There was an era in Indian cinema when almost all actors used to sing for themselves. That was the time when Thyagaraja Bhagavadar and the likes ruled the screen. Then, playback singing took form and actors stopped having trysts with the microphone. However, there are times when a person’s own voice has to be used to give it the touch of originality. Quite a few of our contemporary stars have proved that they can be quite handy singers; almost everyone has taken a shot at singing. The only prominent names missing are Ajith and Suriya. But we hear that Suriya is also set to enter the league with Singam. With Vikram’s singing stint getting amazing response, we take a look at the best of screen idols who have taken to singing.

Before going on to see actors who also became singers, let’s look at the one and only singer who became a successful actor in his own right, SPB. One of the most prolific and popular singers of Kollywood, he established himself on screen with some quality character roles, like the ones in Keladi Kanmani, Ullasam and Thiruda Thiruda. He has also done some light cameos in Manadhil Urudhi Vendum and Avvai Shanmughi. The only other singer to have made some kind of impression on the big screen is perhaps Mano with his role in Singaravelan and the cameo in Enakku 20 Unakku 18.