Some of the most popular actors in south Indian cinema have been in the industry for years, and in many cases for decades.
While today, they can be recognised by their fans almost anywhere, there was a time when they had just started their journey afresh and not many knew of them. Over the years, their looks, style and personalities have evolved.
Here is a list of photos of south Indian actors from their debut movies (in a lead role, not including performances as child artists) and their last release.
1. Ajith
Ajith in his debut "Prema Pustakam" (Left) and in his last release "Vedalam" (Right), Image source: goldwin prince/YouTube and M4Malayalam/YouTube
2. Dhanush
Dhanush in his debut "Thulluvadho Ilamai" (Left) and in his last release "Thanga Magan" (Right); Image source: iluvcinema.in and aichetron.com
3. Hansika
Hansika in her debut "Aap Ka Suroor" (Left) and in her last release "Puli" (Right); Image Source: T-Series Regional/YouTube and Behindwoods/YouTube
4. Jyothika
Jyothika in her debut "Doli Saja Ke Rakhna" (Left) and last release "36 Vayadhinile" (Right); Image source: Shemaroo/YouTube and Think Music India/YouTube
5. Kamal Haasan
Kamal Hassan in his debut "Maanavan" (Left) and in his last release "Thoongavanam" (Right); Image Source: Bravo Muzik/YouTube and Ulaganayagan Tube/YouTube
6. Kavya Madhavan
Kavya Madhavan in her debut "Chandranudikkunna Dikhil" (Left) and in her last release "She Taxi" (Right), Image source: Cinecurry Malayalam/YouTube and East Coast/YouTube
7. Mahesh Babu
Mahesh Babu in his debut "Rajakumarudu" (Left) and in his last release "Srimanthuda" (Right); Image source: Shalimar Telugu & Hindi Movies/YouTube and Mahesh Babu/YouTube
8. Mammootty
Mammootty in his debut "Vilkkanundu Swapnangal" (Left) and in his last release "Pathemari" (Right); Image source: mammootty.com and Eros Now Malayalam/YouTube
9. Manju Warrier
Manju Warrier in her debut "Sakshyam" (Left) and in her last release "Jo And The Boy" (Right); Image source: HotNSour MovieChannel - Latest malayalam club/YouTube and Malayalam Muzik247/YouTube
10. Mohanlal
Mohanlal in his debut release "Manjil Virinja Pookkal" (Left) and in his last release "Kanal" (Right); Image source: Aaron Ashokkumar/YouTube and thecompleteactortca/YouTube
11. Akkineni Nagarjuna
Nagarjuna in his debut movie "Vikram" (Left) and his last release "Soggade Chinni Nayana" (Right); Image source: Volga Video/YouTube and Filmy Focus/YouTube
12. Nayanthara
Nayanthara in her debut movie "Vismayathumbam" (Left) and in her last movie "Naanum Rowdy Dhaan" (Right); Image Source: Wunderbarstudio/YouTube
13. Pawan Kalyan
Pawan Kalyan in his debut movie "Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi" (Left) and in his last release "Gopala Gopala" (Right); Image source: Geetha Arts/YouTube and Silly Monks Tollywood/YouTube
14. Prithviraj
Prithiviraj in his debut release "Nandanam" (Left) and in his last release "Pavada" (Right); Image source: API Malayalam/YouTube and POFFactio/YouTube
15. Puneeth Rajkumar
Puneeth in his debut movie "Appu" (Left) and in his last release "Rana Vikrama"; Image source: ShemarooKannada/YouTube and A2Z Kannada/YouTube
16. Rajinikanth
Image source: Rajinikanth in his debut movie "Apoorva Raagangal" (Left) and in his last non-animated movie "Lingaa" (Right); Image Source: Wikipedia and ErosNow Tamil/YouTube
17. Ramya
Ramya in her debut movie "Abhi" (Left) and in her last release "Aryan" (Right); Image source: Kannada Movies/YouTube and Dreamweaver/YouTube
18. Samantha
Samantha in her debut movie "Ye Maaya Chesave" (Left) and in her last release "Thanga Magan" (Right); Image source: Mango Videos/YouTube and Sony Music India/YouTube
19. Surya
Surya in his debut movie "Nerukku Ner" (Left) and in his last release "Pasanga 2" (Right); Image Source: AP International/YouTube and Pluzz media/YouTube
20. Tamannaah
Tamannaah in her debut movie "Chand Sa Roshan Chehra" (Left) and in her last release "Bengal Tiger" (Right); Image source: M Shahzad/YouTube and Times Music South/YouTube
21. Trisha
Trisha is her debut movie "Mounam Pesiyadhe" (Left) and in her last release "Aranmanai 2" (Right); Image source: Tamil Matinee/YouTube and Think Music India/YouTube
22. Vijay
Vijay in his debut movie "Naalaya Theerpu" (Left) and in his last release "Puli" (Right); Image source: musicalsun15/YouTube and Sony Music India/YouTube