Being a mimicry artist, it was but natural for Jayasurya to begin with roles with a comic edge to them. Though he began with a small, insignificant role in Dosth, he got noticed playing a speech-impaired lover in Vinayan’s Oomapenninu Uriyaadapayyan. Though he did light, humour-oriented roles in films like Swapnakoodu, Pulivaal Kalyanam, Chathikkatha Chanthu and Classmates, he managed to break free of that mould with his villainous turn in Kangaroo. That was a turning point, and then came different kinds of roles.

Ramesh Aravind chose to work full time in Kannada films 14 years ago even while his career in Tamil cinema had taken off. It was a conscious decision by the actor because 1997 saw Ramesh in five blockbusters in a single year; a record of sorts in the 90s. Now, after experimenting with filmmaking and directing his own movies, Ramesh is planning a second innings in Tamil cinema. “I think this is the right time for me to make the move. I have several plans lined up including a bilingual with Kamal Haasan. The movie is still on the drawing board.

“You know, fans call me Vice-Captain, Periya Thalapathi and the like,” says Shiva’s character, upon which his parents (whom he hasn’t seen since birth and with whom he is now on extremely friendly terms) rush and hug him. Thamizh Padam, which catapulted Shiva straight into the spotlight with its witticism and smart mockery, has been his calling card for many months, and Shiva is now steadily ascending the rungs in Kodambakkam.

Girls simply love him… the dishy dude has set pulses racing with his rugged good looks. But Rana Daggubati claims that he is clueless about why he is such a rage among women! The style icon from Telugu movies is currently shooting for his sixth film, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum, and continues to be mobbed by women wherever he goes. “I know women love me, I just don’t know why!

Hariprriya is busy shooting for her debut Malayalam movie - Thiruvambady Thamban - in Kanyakumari and Munnar. “It has been four years since I came to showbiz. I have been trying to find a good role in Malayalam movies. My attempts are finally yielding results. I am excited to be part of this project,” Hariprriya declares.

The two blockbusters with two big directors in her second year in the Kannada film industry propelled Aindrita Ray straight into the top league of actors. As the rather tiresome cliché goes, she has never looked back since. Having acted in nearly 20 Kannada films with superstars, Aindrita makes it clear that she is not in the race for the No. 1 position in Sandalwood. “Who cares about the No. 1 position? Today, I will be there; tomorrow someone else might claim it. How does it matter anyway? I don’t believe in the race to be No. 1.

The going has been great for Kajal Aggarwal in Telugu and Tamil films at least in the last few years. She has got varied projects, played interesting roles and tasted success mostly. The lissome lass can rev up the oomph quotient and then come back to surprise you by getting into the skin of the character too. With this glam-act balance she’s inched her way up the charts of stardom. After being a name to reckon with in the south she tried it out on home turf in Hindi and Singham was a blockbuster.

When Mouna guru released in theatres, not many people were interested in it. For one thing, previous releases were still attracting people; another star-movie had released simultaneously, as well. And yet – there was something about this movie, which boasted a taciturn hero, a pregnant policewoman who investigates a crime brilliantly, and a clutch of villains who bring you to the edge of your seat.

When I call Suriya, one morning, he answers, his voice bleary with sleep. “God, I’ve overslept,” he says thickly. “Been shooting through the night, you see.” I ask him if we could possibly fit in an interview during the day, and he rattles off his schedule. “Let’s see – I have the shoot with Vijay TV in the morning. Then, I’m visiting the Chief Minister to donate funds for relief. After that, I’m meeting my fans and then …” his voice trails away, and we chuckle simultaneously.

Divya Spandana debuted in Puneet Rajkumar’s second film Abhi in 2003. Since then, she has acted in more than 25 Kannada movies and several Tamil and Telugu projects. She is one of the longest surviving actors in Kannada films. But not a year goes by without her being dragged into a controversy.