Actresses in Kollywood had come out strong in 2010. They have realized that glamour and skin show alone is not the route to the top but even show of talent will take them there. The most valued actresses of 2010 were serious performers and who dared to do thing differently.

Interestingly the much hyped or media built actresses were less popular than some new comers and who were just taking momentum in 2010. In the close to 150 films released in the year, over 70 new heroines were launched.

As said the ones who hit big time were the new comers. Tamannah who was thought to take the No. 1 position in 2010 had three releases. While ‘Paiyaa’ was a super hit the other ‘Sura’ was a super flop. So she doesn’t have any extra points. ‘Thillalangadi’ was a blooper. Anushka got back in ‘Singam’ what she lost in ‘Vettaikaran’. She seems to be the hot favourite of big heroes now.

Nayantara had a great year not just in Tamil but in all south Indian languages. She managed a super hit film in all languages and it is of more value as she did only that single film in that language. In Tamil ‘Bosss Engira Baskaran’ was a big hit. Losing the brilliant actress in marriage is one last thing the film industry wants now.

For Trisha, 2010 is perhaps her best year in Tamil so far. She did two films and she came out of that ‘ice maiden’ image with rocking performances in ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’ and ‘Manmadhan Ambu’. At last, Trisha proved she is an actress and not only a star. We wish she continues to choose her future films as sensibly.

Talent power houses Sneha and Bhavana could have done better. Shriya, Meenakshi, Genelia, Namitha, Meera Jasmine likes have a lot to worry about. Aishwarya Rai was remembered in her both films irrespective of the other factors in the films. She stood out in ‘Raavanan’ and ‘Endhiran’.

Otherwise the year was for and of the new comers. Most of the new actresses launched in 2010 had substance in then and we wish them all a great future. Particularly Samantha in ‘Baana Kaathadi’, Amy Jackson in ‘Madraspattinam’ and Oviya in ‘Kalavani’ wowed the audiences more.

Talking about the best of 2010, there are two heroines who made the year theirs. Anjali and Amala Paul. Both are new comers who proved good looks must be complemented with good acting. They both turned their audiences with solid performances and became bright prospects for the coming years.

Anjali lived her role in ‘Angadi Theru’ so realistically that her other two ordinary films ‘Rettaichuzhi’ and ‘Magizhchi’ could not remove the sheen off her. Her award winning role of a sales girl in a ghettoized shopping mall who is spirited to love and live won her both critical and commercial acclaim.

The other sensation of 2010, Amal Paul was introduced in an ordinary film ‘Veerasekaran’. She went unnoticed. Then came ‘Sindhu Samaveli’ that made you focus on her in spite of the film’s contentious plot. Then came ‘Mynaa’ and she shot to fame. Her role as the simple village girl was credible and realistic and raised Amala, the actress from a virtually unknown actress to a name to be reckoned with.

If Anjali and Amala Paul are the heroines who made the difference, it is also compelling to mention a few actresses who were not the hero’s heroine but certainly gave their audiences a surprise by turning in solid performances and breaking the myth that only heroines will get noticed.

Susan George as the jailer’s obstinate wife gave a stunning performance in ‘Mynaa’. It was a small role but she made it memorable with her class act. Saranya in ‘Thenmerku Paruvakatru’ got the best recognition of all. She is a seasoned actress and will monopolize her kind of characters for longtime to come.

The last but not the least is Sangeetha who stole the show in ‘Manmadhan Ambu’. Sangeetha is one artiste who can shoulder a film and one who can be relied upon for any character however difficult.

With so much talent from the fairer side available, all we expect is to use them thoughtfully and give a new meaning to performance. We don’t expect a Savitri and Saritha or a Sri Priya and Sridevi to emerge. But if it happens we would be the first to laud them. We need a collective effort to make it happen if possible. From directors to script writers to the producers, all have a role.

Top 5 Actresses of 2010

Anjali

Amala Paul

Aishwarya Rai

Trisha

Saranya

COMING UP: The Actors of 2010