The actresses who have been the perfect foil for their leading men have done a good job in keeping us entertained.
The common grouse that Tamil cinema heroines have little to do besides look pretty and scream in terror is changing as heroines are coming into their own with more author – backed roles written for them.

Here are the top 10 lead actresses in Tamil cinema.

Ranking Based on

1. Current Trade Value
2. Fan Following
3. Hits Since 2002
4. Future Projects

10. SHRIYA SARAN
As Rajini’s heroine, Shriya got the biggest break of her career. This year, she was seen in Rowthiram with Jiiva and did an item number with Vikram in Rajapattai.

9. SAMEERA REDDY
Sameera Reddy is hugely popular in the South. Despite being considered a glam doll in Bollywood she has made a reputation for herself in the south as an actress with a gift for histrionics. Vaaranam Aayiram and Nadunisi Naaygal proved as much. She will be appearing in Vettai opposite Madhavan next.

8. KAJAL AGARWAL
Kajal Agarwal was last seen in Naan Mahan Alla with Karthi. Following a hiatus she is back with a bang having landed films opposite two of the biggest stars in Tamil cinema – Thupakki with Vijay and Maatraan with Suriya.

7. AMALA PAUL
Amala Paul’s talent shone through in Myna and now there is a huge craze for her. In Deiva Thirumagal, she proved that she could hold her own against the likes of powerhouse performers like Vikram and Anushka. Now her stock value has gone right through the roof and she has films like Mupphozudhum Un Karpanaigal, Kadhalil Sodhapuvadhu Eppadi and Vettai to further consolidate her position.

6. RICHA GANGOPADHYAY
Richa arrived with a bang opposite Dhanush in Mayakkam Enna. Her character, Yamini was much talked about and people loved Richa as Yamini. She could not have asked for a better launch. Richa followed this up with Osthe as a feisty village belle.

5. SHRUTI HAASAN
Shruti Haasan had a dream debut in Tamil, with AR Murugadoss directed 7aum Arivu opposite Suriya. The actress will be seen in 3 next opposite Dhanush.

4. GENELIA
Velayudham proved to be Genelia’s big comeback film in Tamil. Her performance was hugely appreciated and she is being flooded with offers. In Santhosh Sivan’s Urumi her turn as Arakkal Ayesha has also been critically acclaimed.

3. ILEANA
After Kedi, Ileana is all set to return to Tamil cinema with Nanban. The remuneration she received for Nanban is reason enough to get her a spot among the top actresses in Tamil cinema it has been said.

2. TRISHA
Trisha will always be Tamil cinema’s sweetheart even if she is making more films in Telugu. The actress made a big comeback with VTV and was the obvious choice for Ajith’s heroine in Mankatha. She will be seen next in Samaran with Vishal.

1. ANUSHKA
Tamil cinema fans have taken to Anushka in a big way ever since she exploded on the firmament with Arundhati which was dubbed and did phenomenal business in Tamil. After Vettaikaran with Vijay and Singam with Suriya, Anushka had the fans begging for more of her. This year she was seen in Vaanam and Deiva Thirumagal. Now people cannot get enough of her and producers are willing to give her the earth and the moon in return for her callsheet. She will be seen in a film with Karthi, Thaandavam with Vikram, and Irandam Ulagam with Arya