This is a list of notable actresses who have played key roles in the Telugu cinema, primarily based in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
| Year | Name | Debut film | Notable films |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Kanchanamala | Srikrishna Thulabhaaram | |
| 1939 | P. Bhanumathi | Vara Vikrayam | Laila Majnu (1949), Palnati Yuddham (1966) |
| Year | Name | Debut film | Notable films |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Anjali Devi | Gollabhama | Lava Kusa (1963), Palnati Yuddham (1966), Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam (1957) |
| Year | Name | Debut film | Notable films |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Sowcar Janaki | Shavukaru | Kanyasulkam (1955) |
| 1951 | Savitri | Pathala Bhairavi | Devadasu (1953), Mayabazar (1957), Pooja (1975) |
| 1952 | T. R. Rajakumari | Naa Illu | |
| 1953 | Jamuna | Puttilu | |
| 1955 | Sarada | Kanyasulkam | Jeevitha Chakram (1971), Justice Chowdary (1982), Amma Rajinama (1991) |
| 1957 | Kanchana | Suvarna Sundari | |
| Vijaya Nirmala | Panduranga Mahatyam |
| Year | Name | Debut film | Notable films |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Geetanjali | Rani Ratnaprabha | |
| 1962 | Vanisri | Bhishma | Jeevana Tarangalu (1973) |
| Year | Name | Debut film | Notable films |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Sridevi | Maa Nanna Nirdoshi | Padaharella Vayasu (1978), Premabhishekam (1981), Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990) |
| 1972 | Jayasudha | Pandanti Kapuram | Tandra Paparayudu (1986) |
| 1974 | Jaya Prada | Bhoomi Kosam | Yamagola (1977) |
| 1978 | Sumalatha | Karunamayudu | Justice Chakravarthy (1984), Janani Janmabhoomi (1984), Agni Gundam (1984) |
| Year | Name | Debut film | Notable films |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Vijayashanti | Khiladi Krishnudu | Sangharshana (1983), Kondaveeti Raja (1986) |
| 1982 | Radha | Prema Moortulu | Simhasanam (1986), Yamudiki Mogudu (1988) |
| 1983 | Meena | Siripuram Monagadu | Muta Mestri (1993), Muddula Mogudu (1997), Drushyam (2014) |
| 1984 | Ramya Krishna | Kanchu Kagada | Allari Priyudu (1993), Gharana Bullodu (1995), Annamayya (1997) |
| 1985 | Bhanupriya | Sitara | Anveshana (1985), Swarnakamalam (1988), Gudachari 117 (1989) |
| 1987 | Amala Akkineni | Kirayi Dada | Raja Vikramarka (1990) |
| Gautami | Dayamayudu | Srinivasa Kalyanam (1987), Chakravyuham (1992), Manamantha (2016) | |
| 1988 | Vani Viswanath | Chinni Krishnudu | Simha Swapnam (1989), Prema Yuddham (1990), Gharana Mogudu (1992) |
| Year | Name | Debut film | Notable films |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Varsha Bollamma | Choosi Choodangaane | Middle Class Melodies (2020), Swathi Muthyam (2022), Ooru Peru Bhairavakona (2024) |
| 2021 | Krithi Shetty | Uppena | Shyam Singha Roy (2021), Bangarraju (2022), Macherla Niyojakavargam (2022) |
| Meenakshi Chaudhary | Ichata Vahanamulu Niluparadu | Khiladi (2022), HIT: The Second Case (2022), Guntur Kaaram (2024) | |
| Shivani Rajashekar | Pelli SandaD | Adbhutham (2021), WWW (2021), Kota Bommali PS (2023) | |
| Ketika Sharma | Romantic | Lakshya (2021), Ranga Ranga Vaibhavanga (2022), Bro (2023) | |
| Faria Abdullah | Jathi Ratnalu | Bangarraju (2022), Like, Share & Subscribe (2022), Aa Okkati Adakku (2024) | |
| Rashi Singh | Sashi | Prem Kumar (2023), Bhoothaddam Bhaskar Narayana (2024) | |
| 2022 | Samyuktha | Bheemla Nayak | Bimbisara (2022), Sir (2023), Virupaksha (2023) |
| Mrunal Thakur | Sita Ramam | Hi Nanna (2023), The Family Star (2024) | |
| Kavya Kalyanram | Masooda | Balagam (2023), Ustaad (2023) | |
Other notable Hindi film actresses who have appeared in fewer than three Telugu films include Katrina Kaif and Preity Zinta, but these weren't their debut roles. Disha Patani started her career with Loafer in 2015. [6]
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