Best Actors of Tamil Cinema 2024 (Female)

Best Actors of Tamil Cinema 2024 (Female)

1. Sai Pallavi (Amaran)

Shining in a male centric biopic is no mean feat, and actress Sai Pallavi with a little help from the screen space given, pulled off one of the finest performances of Tamil cinema in 2024. The actress came across as someone who understood the assignment well in Amaran.

Sai Pallavi was in the thick of playing Indu Rebecca Varghese, be it bringing out the chemistry while romancing Mukund Varadarajan (Sivakarthikeyan), or showcasing the longing of wife in a long distance relationship with a husband. Her performance peaked when she showcased her character’s bold side towards the climax, making it one of the strongest acts in Tamil cinema in 2024.

2. Swasika (Lubber Pandhu)

Besides Sai Pallavi, if there was one memorable female performance from Tamil cinema that was liked both by the critics and the audience this year, it Swasika’s from Lubber Pandhu. The Sattai (2012) actress’ return to Kollywood in 2024 was marked by the character Yashodhai, which was not only crucial to the narrative of Lubber Pandhu, but also pulled so convincingly that it left an indelible mark in the minds and hearts of the audience. A clap-worthy return. 

3. Sri Gouri Priya (Lover)

Miss Hyderabad 2018 and upcoming Telugu talent Sri Gouri Priya Reddy made her Tamil film debut this year with Lover. The 26 year old pulled a challenging performance standing neck and neck with the male lead Manikandan, and won a lot of hearts due to the ease with which she pulled it off. An impressive act playing one half of a struggling relationship. 

4. Urvashi (J Baby)

Standing tall with the millennials and gen Z for best female acts of 2024 is actress Urvashi, who gave a stellar performance with J Baby this year. Urvashi breathed life into the role of a single ageing mother with eccentricities, and her portrayal of the character’s volatile antics, induced happiness and sadness, amusement and annoyance, all at the same time. There are performances that shine despite the movie, and Urvashi’s in JBaby was one of those. 

5. Annaben (Kottukaali)

Upcoming Malayalam talent Annaben is another actress who made a promising debut in Tamil films this year. With just one dialogue in the entire movie, Annaben managed to carry her role with great display of innocence throughout. Her performance as the helpless Meena who is tied to an incestuous marriage, and superstitious beliefs, while all she wants is her for her inter-caste romance to bloom, definitely made a mark and left with a lot to think about.

6. Nikhila Vimal (Vaazhai)

Nikhila Vimal’s portions as Poongodi teacher may have been small in Vaazhai, but the dignity of her role was displayed in full effect without diluting its essence. She shined by portraying her teacher role very neatly.  

7. Parvathy Thiruvothu (Thangalaan)

Thangalaan as a film may have been criticized for its historical inaccuracies, but one of the best things about the movie besides Vikram and GV Prakash is actress Parvathy’s performance as the 1850 character Gengamma. In the given screen time, Parvathy is such a natural that even when she shares the same space as Vikram, she makes it difficult to keep the eyes off her.  

Parvathy’s performance peaks in a crucial part in Thangalaan, when just before the Minikki Minikki song, she showcases the ecstasy of women getting to experience empowerment for the first time by wearing a piece of upper body clothing. The act though displayed is a fraction of a second moving shot, is nothing short of a National recognition. 

8. Dushara Vijayan (Raayan)

Be it as Saranya in Vettaiyan, or Durga in Raayan, actress Dushara Vijayan was part of some meaty roles this year. As Durga, Dushara Vijayan got to shine as the sibling who stayed loyal to her up bringer till the end. A worthy performance from Tamil cinema in 2024.   

9. Keerthy Suresh (Raghu Thatha)

Keerthy Suresh delivered a solid performance with the heroine centric Raghu Thatha in 2024. Being a woman of ambition in a society divided by strong principles, and ruled by traditions, is a task in itself let along in the 70s. Keerthy Suresh as Kayal in the midst of it all not only makes you root for her, but amuses with her unabashed portrayal of smarts, irreverence, and humour.  

10. Simran (Andhagan)

There couldn’t have been a better choice than Simran to fill the shoes of Tabu from the National award winning film Andhadhun (2018), and she pulled off the grey shaded Simi character to the best of her abilities.