Full Name: Divya Venkatasubramaniam
Popularly Known As: Kaniha
Birthplace: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Other Names: Kanika, Sravanthy
Alma Mater: BITS Pilani
Occupations:Actress,Voice actor,Playback singer,TV anchor
Years Active: 2002-present
Spouse: Shyam Radhakrishnan
Children: 1
Early Life and Education
Kaniha, born as Divya Venkata Subramaniam into a Tamil-speaking Iyer Brahmin family in Madurai, exhibited exceptional talent from a young age. Her father, Venkata Subramaniam Iyer, an engineer, provided a supportive environment for her aspirations. In 1999, she received the Tamil Nadu State Award for Educational Excellence. She pursued her Mechanical Engineering degree at BITS Pilani from 1999 to 2003, all while honing her singing talent and participating in performing arts.
Career Beginnings
Kaniha's foray into the entertainment industry commenced with her debut in the 2002 Tamil film "Five Star." Her performance garnered attention, marking the beginning of a prolific career in cinema. She showcased her versatility by essaying various roles across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada cinema.
Notable Works
- Five Star (2002): Marked her debut in Tamil cinema.
- Annavaru (2004): Stepped into Kannada filmdom with this movie, a remake of Mani Ratnam's "Thalapathi" (1991).
- Bhagyadevatha (2009): Earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of a homely Christian girl, winning several awards.
- Pazhassi Raja (2009): Portrayed the role of a queen opposite Mammootty in this biographical historical film.
Beyond Cinema
Apart from acting, Kaniha ventured into various other domains:
- Television: Hosted and judged popular TV shows, showcasing her versatility beyond the silver screen.
- Dubbing and Singing: Displayed her vocal prowess by lending her voice to playback singing and dubbing for renowned actresses.
Personal Life
Kaniha married Shyam Radhakrishnan in 2008, and they have a son named Sai Rishi. Despite her success in the film industry, Kaniha values her family life and balances her professional and personal commitments with grace.
Conclusion
Kaniha's journey from Divya Venkatasubramaniam to the iconic figure of Kaniha epitomizes talent, dedication, and versatility. As she continues to captivate audiences with her performances, her legacy remains an inspiration for aspiring artists across the Indian entertainment industry.