Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Kannada Stars Seek Stronger Foothold In Telugu States
Kannada movie stars are trying to become more popular in the Telugu states.
Tamil stars have had more success there because audiences have known them for many years.
Some Tamil actors have also appeared directly in Telugu movies.
Older Kannada stars tried to expand but did not become equally successful.
Upendra had a successful period in the 1990s with films such as Om and Nenu.
More recently, Yash became popular through KGF.
Rishab Shetty and Kiccha Sudeep also connected with Telugu audiences through Kantara and Vikrant Rona.
Film professionals say each Kannada movie must succeed on its own because different stories appeal to audiences differently.
Tamil stars such as Rajinikanth, Suriya and Dhanush reportedly command business of Rs 30 crore to Rs 90 crore in the Telugu states.
Producer Lagadapati Sridhar says Tamil actors benefited from decades of familiarity and work in Telugu cinema.
Earlier Kannada stars including Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan and Ambarish failed to establish a major presence among Telugu audiences.
Yash, Kiccha Sudeep and Rishab Shetty gained Telugu recognition through KGF, Vikrant Rona and Kantara.
Industry figures caution that the success of KGF and Kantara cannot be expected from every Kannada star because themes and content differ.
- Who
- Kannada film stars, Tamil stars, producer Lagadapati Sridhar and director Hemanth Madhukar are discussed.
- What
- The article examines why Kannada stars have struggled to build a market in the Telugu states while some newer stars have succeeded.
- When
- The comparison covers several decades, including the 1990s and the recent success of KGF, Vikrant Rona and Kantara.
- Where
- The Telugu states and the wider Kannada and Telugu film industries.
- Why
- Tamil stars benefited from long familiarity and direct Telugu-film work, while Kannada stars have faced challenges linked to audience reach and culturally rooted content.
- Tamil stars' reported business
- Rajinikanth, Suriya and Dhanush are said to command business ranging from Rs 30 crore to Rs 90 crore in the Telugu states.
- Historical advantage
- Lagadapati Sridhar says Tamil stars became household names in the Telugu states over the last three to four decades.
- Earlier Kannada stars
- Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan and Ambarish tried to expand into Telugu cinema but did not make a significant impact.
- 1990s success
- Upendra had a successful stint in the Telugu states with films including Om and Nenu.
- Recent Kannada successes
- Yash, Kiccha Sudeep and Rishab Shetty connected with Telugu audiences through KGF, Vikrant Rona and Kantara.
- Telugu remake example
- Pawan Wadeyar's Kannada hit Govindaya Namaha was remade as Pottugadu, which starred Manchu Manoj and performed well at the box office.