: Often referred to as the of Mollywood, she is known for her roles in films like Aaram Thamburan , Kanmadam , and her successful comeback in How Old Are You? .
A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, ruled Malayalam cinema with her expressive eyes and commanding screen presence. Her portrayal of 'Ganga'/'Nagavalli' in the psychological thriller Manichitrathazhu (1993) is widely considered one of the greatest performances in Indian film history, earning her a National Film Award. Urvashi: The Queen of Comedy and Drama
Known for her natural acting and strong performances in films like Aravindante Athidhikal .
A recipient of the National Award, she is praised for her grace, dancing ability, and acting in classics like Manichitrathazhu . list of malayalam film actress
| Actress | Known For | Distinct Feature | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Amaram , Garshom | The mother of Malayalam cinema; unmatched naturalism. | | Sukumari | Ramji Rao Speaking | King of comedy & mother roles. | | Philomina | Yavanika | Powerful supporting actor in the 80s. | | Lenaa | Kumbalangi Nights | Modern strong character actor. | | Remya Nambeesan | Bachelor Party | Singer-actress with versatile comic timing. |
: One of the earliest stars of Mollywood, her performance in the landmark film Neelakuyil (1954) established a new benchmark for realistic acting in regional Indian cinema.
Though a pan-Indian star, she began in Malayalam and remains a powerhouse performer. 🌟 Emerging & Top Actresses Poised for 2026 : Often referred to as the of Mollywood,
These actresses are often reviewed as the "irreplaceable" backbone of the industry, celebrated for their immense range in both commercial and art-house cinema. The Top 10 actresses in Malayalam movies - IMDb
: A distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer and two-time National Award winner, best known for her iconic performance in Manichitrathazhu .
(Child actress turned acclaimed heroine and director) | Actress | Known For | Distinct Feature
Often hailed as the "Real Lady Superstar," Urvashi is renowned for her natural acting ability and incredible comedic timing. She has garnered numerous awards, including multiple Kerala State Film Awards.
: Known for her bold choices and transitions from Bollywood to significant roles in Malayalam cinema. Meera Jasmine
These actresses continue to break stereotypes and set new benchmarks in acting, ensuring that Malayalam cinema remains a pioneer in quality storytelling.
: Often referred to as the of Mollywood, she is known for her roles in films like Aaram Thamburan , Kanmadam , and her successful comeback in How Old Are You? .
A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, ruled Malayalam cinema with her expressive eyes and commanding screen presence. Her portrayal of 'Ganga'/'Nagavalli' in the psychological thriller Manichitrathazhu (1993) is widely considered one of the greatest performances in Indian film history, earning her a National Film Award. Urvashi: The Queen of Comedy and Drama
Known for her natural acting and strong performances in films like Aravindante Athidhikal .
A recipient of the National Award, she is praised for her grace, dancing ability, and acting in classics like Manichitrathazhu .
| Actress | Known For | Distinct Feature | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Amaram , Garshom | The mother of Malayalam cinema; unmatched naturalism. | | Sukumari | Ramji Rao Speaking | King of comedy & mother roles. | | Philomina | Yavanika | Powerful supporting actor in the 80s. | | Lenaa | Kumbalangi Nights | Modern strong character actor. | | Remya Nambeesan | Bachelor Party | Singer-actress with versatile comic timing. |
: One of the earliest stars of Mollywood, her performance in the landmark film Neelakuyil (1954) established a new benchmark for realistic acting in regional Indian cinema.
Though a pan-Indian star, she began in Malayalam and remains a powerhouse performer. 🌟 Emerging & Top Actresses Poised for 2026
These actresses are often reviewed as the "irreplaceable" backbone of the industry, celebrated for their immense range in both commercial and art-house cinema. The Top 10 actresses in Malayalam movies - IMDb
: A distinguished Bharatanatyam dancer and two-time National Award winner, best known for her iconic performance in Manichitrathazhu .
(Child actress turned acclaimed heroine and director)
Often hailed as the "Real Lady Superstar," Urvashi is renowned for her natural acting ability and incredible comedic timing. She has garnered numerous awards, including multiple Kerala State Film Awards.
: Known for her bold choices and transitions from Bollywood to significant roles in Malayalam cinema. Meera Jasmine
These actresses continue to break stereotypes and set new benchmarks in acting, ensuring that Malayalam cinema remains a pioneer in quality storytelling.