Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Sreeleela reportedly eyes Tamil cinema role alongside Rajinikanth
Sreeleela is a young actress who acts mainly in Telugu movies.
She may soon act in a Tamil movie called Dharman with a very famous actor named Rajinikanth.
Some of her Telugu movies, like Ustaad Bhagat Singh, did not do well.
Other Telugu actresses, such as Pooja Hegde, Krithi Shetty and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, are also trying Tamil movies.
In Telugu films, top actresses can earn close to Rs 2.5 crore per movie.
In Tamil films, they often earn less than Rs 1.5 crore.
Still, Tamil movies give them a chance to reach more people and work with big stars.
A producer named Vishnu Induri says the actresses are not leaving Telugu because they lost chances there.
He says they want to grow their careers and become famous across India.
Working in many film industries is becoming important for actors today.
Sreeleela is reportedly set to share screen space with Rajinikanth in the upcoming film Dharman.
Her last big-ticket release, Ustaad Bhagat Singh, crashed at the box office.
Telugu actresses Pooja Hegde, Krithi Shetty and Vaishnavi Chaitanya have also shifted focus to Tamil cinema.
Top Telugu actresses can command close to Rs 2.5 crore per film in Tollywood but often settle for less than Rs 1.5 crore in Tamil cinema.
Producer Vishnu Induri says the moves are about expanding brands and building pan-Indian careers, not a lack of opportunities in Telugu.
- Who
- Telugu actresses including Sreeleela, Pooja Hegde, Krithi Shetty and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, plus producer Vishnu Induri, with Sreeleela reportedly joining Rajinikanth.
- What
- Leading Telugu actresses are expanding into Tamil (Kollywood) cinema; Sreeleela is reportedly set to star opposite Rajinikanth in Dharman.
- When
- Timing not specified in the articles; the Dharman project is described as upcoming.
- Where
- The Indian film industries of Tollywood (Telugu cinema) and Kollywood (Tamil cinema).
- Why
- To revive or broaden careers after mixed fortunes in Telugu, reach wider audiences, and work with major stars.
Career revival view
Brand expansion view
Why actresses are moving to Tamil cinema
Career revival view
Actresses face mixed fortunes in Telugu, and projects like Sreeleela's Ustaad Bhagat Singh have flopped, so Tamil cinema offers a chance to revive their careers, even at lower pay.
Brand expansion view
Producer Vishnu Induri argues the actresses are not leaving because of a lack of Telugu opportunities; they have time in their schedules and are expanding their brand across markets to build a pan-Indian identity.
- Reported New Project
- Sreeleela reportedly cast opposite Rajinikanth in upcoming film Dharman
- Sreeleela's Last Release
- Ustaad Bhagat Singh, which crashed at the box office
- Telugu Industry Pay
- Top actresses like Sreeleela and Pooja Hegde can command close to Rs 2.5 crore per film
- Tamil Industry Pay
- Often less than Rs 1.5 crore per film due to budget-conscious production houses
- Actresses Moving to Tamil Cinema
- Pooja Hegde, Krithi Shetty, Vaishnavi Chaitanya
- Key Commentator
- Producer Vishnu Induri, who has worked in both Telugu and Tamil cinema
- Stated Trend
- Multilingual careers seen as essential for longevity in the Indian film industry