It is no news that in the South Indian cinema, movie stars are not just mere actors—they`re revered as larger-than-life icons. Fans of the cinema worship and idolise them and movie releases of big stars are no less of a festival. For decades, south celebs have had prefixes attached to their name that reflect their persona, legacy, and the love of their fans. These honorifics—like `Thala` (leader), `Thalapathy` (commander), `Megastar`, `Powerstar`, and `Rebel Star`—aren`t just nicknames, but cultural symbols deeply woven into the fabric of the film industry.
From Rajinikanth’s legendary status as `Superstar` and `Thalaiva` to Pawan Kalyan’s fan-given title of `Powerstar`, these titles encapsulate the aura and influence that these actors hold over their legion of fans. While the prefixes were earlier limited to the bigger stars, now it has become a norm with most new celebs getting a nickname. These titles are proudly used in film posters, fan art, and even dialogues, further strengthening the bond between stars and their admirers. In many ways, these prefixes are a testament to the deep-rooted hero worship that defines South Indian cinema—where actors transcend their roles and become eternal symbols of aspiration, strength, and emotion.
South stars and their prefixes
Tamil
Superstar Rajinikanth – `Superstar` is a title given by fans and media to the actor. 
Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan – Ulaganayagan means Universal Hero.
Thalapathy Vijay – Thalapathy means Commander.
Thala Ajith – Thala means Leader.
Makkal Selvan Vijay Sethupathi – Makkal Selvan means People’s Treasure.
Captain Vijayakanth – Known as Captain after his film Captain Prabhakaran.
Puratchi Thalaivar MGR – Puratchi Thalaivar means Revolutionary Leader.
Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan – Nadigar Thilagam means “Doyen of Acting.”
Isai Gnani Ilaiyaraaja (though a composer) – Isai Gnani means “Musical Genius.”
Telugu Cinema
Megastar Chiranjeevi – Widely referred to as Megastar.
Powerstar Pawan Kalyan – Popularly known as Powerstar.
Icon Star Allu Arjun – Recently rebranded with the title Icon Star.
Rebel Star Prabhas – After his movie Rebel and Baahubali series. Meanwhile, he refers to his fans as Darlings. 
Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja – The actor is known for mass entertainers.
Natasimham Nandamuri Balakrishna – Natasimham means Lion of Acting.
Prince Mahesh Babu – Prince was his early screen persona.
Natural Star Nani – For his natural acting style
Malayalam Cinema
Complete Actor Mohanlal – For his versatility.
Megastar Mammootty – Popular media and fan title.
Action King Suresh Gopi – Due to his action roles in the ’90s.
Youth Icon Dulquer Salmaan – Known as a youth favourite.
Kunchacko Boban – Chocolate Boy – For his romantic image in early films.