From Kamal Haasan to Namitha: Popular actors who forayed into TV despite a successful acting career

Many popular actors have ventured and shined on Tamil television as well.

From Kamal Haasan to Namitha, here’s a quick look at actors who tried TV despite a successful career in movies.

(Photo - Instagram)

Kamal Haasan is one of the biggest stars in the Indian cinema who has acted in over 200 movies in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and Bengali. The multifaceted personality has won the telly audience with his successful stint as the host of the reality TV series Bigg Boss Tamil.

(Photo - Instagram)

Radikaa Sarathkumar is a name that needs no introduction. Despite ruling the roost in South Indian cinema, Radikaa has conquered TV as well with many successful daily soaps and non-fiction shows as a host. Besides producing many popular daily soaps, she has judged shows like Jodi Number One Season 3 and hosted shows with unconventional concepts like Kodeeswari. Radikaa is currently seen as Saradha Shanmugapriyan in the show Chiti 2.

Actress-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar has tasted success on small screen as well. She made her TV debut while she was on the top of her game in movies. Khushbu judged shows like Jodi Number One: Season 5, Azhagiya Tamil Magan and Maanada Mayilada season (3-5 and 7-8). She has also hosted shows like Koteeswari, Acham Thavir, Poova Thalaiya, Namma Veetu Mahalakshmi, Nijangal and Jackpot. As an actress, she has acted in shows like Lakshmi Stores (as Mahalakshmi Devaraj), Nandini (as Parvathi/Durga Amman), Kumkumam (as Charu), Kalki (in titular role) and Paartha Gnabagam Illayo (as Oviya), to name a few.

(Photo - Instagram)

Prakash Raj, one of the most popular Indian actors, made his successful Tamil TV debut as the host of Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi season 2 in 2013.

(Photo - Facebook)

Born Udaya Chandrika, actress Radha has featured in more than 150 movies in different South Indian languages. She became a household name by judging reality shows like Kalakka Povathu Yaru Season 8 and Jodi Number One (season 6, 7, 8 and 9).

(Photo - Facebook)

Arvind Swami has featured in over 40 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi and English. After a hiatus and successful comeback into Tamil cinema, Arvind Swami hosted the third season of the show ‘Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi’, which was aired between May 2016 and November 2016.

(Photo - Facebook)

Successful actress Shruti Haasan made her small screen debut as the host of ‘Hello Sago’. This celebrity chat show was on air between October, 2018 and January 27, 2019.

(Photo - Instagram)

Vishal turned a host for the show ‘Naam Oruvar’. This show highlighted the plight of the needy people and focussed on solving their problems. This show was on air between October, 2018 to January, 2019.

(Photo - Facebook)

Varalaxmi, daughter of actor Sarathkumar, has acted in more than 25 movies in different languages. She hosted the show ‘Unnai Arindhal’ that dealt with societal issues. This show was telecast between October, 2018 and March, 2019.

(Photo - Instagram)

Popular actress Namitha judged of the reality show Maanada Mayilaada between 2007 to 2015. She got close to the masses with her successful stint in Bigg Boss Tamil season 1.

(Photo - Instagram)

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