Meera Jasmine, who bagged the National Award for best actress this year, is one of the many actresses from the Malayalam film industry storming Kannada cinema.

Meera is being paired with young Kannada star Puneet Raj Kumar in "Mourya", shooting for which is nearly complete. She is following the footprints of her much-respected seniors like Manju Warrior, Divya Unni and Kaveri (better known as Kalyani in Andhra Pradesh).

Known for her performance-oriented films in Malayalam, Meera has acted in purely commercial Tamil and Telugu films. Her Kannada films are also commercial and hero-oriented. She is not apologetic about it.

"I would like to prove my worth even in hero-oriented films. I can't say I have the central role in films like 'Gudumba Shankar' and 'Mourya', but I have created some space to prove my talent even in such films.

"I did a more focused character in my first Telugu film 'Ammaayi Bagundi', which has been well appreciated by the audience. Therefore, I will try to create a right balance in accepting roles," said the actress who has won many prestigious awards for her performance in Malayalam films.

Another actress from Kerala who is making news is Renuka Menon.

The girl from Trichur has already acted in films in three languages - including her mother tongue.

Malayalam director Kamal introduced Renuka in 'Nammal'. She was then booked for Telugu film 'Ananda Anandamaayi'.

With a bewitching smile as her major attraction, she has now bagged a role in the Kannada film 'News', which has super-star Upendra as the hero.

Another Kerala-based girl who has made her way into Kannada cinema is Pranathi, the star attraction in Malayalam hit '4 the People'.

She is doing the lead role in the Kannada film 'Santhosha', directed by debutant director Ramesh.

Earlier, Malayalam actress Kalyani had paired with Ravichandran in this year's hit 'Ramakrishna'. Kalyani had already acted in another Kannada film, 'Sambhrama', a few years ago.

As against Malayalam actresses in Kannada cinema, there is also the example of a Bangalore-based girl making waves in the Malayalam and Tamil film industry.

Chaya Singh is enjoying a pleasant phase with Tamil audiences excited to see her in the song number 'Manmatha Raja' in 'Thiruda Thirudi', in which she matched the steps of young star Dhanush.

Called Minnu in Malayalam cinema, Chaya has worked for " mullavalliyum thenmaavum".

She has done four Kannada films - `Chitte', 'Thuntaata', Rowdy Aliya' and 'Preethisle Beku'. Her fifth Kannada film, 'Chandni', is yet to be completed.