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Top South actors who are graduates from Chennai's Loyola College, from Vijay Thalapathy to Mahesh Babu
ET Online | May 8, 2026 4:38 PM CST

Synopsis

Loyola College in Chennai, a renowned institution, has a notable list of alumni who have achieved stardom in the South Indian film industry. From Mahesh Babu's commerce background to Suriya's academic journey, the college has nurtured talent that has significantly impacted cinema. These actors' educational foundations at Loyola have contributed to their successful careers. Read on!

Check the list of famous South actors who studied at Loyola College (Credit: Instagram)
The Directorate of Government Examinations announced the Tamil Nadu Class 12 Results 2026 today (May 8) at 9:30 am, bringing excitement and nervousness for lakhs of students across the state. Students can now check their results online using their registration number and date of birth. As many students begin thinking about college admissions and future careers, one institution that continues to stand out is Loyola College in Chennai. Over the years, the college has not only built a strong academic reputation but has also produced several successful stars from the South Indian film industry.

6 South actors who graduated from Loyola College, Chennai


Mahesh Babu
Before becoming one of Telugu cinema’s biggest superstars, Mahesh Babu completed his degree in Commerce from Loyola College, Chennai. His educational background reportedly gave him a solid understanding of business and finance, something that has helped him manage his career successfully over the years. Interestingly, during the promotions of Maharshi, director Vamshi Paidipally shared that Mahesh was quite "naughty" during his college days, just like many students.

Vijay
Popularly known as Thalapathy by fans, Vijay studied Visual Communication at Loyola College. However, he later left the course midway to focus completely on acting. Recently, as per NDTV report, Vijay returned to the same campus after many years to collect his college certificate following the success of his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026. Videos of fans gathering outside the college campus quickly went viral online as the actor waved his certificate happily.

Suriya
Suriya, another major Tamil cinema star, also graduated in Commerce from Loyola College. In 2023, the actor met his former professor Dr. M. Robert, who was the Head of the Commerce Department during Suriya’s college years. Sharing pictures online, Suriya expressed happiness about meeting his mentor again and taking his blessings after many years. The actor’s post received a warm response from fans and Loyola alumni alike. The actor is currently gearing up for the release of Karuppu.

Jayam Ravi
Actor Jayam Ravi, who is now officially known as Ravi Mohan, is also among Loyola College’s notable alumni. He later became one of Tamil cinema’s most popular actors. Coming from a film background, Ravi is the son of veteran film editor Mohan and made his acting debut in Jayam, directed by his brother Mohan Raja.

Apart from acting, Ravi recently entered film production as well. In 2025, he launched Ravi Mohan Studios in Chennai with plans to support meaningful cinema and encourage new talent in the industry.

Venkatesh Daggubati

Telugu actor Venkatesh Daggubati also studied Commerce at Loyola College before moving to the United States for higher studies. He later completed an MBA from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Initially, Venkatesh reportedly wanted to work in film production after returning to India. However, he eventually stepped into acting and went on to become one of Telugu cinema’s most loved stars. During an appearance on Unstoppable Season 4, his brother Daggubati Suresh Babu revealed that Venkatesh was quite popular during his college days.

Chiyaan Vikram

Actor Chiyaan Vikram studied English Literature at Loyola College and was also active in cultural activities during his student years. Although he wanted to join films early, his father reportedly encouraged him to complete his education first. According to a report by Caravan Magazine, Vikram’s college friend RMR Ramesh once described the actor as mature and calm even during his younger days. Vikram later pursued part of an MBA course before fully entering the film industry.


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