywood with Ram Gopal Varma's "Rakta Charitra 2" in 2010, which didn't succeed at the box office.
Naga Chaitanya's Hindi debut in "Laal Singh Chaddha" (2022) also proved unsuccessful, despite receiving good reviews for his performance. Vijay Deverakonda's "Liger" (2022), co-produced by Karan Johar, was mired in controversies and failed to click with audiences and critics alike. Sreenivas Bellamkonda's Hindi debut with "Chatrapathi," a remake of SS Rajamouli's film, also crashed at the box office.
It's important to note that a disappointing Bollywood debut doesn't necessarily define an actor's career. Many of these actors continue to thrive in South Indian cinema and some eventually find success in Bollywood with later projects. The dynamics of language, audience preferences, and the specific roles offered play a crucial role in determining an actor's trajectory in a new industry.
