Kanika | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Divya Venkatasubramaniam Iyer Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Other names | Kaniha, Sravanthi [1] |
| Alma mater | BITS Pilani |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2002-present |
| Spouse | Shyam Radhakrishnan (m. 2008) |
| Children | 1 |
Divya Venkatasubramaniam Iyer better known by her stage name Kaniha, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema along with a few Tamil, Telugu and Kannada movies. [2] [3] Kaniha made her debut in the 2002 Tamil film Five Star . [4]
Kanika is born as Divya Venkata Subramaniam in a Tamil-speaking Iyer Brahmin family in Madurai. Her father Venkata Subramaniam Iyer was an engineer. She won the Tamil Nadu State Award for Educational Excellence in 1999. She pursued her Mechanical engineering degree from 1999 to 2003 in BITS Pilani. [5] [6] [7]
Having improved her singing talent since childhood by participating in pop music and light music shows, Divya was interested in performing arts. While she was still studying, she gave stage performances as a pop singer from time to time. When she was scheduled to perform at the Miss Chennai beauty pageant in 2001, she was selected to participate in the pageant after a model had backed out at the last minute. [8] Despite lack of experience, she emerged victorious in the contest, [9] which later paved way for a film career.
Susi Ganesan spotted Kanika on a magazine cover page and insisted on her performing the lead female role in his second feature film. Divya eventually entered the Film industry, accepting the offer, while her name was changed to Kanika. Her debut film was the Mani Ratnam-produced Five Star (2002) with Prasanna, who made his acting debut as well, in which Kaniha portrayed a traditional village girl. She completed the entire film during her summer holidays, since she was a student. [10]
Kanika turned down all projects that were subsequently offered to her, including films by S. Shankar and P. C. Sreeram, [10] and went on to complete her graduation. Even before she finished her graduation, she completed her Telugu debut film Ottesi Cheputunna during her winter vacations, acting under another stage name Sravanthi. [11] In regard to her performance, Idlebrain wrote: "Sravanthy looks homely in the film and suited the character. She performed well. She is good at dances as well". [12]
After completing her studies, Kanika decided to give herself a go at the Tinsel towns. She starred in the Kannada film Annavaru (2004), a remake of Mani Ratnam's Thalapathi (1991), stepping into Kannada filmdom, too. She followed the movie with a cameo role in Cheran's Autograph. Kaniha next appeared in a comedy oriented role in a commercial film by K. S. Ravikumar, Aethiree along with Madhavan, Sada, in which she portrayed a "naughty Brahmin girl". [10] Sify labelled her performance in the film as "outstanding". [13] She returned to Telugu cinema, accepting to reprise her role in the Telugu remake of Autograph, Naa Autograph , playing the same role as in the original version. [11] She proved to be an actress to reckon with in the Kannada film Sye, a remake of Tamil film Dhill . She finally ventured into Malayalam cinema as the heroine for the campus-based film Ennitum.
Kanika has ventured into playback singing and dubbing as well. Having a vast experience and being a professional singer before turning actress, Kanika got the offer to sing the theme song of her debut film Five Star. She then became a dubbing artiste, dubbing for actresses Genelia D'Souza in Sachein (2005), Sadha in Anniyan (2005) and Shriya Saran in Sivaji: The Boss (2007). [14]
Later in 2006, she appeared in her biggest project, Varalaru , directed again by K. S. Ravikumar, in which she shared screen space with Ajith Kumar. She won plaudits for her role as a Bharatanatyam dancer's wife. After a two-years gap, her most recent Kannada film Rajakumari opposite Ravichandran got released, in which she again got to play the female lead role.
At the prime of her career, Kanika moved to "small screen", hosting a couple of TV shows, which she believed were a "refreshing change from movies". She had first hosted the second season of the popular comedy show Kalakka Povathu Yaaru on STAR Vijay in 2006, following which she had hosted the popular family based game show Mega Thanga Vettai, the annual Chutti Vikatan Children's Quiz Show both on Sun TV. Besides, she also played a lead role in the television serial Thiruvilayadal on Sun TV.
After her marriage, when she was supposed to bid adieu to the film industry, Kanika returned to Malayalam cinema in 2009, with the films Bhagyadevatha , directed by veteran Sathyan Anthikkad and starring Jayaram and Narain as well, and Pazhassi Raja , directed by reputed director Hariharan and starring Mammootty, Sarath Kumar and Padmapriya among others. While the former one, in which she played the role of a homely Christian girl, was highly successful at the box office, the latter one, a biographical historical film, in which she played the role of a queen opposite Mammootty. Her performance in Bhagyadevatha led to her winning several awards. [15] Her rising adulation in the Malayalam industry saw her eventually sign laudable roles in the films My Big Father and Christian Brothers before she took a maternity break. In 2012, she was seen in the black comedy Cobra and Spirit followed by the drama thriller Bavuttiyude Namathil .
She has judged popular reality shows like Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njaanum (2013), on Asianet.
She was starred in Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu (2014) opposite Jayaram an later in Suresh Gopi's movie Rudra Simhasanam (2015) directed by Shibu Gangadharan. She later seen with Mani Ratnam's Tamil film O Kadhal Kanmani (2015) which starrs Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menen.[ citation needed ]
In 2015, she judged Uggram Ujjwalam a Malayalam reality show on Mazhavil Manorama. She judges Grand Magical Circus on Amrita TV.
She paired with Anoop Menon in the crime thriller 10 Kalpanakal (2016).[ citation needed ] She was starred with Mammootty in Abrahaminte Santhathikal (2018) and Mamangam (2018). She working with Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the comedy drama Bro Daddy (2022). [16]
She is best known for her stellar performance in the hit TV serial Ethirneechal (2022-2024), has once again captivated audiences with her acting versatility. In a lesser-known but significant role, Kaniha made a cameo appearance in director Venkat Prabhu’s much-talked-about film The Greatest of All Time (2024), starring Vijay. [17]
Kanika has also featured in print and TV ads of some reputed corporates. Some of them are listed below.
Kanika married Shyam Radhakrishnan, brother of Jayashree on 15 June 2008 who works as a US-based software engineer. They have a son Sai Rishi born in November 2010. Initially she had decided to leave the film industry, finishing her career as an actress, and to settle down in the US, stating that she, however, would complete her hitherto signed films.[ citation needed ] In January 2009 then, Kanika, unexpectedly, announced her comeback with the Sathyan Anthikkad-directed Malayalam film Bhagyadevatha . [18] [19] [20]
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Five Star | Eashwari | Tamil | |
| 2003 | Ottesi Cheputunna | Divya | Telugu | Credited as Sravanthi |
| Annavaru | Subbulakshmi | Kannada | ||
| 2004 | Aethiree | Gayathri Iyer | Tamil | |
| Autograph | Thenmozhi Senthil | |||
| 2005 | Dancer | Divya | ||
| 2006 | Naa Autograph | Sandhya | Telugu | |
| Sye | Renu | Kannada | ||
| Varalaru | Gayathri | Tamil | Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil | |
| Ennittum | Sneha | Malayalam | ||
| 2009 | Bhagyadevatha | Daisy Benny | ||
| Rajakumari | Rajakumari | Kannada | ||
| Pazhassi Raja | Kaitheri Maakam | Malayalam | ||
| My Big Father | Ancy | |||
| 2010 | Drona 2010 | Tulasimani | ||
| 2011 | Christian Brothers | Stella | ||
| 2012 | Cobra | Annie | ||
| Spirit | Meera | |||
| Bavuttiyude Namathil | Mariam | |||
| 2013 | Orissa | Chandrabhaga | ||
| 2014 | To Noora with Love | Sainaba | [21] | |
| How Old Are You | Susan David | Cameo appearance | ||
| Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu | Waahida | |||
| 2015 | Rudra Simhasanam | Mohini | ||
| O Kadhal Kanmani | Pregnant women | Tamil | Cameo appearance | |
| 2016 | 10 Kalpanakal | Sara | Malayalam | |
| 2018 | Abrahaminte Santhathikal | Diana Joseph | ||
| Drama | Mercy John Chacko (Kunjumol) | |||
| 2019 | Lonappante Mamodeesa | Neelima | ||
| Mamangam | Chirudevi | |||
| 2022 | Bro Daddy | Elsy Kurian | [22] | |
| CBI 5: The Brain | Susan George / Ambika Unnithan | |||
| Paappan | Susan | [23] | ||
| Perfume: Her Fragnance | Abhirami | |||
| 2023 | Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir | Kanagarani | Tamil | |
| 2024 | Weapon | Damini | ||
| The Greatest of All Time | Abi Menon | [24] Special appearance | ||
| Once Upon A Time in Madras | Kowsi | Special appearance | ||
| Year | Film | For | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Sachein | Genelia D'Souza | Tamil |
| Anniyan | Sadha | ||
| 2007 | Sivaji: The Boss | Shriya Saran |
| Year | Title | Film | Language | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "Engalukku" | Five Star | Tamil | Parasuram-Radha | |
| 2021 | "Thiruppavai" | Margazhi Thingal | Ravi G | Also actress in the music album |
| Year | Program | Role | Channel | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Kalakka Povathu Yaaru | Host | Vijay TV | Tamil |
| 2007–2008 | Mega Thangavettai | Sun TV | ||
| 2008 | Annual Chutti Vikatan Children's Quiz Show | |||
| 2013 | Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njanum | Judge | Asianet | Malayalam |
| 2015 | Uggram Ujjwalam | Mazhavil Manorama | ||
| 2016 | comedy stars season 2 | Asianet | ||
| 2017 | Grand Magical Circus | Amrita TV | ||
| 2019 | Kerala Dance League | |||
| 2020 | Snehathode Veetil Ninnu | Herself | Mazhavil Manorama | |
| Health Desk | Asianet | |||
| 2021 | Red Carpet | Mentor | Amrita TV | |
| 2022 | Vanakkam Tamizha | Guest | Sun TV | Tamil |
| Cook with Comedy | Judge | Asianet | Malayalam | |
| 2023 | Pongal Vilayattu | Participant | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2024–Present | Naanga Ready Neenga Ready Ah | Judge | ||
| Year | Program | Role | Channel | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Thiruvillayadal | Devi | Sun TV | Tamil | |
| 2022–2024 | Ethirneechal | Eshwari Gunasekaran | Won - Ananda Vikatan Television Awards for Best Supporting Actress | ||
| 2022 | Mad Company | Podhum Ponnu | Aha | ||
| 2024–Present | Ethirneechal Thodargiradhu | Eshwari Gunasekaran | Sun TV | ||
 | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources .(November 2024) |
| Year | Film & TV shows | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Varalaru | Filmfare Awards South | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil | Nominated |
| 2010 | Pazhassiraja | Asianet Film Awards | Special jury award | Won |
| 2013 | Bavuttiyude Namathil | Vanitha Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 2023 | Ethirneechal | Behindwoods Gold Icons | Best Lead Cast On Television | Won |
| Sun Kudumbam Viruthugal | Thanga Mangai | Won | ||
| 2024 | Ananda Vikatan Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
Meena Durairaj, known professionally as Meena, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in South Indian films as well as Hindi cinema. She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. Meena has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films She is one of the most sought after actresses in the South Indian film industry. In addition to acting, Meena is also a playback singer, TV judge, and occasional dubbing artist. She has received numerous accolades, including two Filmfare Awards South, three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, two Nandi Award for Best Actress and Cinema Express Awards. In 1998, she was honoured with the Kalaimamani Award by Government of Tamil Nadu.
Trisha Krishnan is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu films. She gained prominence after winning the 1999 Miss Chennai pageant, which marked her entry into Cinema. Often referred to as the "Queen of South India", Trisha has received numerous accolades, including five Filmfare Award South, one Tamil Nadu State Film Award, one Nandi Award and eight SIIMA Awards.
Suhasini Rajaram Naidu, known professionally as Sneha, is an Indian actress who works primarily in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films in lead roles to supporting roles.
Jyothika Saravanan is an Indian actress and film producer who predominantly appears in Tamil films in addition to Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi films. Appeared in over 50 Films, Jyothika has received several accolades including a National Film Award, five Filmfare Awards South, a Record of four Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress, two Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film Category and Kalaimamani Award. Jyothika is regarded as one of the most prolific actresses in Tamil cinema, and has been ranked among the best actresses of South India by the media.
Bangalore Saroja Devi is an Indian actress who has acted in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi films. She acted in around 200 films over seven decades. She is known by the epithets "Abhinaya Saraswathi" in Kannada and "Kannadathu Paingili" in Tamil. She is one of the most successful actresses in the history of Indian cinema.
Shriya Saran Bhatnagar is an Indian actress who primarily works in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films. Although Saran aspired to become a dancer, she became an actress and made her film debut with the Telugu film Ishtam (2001). She had her first commercial success with Santosham (2002).
Nayanthara is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam cinema. One of the highest-paid actresses in India, Nayanthara was the only South Indian actress to be featured in the Forbes India "Celebrity 100" list of 2018. She has acted in more than 75 films in a career spanning over two decades and has won numerous awards, such as five Filmfare Awards South, one Tamil Nadu State Film Award, a Nandi Award and seven SIIMA Awards.
Chatrapathi is a 2005 Indian Telugu-language action film directed by S. S. Rajamouli, who also co-wrote the film with V. Vijayendra Prasad. The film stars Prabhas, Shriya Saran and Bhanupriya alongside Shafi and Pradeep Rawat playing supporting roles. M. M. Keeravani composed the music. The film was produced by B. V. S. N. Prasad on Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra banner.
Shweta Konnur Menon, known by her stage name Malavika, is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Tamil films and a few Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam films in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Charmy Kaur, also spelt as Charmme or Charmi, is an Indian film producer and former actress. She is well known for her works predominantly in Telugu cinema, as well as few Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films. Her most notable works include films such as Mass (2004), Anukokunda Oka Roju (2005), Lakshmi (2006), Pournami (2006), and Rakhi (2006), where she played supporting roles in all these movies except Anukokunda Oka Roju (2005). She is a recipient of two Nandi State Awards.
Reeja Johnson, better known by her stage name Mallika, is a former Indian actress, who has mainly appeared in Malayalam and Tamil films.
Yaragudipadi Venkata Mahalakshmi, known professionally as Lakshmi, is an Indian actress known for her works primarily in all 4 Southern Indian language film industries. She has also acted in some Hindi films. Her debut as a full fledged actress happened with the Tamil film Jeevanaamsam in 1968. In the same year, she acted in the Kannada film Goa Dalli CID 999 and Telugu film Bandhavyalu.
Sangeetha Krish (née Santharam) is an Indian actress, dancer and television presenter who predominantly appears in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam films also appeared in few Kannada films. She is known as "Rasika" in Malayalam cinema. Making her debut in the mid-1990s, Sangeetha is best known for her performances in the films Khadgam (2002), Pithamagan (2003), Uyir (2006), Dhanam (2008), Manmadan Ambu (2010), Masooda (2022) and Varisu (2023).
Priya Mani Raj, known professionally as Priyamani, is an Indian actress and television personality who predominantly works in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Kannada films. She is the recipient of several awards, including a National Film Award, three Filmfare Awards South and a Tamil Nadu State Film Award.
Lakshmi Rai, professionally credited as Raai Laxmi, is an Indian actress and model who predominantly works in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi languages.
Divya Gopikumar, professionally known as Abhirami is an Indian actress and reality show judge. She has acted predominantly in Tamil and Malayalam films and few credits in Telugu and Kannada films. Abhirami went on to establish herself as an leading actress in the 2000s across the Malayalam and Tamil language industries.
Gowri Munjal is a Former Indian actress and model. She has frequently appeared in South Indian films and is probably best known for her performance as Mahalakshmi Somaraju in her debut film Bunny.
Sri Divya is an Indian actress who works primarily in Tamil and Telugu films.
Lakshmi Sharma, mononymously known as Lahari, is an Indian actress. After debuting as supporting to character roles in Telugu cinema, she made her official lead role in Malayalam cinema in 2006 with Palunku. She has also acted in few Kannada films as well.
Shriya Saran is an Indian actress and model who has appeared mostly in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi language films. She made her acting debut with the Telugu film Ishtam (2001) and had her first commercial success with Santosham (2002). The following year, she made her Hindi cinema debut with a supporting role in Tujhe Meri Kasam, alongside Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza. It was followed by the commercially successful crime drama Tagore (2003), in which she was paired opposite Chiranjeevi. The same year, she played a supporting role in the Tamil-Telugu bilingual film Enakku 20 Unakku 18, which marked her debut in Tamil cinema. In 2005, she had ten releases including Mazhai, S. S. Rajamouli's Chatrapathi, and Mogudu Pellam O Dongodu, in which she was among the only three characters of the film. Saran's solitary release as a lead actress in 2006 was the Tamil film Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
