This ranking is not just specific to success and failure of the calendar year 2013. Careers of each actor, starting from their first movie, are analyzed and compared against other actors on the basis of :

1. Current remuneration per movie
2. Number of years in the industry
3. Hits delivered till date
4. Fan following
5. Future projects
6. National recognition

Criteria for nomination :

1. Actors with a minimum of one straight Tamil movie release in 2013 (or)
2. Actors who have been signed for at least one future straight Tamil movie project

1. Rajinikanth
1. RAJINIKANTH

The name spells style and power to say the least! This iconic superstar’s popularity transcends geographical and linguistic barriers and across his fellow counterparts in other film industries. Rajinikanth suffered a health scare a couple of years back but is back to action and his Kochadaiyaan directed by daughter Soundarya Ashwin is awaited eagerly which again assumes special significance for being filmed on motion capture technology. He continues to be among the highest paid actors in India.

(Rankings based on : Current remuneration per movie, Number of years in the industry, Hits delivered till date, Fan following, Future projects, National recognition )