Kaniha

Divya Venkataraman, better known by her stage name Kaniha, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Tamil cinema along with a few Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada movies. Kaniha made her debut in the 2002 Tamil film Five Star.

Early life Kanika was born 3 July 1982 as Divya Venkataraman in Madurai. Her father Venkata Subramaniam 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 at BITS Pilani.

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. Despite lack of experience, she emerged victorious in the contest.

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.The voice behind Shriya in Sivaji . Rediff.com (31 December 2004). Retrieved 27 February 2012.

Kanika turned down all projects that were subsequently offered to her, including films by S. Shankar and P. C. Sreeram, 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.Telugu cinema Review – Naa Autograph – Sweet Memories – Ravi Teja, Bhumika Chawla, Gopika . Idlebrain.com (11 August 2004). Retrieved 27 February 2012. 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".Telugu Cinema – Review – Ottesi Cheputunna – Srikanth, Sivaji – E Sathi Babu – Vidya Sagar – Anil . Idlebrain.com (11 April 2003). Retrieved 27 February 2012.

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". Sify labelled her performance in the film as "outstanding".Movie Review:Aethiree. Sify.com. Retrieved 27 February 2012. 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.

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).

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.Dailynews – 8 Best Actor awards in one year for Kanika!. Cinesouth.com (31 January 2010). Retrieved 27 February 2012.

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).

She is best known for her stellar performance in the hit TV serial Ethirneechal (2022-2024). In a lesser-known but significant role, Kaniha made a cameo appearance in director Venkat Prabhu’s film The Greatest of All Time (2024), starring Vijay.

Personal life Kanika married Shyam Radhakrishnan, brother of Jayashree on 15 June 2008 who works as a US-based software engineer and had acted in the K. Balachander TV serial Premi. 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. In January 2009 then, Kanika, unexpectedly, announced her comeback with the Sathyan Anthikkad-directed Malayalam film Bhagyadevatha.

Filmography

As actress Year Film Role Language Notes 2002 Five Star Eashwari Tamil 2003 Ottesi Cheputunna Divya Telugu Credited as SravanthiAnnavaru Subbulakshmi Kannada 2004 Aethiree Gayathri Iyer Tamil Autograph Thenmozhi Senthil 2005 Dancer Divya 2006 Naa Autograph Sandhya Telugu Sye Renu Kannada Varalaru Gayathri Tamil – 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 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 SanthathikalDiana Joseph Drama Mercy John Chacko (Kunjumol) 2019 Lonappante MamodeesaNeelimaMamangam Chirudevi 2022Bro DaddyElsy KurianCBI 5: The BrainSusan George / Ambika UnnithanPaappan SusanPerfume: Her FragnanceAbhirami 2023 Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir KanagaraniTamil 2024 Weapon Damini The Greatest of All TimeAbi Menon Special appearanceOnce Upon A Time in Madras Kowsi Special appearance2025 Niram Marum Ulagil Fathima 2026 G.D.N Ambalapara Krishna's wife

As dubbing artist Year Film For Language 2005 Sachein Genelia D'Souza Tamil 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 Language2006Kalakka Povathu Yaaru HostVijay TV Tamil2007–2008Mega Thangavettai Sun TV2008Annual Chutti Vikatan Children's Quiz Show2013Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njanum JudgeAsianet Malayalam2015Uggram UjjwalamMazhavil Manorama2016 comedy stars season 2Asianet2017Grand Magical Circus Amrita TV2019Kerala Dance League 2020Snehathode Veetil Ninnu HerselfMazhavil ManoramaHealth DeskAsianet2021Red CarpetMentorAmrita TV 2022Vanakkam Tamizha Guest Sun TVTamilCook with Comedy JudgeAsianetMalayalam2023Pongal VilayattuParticipantSun TVTamil2024–2025Naanga Ready Neenga Ready AhJudge2025Vanakkam Tamizha Guest 2025 Single PasangaJudgeZee Tamil

Serials Year Program Role ChannelLanguageNotes2008ThiruvillayadalDevi Sun TV Tamil2022Mad CompanyPodhum PonnuAha Web series2022–2024EthirneechalEaswari Gunasekaran Sun TV - Tamil Nadu State Television Awards for Best Character Actress 2024–2025 Ethirneechal Thodargiradhu - Indian Awards Television for Most Popular Actress

Awards and nominations

+YearFilm & TV showsAwardCategoryResult 2007VaralaruFilmfare Awards SouthFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil2010PazhassirajaAsianet Film AwardsSpecial Jury Award2013Bavuttiyude NamathilVanitha Film Awards Best Supporting Actress 2023Ethirneechal Behindwoods Gold IconsBest Lead Cast On Television Sun Kudumbam ViruthugalThanga Mangai2024Ananda Vikatan Television Awards Best Supporting Actress2025Ethirneechal ThodargirathuSun Kudumbam ViruthugalThanga Mangai2026Indian Awards Television Most Popular Actress EthirneechalTamil Nadu State Awards – TelevisionBest Charector Actress –2022

Kaniha

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