April 29, 2024: Malayalam cinema has always excelled in producing the best of the talents. From the finest of actors to delivering blockbuster movies, the Malayalam film industry has been grabbing everyone’s attention. But, did you know that there are a few individuals who have roots in Kerala and are quite successful and popular in Bollywood? Let’s take a look at some of these actors.
Vidya Balan
Vidya Balan is a powerhouse of acting and is one of the finest actresses in the industry. She marked her entry into Bollywood with Parineeta, opposite Saif Ali Khan.
Did you know that this beauty has roots in Kerala? She was born to Tamil parents, but her father’s hometown is in Palakkad, Kerala. She kickstarted her acting journey with the Malayalam film Chakram opposite Mohanlal, but it got shelved. Vidya Balan’s first movie was a bengali film named Bhalo Theko. She was last seen in Do Aur Do Pyaar.
Asin
Ghajini actress Asin left quite an impression on the audience with this Aamir Khan starrer-film. Her acting chops earned her immense accolades in Bollywood. She began her career in Malayalam cinema.
She marked her debut with the film Narendran Makan Jayakantha Vaka. Quickly, she paved her way to success by starring in Tamil, Telugu and Bollywood industries. She was last seen in All Is Well opposite Abhishek Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor and Supriya Pathak.
John Abraham
Handsome hunk of Bollywood John Abraham too has a connection with Kerala. Reportedly, the Dhoom actor is half Malayalee, as his dad is from Kerala and half Gujarati, since his mother is from Gujarat.
The macho action hero was last seen in Pathan, opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone.
Malaika Arora
Did you know that Bollywood beauty Malaika Arora has roots in Kerala? The Chhaiya Chhaiya fame diva is born to a Malayalee mother and a Punjabi father. She was born and raised in Mumbai.
Despite being brought up in Mumbai, the glam star visits Kerala occasionally. She scored a cameo role in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, which stars Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday and Adarsh Gourav in the lead.
Neha Dhupia
Neha Dhupia who is famed for MTV Roadies has a connection with God’s own country, Kerala.
She was born in current-day Kochi and studied in Naval Public School there. She marked her Bollywood debut with the 2003 film Qayamat: City Under Threat.