Sandalwood's hot for TV stars

A Kannada film debut gives them the right launch pad to a career in other south film industries
TV actor Tia Bajpai signing up for Anaji Nagaraj's yet-to-be-titled film in Kannada, makes her the latest to make the switch from the small to the big screen, albeit, with a start in Sandalwood. The Kannada film industry, coincidentally, has been a stepping stone for many television actors when it comes to chasing their celluloid dreams in south India.BT takes a look at some television actors who started out with Kannada films.
Yami Gautam
The Vicky Donor heroine began her tryst with tinsel town in Sandalwood. She played Golden Star Ganesh's muse in the film Ullasa Utsaha. While the film didn't exactly hit bull's eye at the box office, Yami's performance was critically acclaimed.
Anita Hassanandani
This one-time Ekta Kapoor favourite did a couple of films in Sandalwood in the 2000s. She sizzled in films like Veera Kannadiga (opposite Puneet Rajkumar) and Gandugali Kumararama (opposite Shivarajkumar). While she tried to get a Bollywood career going, it were the offers in the south, including Kannada, that kept Anita's filmi career afloat.
Surveen Chawla
A popular face in 'K' serials, Surveen was yet another Ekta Kapoor find, who decided to get into films with a Sandalwood debut. Surveen began her tryst with films with Paramesh Panwala, in which she was cast opposite Shivarajkumar. She has since found roles in Punjabi, Hindi and Tamil films.
Hansika Motwani
One of the first films signed by Hansika, who was best known as a child actor from the mega-serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, was Bindaas opposite Puneet Rajkumar. While Hansika hasn't found her place in Bollywood yet, she's considered as one of the top-billed heroines in Tollywood and Kollywood now.
Karishma Tanna
In 2011, Karishma was adjudged as one of the most promising newcomers in Sandalwood by critics for her role in I Am Sorry... Mathe Banni Preethsona. The Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi actor, who hadn't signed a film before this, chose to play a multi-hued character. Since then, though, Karishma has not been seen on the big screen.
Jennifer Kotwal
The bubbly young girl from Just Mohabbat took her plunge into the film industry with Jogi, one of the biggest hits in Sandalwood till date. The actor, thereafter, signed on many films with leading heroes of the time. Though Jennifer's been on a long break from cinema, her popularity still remains the highest in Karnataka.
Yuvika Choudhary
A talent hunt show winner, Yuvika entered showbiz with a role in Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani. After a bit role in Om Shanti Om, she turned her attention to the south, playing the lead in Ganesh's first home production Maleyali Jotheyali. While her role fetched her many award nominations, Yuvika hasn't signed a second film in the south.