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PIX: The Hottest Southern Actors - Part II

After the hottest Southern heroines featured here and here, we bring you the last installment in our hottest actors down South series. We feature here, the actors who've ruled the box office and their fans' hearts with their roles and machismo over the years.

This, mind you, is what you, dear readers, have selected when we put the question forward.

Allu Arjun

Did you know that Telugu actor Allu Arjun worked as a child artist in the film Vijetha and made a guest appearance in the Chiranjeevi-starrer Daddy?

The actor's first lead role was in Gangotri, directed by K Raghavendra Rao, which did moderate business. His second movie Arya, released in 2004, became his first success at the box office.

Dhanush

Did you know that Tamil star Dhanush's real name is Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja?

Married to superstar Rajnikanth's elder daughter Aishwarya, the 28-year-old actor recently won a national award for his film Aadukalam. The actor is all set to star in his wife's first directorial venture.

Mahesh Babu

Did you know that Telugu actor Mahesh Babu has acted in seven of his father's films?

The actor is married to Namrata Shirodkar, who's acted in Hindi films and was his costar in Vamsi.

The couple dated for two years before getting married and has a son named Gautham Krishna.

Chiranjeevi

Did you know that Chiranjeevi has won as many as nine Filmfare Awards South, the most by any Telugu actor?

Popularly known as megastar, the actor the recipient of Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award in 2006. His son Ram Charan Teja is fast gaining a foothold in the Telugu film industry too.

Nagarjuna

Did you know that Nagarjuna started off as a child actor in the 1967 Telugu film Sudigundalu directed by veteran Adurthi Subbarao?

The 52-year-old actor is one of the most successful actors in Telugu films and his son Naga Chaitanya is also fast gaining recognition.

Nagarjuna has also acted in a couple of Hindi films, most notably, Criminal and Zakhm.

Venkatesh

Did you know that Venkatesh worked with Divya Bharti on Bobbili Raja, one of his early films?

The actor has completed 25 years in the Telugu film industry, picking up four Filmfare awards and seven Nandi awards along the way.

Ram Charan

Did you know that Ram Charan's second film Magadheera went on to become the highest grossing Telugu film?

Ram Charan is cousin to fellow actor Allu Arjun and nephew of actor Pawan Kalyan.

Pawan Kalyan

Did you know that Pawan Kalyan has a black belt in karate?

He's the youngest brother of Chiranjeevi and is married to Renu Desai, his co-star in Badri and Johnny.

Upendra

Did you know that Upendra started his career as a writer and an assistant director?

The Kannada actor is quite popular in Andhra Pradesh and many of his films are regularly dubbe din Telugu for his fans.

Puneeth Rajkumar

Did you know that Puneeth's original name was Lohith?

The Kannada actor started his film career when he was just six months old. He's received awards for his films Arasu and Milana.