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Kaniha
Born
Divya Venkatasubramaniam

Madurai
Other namesKanika, Sravanthy[1]
Occupations
Years active2002-present
Spouse
Shyam Radhakrishnan
​
(m. 2008)​
Children1

Divya Venkatasubramaniam, 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]

Early life

Kaniha 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. 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.[5] Despite lack of experience, she emerged victorious in the contest,[6] which later paved way for a film career.

Career

Susi Ganesan spotted Kaniha 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 Kaniha. 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.[7]

Kaniha turned down all projects that were subsequently offered to her, including films by S. Shankar and P. C. Sreeram,[7] 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.[8] 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".[9]

After completing her studies, Kaniha 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".[7] Sify labelled her performance in the film as "outstanding".[10] She went on to play the female lead in Dancer opposite physically disabled Kutty,[11] following which 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.[8] 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.

Later in 2006, she appeared in her biggest project until then, Varalaru, directed again by K. S. Ravikumar, in which she shared screen space with Ajith Kumar and Asin. She won plaudits for her role as a mentally disordered girl. 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.

After her marriage, when she was supposed to bid adieu to the film industry, Kaniha 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.[12] 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.

Other work

Besides acting, Kaniha has ventured into other fields, working as a dubbing artiste, playback singer and TV host, proving to be a versatile and talented person.

Television

At the prime of her career, Kaniha 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. She has judged popular reality shows like Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njaanum, Star Singer both on Asianet. In 2015 she judged Uggram Ujjwalam a Malayalam reality show on Mazhavil Manorama.She judges Grand Magical Circus on Amrita TV.

Dubbing and singing career

Kaniha has ventured into playback singing and dubbing as well. Having a vast experience and being a professional singer before turning actress, Kaniha 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, Sadha in Anniyan and Shriya Saran in Sivaji: The Boss.[13]

Advertisements

Kaniha has also featured in print and TV ads of some reputed corporates. Some of them are listed below.

Personal life

Kaniha married Shyam Radhakrishnan, brother of Jayashree on 15 June 2008 who works as a US-based software engineer.[citation needed] 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.[14] In January 2009 then, Kaniha, unexpectedly, announced her comeback with the Sathyan Anthikkad-directed Malayalam film Bhagyadevatha.[15][16][17][18]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

As actress

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
Blackberry Herself Archived from Spirit
2014 To Noora with Love Sainaba [19]
How Old Are You Susan David
Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu Waahida
2015 Rudra Simhasanam Mohini
O Kadhal Kanmani Pregnant woman Tamil Cameo
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 [20]
CBI 5: The Brain Susan George / Ambika Unnithan
Paappan Susan [21]
2023 Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir Kanagarani Tamil [22]
2024 Weapon Post production

As dubbing artist

Year Film For Language
2005 Sachein Genelia D'Souza Tamil
2005 Anniyan Sadha
2007 Sivaji: The Boss Shriya Saran

As playback singer

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

Television

Shows
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
Serials
Year Program Role Channel Language
2008 Thiruvillayadal Devi Sun TV Tamil
2022–Present Ethirneechal Eswari Gunasekaran
2022 Mad Company Podhum Ponnu aha Tamil

See also

References

  1. ^ "Annavaru - Kannada". Deccan Herald. 21 December 2003. Archived from the original on 30 December 2003. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Kaniha turns hot in Mollywood". Sify. Archived from the original on 5 September 2014.
  3. ^ "Kaniha to play female lead in Mammooty starrer Cobra". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 11 December 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  4. ^ "The voice behind Shriya in Sivaji". Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  5. ^ "The voice behind Shriya in Sivaji". Rediff. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  6. ^ "Miss Chennai 2001". vibamisschennai.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2009.
  7. ^ a b c The voice behind Shriya in Sivaji Archived 16 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Rediff.com (31 December 2004). Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  8. ^ a b Telugu cinema Review – Naa Autograph – Sweet Memories – Ravi Teja, Bhumika Chawla, Gopika Archived 6 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Idlebrain.com (11 August 2004). Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  9. ^ Telugu Cinema – Review – Ottesi Cheputunna – Srikanth, Sivaji – E Sathi Babu – Vidya Sagar – Anil Archived 27 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Idlebrain.com (11 April 2003). Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  10. ^ Movie Review:Aethiree. Sify.com. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  11. ^ Dancer Tamil Movie Review. IndiaGlitz (14 January 2005). Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  12. ^ Dailynews – 8 Best Actor awards in one year for Kanika!. Cinesouth.com (31 January 2010). Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  13. ^ "The voice behind Shriya in Sivaji". Rediff. Archived from the original on 16 September 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  14. ^ "Kanika Wedding Reception". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  15. ^ "Kanika makes her comeback". kollywoodtoday.com. 30 January 2009. Archived from the original on 4 January 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  16. ^ "Gopika and Kanika scouting for roles". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  17. ^ "Kanika, the next big thing in Malayalam cinema". Rediff. Archived from the original on 21 October 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  18. ^ "The hottest summer release in Malayalam". Rediff. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  19. ^ Kumar, P. K. Ajith (20 March 2014). "On location: To Noora with Love – All about Noora". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  20. ^ Palisetty, Ramya (18 June 2021). "Prithviraj Sukumaran announces his second directorial Bro Daddy with Mohanlal". India Today. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  21. ^ "Suresh Gopi to reunite with Joshiy for Paapan". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  22. ^ "Kaniha joins Vijay Sethupathi – Roghanth's upcoming musical drama". Only Kollywood. 12 September 2019. Archived from the original on 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.

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