South Indian cinema had a great year this year, with many films surprising and emotionally impacting the audience. As we look back at the year’s releases, here’s a list of performances from actors who truly ruled the screen.
7 actors who ruled the screen in South 2025
1. Kalyani Priyadarshan in Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra
A superhero story rooted in folklore and reimagined for the modern screen was elevated by a performance that stood out from the rest. Having made her debut years ago, Kalyani Priyadarshan finally received widespread recognition for her performance as Chandra in director Dominic Arun’s Loka: Chapter 1 – Chandra.
The film tells the story of a young and mysterious woman who moves to Bengaluru, but gets entangled in an illegal syndicate, forcing her to reveal her true identity. With this film, Kalyani not only introduced an unconventional superwoman character in Malayalam cinema, but also became the face of the first chapter of a promising franchise.
2. Priyadarshi Pulikonda in Court: State vs Nobody
Court: State Versus A Nobody was a poignant and intense Telugu legal drama released this year. The film tells the story of Surya Teja, a passionate defense lawyer who fights prejudice and corruption within the justice system. His life takes a dramatic turn when he takes on the case of a 19-year-old boy falsely accused of a crime.
As Priyadarshi headlines the role, her humble, honest and natural performance serves as the emotional anchor of the film. Her vulnerability is embedded throughout, making this a performance that lingers long after the movie ends.
3. Dulquer Salmaan in Kantha
A murder mystery wrapped within a period drama is genre-blending at its finest, and Kantha delivers exactly that. The film tells the story of TK Mahadevan (also known as TKM), a 1950s Madras superstar fondly called the Emperor of Acting.
As Mahadevan starts a new film with his mentor turned enemy, tragedy strikes when a cast member dies. Although the film has its flaws, the character of Mahadevan played by Dulquer Salmaan is undoubtedly its strongest aspect.
The troubled characters and raw emotions intensify with every frame as Dulquer plays the role expertly, portraying the inner turmoil with deftness. Balancing the story of a film within a film is never easy, and the grace with which he approaches this challenge makes his performance truly memorable.
4. Rukmini Vasantha in Kantara: Chapter 1
This year, after the release of the much-awaited Kantara: Chapter 1, all eyes were on Rishabh Shetty. While Shetty undoubtedly carried the film as both director and hero, Rukmini Vasanth did something unique and refreshing.
Although the first part leads the audience to believe that she is merely a love interest, the pre-climax and climax reveal her true strength, firmly establishing her as a powerhouse performer.
5. Sandeep Pradeep in Echo
The makers of Kishkindha Kaandam returned to the big screen this year with Eko. The film is the story of several individuals in search of Kuriyachan, a famous and elusive dog breeder.
With Sandeep Pradeep in the lead in the film, the actor delivers an intense and complex performance, skillfully balancing chaos and emotional depth, and emerges as a notable rising star in Malayalam cinema.
6. Rashmika Mandanna in The Girlfriend
Rashmika Mandanna played the lead role in The Girlfriend. The film centers on Bhumma, a shy literature student who falls in love with college heartthrob Vikram, but finds herself trapped in a toxic and controlling relationship. As her sense of ownership grows, Bhuma is forced to find her voice and break free from emotional abuse and patriarchal control.
Actress Pushpa’s performance in the film is unlike anything she has done before. Rashmika presents a nuanced portrayal full of emotional depth, authenticity and a wide emotional range.
7. Dhruv Vikram in Bison
Director Mari Selvaraj once again demonstrates his ability to spot talent and tell deeply touching stories. In this powerful sports drama, he teamed up with Dhruv Vikram who delivered a performance proving that he is not just another star kid but an actor deserving of praise.
The intense film sees Dhruv portraying a character driven by raw power, vulnerability and hunger. His nuances, especially his expressive eyes, speak volumes, making Bison his best performance to date, surpassing even the greatest.
The performances mentioned above are some of the performances that caught the attention of the audience this year. Many other actors also gave promising and memorable moments in South Indian cinema in 2025.
Also read: Pharma review: Nivin Pauly’s medical thriller is nuanced and lively with his performances even if the writing gets dull
