Flop Tamil stars minting money in Tollywood

After Telugu film ‘Bruce Lee,’ Tamil star Arun Vijay is reportedly returning to T-town to play a dreaded role opposite reigning star Prabhas in ‘Sahoo’. It looks like the phenomenon of flop Tamil stars turning villains in T-town is here to stay.

Earlier, it was another young Tamil star Aadi Pinisetty who played a merciless baddy opposite Allu Arjun in ‘Sarrainodu’ and followed it up with another blockbuster ‘Ninnu Kori’ to become a sought-after- baddy in T-town.

According to sources, these actors along with Arvind Swamy and action king Arjun are pocketing anywhere between Rs 1 to 3 crore per film and making a career as villains. “It has become difficult to find young villains to take on new-age superstars like Prabhas, Jr NTR , Ram Charan Tej and Allu Arjun, so directors are looking towards Tamil films and rightly picking actors who have some standing in K-town,” says director Ravi Babu.

It seems to be true, since action king Arjun who was once a popular Telugu actor with hits from ‘Maa Pallelo Gopaludu’ to ‘Hanuman Junction’ , now turns a villain in T-town with ‘Lie’ and looks menacing in the posters and trailer.

“Action star Arjun had a parellel market in Telugu along with his happening K-town career in 80’s and 90’s. He has done all kinds of roles as a hero and has nothing much to try out.

Apparently, his move to turn villain with ‘Lie’ will extend his 150-odd film career. His popularity will be a value addtion to Nithiin’s action adventure,” says a source, close to the unit. Already. Arvind Swamy has become a brand in T-town with his suave villiany act in ‘Dhruva’ and has jacked up pay cheque above Rs 3 crore, to play a villain opposite Ravi Teja in the Telugu remake of ‘Bogan’.

“He knows that no one can play his role since it requires, charm, handsome looks and sublte performance. So best time for Tamil stars to fatten their bank balances,” says director Samudra.

By BVS Prakash