At the Waves Summit 2025 in Mumbai, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his admiration for the upcoming film Ramayana directed by Nitesh Tiwari. After visiting the production pavilion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Fadnavis praised the movie’s high-quality production, calling it an example of combining traditional Indian storytelling with modern filmmaking techniques.

In a conversation with writer-producer Namit Malhotra, Fadnavis said, “I think this is the way we need to tell our stories to the new generation.” He also added that the production quality could potentially make it “the best in the globe.” The film is anticipated to be a visually spectacular experience, with extensive investment in visual effects and post-production processes to meet international standards.

 

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Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The film, which will be released in two parts, also stars Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, and Lara Dutta in key roles. The first part is expected to release around Diwali 2026, with the second part scheduled for 2027. The film’s global appeal is emphasized by Malhotra, who believes in celebrating Indian storytelling on a worldwide scale. He remarked, “We all enjoy Hollywood films like Oppenheimer and Forrest Gump, and our stories are universal too. I believe this one is.”

Despite the film’s mythological roots, the makers aim to present it as a cultural and cinematic project rather than a religious one. The movie has generated significant interest, especially after leaked images of the lead actors in costume circulated online. Fans are eagerly awaiting the official teaser as the release date approaches.

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Comedian-turned-director Venu Yeldandi who gained recognition with his debut film Balagam is now set to direct his second project tentatively titled Yellamma. Actor Nithiin has been confirmed as the lead and the film’s pre-production work is currently underway. The project is backed by Dil Raju’s Sri Venkateswara Creations with shooting expected to begin in May.

Initially actress Sai Pallavi was approached for the female lead role. However due to her commitments to a Bollywood project that required extended schedules she had to step down. The filmmakers then approached National Award-winning actress Keerthy Suresh who is reportedly finalizing her participation. This will mark Keerthy’s second collaboration with Nithiin following their successful pairing in Rang De.

The film’s music will be composed by the popular duo Ajay-Atul. With the backing of a reputed production house like Sri Venkateswara Creations expectations are high for this emotional drama.

Meanwhile Nithiin is preparing for the release of his upcoming films Robinhood and Thammudu. After completing promotional activities he will shift focus to Yellamma.

Robinhood directed by Venky Kudumula is a Telugu heist action-comedy featuring Nithiin alongside Sreeleela Shine Tom Chacko Vennela Kishore and Rajendra Prasad. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers the film is set to release on March 28 with music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar.

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Ormax Media has revealed the list of India’s top 10 most popular heroines for February, with Samantha Ruth Prabhu securing the first spot. Despite not appearing in movies for the last two years, her active social media presence and inspiring journey during her health challenges have kept her in the public eye. Fans continue to shower her with love and support, making her the leading actress on the list.

Bollywood’s Alia Bhatt claimed the second position, gaining immense recognition with her roles in RRR and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. Her consistent presence in brand endorsements and social media also contributed to her popularity.

Deepika Padukone, the Project K actress, stood at the third spot. Her participation in global events and strong performances have established her as a global icon.

Sai Pallavi earned the fourth position, impressing viewers with her powerful acting in Gargi and Thandel. Kajal Aggarwal followed at number five, maintaining her fan base despite a temporary break from films.

Rashmika Mandanna, known as the “National Crush,” ranked sixth. With her back-to-back hits like Animal, Pushpa 2, and Chavva, she remains a significant name in Indian cinema. Her upcoming projects Sikandar and Girl Friend are highly anticipated.

Trisha secured the seventh spot with her diverse acting career. Nayanthara, a prominent name in South Indian cinema, claimed the eighth position.

Young star Sreeleela known for her vibrant performances and promising lineup of films, earned the ninth rank. Anushka Shetty, awaiting the release of her upcoming movie Ghaati, completed the top 10 list.

South Indian cinema has seen a huge transformation in recent years. Actresses who were once paid much less than actors are now demanding and receiving high salaries. In 2025, several actresses have crossed the ₹10 crore mark, making them some of the highest-paid stars in the industry. Let’s take a look at the top 6 highest-paid South Indian actresses this year.

 Pooja Hegde – ₹7 Crores
Pooja Hegde, known for her glamorous roles, is one of the busiest actresses in Kollywood. Though her opportunities in Telugu films have reduced, she has secured major projects in Tamil cinema. She is working with stars like Vijay in Jananayakan, Suriya in Retro, and Raghava Lawrence in Kanchana 4. She reportedly earns around ₹7 crores per film.

Samantha – ₹10 Crores
Despite not having many films in Telugu, Samantha remains a favorite among audiences. She is currently focused on Bollywood projects and is also producing and acting in a Telugu movie called Bangaram. Her last project, Citadel web series, fetched her ₹10 crores. Samantha’s brand value and strong fan following continue to keep her among the top-paid actresses.

Trisha – ₹12 Crores
Trisha, who was the highest-paid actress in 2024, has now moved to the fourth position. She is currently acting in big-budget films like Ajith’s Good Bad Ugly, Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, Chiranjeevi’s Vishwambhara, and RJ Balaji’s Surya 45. Among these, she received ₹12 crores for Vishwambhara, proving her strong presence in the industry.

Rashmika Mandanna – ₹13 Crores
Rashmika Mandanna’s career skyrocketed after Pushpa 2. She later delivered another blockbuster, Chaava, which earned over ₹500 crores at the box office. With her increasing popularity, she has also stepped into Bollywood, where she is starring alongside Salman Khan in Sikandar. She is reportedly earning ₹13 crores per film, making her one of the most sought-after actresses.

Nayanthara – ₹15 Crores
Even at 40, Nayanthara remains a dominant force in the industry. She has multiple films lined up, including Test, Toxic, Dear Student, Mannan Gatti, Rakayi, and Mookuthi Amman 2. Her biggest paycheck comes from Mookuthi Amman 2, directed by Sundar C, where she is earning ₹15 crores.

Sai Pallavi – ₹20 Crores
Sai Pallavi, who once charged only ₹5 crores per film, has seen an incredible rise in her market value. After the massive success of Amaran and Thandel, she has gained immense popularity. She has now entered Bollywood, playing the role of Sita in Ramayana, for which she is being paid a record ₹20 crores. This makes her the highest-paid South Indian actress in 2025.

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Sai Pallavi is one of the few actresses in the film industry who prefers a natural look over heavy makeup. Unlike other actresses who rely on layers of foundation and high-end cosmetics, she chooses to keep it simple. Her fresh and radiant skin has often made fans curious about her beauty routine.

Sai Pallavi strongly believes in portraying realistic characters. In films like Virata Parvam and Gargi, she completely avoided makeup to bring authenticity to her roles. She believes that acting should be about emotions and expressions rather than focusing on external appearance.

Sai Pallavi has openly shared that she does not use multiple beauty products. However, she carries two essential makeup items with her at all times:

1. Eyeliner – She applies eyeliner only when required, especially during night shoots, to make her eyes appear more defined and attractive.
2. Moisturizer – She ensures her skin remains hydrated by using a good moisturizer, which helps maintain a fresh and healthy look.

Sai Pallavi’s style is as simple as her makeup routine. Unlike many actresses, she stays away from glamorous and bold looks and instead embraces a minimalistic fashion sense.

Sai Pallavi often experiments with different hairstyles to suit her movie characters. However, she mostly keeps her hair naturally curly. She believes that a well-maintained hairstyle can enhance one’s look without the need for excessive styling products.

Also, Sai Pallavi has repeatedly emphasized that she values natural beauty over artificial enhancements. She believes in nourishing her skin rather than covering it with heavy makeup. Her confidence in her real self is what makes her stand out in the industry.

For years, Nayanthara has been the highest-paid actress in South Indian cinema. She reportedly charges between ₹10-12 crores per film. However recent reports suggest that Sai Pallavi has surpassed her with a staggering ₹30 crore remuneration. This unexpected development has sparked discussions about who is now the top actress in the South.

Sai Pallavi known for her natural acting and powerful performances has been on a steady rise in the industry. Her recent films including Amaran and Thandel, have performed exceptionally well at the box office. Amaran joined the ₹3,000 crore club while Thandel collected over ₹100 crores. This success has significantly increased her market value.

Currently, Sai Pallavi is playing Sita in the highly anticipated Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Yash as Ravana. Reports indicate that she is being paid ₹30 crores for the film, although this amount covers both parts of the project. This means she is earning ₹15 crores per film officially surpassing Nayanthara’s usual fee.

In the past, actresses in the South were paid significantly less than their male counterparts. However with the rise of pan-India films, female actors are now demanding and receiving higher salaries. Sai Pallavi’s achievement marks a major shift in the industry, proving that talent and box-office success can lead to better pay.

Rashmika Mandanna, born on April 5, 1996, is an Indian actress known for her work in Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films. Before entering the film industry, she had a brief modeling career. Her acting debut was in the Kannada romantic comedy “Kirik Party” in 2016 which was a commercial success.

 

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In 2018, Rashmika starred in the Telugu film “Geetha Govindam” alongside Vijay Deverakonda. This romantic comedy became a major hit and significantly boosted her popularity. Interestingly, the role of the female lead in “Geetha Govindam” was initially offered to other actresses. Director Parasuram revealed that Rashmika was not the first choice for the film. Actress Rakul Preet Singh mentioned in an interview that she had declined the role due to scheduling conflicts with another project. Also, Sai Pallavi reportedly declined the role. Despite these initial choices, Rashmika’s portrayal of the character received widespread acclaim and established her as a leading actress in the Telugu film industry.

 

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Following the success of “Geetha Govindam,” Rashmika’s career continued to flourish. She appeared in several successful films, including “Devadas” (2018), “Sarileru Neekevvaru” (2020), and “Bheeshma” (2020). Her role in the pan-India film “Pushpa: The Rise” (2021) further expanded her recognition across the country. In addition to her film career, Rashmika has a significant presence on social media with millions of followers, and has been featured in Forbes India’s “30 Under 30” list in 2024.

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