藝術電影
Rajnikanth is referred to as "Superstar" and holds matinee idol status in South India. Kamal Haasan debuted in 1960 "Kalathur Kannamma", for which he won the President's gold medal for Best Child Actor. With seven submissions, Kamal Haasan has starred in the highest number of Academy Award submissions. Today actors like Suriya, Vijay and Ajith Kumar are some of the most popular names across south India. Critically acclaimed composers such as Ilaiyaraaja and A. R. Rahman work in Tamil cinema. Art film directors include Santosh Sivan. The actresses Sridevi, Vyjayanthimala and Hema Malini were debuted in Tamil films and later became female superstars in Bollywood.