There were no mind-blowing performances from actresses in Tamil films in 2011. With a few exceptions, actresses were reduced to glam dolls who danced with heroes in foreign locales.

Here are the few exceptions where heroines also got a chance to perform.

Richa Gangopadhyay

Film: Mayakkam Enna

Richa made an impressive debut in Tamil films with Selvaraghavan's Mayakkam Enna.

As Yamini, the strong woman who doesn't mind expressing her feelings for her lover's friend, and later on as an understanding wife of an alcoholic husband, Richa was perfect.

Burning with anger at her husband for being responsible for her abortion, but silently helping him achieve what he wants, Richa gave a convincing performance. The best performance by an actress in 2011.

Film: Engeyum Eppothum

Anjali is one of the most talented performers in Tamil today. She topped our list with her powerful performance as Kani in Angadi Theru last year. 

Film: Engeyum Eppothum

If Anjali was aggressive in Engeyum Eppothum, Ananya played the role of a shy, silent girl unsure of her love.

Film: Nadunisai Naigal

Sameera Reddy's best performance to date in Tamil is as Meghna in Gautham Vasudev Menon's Vaaranam Aayiram.

Film: Vaagai Sooda Vaa

 As Mathi, an unattractive tea vendor in Vaagai Sooda Vaa, Iniya gave one of the most realistic performances of 2011.

She was uninhibited in the scenes where she seduces the hero, and was realistically aggressive as the village belle.